Council is urging community members to eat, shop and stay local over Christmas, New Year's and into 2021, as the community opens back up for the end of the year.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Fiona McAllister, said that the community had already shown incredible support for local business during months of lockdown.
"We've heard some great stories over the year about community members supporting their local restaurants, cafes and producers, helping them to stay afloat during a very difficult time," Cr McAllister said.
"Though lockdown is over, there's a long road to recovery and normality for many local businesses, and community support is still absolutely essential.
"Everyone is no-doubt excited to get out and explore the State and the country again now things are re-opening, but I'd encourage our community to keep eating, buying and staying locally to give our businesses that extra leg-up ahead of and after Christmas."
Cr McAllister said that booking a staycation in the area, visiting a new part of the Yarra Ranges and shopping with retail and hospitality businesses were all easy and effective ways of showing support.
"Booking a stay in the Dandenongs or Yarra Valley, getting a takeaway lunch from a local café, buying ingredients for Christmas dinner or gifts for your loved ones at a nearby store all have a very real and very positive impact on others in your community.
"We have hundreds of local parks and reserves for picnic catch-ups and trails criss-crossing our towns if you're after somewhere new to explore with a friend.
"We're extremely privileged to live in an amazing part of the world, with world-class produce and destinations and businesses that people travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres to visit.
"Whatever you need to do, do it locally. Have a Yarra Ranges Christmas and a safe and happy New Year."
