YR Local - Autumn 2023

YR LOCAL

3 Public electric vehicle charger open

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Help shape the future of local pools

A word from the Mayor

We are incredibly disappointed that more than 138km of road sealing projects have had to be abandoned, following the Federal Government’s decision to cut more than $100 million from our Roads for the Community Initiative.

In 2019, the previous Federal Government announced a nine year, $150m funding plan for Yarra Ranges, with the same amount pledged to Cardinia Council, to seal roads within the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding areas.

Following the 2022 Federal Election, the new Federal Government informed Council that only $47.7m of the original $150m will be honoured, leaving the project without two thirds of its projected funding.

As a result, more than 400 roads across the Yarra Ranges cannot proceed, impacting more than 5200 properties.

We are just devastated.

We’ve already heard from upset community members, who will either face long waits and significantly higher costs to build their road, or will face the prospect of their road not being sealed at all.

Councils have been hamstrung for decades, with no State or Federal Government funding to seal crushed rock roads – leaving community members and Councils to pay huge sums for this infrastructure. Roads for the Community would have allowed us to complete 60-100 years’ worth of road sealing projects in less than 10, but now the majority of this project has to be abandoned.

Sealing these roads offers significant benefits - from safety for drivers and pedestrians, access for emergency vehicles, better evacuation routes, reduced dust on local roads and associated drainage works to prevent flooding and run-off. We are incredibly disappointed to lose this funding.

We’re aware that the pledge in 2019 back-loaded the funding, meaning the incoming Federal Government would have significant amounts of funding to provide, but the commitment at the time was bipartisan, so all parties were on board.

We cannot emphasise enough the enormous community benefit of these projects would have provided, beyond the construction cost.

We urge the Federal Government to reconsider this funding cut. We will continue to advocate for new funding to progress these vital projects on behalf of our disappointed community members.

Community members on impacted roads have been sent letters, with details of the funding cut and whether their sealing project can continue.

To see whether your road project is impacted by these funding cuts, visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/RFCcuts

Cr Jim Child, Mayor of Yarra Ranges

A word from our Youth Ambassador, Sien

I’m Sien, a non-binary, 20-year-old young person living, working and studying in the Yarra Ranges. I moved with my family to the Yarra Ranges when I was nine years old. It was a huge adjustment to the bustling suburbs I had grown up in. I love its beautiful flora and fauna and the differing landscapes that I see within my daily commute. I have always been loud about the things I’m passionate about, like art and science, but most importantly, advocacy.

I became a Youth Ambassador in 2021 and have loved it ever since. Throughout my time with Yarra Ranges Council, I have been able to advocate for the young people who may not usually have their voices heard. As a young person, I haven’t always felt like my voice and opinions mattered, but through this role, I have seen that what I have to say does matter, and that’s what I want young people to know.

I have seen more plants placed around the new Lilydale train station, because that’s what young people wanted. I’ve seen Yarra Ranges’ first Pride Formal, because that’s what young people wanted. Young people are our future, so we need to listen to what they want, need, think, and feel.

I am particularly passionate about mental health, accessibility, and LGBTQIA+ issues, all of which have contributed to my work within council and across the Yarra Ranges community (you may recognise my face from articles advocating for the Lilydale Youth Hub to remain open).

I have loved all the consultations I have been part of, where I get to speak to young people directly. It feels great that they know they’re being heard. Although my term as Youth Ambassador finishes up this year, I can’t wait to see what further impact we can have!

First publicly-owned electric vehicle charger opened in Yarra Glen

A partnership between Yarra Glenergy, the State Government and Council has resulted in the first public electric vehicle (EV) charger in Yarra Ranges.

Yarra Glenergy Vice President, Trent Evans, said the EV charger was already getting great use, after being installed in November, 2022.

“We’re getting about five or six cars through a day, making about $600 to $700 a month in revenue,” he said.

“That money goes to Yarra Glenergy, and the plan is to use it for more renewable projects in the area.

“The big benefit of this for the town is that it brings in tourists. They might be on the way to the snow or Lake Eildon, and they’ll stop here because it’s halfway from Melbourne.

“The shops always struggle to get people to stop – often, they just bypass Yarra Glen. And most people will only charge for 20 minutes, but they’ll walk to a café, visit the IGA and spend some money.

“Hopefully it’ll also encourage more EVs in the Yarra Glen community.”

The 50KW fast charger, uses a load management system that prioritises

energy use inside the Memorial Hall. It also uses surplus renewable energy from the solar system on the roof of the hall and is supplemented by renewable energy sourced by Council from the grid.

The charger was jointly funded using Yarra Glenergy’s budget – supplied by Council, following the sale of the former Maternal and Child Health building in town in 2016, and divided into community projects after a People’s Panel was convened – and a grant from the State Government.

Ryrie Ward Councillor, Fiona McAllister, congratulated Yarra Glenergy on the achievement, of hosting Yarra Ranges’ first publicly-owned EV charger.

“Privately-managed electric vehicle chargers have been available in the area for a few years now, in areas of the hills and the Yarra Valley, but I am thrilled that we now have this charger on public land, available at all hours for residents and visitors alike,” Cr McAllister said.

“Yarra Glenergy has progressed in leaps and bounds since the sale of the formermaternal and child health site in 2016, delivering meaningful projects to better the community and help us all live a bit lighter on the earth.

“Solar panels installed by the group on public buildings means that sporting clubs and our local kinder have dramatically reduced power bills. We know how increasingly difficult it is to make ends meet, so know this will take some of the pressure off.

“This new charger is the latest in a run of successes for the group, and I’d like to congratulate them on this wonderful project. We look forward to their next projects and we at Council will support them wherever we can.

“For the public, this is a milestone on a long road to having more publicly-available fast chargers as EV take-up increases. If we can provide good infrastructure to make charging possible, more people will stop in to visit our towns and more people will consider making the switch to electric vehicles.

“It’s also heartwarming to know that the price of charging your car in Yarra Glen – which is a fraction of what re-fuelling a petrol car costs – goes right back to be re-invested in the community, which I think is a tremendous result.”

Djirri Djirri Interactive Dance Performance

Wednesday, 19 April: From 11am at Arts Centre, Warburton

Join in this interactive performance presented by the only Wurundjeri female dance group and Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne).

Djirri Djirri means Willy Wagtail in Woiwurrung, the language of Wurundjeri people, the Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne) and surrounds. The Willy Wagtail, the Spirit Bird, gave us dance!

All the dancers are related by blood through one woman, Annie Borate, William Barak’s sister. Djirri Djirri dances are created to honour Liwik (Ancestors), Kerr-up-non (Family), Biik (Country) and animals and all songs are sung in Woiwurrung language, the Djirri Djirri’s Mother Tongue.

The Rainbow Tree by Fat Fruit

Saturday, 22 April: from 11am and 2pm at The Memo, Healesville

These performances will be Auslan interpreted

What happens when you invite seven children from Rainbow Families to create a show? You end up with a disco koala, a wildebeest, a farting unicorn and a fairy that can freeze tickle monsters all co-habiting in a very tall, yet tiny Rainbow Tree. This is what it’s like living in a Rainbow Family. Everyone is welcome and anything is possible.

The Rainbow Tree is musical storytelling with moving image. Written with children from Rainbow families, it shares personal and imagined stories

around the idea of family, identity and community. Performed by two queer super Aunties, Aunty Bear and ZaZa from Fat Fruit (Bec Matthews and Sarah Ward) with singing and live music, played on instruments and objects you could find around the house.

The songs are brought to life through the projected visual images of Jolyon James (Arena Theatre Company) featuring animation, illustrations and the children themselves.

For more information about these events and to book tickets, visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/events or call 1300 368 333

Lior & Domini - Animal in Hiding

Friday, 28 April: From 7.30pm at Arts Centre, Warburton

Saturday, 29 April: From 7.30pm at The Memo, Healesville

Animal in Hiding is the first release from a collaboration between one of Australia’s most established and critically acclaimed singer/songwriters Lior, together with exciting emerging artist Domini Forster. The pair have a creative partnership developed over six years touring together. Initially Domini toured as Lior’s support act, then as a guest vocalist and now as co-writer on their debut EP Animal in Hiding.

While Lior and Domini began writing the songs in late 2019, much of the material was developed during Melbourne’s long lockdown, over zoom from their

Death of a Salesman

Friday, 12 May: From 1pm and 7.30pm, at The Memo, Healesville

Rediscover one of the greatest plays of the 20th Century, Arthur Miller’s heartbreaking masterpiece Death of a Salesman, brought to life by an extraordinary ensemble of actors in the intimate setting of The Memo Healesville.

Coming in May 2023, Hearth Theatre presents a theatrical event not to be missed, starring one of Australia’s finest theatre actors, Paul English as Willy Loman, “a salesman with his feet on

the subway stairs, and his head in the stars.”

Pulitzer prize winning Death of a Salesman is regarded as one of the best contemporary plays ever written. This production uses the ground breaking rehearsal technique developed by English theatre director, adapter, translator and teacher Mike Alfreds, to breathe life into this classic.

respective homes. The title track, originally written about the isolation of winter, became the prophetic seed of the project.

Animal In Hiding is a collaboration between one of Australia’s most distinguished performers Lior and an exciting emerging talent Domini Forster featuring songs that are rooted in intimate storytelling, underpinned by intricate guitar with Lior and Domini’s close vocal harmonies as the focal point of the songs, harking back to the iconic folk duos of the 60s.

The Sunshine Club

Saturday, 22 July: From 7.30pm at The Memo, Healesville

Heralded as a “brilliant new landmark in Australian musicals”

(The Australian), The Sunshine Club is written and directed by proud Noonuccal Nuugi man Wesley Enoch AM, an acclaimed creative force in Australian Theatre. This energetic and engaging musical play has a variety of music styles, with 28 songs composed by the esteemed John Rodgers.

It tells the story of Frank Doyle, an Aboriginal serviceman who has

come home from World War II to find that although the wider world may have changed, attitudes back home in Brisbane are just the same. Filled with a defiant energy and ambition for a better life, Frank starts The Sunshine Club, a place where black and white can meet and, most importantly, dance. Here he dreams of a future where he can dance in step with Rose, the girl next door, the girl of his dreams.

Community committee to advise Council

Community members with disability will advise Council on strategy development, major projects and infrastructure, with a new Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) appointed.

Last year, community members were invited to express interest in joining the committee, whether they were a person with disability, an unpaid carer or represented a local service provider or community organisation.

The new DAC includes some former members and new members. This provides a balance of experience and fresh input to this important advisory committee.

Walling Ward Councillor and DAC Chair, Len Cox OAM, said the DAC had a crucial role to play, and an important voice in Council decisions.

“The DAC is one of our important committees – alongside our Positive Aging Reference Group and our Indigenous Advisory Committee – who help inform the

work we do across Yarra Ranges,” he said.

“Our last DAC was involved in many projects that have improved day-to-day life for people with disability – from redesigns of water fountains to be accessible for people in wheelchairs and with limited dexterity, to modifications of chicanes at road crossings along the Warburton Trail to improve safety and to accommodate the wider turning circle of hand cycles, tandem bikes and motorised scooters.

“Some of this work is fixing poor design from the past, which ignored the needs of people with disability, and some of it is pitching ideas, discussing proposals and guiding us on what we can do better in the future.

“This links back to our goal of having an active, engaged and involved community – and it’s crucial that people with disability are heard and represented in Government.

“I’m looking forward to working with our new DAC, hearing their perspectives

and representing them in the Council Chamber.”

The Disability Advisory Council meets eight times throughout the year.

The Committee presents an Annual Report to Council containing the Committee’s actions and key achievements over the previous 12 month period and detailing the Committee’s key plans and goals over the upcoming 12 months.

Council also runs Pathways for Carers walks at Mount Evelyn and Healesville –two free monthly walks for carers of people with disability or mental illness, to provide an opportunity to share walks with other carers, connect with nature and learn more about news, services and supports available to carers. For further information, email Amanda at A.May@yarraranges. vic.gov.au.

To find out more about Pathways for Carers, visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/pfc

Meet your Councillors

Proud to be stepping out at Midsumma

Yarra Ranges Council proudly stepped out at Melbourne’s Midsumma Pride March on Sunday 5 February, demonstrating our commitment and support to our LGBTQIA+ community.

“Midsumma Pride March is a celebration of the diversity of ways people experience gender and sexuality,” Councillor Johanna Skelton said.

“It’s also a chance to march in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ folk. In a world that is not always safe, welcoming, informed and inclusive for this community, strong public displays of support are valuable.

‘We want our LBTQIA+ community to see this support, and being visible at this event from now on is one way we can do this.

“Connection and celebration through arts and culture has always been important for people whose experiences aren’t reflected in mainstream ways.

“Like many individuals and organisations in our area, Council is working to remove barriers to inclusion.”

Yarra Ranges Council is committed to creating an inclusive community, valuing the strength in our diversity.

“We stand for respect and acceptance of all LGBTQIA+ members of our community,” Cr Skelton said.

“We want everyone to know that we see you. We hear you. We value you. You matter”.

“We encourage our community to come down and be part of this incredible event that supports our LGBTQIA+ members not only within our local community, but across Australia and all over the world.”

For more information about Council’s commitment to and support of our LGBTQIA+ community, visit yarraranges. vic.gov.au/LGBTQIA

Dedication to helping others recognised in Australia Day Awards

Hundreds of hours of volunteering, and a commitment to helping the community, has been recognised in Yarra Ranges Council’s annual Australia Day Awards. Council’s annual awards were handed out in a ceremony on Thursday, 26 January, following a ceremony for community members receiving their Australian Citizenship.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child, said this year’s recipients share a passion for improving the world around them.

“It’s been a rough few years for our community – in some ways, we’re bouncing back and, in others, we’ve got a while to go,” Cr Child said.

“But through adversity, through loss and the uphill battle of pushing for better, we have so many people locally who are willing to put their hand up, to set aside their time and dedicate their skills to improve the world around them.

“Our awards this year celebrate a fantastic variety of people – people of

all ages who regularly put the effort in to make the Yarra Ranges the best it can be – and I’m so pleased we can pay a little recognition to these wonderful leaders in our community,”

“Congratulations to this year’s award winners and our certificate recipients. Each one of these people is someone who we’re proud to have in our corner of the world, people that inspire others to do better, try harder and live with more empathy and kindness.”

Certificates of recognition

Environmental Achiever of the Year

Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award Community Group of the Year

Young Citizen of the Year

Young Environmental Achiever of the Year

Ian De La Rue Award for Community Leadership

Beck Rosel

Jane Hollands

Jeffery Gill

Philanthropic Collective and Friends of Glenfern Valley Bushlands

Willow Swaneveld

Allora Cumming

Sam Halim

Graham Hutchins, Phil Ruck, Sam Suke and Erchana Murray-Bartlett

ngurrak barring to weave trails through the hills

Community members are encouraged to stay tuned about ngurrak barring, as project works get underway this year.

Occurring across 39km of walking track, nguarrak barring (RidgeWalk) will invite residents and visitors to explore the natural wonders, rich histories and cultural offerings of the region.

ngurrak barring will deliver 14km of new and improved tracks, architectural nodes, permanent sculptures, land art and heritage interpretation.

RidgeWalk has recently been re-named ngurrak barring (noo-rak bar-ring)meaning ‘mountain paths’ in Woiwurrung. The name was provided by Senior Wurundjeri Elder and project Indigenous Advisory member, Aunty Doreen WandinGarvey.

Lyster Ward Councillor, Johanna Skelton, said that teams have been working hard on ngurrak barring through 2022, with major works to come in 2023.

“It’s fantastic that this project is rolling out and has a name that reflects layers of

meaning – the experience of walking the trails, the significance of the ranges as part of Wurundjeri Country, and the many ‘paths’ that have been taken throughout history by all who have lived here and felt connected to it,” she said.

“There has been such fantastic contribution to this project from our Creative Advisory Panel and our Indigenous Advisory Group for the project, along with community feedback, which is going to help us ensure ngurrak barring is a project that people enjoy for decades to come.

“The current plan is to have all works complete and every part of ngurrak barring open for the community by the end of 2024 – with artwork and trail sections to be completed in stages before then.”

Throughout March and early-April, Council sought expressions of interest from multidisciplinary teams of artists – local, national and international – to design, supply and install a large-scale land artwork at Kalorama Park.

The major public art commission, which will be located close to the highest point of the Dandenong Ranges, will create an iconic market for the area, viewable from a rang of distances and perspectives.

The artwork will ideally be completed by the end of February, 2024. Now that the expression of interest has closed, Council will consider the expressions and select teams to move to the next stage of selection.

ngurrak barring is one of Council’s Ridges and Rivers projects, alongside the Yarra Valley Trail and Warburton Mountain Bike Destination. All projects have received significant funding from the State Government (Growing Suburbs Fund), Federal Government, with investments from Council.

To find out more about this project, and to sign up for updates, visit yarraranges.vic. gov.au/ridgewalk

Survey to shape draft Aquatics Strategy

Council will present a draft Aquatics Strategy later this year, following a survey on how people use pools and water play parks.

From 27 February to 26 April, community members were asked to share their thoughts and feelings on how they use aquatics facilities – and what they might need into the future.

Feedback from the survey will help inform Council’s draft Aquatic Strategy, which is due to come out later this year and will feature another round of community consultation.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child, said Council recognised its aquatic services played an important role in the health and wellbeing of the community.

“Our facilities have come a long way over the years. We’ve gone from diving boards and outdoor baths to now having some modern indoor pools and water parks, but we need to continue to evolve these in line with the community’s needs,” Cr Child said.

“What this survey will do is help us better understand the current and future needs of our community when it comes to our aquatics services.

“The feedback we receive on our services will also help us determine how they add to the health and wellbeing of our community.

“This feedback will then be combined with the environmental and financial impacts of how we maintain our facilities which will

all feed into the upcoming draft Aquatic Strategy.

“This is just step one of a multi-staged approach towards creating an Aquatic Strategy, so I really encourage every resident to take part in this survey to give us the strongest data possible.”

Visit shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au to find out more, and fill out a survey. Surveys will be available in hard copy at Council community links and pools.

Scan here to fill out the survey

With stunning views, welcoming communities, and hassle-free commutes, it’s easy to see why over 50 businesses have joined our Region of Choice Campaign.

Through this initiative, we’ve been able to support local businesses and connect job

1300 368 333

seekers with fulfilling careers in the area, while also showcasing the Yarra Ranges as a great place to work.

By joining our Region of Choice initiative our businesses have shown their commitment to their employees’ wellbeing, making them a top pick for anyone

looking to grow their career.

Come and discover why Yarra Ranges is the region of choice for employment!

yarraranges.vic.gov.au/regionofchoice