Thank you to everyone who shared your thoughts about living, working or being involved in Yarra Ranges now, and your hopes and dreams for the future. Your feedback helped inform the development of the draft Council, Asset and Finance Plans. The goal of these key plans is to advance Yarra Ranges towards the future outlined in the Community Vision.

The Yarra Ranges - Shape your future project has been one of Council's most comprehensive engagement projects, involving thousands of community members since March 2024.

Engagement activities included pop-ups, stakeholder summits, and feedback opportunities on the Shaping Yarra Ranges website. There was a deliberative Community Panel, made up of 40 community representatives selected from over 400 applicants, who attended dedicated workshops where Council priorities and challenges and discussed and debated. We also hosted Community and Stakeholder Summits and dedicated focused conversations with township groups, and representatives from the Disability, Health and Wellbeing, Indigenous, Rural, Sustainable Environment Advisory Committees and the Positive Ageing Reference and Youth Advisory Groups and a Youth Summit with secondary school representatives.

Further details of the engagement activities and related reports can be found below.

Engagement reports

Stage 1: Activities

  • Survey responses

    Over 5000 people visited the project page to find out how to get involved.

    Between 27 March and 8 May, we received over 700 surveys from community members, online and in hard copy.

Stage 2: Community Panel

From over 400 expressions of interest, 35 panel members selected by an independent consultant, joined a series of deliberative panel sessions. Between 17 July and 17 August 2024, the panel met three times, where they discussed and debated Council's priorities and tricky challenges.

Find out more about the

Find out more about the Community Panel.

Outcomes of stage 1 & 2

An overview of the feedback from Stages 1 & 2

Click the '+' signs to learn more about the key themes.

Community desire for better communication and transparency from Council

  • Community desire for better communication and transparency from Council
  • Need for improved trust between Council and residents
  • Importance of involving community in decision-making processes
  • Potential for using technology to improve community engagement
  • Need for better information sharing and online resources

The community feels disconnected from Council decisions and wants to have a greater say in shaping their local area. There is a desire for more open communication and accountability.

  • Climate change mitigation as a key priority
  • Support for energy-efficient infrastructure and programs
  • Interest in eco-tourism and sustainable practices
  • Importance of bushland rehabilitation and maintenance
  • Interest in smart city initiatives (e.g., micro-grids, solar energy)

While views varied on the actions that should be taken, residents are increasingly aware of climate change impacts and want their local government to take a leading role in environmental protection and sustainability.

  • Balancing tourism benefits with resident needs
  • Interest in developing unique tourism offerings (e.g., dark sky tourism)
  • Need for careful management of peak time stress on local infrastructure
  • Interest in supporting local businesses and economy
  • Need for better employment opportunities within the region
  • Potential for leveraging tourism for economic benefits

While recognising the economic benefits of tourism, residents are concerned about its impact on their quality of life and local infrastructure and want to ensure a balance between visitor attractions and community needs.

The community wants local job opportunities and a thriving local economy to support their livelihoods and reduce commuting needs.

  • Focus on road maintenance and sealing priorities
  • Importance of public transport and accessibility
  • Need for improved waste management
  • Maintenance and access to parks and green spaces
  • Maintenance and access to trails and footpaths
  • Importance of water management and maintenance of drains
  • Preserving small town feel and managing development

The community wants to ensure their basic needs are met efficiently and effectively, with a focus on improving daily life through better roads, transport, and access to essential services.

  • Emphasis on supporting all life stages within the community
  • Focus on affordable housing and addressing homelessness
  • Importance of community spaces and facilities
  • Need for improved education and childcare services
  • Better health and wellbeing services, including aged care support
  • Technology to improve services

There’s a strong desire for a connected, supportive community that caters to all age groups and addresses key social issues like housing affordability and homelessness.

  • Balancing budget constraints with community expectations
  • Focus on asset management criteria and decision-making processes
  • Exploration of revenue-raising opportunities
  • Reduce council spending/rates
  • Need for long-term financial planning

Residents are looking for stability and forward-thinking leadership that goes beyond short-term electoral cycles to address long-term challenges.

The community wants assurance that their rates are being spent wisely and that Council is planning for the long-term financial sustainability of the region.

  • Consideration of emergency preparedness in infrastructure planning
  • Importance of road safety and accessibility for emergency vehicles
  • Climate change adaptation and resilience

Given the area’s susceptibility to natural disasters, residents want to feel secure and prepared for potential emergencies.

Stage 3: Checking in on what we heard

Between March and August 2024, we reached just under of 5,500 people, with active involvement from 1,091 participants.

Communities have highlighted the importance of the different priorities and needs of local urban and rural areas.

We know each of our four regions are special and have their unique opportunities and challenges. A number of Council services currently have a regional focus, but we want to confirm the importance of this regional approach, as we start developing our next Council Plan.

Complete the quick poll below to let us know if you want to see more emphasis and clarity on how and why we work in the regions of Yarra Ranges.

15 December, 2024

JanisFloyd says:

Rebuild the Kilsyth Pool using solar panels for electricity, batteries and water harvesting. This is used for all ages and abilities.

5 December, 2024

bkaempkes says:

Protect the heritage of the hills, keep high density housing out and look after the natural environment.

4 December, 2024

gohorsehaven says:

Toilets at Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve are disgusting and an embarrassment. Forget blue sky - Get the basics at 100%. Rates NOT at work.

3 December, 2024

Doug says:

Greater investment in Belgrave Pool to allow for year-long use and day-long use in shoulder season, i.e., simply increase available wages.

3 December, 2024

Zac says:

We are moving to the area purely because of the MTB park, have bought land and employing only local trades to build a house. Can’t wait!

2 December, 2024

Shane Donkin says:

We need allocation of land to be used for commercial / industrial use in Healesville, too much land in hunter street just used for storage

1 December, 2024

Lorena says:

Please rebuild new &improved 50m indoor pool & other facilities at the same location in Kilsyth! The community needs these services LOCALLY.

30 November, 2024

Shirl says:

Planning, advice and grants which offer low- or interest-free loans to small businesses offering unique tourism experiences/products.

30 November, 2024

paul_utting says:

Council engage on a surface level only. When a project gets difficult or decisions have to be made then community are cut out.

29 November, 2024

chrystalage says:

Emergency preparedness, residents need better preparation for future extreme weather events and the ability to cope until services restored

29 November, 2024

Sue says:

Ensure local amenity and the needs of wildlife are not sacrificed for tourist ‘experiences’

29 November, 2024

Sue says:

Work with VicRoads to improve the rough space between roads & footpaths, providing more space for cyclists to ride safely, and cars to pass

29 November, 2024

Sue says:

Provide incentives for landowners who manage environmental weeds on their properties.

29 November, 2024

Amber says:

Create men's sheds and community gardens for mental health and community.

29 November, 2024

Amber says:

Recycle soft plastics!

29 November, 2024

Amber says:

Weed control. The forest, road reserves and our own gardens are weedy and out if control. Please educate and help clean up the hills.

29 November, 2024

Lili says:

Preserve 'old-world' charm and character. Enhance council garden beds and paths, committing to their maintenance and year-round beauty!

29 November, 2024

Lili says:

Preserve 'old-world' charm and character. Enhance council garden beds and paths, committing to their maintenance and year-round beauty!

21 November, 2024

Philippa Griffin says:

The biggest issues our household faces is not having infrastructure that should be baseline in 2024. Mains water and sealed roads.

19 November, 2024

Antoinette says:

We need to establish one or a couple of recycling hubs for hard to recycle single streams. People want to reduce their waste.

19 November, 2024

NautaKat says:

One consistently environmentally and community based planning scheme should exist for the hills. The state should not take over planning.

19 November, 2024

Monica says:

I would like to see the planning department easier to deal with, more common sense in the rules, staff that follow one permit through.

What is important in your region?

The top priorities based on where the feedback so far has come from are presented below.
  • Urban

    • Public amenity
    • Community programs and events
    • Waste
    • Road maintenance
  • Hills

    • Regulated development and planning
    • Road maintenance
    • Public amenity
  • Upper Yarra

    • Regulated development and planning
    • Road maintenance
    • Meaningful community engagement
  • Valley

    • Tourism management
    • Waste
    • Meaningful community engagement

15 December, 2024

JanisFloyd says:

Rebuild the Kilsyth Pool using solar panels for electricity, batteries and water harvesting. This is used for all ages and abilities.

5 December, 2024

bkaempkes says:

Protect the heritage of the hills, keep high density housing out and look after the natural environment.

4 December, 2024

gohorsehaven says:

Toilets at Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve are disgusting and an embarrassment. Forget blue sky - Get the basics at 100%. Rates NOT at work.

3 December, 2024

Doug says:

Greater investment in Belgrave Pool to allow for year-long use and day-long use in shoulder season, i.e., simply increase available wages.

3 December, 2024

Zac says:

We are moving to the area purely because of the MTB park, have bought land and employing only local trades to build a house. Can’t wait!

2 December, 2024

Shane Donkin says:

We need allocation of land to be used for commercial / industrial use in Healesville, too much land in hunter street just used for storage

1 December, 2024

Lorena says:

Please rebuild new &improved 50m indoor pool & other facilities at the same location in Kilsyth! The community needs these services LOCALLY.

30 November, 2024

Shirl says:

Planning, advice and grants which offer low- or interest-free loans to small businesses offering unique tourism experiences/products.

30 November, 2024

paul_utting says:

Council engage on a surface level only. When a project gets difficult or decisions have to be made then community are cut out.

29 November, 2024

chrystalage says:

Emergency preparedness, residents need better preparation for future extreme weather events and the ability to cope until services restored

29 November, 2024

Sue says:

Ensure local amenity and the needs of wildlife are not sacrificed for tourist ‘experiences’

29 November, 2024

Sue says:

Work with VicRoads to improve the rough space between roads & footpaths, providing more space for cyclists to ride safely, and cars to pass

29 November, 2024

Sue says:

Provide incentives for landowners who manage environmental weeds on their properties.

29 November, 2024

Amber says:

Create men's sheds and community gardens for mental health and community.

29 November, 2024

Amber says:

Recycle soft plastics!

29 November, 2024

Amber says:

Weed control. The forest, road reserves and our own gardens are weedy and out if control. Please educate and help clean up the hills.

29 November, 2024

Lili says:

Preserve 'old-world' charm and character. Enhance council garden beds and paths, committing to their maintenance and year-round beauty!

29 November, 2024

Lili says:

Preserve 'old-world' charm and character. Enhance council garden beds and paths, committing to their maintenance and year-round beauty!

21 November, 2024

Philippa Griffin says:

The biggest issues our household faces is not having infrastructure that should be baseline in 2024. Mains water and sealed roads.

19 November, 2024

Antoinette says:

We need to establish one or a couple of recycling hubs for hard to recycle single streams. People want to reduce their waste.

19 November, 2024

NautaKat says:

One consistently environmentally and community based planning scheme should exist for the hills. The state should not take over planning.

19 November, 2024

Monica says:

I would like to see the planning department easier to deal with, more common sense in the rules, staff that follow one permit through.

15 December, 2024

JanisFloyd says:

Rebuild the Kilsyth Pool using solar panels for electricity, batteries and water harvesting. This is used for all ages and abilities.

5 December, 2024

bkaempkes says:

Protect the heritage of the hills, keep high density housing out and look after the natural environment.

4 December, 2024

gohorsehaven says:

Toilets at Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve are disgusting and an embarrassment. Forget blue sky - Get the basics at 100%. Rates NOT at work.

3 December, 2024

Doug says:

Greater investment in Belgrave Pool to allow for year-long use and day-long use in shoulder season, i.e., simply increase available wages.

3 December, 2024

Zac says:

We are moving to the area purely because of the MTB park, have bought land and employing only local trades to build a house. Can’t wait!

2 December, 2024

Shane Donkin says:

We need allocation of land to be used for commercial / industrial use in Healesville, too much land in hunter street just used for storage

1 December, 2024

Lorena says:

Please rebuild new &improved 50m indoor pool & other facilities at the same location in Kilsyth! The community needs these services LOCALLY.

30 November, 2024

Shirl says:

Planning, advice and grants which offer low- or interest-free loans to small businesses offering unique tourism experiences/products.

30 November, 2024

paul_utting says:

Council engage on a surface level only. When a project gets difficult or decisions have to be made then community are cut out.

29 November, 2024

chrystalage says:

Emergency preparedness, residents need better preparation for future extreme weather events and the ability to cope until services restored

29 November, 2024

Sue says:

Ensure local amenity and the needs of wildlife are not sacrificed for tourist ‘experiences’

29 November, 2024

Sue says:

Work with VicRoads to improve the rough space between roads & footpaths, providing more space for cyclists to ride safely, and cars to pass

29 November, 2024

Sue says:

Provide incentives for landowners who manage environmental weeds on their properties.

29 November, 2024

Amber says:

Create men's sheds and community gardens for mental health and community.

29 November, 2024

Amber says:

Recycle soft plastics!

29 November, 2024

Amber says:

Weed control. The forest, road reserves and our own gardens are weedy and out if control. Please educate and help clean up the hills.

29 November, 2024

Lili says:

Preserve 'old-world' charm and character. Enhance council garden beds and paths, committing to their maintenance and year-round beauty!

29 November, 2024

Lili says:

Preserve 'old-world' charm and character. Enhance council garden beds and paths, committing to their maintenance and year-round beauty!

21 November, 2024

Philippa Griffin says:

The biggest issues our household faces is not having infrastructure that should be baseline in 2024. Mains water and sealed roads.

19 November, 2024

Antoinette says:

We need to establish one or a couple of recycling hubs for hard to recycle single streams. People want to reduce their waste.

19 November, 2024

NautaKat says:

One consistently environmentally and community based planning scheme should exist for the hills. The state should not take over planning.

19 November, 2024

Monica says:

I would like to see the planning department easier to deal with, more common sense in the rules, staff that follow one permit through.