By Renee Wood
Concerns have been raised over Yarra Ranges Council’s lack of community consultation regarding the advocacy of becoming peri-regional.
Star Mail first reported in March on council’s desire to become peri-regional, uniting with Mornington Peninsula Shire to publish a report to support the reclassification.
However, it was only voted on by Councillors for an official response to the reclassification push being advocated for to the State Government in July.
During this time no community consultation has been conducted, raising concerns for residents.
Healesville resident and past councillor Jeanette McRae submitted questions to councillors before it was voted on at the ordinary council meeting highlighting the lack of community engagement.
Ms McRae said she doesn’t have a firm opinion on the reclassifications but the unknown of what it may mean for future planning is concerning.
“In what way was it done holistically? Councillors who have said that at this stage it may create more funding opportunities, but down the track, it may lead to some better more appropriate planning outcomes – so what does that mean?” Ms McRae said.
“Is this just the first step in what could be incremental changes? I don’t know and that’s the whole point, I don’t know, the community doesn’t know – we should know.”
Ms McRae believes above all community should have been engaged with.
“The council has a community engagement policy and it outlines different layers of what consultation means – so is it just to inform at one end or whether it’s actually being active participants in the whole decision making process – none of that happened,” she said.
The fact that the report was also submitted to the State Government prior to the councillors having voted on the advocacy has also raised concerns.
Cr Child stated in the meeting that the report had already been submitted and a letter was written to the state government alongside Mornington Peninsula Shire.
“Who made that decision that the advocacy would be for peri-regional status and it’s obviously happened before the official position was determined by council,” Ms McRae said.
“My background is in community development, it’s always been community at the centre and you need to be informed by community so that you can make those decisions, and how can you be making decisions when you haven’t bothered to find out what the community thinks?”
Council CEO Tammi Rose assured that becoming peri-regional would mean council, local businesses and community services would have broader access to funding programs and wouldn’t take away the metropolitan status as such.
“In its most simplest form, this status would better reflect that the municipality of Yarra Ranges comprises both metropolitan and regional communities and should have access to government programs and supports that acknowledge this,” Ms Rose said.
“A peri-regional status wouldn’t change Yarra Ranges’ metropolitan classification, and does not require any formal reclassification or rezoning, so there would be no direct impact on community, or on strategic land use planning.”
Ms Rose said as it’s an operational matter and council will continue to keep community informed of council’s advocacy direction and share openly the evidence that underpins it.
“This aligns with our Community Engagement Policy, and requirements of the Local Government Act, when there is no direct impact on community as result of a Council decision,” she said.
“The operational nature of this advocacy effort also means we were able to share the report with the Victorian Government prior to Council formally endorsing its position. By opening the conversation with the state, we hope to gain access to the funding opportunities that our regional areas need as soon as possible.”
Ms Rose said council’s advocacy for peri-regional aligns to elements of the Council Plan, in particular its Community Vision and Values, which were developed through in-depth engagement with the community.
“It also aligns with the input and feedback we’ve had through informal engagement touchpoints with community members and local businesses on this issue, including the Rural Advisory Committee and Business Leaders Roundtable,” she said.
The Business Leaders Roundtable group has representatives from the manufacturing, retail, agriculture, tourism, construction, education, employment, health and professional services industries and was established last year to provide technical advice, knowledge and support on issues impacting local businesses.
“Council’s decision to pursue advocacy for peri-regional status presents no change to Yarra Ranges’ formal classification or to Council’s strategic direction.”
