The study area Study area extents The Yarra Ranges Local Government Area covers an area of 2,477 square kilometres with an estimated 2021 population of 157,419 (growing an average of 1.4% per annum between 2016 and 2021). The populated parts of Yarra Ranges can be divided into three key districts for planning purposes, defined by their geographical locations and characteristics (as shown in figure 3). One of the key characteristics of the study area is the very uneven population distribution (as can be seen in figure 4). There is a high concentration of people living in the urban western part of the municipality, and very low population densities for most of the eastern part (which is dominated by National Parks and State Forests). Figure 4:Yarra Ranges districts and population density map People per square km (rounded)
Valley district including the rural land and associated townships along the Yarra Valley, including towns beyond the urban area such as Healesville, Yarra Glen, Warburton and Yarra Junction.
0-450 450-1130 1130-1850 1850-2550 2550-3620
Healesville
Lilydale Warburton
Belgrave
Urban district located along the western edge of the municipality, including the areas of the municipality with the highest population densities including Lilydale, Mooroolbark, Kilsyth and Chirnside Park. 14
Hills district centred around the Dandenong Ranges, including towns such as Upwey, Belgrave, Monbulk and Olinda.
15