Action 1.1 - Community connections (short term)

Support Yarra Glen’s community connections, activities and events through a broad range of activities that promote social engagement and well being. Foster ongoing relationships between Council and community, with opportunities for engagement and clear communication.

Action 1.2 – Community needs (short term)

Understand and support the diverse service needs of all ages, including young families, children, youth and our ageing community.

Action 2.1 – Township design framework (short term)

Develop a Township Design Framework aligned with Yarra Glen Place Plan priorities, integrating building design, public spaces, lighting, and movement to establish clear design objectives and a suite of deliverable projects that attract project funding.

Prioritise centralised nodes of community connection, opportunity for success and growth of local businesses, and safe, accessible pedestrian movement within the centre, including crossings at natural community pathways. Strengthen residential connections by identifying and delivering missing links in the pedestrian network.

Cater for people of all ages with design principles such as seating, shade, safe lighting, and play opportunities - to foster intergenerational interaction and a sense of belonging.

Action 2.2 – Community facilities and infrastructure (medium term)

Undertake a comprehensive review of community infrastructure with a long-term vision for resilient, accessible, and sustainable facilities that support people of all ages.

Collaborate with young people to co-design diverse and inclusive youth spaces that offer a range of activities.

Celebrate and enhance McKenzie Reserve by working in partnership with the community to create vibrant spaces that support events, activation, and promote wellbeing.

Complete flood modelling and develop a proactive action plan to mitigate the impacts of flooding on community facilities, with a particular focus on working alongside local clubs to explore strategies that reduce future flood risks to the Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve Pavilion.

Action 2.3 – Planning and development (short to medium term)

Promote future housing diversity to enable balanced development that supports ageing in place, affordable options and seasonal worker accommodation.

Encourage the adaptive reuse of disused buildings to enhance activity and improve the visual appeal of the activity centre.

Action 3.1 – Roads and pedestrian movement (short to medium term)

Address key transport and infrastructure challenges to improve safety, accessibility, and connectivity. Prioritise consistent traffic management, safe pedestrian movement, and enhanced road conditions.

Ensure upgrades benefit both local residents and visitors, creating a safer, more efficient activity centre. Maintain ongoing advocacy to the State Government regarding safety and flooding issues on Melba Highway, working towards reliable access to the urban area.

Action 3.2 – Local transport (short to medium term)

Advocate with the State Government to deliver innovative solutions that improve local access, frequency, and safety of public transport. Explore opportunities to support local transport providers, encourage alternative transport options, and ensure safe, accessible infrastructure to strengthen the overall transport system in better servicing people of all ages.

Action 3.3 - Parking (short term)

Develop a Yarra Glen Parking Strategy to deliver adequate accessible and short-term parking in the heart of the activity centre. Improve parking efficiency in the shopping precinct through clear wayfinding and better connections.

Prioritise upgrades to parking around community facilities, school bus stops and school zones by formalising spaces, improving traffic flow, and enhancing lighting for safety.

Action 4.1 - Revitalisation and economic development (short to medium term)

Support local businesses to collaborate on shared outcomes. Revitalise the activity centre by encouraging activation of shop fronts, and upgrading infrastructure that reflects Yarra Glen’s unique identity and vibrant character.

Enhance public spaces to foster community connection and activation through events and activities for both locals and visitors.

Action 4.2 - Tourism (short term)

Develop Yarra Glen’s tourism profile, celebrating local creatives, artisans and producers. Improve infrastructure and the pedestrian network to increase dwell time of visitors.

Advocate to all levels of Government for the completion of the Rail Trail as a priority project to support local business and community.

Action 5.1 - Emergency resilience (short term)

Encourage community emergency resilience by supporting preparedness programs and planning resilient infrastructure.

Empower a self-sufficient community with sustainable and reliable electricity and communication networks.

Advocate to State Government for improvements to the road and communications networks, allowing for consistent means of access and communication in emergencies.

Action 5.2 - Protection of the environment (short to medium term)

Deliver targeted on ground and planning actions to improve the ecological condition and climate resilience of waterways and connected habitats in Yarra Glen and its surrounding landscape. This includes identifying priority restoration sites, supporting Traditional Owner led practices, and working with community to implement nature based solutions that enhance biodiversity and support local connection to the natural environment.

Action 5.3 - Support services (ongoing)

Advocate for a consistent local healthcare network for the Yarra Valley area working towards improving diversity in services, including medical care, social development programs, emergency response, and aged care support, ensuring accessibility and equity for everyone in the community.