By Mikayla van Loon
Yarra Ranges Council has adopted its council plan, vision, action plan and financial plan after draft documents were consulted on by the community last month.
These plans outline what the council would like to achieve over the next four years and by 2036.
Some of the community feedback received through the advisory panel and from online submissions noted the importance of including First Nations heritage across the municipality by way of signage and flags, as well as Aboriginal history.
Other points raised related to the financial stability of the council, economic recovery from the last two years, rate increases, environmental management, bushfire preparedness, the importance of local agricultural businesses and local assets.
“These documents are our commitment, the promise that we make to our community, about what we will deliver. The council plan in particular is the heart of every local government and this one involves the voices of a large number of our community,” Mayor Fiona McAllister said.
“Whether you live here or visit, you will see how much we care for Country, how inclusive and connected our communities are, and how balanced growth makes us the best place in the world.”
Lilydale and District Historical Society president Sue Thompson elected to speak at the council meeting on 26 October to address the Value of History Statement.
Ms Thompson said Yarra Ranges Council was the first in Victoria and most likely Australia to adopt the statement as part of the council plan.
“You are all true trailblazers, and I congratulate you. While you’re only now adopting the statement, your planning staff have been doing amazing work under the guidance of Alison Fowler (heritage officer), on the protection of the natural and built history features of the municipality,” she said.
With 14 historical societies in the shire, Ms Thompson said a heritage officer was meant to support these groups but had since been redeployed, leaving historical societies in a questionable position.
“The support of history groups has fallen away and the groups have faced huge challenges, including aging, as we all do, and Covid.
“The lack of people and volunteers has seen five history groups in the Shire of Yarra Ranges facing serious issues. Their membership, remaining incorporated, is a key issue when you are in charge of collections, promotion and limited ability to open the doors.”
Ms Thompson said she would like to see a full time heritage officer assigned to the role to “ensure all groups, their collections and their knowledge survive and thrive.”
