Councillors have endorsed a new advocacy platform, that will focus Council's conversations with government to achieve our community's vision.
Council formally endorsed its new advocacy platform on Tuesday, 25 November.
The advocacy priorities, available to view online, highlight some key areas where Council needs State or Federal Government support or funding and will guide our activities ahead of the 2026 State Election and onwards to the next Federal Election.
The priorities include asking for safe road crossings on State Government-managed road, more affordable housing through new planning controls, additional funding for the Yarra Valley Trail, funding for youth programs, better public transport and better access to funding grants.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Richard Higgins, said the priorities would help local candidates and major political parties know what the community wanted to see from the next State Government.
"When the election cycle begins in earnest, major parties will make announcements for projects they think the community wants to see - it's a great time for projects to get a big funding boost, and turn them from ideas into reality," Cr Higgins said.
"We'll be taking these priorities to the coming State Election, but working to advocate for them year-round in our conversations with other levels of Government, key partners and community groups.
"These priorities have been set using feedback from the community, expert analysis and the Council Plan's long-term view on how we can make the Yarra Ranges the best place to live, work and play."
Council's main advocacy priorities include:
Including:
Warburton Highway at Peters Road and Old Warburton Highway, Seville East
Warburton Highway in Wandin North
Warburton Highway in Yarra Junction, near Corduroy Road (on the Warburton Trail)
Melba Highway in Yarra Glen, near Armstrong Grove
At the Kallista roundabout on Monbulk Road
Mount Dandenong Tourist Road in Olinda
Mountain Highway in Sassafras
Pembroke Road in Mooroolbark, on the Brushy Creek Trail
Swansea Road in Lilydale, on the Olinda Creek Trail
York Road in Mount Evelyn, on the Mount Evelyn Aqueduct Trail
More affordable housing locally, but to do this we need new state planning provisions that mandate affordable housing when land is rezoned for residential use, or when large-scale developments are approved.
Funding for a bridge crossing of the Birrarung / Yarra River and boardwalk to link the Yarra Valley Trail to the Yarra Glen township and tourist railway station, facilitating the Trail's future connection into Healesville.
A Greenprint to restore nature locally which will be a strategic model to map, prioritise and reconnect fragmented animal habitats, restoring ecological corridors to improve the resilience of animal populations.
Joint State and Federal Government funding for a new urban aquatics centre. With an initial $1 million investment sought, followed by a commitment of $20 million each from the State and Federal Governments, Council can work towards a pool that meets the needs of the community for coming decades.
More support for young people, through restoration and prioritisation of funding for youth programs that support mental health, gender equity, cultural safety, and connection.
Sustainable local transport, through a strategic review and funding prioritisation to:
Improve timetables for local train and bus services
Expand flexi-ride bus services to other areas and days of the week
Relocate poorly-used existing bus services to on-demand services
Duplicate the Lilydale railway line between Mooroolbark and Lilydale, with a new station at Cave Hill to serve the new housing estate.
Upgrade the Belgrave Station and construct a flyover road linking the station and carpark to Burwood Highway
Funding fairness with grants for local projects, with restored and expanded funding programs, along with exemption from the Windfall Gains Tax and other priorities.
Cr Higgins said he will champion these priorities in ongoing advocacy to our local Members of Parliament and join with other councils to achieve common goals.
"These priorities would all make an incredible and positive difference in the community," he said.
"For example, we know our community members in the urban area are in desperate need of a new aquatics facility, following the closure of the Kilsyth Pool. Without significant funding from the State and Federal Governments, that goal is simply unachievable.
"We also have major safety risks along the Warburton Highway and across the Dandenong Ranges, due to a lack of pedestrian crossings. Because VicRoads manages these arterial roads, all we can do is explain the risks and the benefits and ask for support.
"If both major parties pledge their support to these goals, the community can rest assured that things will get better with these long-term issues finally solved.
"We'll be meeting with candidates, when announced, to make the case for these priorities and other local projects on behalf of our communities."
