Representatives from Outer Melbourne Councils and community groups met in late August to discuss pressing issues for communities in Victoria with the State Government.
On Monday, 18 August and Friday, 22 August, Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child, presented at a Community Growth and Infrastructure Forum and a Road, Transport and Connectivity Forum with other community leaders.
Council CEO, Tammi Rose, also spoke at an event at with other OMC Council CEOs and Mayors that was focused on issues impacting financial sustainability.
All forums were attended by representatives of both the State Government and the Opposition, in an early opportunity for Council to highlight community needs in Yarra Ranges ahead of the November 2026 State Election.
Council CEO, Tammi Rose, attended an event at Wyndham Council with other Council CEOs, Mayors and representatives from the State Government The issue of cost shifting – where other levels of Government move services to Councils without adequate funding – was raised as a widespread issue.
Cr Child spoke on the importance of infrastructure renewal for locals and visitors alike, and ongoing funding support from the State Government.
"We have more than $1.5 billion worth of assets over 55 townships, and they're rapidly ageing," he said.
"As one of the most visited tourist regions in the state, we have constant challenges in providing the infrastructure to meet this tourism demand, while meeting the needs of our local community.
"We know and our community know that our road network, drainage systems and community infrastructure are no longer built-for-purpose. We need significant upgrades to meet the needs of the community now and into the future, and to rise to meet the challenges of the changing climate.
"What's more, the growing cost of aquatics facilities is a concern for us and other councils; having swimming pools helps boost water safety – a key issue in the warmer months – and health and wellbeing, but they come at an enormous cost.
"We want to work with the Victorian Government to find ways to fund infrastructure renewal, through grant funding or tax flexibility. If we can get support from the State, we can prioritise projects like a new urban aquatics facility, renew outdated infrastructure and make the Yarra Ranges better for everyone."
Cr Child also presented on the importance of duplicating the Lilydale train line between Mooroolbark and Lilydale, with a new station to service the growing community at the former Lilydale quarry site; having improved and more frequent bus services and; flexible road funding alongside better maintenance of arterial roads such as the Melba, Warburton and Maroondah Highways.
In the face of the changing climate, Cr Child said the Yarra Ranges would need significant, ongoing funding to help the region adapt to extreme weather events.
"We're rated as one of the highest-risk areas in Australia for bushfire, we regularly experience flooding, storms and landslip events, and, quite simply, the current funding models don't support Council and the community in the way we need," Cr Child said.
"There are already local properties and businesses at the limit of their insurability, or becoming uninsurable because of the rapid increase in weather events.
"We've done great work with other levels of Government to help build community resilience, but we need long-term, structured, financial support to make sure our resilient communities are built in a way that can thrive in the face of massive change.
"I'm proud of our work with the State Government over my time at Council, and I hope that the representatives from the Government and Opposition take note of our concerns in the lead-up to next year's State Election."
