Come and have your say

By DAVID HODGETT
WHAT are your dreams and aspirations for the Shire of Yarra Ranges? How do you see the Yarra Ranges in the next 15 years?
The Shire is calling on residents to have their say on the future shape of their region with a review of the Vision 2020 Community Plan and a number of key documents including the Shire’s Health and Wellbeing Plan, Municipal Strategic Statement, Environment Plan and Township Development Strategy.
This review is a fantastic opportunity for the community to be a part of the process to ensure the plan remains current and representative of local priorities.
Since Vision 2020 was first developed five years ago, the Shire of Yarra Ranges has taken significant steps, in partnership with the community, to fulfil this vision.
Information about our key initiatives and achievements so far can be found in our annual report and community report.
The reason for this current review is that the council wants to ensure the plan continues to reflect the hopes and aspirations of our community and embrace the latest best practice.
At the shire, we see Vision 2020 as integral to our everyday work; as an evolving process. We want to make sure all we do is underpinned by the values expressed in the plan.
If we do not regularly check our vision, we cannot be sure we are taking steps to achieve it or that it remains within our community’s ideals.
Vision 2020 was created by the community, for the community, with council committed to taking steps towards the expressed ideals. Themes identified were: The Social Fabric and Quality of Life in the Shire in 2020, Environmental Stewardship, The Built Environment, The Local Economy, A Tourism and Cultural Icon, A Living and Learning Community; and A Safe and Accessible Shire.
As part of the current review, the Shire is also in the process of updating or developing a number of key strategies to steer us towards our goals. These strategies will impact on the future of the Yarra Ranges under the goal of sustainability that is what we do today will impact on our future.
Council invites you to be a part of this important review process and has scheduled a series of public forums at various locations around the Shire:
Mooroolbark: 8 August from 7pm to 9pm
Montrose: 15 August from 7pm to 9pm
Upwey: 21 August from 1pm to 3pm
Olinda: 29 August from 7pm to 9pm
Healesville: 7 September from 7pm to 9pm
Yarra Junction: 11 September from 1pm to 3pm
I also encourage residents to fill out the survey that will be included in the August September Shirewide newsletter, which will be arriving in your letterboxes the week beginning 22 August.
The survey will also be available online from the end of August at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
Anyone who fills out the survey will be placed in the draw to win one of several prizes three midweek Balloon Sunrise Yarra Valley balloon flights including a fivestar champagne breakfast, a Yarra Valley Pack containing a selection of regional produce and Yarra Valley Wine Pack containing a selection of regional wines.
For more information about the Vision 2020 review contact the Shire on 1300 368 333 or check out the shire’s website.