By Parker McKenzie
Yarra Ranges Council’s annual report reflected upon the achievements of local government through a tough year for the community.
Cr Fiona McAllister was mayor of Yarra Ranges Shire until November 2021 and presented the report at the council meeting on 7 December.
“As we all know it has been another tumultuous year off the back of the pandemic and other curve balls thrown at us throughout the year like the storms in June,” she said.
“Our community has continued to be resilient, strong and kind in the face of incredible challenges we never saw coming.”
Yarra Ranges Council received almost 2500 requests for assistance after the storms, including from the Yarra Valley community.
Cr McAllister said the June storms showed the council more funding for telecommunications across the municipality was needed.
“Throughout all the challenges of the past year we’ve been in constant contact and conversation with state and federal government advocating for what we need most,” she said.
“we’ve had some successes – over $13 million in grant funding – but we’ve still got work to do in advocacy.”
Council has launched a new community engagement plan and an online platform called Shaping Yarra Ranges, where residents can contribute and give feedback over plans and strategies.
Cr McAllister said there have been two rounds of Covid recovery grants to help Yarra Valley community groups recover and run events after lockdowns and restrictions.
“We also rolled out our Be Kind Yarra Ranges campaign, which was about supporting local businesses reopen,” Cr McAllister said.
“But also to encourage community members to be kind to each other, which we saw so much of.”
Council established temporary parklets to encourage outdoor spaces for people to connect and enjoy outdoor dining.
She said gender equity has been a big focus of the past 12 months and is now a formal requirement for council.
“Some of the steps we have taken are to roll out gender equity and bystander training,” she said.
“We’ve also worked on our gender equity action plan, which our staff at Yarra Ranges have had a chance to have a say on along with councillors.”
The entire annual report will be available on the Yarra Ranges Council website.
