Forums for vision

By Dion Teasdale
YARRA Glen and district residents will have plenty of opportunities in the next four months to put forward their vision and values for the township.
The second stage of the Yarra Glen Values and Vision project will start in early December and will engage the community in a number of ways before April next year.
The four-month project will involve three main initiatives – the staging of a series of open community forums, the execution of a community survey, and the establishment of a formal township group.
The first part of the project will kick off with a community consultation forum on Monday, 12 December from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Yarra Glen Primary School.
A second forum will also be held at the primary school on Thursday, 15 December from 7.30pm.
The second stage of the project is moving forward after the State Government announced it would contribute to funding last week.
Seymour MP Ben Hardman announced a $15,000 grant during a visit to the Yarra Glen and District Living and Learning Centre on Thursday, 24 November.
Mr Hardman said the funding would help with the staging of forums, workshops, meetings and a survey which all aim to find out what values and visions Yarra Glen residents have for their community.
“The project will ensure the future aims and desires of the local community are heard as well as provide a strong foundation for the development of a dynamic township plan,” he said.
Support for the project is also being provided by the Shire of the Yarra Ranges, which is assisting with the preparation and delivery of the community survey, and the Yarra Glen and District Living and Learning Centre.
Yarra Glen’s Interim Township Steering Committee chairman Malcolm Calder is delighted with the State Government support.
“This grant is vital to the success of the project and will help ensure that the people of Yarra Glen have strong input into the future of the town,” he said.
Mr Calder said the Interim Steering Committee had raised $4,500 towards the project through donations from businesses and community groups and was keen to hear from others interested in making a financial contribution.
For further information about the Yarra Glen Values and Vision project contact Malcolm Calder on 5965 2372.