Yarra Ranges Local - Valley Edition - December-January 2021

December 2021 - January 2022

Valley Edition : 42

YR LOCAL

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So much to do, so much to see

Grants for community

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A word from the Mayor On Tuesday, 9 November, I was humbled and honoured to be elected as Mayor of Yarra Ranges – my second term as Mayor since I was first elected in 2012.

It’s such an exciting time to be leading our Council as Mayor.

Vaccination rates are at a fantastic point locally and restrictions are easing for community members, so we can finally get back to the things we’ve enjoyed and missed.

Seeing visitors return to the region and our communities come out of lockdown, there’s a very real positivity that you can see and I’m looking forward to seeing that continue. The gates are opening and we can get back to a sense of normality.

There’ll be a lot to do over the next year – encouraging the return of tourism, supporting local businesses, continuing our storm recovery for our impacted communities and, of course, ensuring our 120 services to the community are rolled out smoothly.

We’ve also got an incredible variety of projects that will benefit the community, through our Capital Works Program. Our Rivers and Ridges projects – including the RidgeWalk, Warburton Mountain Bike Destination and Yarra Valley Trail – will be so important to deliver jobs, welcome tourism back to the region and provide exciting outdoor experiences for community members.

Of course, my role is also to support our communities and I’ll be here to listen, to assist and to represent the wider municipality with my Deputy Mayor, Cr Johanna Skelton. This goes doubly for our community members in Streeton Ward, as we await a byelection to select a new Councillor for the area.

My name is Amy Wahrenberger. I am an 18 year old student who studies, works and lives on Wurundjeri country in the Yarra Ranges. I’ve always loved the Yarra Ranges, its beautiful landscapes, people and community. It is truly a privilege to live here. Earlier this year I discovered the perfect opportunity through the Yarra Ranges Youth Advisory group (YAG) to get involved with my community and to hopefully do some good for young people.

Our group has an advisory role with the purpose of implementing Youth voice into council, community and decision making spaces. We are a diverse group of young people eager to be heard.

Our group is facilitated by the Youth Team at Council. They have been an absolute pleasure to get to know and to work with, and we all feel supported and can grow in these roles.

It is amazing to know that our voices are being heard.

I’d like to thank our previous Mayor, Fiona McAllister, for her exceptional work over the last 12 months in leading a new Council after the 2020 elections.

The YAG have consulted with Bushland volunteering, and with the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions and worked together on a successful proposal for the lilydale revitalisation project. We have worked with the wonderful Youth Ambassadors and have presented to the Executive Leadership Team at Council.

She had a strong and unwavering commitment to helping our communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the June 9 storms, and it was exceptional to see that commitment right throughout the year.

If you are a young person who works, lives, studies or plays in the Yarra Ranges and you want your voice heard please look out for our upcoming consultation tour at yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Youth.

Cr McAllister and her deputy, Cr David Eastham, represented the Yarra Ranges so well, through extremely difficult times, and I look forward to taking up the torch with my Deputy Mayor, Cr Skelton, and continuing this work..

This will be in the form of a Youth Survey and a choose your own adventure. We can’t wait to hear your voices and stories and to see you in community!

Cr Jim Child,

Amy Wahrenberger,

Mayor of Yarra Ranges

Youth Advisory Group Member

Please feel free to get in contact if you need a hand, or are unsure where to go for help.

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A message from a Youth Advisory Group (YAG) member

Have a Yarra Ranges Christmas!

It’s always a good time to support local in Yarra Ranges, but it’s truly a gift during the Christmas season. Everything you need to make the holidays special is right here; whether you’re looking for the freshest ingredients for a family feast, a unique gift or even a live Christmas tree!

who gave businesses some essential tips and tricks to visual merchandising.

This can be found at yarraranges.vic. gov.au/Reopening-Business

This year Council is celebrating local businesses as they get in the Christmas spirit with a Christmas window display competition.

Council teams have been visiting townships talking to businesses and community members about any challenges around re-opening, providing health and safety posters, signs and templates and getting feedback and suggestions around outdoor activation.

Both businesses and voters will go in the running to win local prizes, and of course, much prestige as the winners of the inaugural competition.

The window images will be able to be viewed on Council’s website from the first week of December.

If your business needs a little decoration inspiration, Council recently hosted a re-opening webinar featuring guest speaker, marketing specialist Ailsa Page

• Street furniture tidy-up or replacements • Painting and staining of Council furniture and infrastructure • Freshen up of garden beds – mulching and fresh planting as needed The additional resources are being funded by the COVIDSafe Outdoor Activation Fund provided by the State Government.

Council will also be on-hand at Christmas markets across the municipality to wrap your local gifts.

These works will be carried out now until the end of December, getting our townships and communities looking their best, and ready to have a Yarra Ranges Christmas.

As a result of this feedback Council is dedicating resources towards township tidy-ups carried out by our Infrastructure Team. Some of the actions will include: • Deep cleans – pressure cleaning pathways • Weed Removal • Re-gravelling or asphalting bare dirt areas

Council Meetings 2021 Tuesday, 9 February at 7pm

Mayor Cr Jim Child 0408 079 227

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O’Shannassy Ward CrJimChild@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Tuesday, 23 February at 7pm Tuesday, 9 March at 7pm Tuesday, 23 March at 7pm

Cr. Fiona McAllister 0408 349 640

Ryrie Ward CrFionaMcAllister@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

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Council meetings are beng livestreamed via teleconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/meetings for more information about meetings, including how to watch.

Cr David Eastham 0437 962 053

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Chandler Ward CrDavidEastham@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

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Grants for Community Council will provide almost $500,000 in funding for festivals, events and community projects, through its 2022 Grants for Community program.

In late October, Councillors voted to approve funding for 68 community projects within the 2022 Grants for Community Round.

The annual grants program provides funding to local not for profit community groups and artists, of up to $10,000, for projects across three key focus areas: • Community Development • Arts and Heritage Development • Festivals and events Ryrie Ward Councillor, Fiona McAllister, congratulated the 2022 grants recipients.

“Every year, our Grants for Community program encourages, supports and sustains cultural, social and community projects,” Cr McAllister said.

“This year, our teams sought to inspire creative and innovative ways for our community to adapt to the challenges of COVID-19 and respond to the impacts of the June storms.

“Community projects provide countless opportunities for connection between our residents, groups and visitors; they give

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us a chance to enjoy world-class art, to dive deeper on issues or to become more resilient together. Arguably, there’s no time in recent memory where that’s been more crucial.

“Supporting these projects through grants gives groups certainty that they can bring their ideas to life and have support and guidance from Council along the way.

“We’ve funded some phenomenal ideas in this year’s funding round and we’re all looking forward to a year of events, festivals and projects coming to life in our own backyard. Congratulations to our 2022 Grants for Community recipients.”

Projects funded under the 2022 round include: • A range of carer workshops, hosted by Mount Evelyn Community House, including positive mental health, self-care, resilience and leisure workshops.

• A series of cultural awareness and mental health initiatives, being run by the Belgrave South Junior Football Club, for the club and the wider community • A community workshop run by Japara Neighbourhood House, to assist mobility scooter or powered wheelchair users to practice skills and develop confidence in navigating through our community’s pathways

• A LGBTIQA+ peer-focused support group for young people in the Yarra Ranges, run by the Rotary Club of Upper Yarra • A mural to celebrate the centenary of the Belgrave CFA, which will occur in 2023 • Funding for several exhibitions, workshops and art events, such as exhibitions at Burrinja, the Yarra Valley Open Studios and sessions at the Dandenong Ranges Music Council, among many others • Support for festivals including the Warburton Film Festival, the Lantern and Light International Children’s Film Festival, the Blacksmiths and Artisans Festival, the Yarra Ranges Downhill Festival, the Hills Regrowth Festival, River Folk Festival and Selbyfest, among others.

Council also provides funding of up to $1000 for projects run by not-for-profit business associations and community groups through its monthly Small Grants program.

For more information about Council’s grants programs – including a full list of 2022 funded Grants for Community projects – visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ grants

Young people in the Spotlight Young people (12-25 years) who live, study or work in Yarra Ranges are encouraged to share their stories, their insight and their opinions as part of Council’s Youth Spotlight series.

The series provides young people of all ages and backgrounds with an opportunity to talk about things that are important to them and have their words and a photo published on the Council website.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child, said the program was a chance for young people to amplify their voice and talk about whatever they’d like.

“Council’s Youth Spotlight website is a place where the community can find articulate and insightful pieces about their lives, their interests and their aspirations, and young people can find a platform,” he said.

“This series isn’t just about celebrating achievements in the community – though we’re happy do to that – it’s about giving an approachable platform for young

people to just talk about their passions, and things they want the community to know.

“So far, our teams have showcased 12 stories, covering everything from the local music scene to the importance of representation, art and mental health.

“If you’re interested in taking part – or know a young person who might be – email youth@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.”

When a young person volunteers to participate in the Youth Spotlight project, they are interviewed by one of Council’s Youth Ambassadors – who provide plenty of questions and a comfortable space to chat.

The ambassadors will help create a draft for the Youth Spotlight piece, which will then be published on Council’s website and on the Yarra Ranges Youth social media channels with a photo.

Young people profiled so far include students, musicians, volunteers, singers, people working in music and radio, young

people with disabilities, young people working with Council and community groups and others talking about Pride, culture and language.

To read the pieces, visit yarraranges.vic. gov.au/YouthSpotlight To follow the work of Yarra Ranges’ Youth Team, visit Facebook.com/ YarraRangesYouth or Instagram.com/ YarraRangesYouth

...it’s about giving an approachable platform for young people to just talk about their passions...

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...simple list of ways for you to make the most of a daytrip...

So much to do, so much to see Community members and visitors alike are encouraged to support local businesses and find a new favourite spot to explore, during and after the peak tourism period over summer.

As part of Council’s Buy Local, Employ Local, Enjoy Local campaign, we’re asking community members to support local businesses and explore their own backyard, to assist the recovery of the region post-pandemic.

Yarra Ranges is home to 55 townships, spread across 2500 square kilometres.

We have more than 100 Council parks and reserves, along with national parks, state forests, Melbourne Water reservoirs and countless restaurants, cafes and retail stores.

December and January are some of the busiest times for visiting the region, and our pools and water play parks at Seville Recreation Reserve, Lillydale Lake and Warburton Water World can be very busy on weekends and through the school holidays.

We’ve put together a simple list of ways for you to enjoy local this summer:

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Preparing for your day out • Make plans of where you want to visit, and have back-up plans if you arrive to a crowded carpark. Exploring at offpeak times is best to ensure you get a park. Checking Google before leaving can give you information about opening times, closures and what times are busier than others.

• Call ahead and book at local restaurants and cafes. Arrive on time and make sure to order food, to support business as much as possible.

• Check out local retail outlets, cellar doors and tourist attractions for gifts for friends, loved ones or yourself.

• Try visiting somewhere new - a park in Belgrave, the Olinda Pool, a forest walk, berry or cherry picking, a picnic by the Yarra River in Warburton as the sun goes down or just venture to a new shop that opened recently to show support..

• Book a ticket to a festival or event, such as live music in a community venue, a theatre production or an exhibition at a local art gallery.

• Pack plenty of water for everyone and

have snacks handy, especially when on long walks.

• Be sun-smart – wear sunscreen, a hat, sun-smart clothing and sunglasses, and don’t spend too long in the sun.

• Leave time to explore – there are hundreds of kilometres of trails and paths through national parks and Council’s parks and reserves. Give yourself plenty of time to take it all in, find some new and interesting spaces without rushing.

For more information about Council’s Buy Local, Employ Local, Enjoy Local campaign – including resources for businesses and a link to our employment portal, JobLink, visit yarraranges.vic.gov. au/BEELocal

Parklets coming soon In our last newsletter edition, we noted that parklets had been installed in towns across Yarra Ranges. Unfortunately, the delivery of two parklets, in Mt Evelyn and Montrose, has been delayed by the manufacturer. We expect our parklets to be installed over summer.

Visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au for the latest news and updates.

Make the most of your hard waste and bundled branch collection

Yarra Ranges residents are encouraged to make the most of their annual hard waste and Bundled Branch collection, with opportunities to dispose of old appliances, bulky items and branches.

Between January and March, every household will have a collection of hard waste, metals and whitegoods and bundled branches.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child, encouraged community members to read about what they can and can’t put out for collection at yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ HardWaste “Hard waste is an opportunity to dispose of bulky items that you’d normally have to pay to take to the tip,” Cr Child said.

“It’s also a key part of property maintenance over warmer months, when unused items and branches can pose a risk.

“I’d encourage community members to make the most of their collection – particularly the ability to dispose of bundled branches, which will help many of us keep our properties fire-safe over the warmer months.

Bundled branches, mattresses, metals, whitegoods, electronic waste – e.g. computers, televisions, monitors, all other battery and power-operated items and items with an electrical cord will be collected and sent for recycling. All other items will be disposed of in landfill.

Household waste, building renovation materials, untied branches, green waste and chemicals cannot be placed out for collection.

Hard waste should be placed out where wheelie bins are usually collected from, only from the Sunday before your collection week starts.

To find out your property’s collection week, visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ WasteDates Over your collection week, different materials will be collected by trucks, to ensure they can be sorted.

If your hard waste hasn’t been collected by the end of your collection week, call us on 1300 368 333 before the end of the following week.

Timber transition grant to assist Yarra Valley towns Council will apply for a Victorian Government Grant to fund a Local Development Strategy, with the goal of supporting communities in the Upper Yarra through the timber industry’s transition out of Victorian public forests.

At a Council meeting in November, Councillors voted to apply to the Victorian Government’s Forestry Local Development Strategy Grant Program for $400,000 in funding to create a Local Development Strategy for Upper Yarra communities.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Jim Child, said that Council would apply for funding to develop a strategy with communities in Powelltown, Yarra Junction and Warburton.

expertise, will aim to: • • •

Support the community’s transition away from native timber harvesting in Victorian public forests Lead to the creation of new jobs in sustainable industries; and Result in long-term economic and social benefits for each community.

In 2019, the State Government announced a plan to phase out native forest harvesting in Victorian public forests by 2030, with $120 million provided to support the transition of workers, communities and businesses over the coming years.

In March of this year, the State

Government announced their Forestry Local Development Strategy Grant Program, with $4 million in funding available for grants across communities that will be impacted by the transition.

If Council is successful with its grant application, a volunteer committee will be established with balanced representation from Powelltown, Yarra Junction and Warburton to develop the strategy.

Council would appoint a Project Manager and Administration resource to oversee the project and run studies for the strategy.

Council will update the community on the result of the grant application once results are made available.

“Because there’s not really one representative group for the region of those three towns, the State Government has agreed that the best agency to prepare a strategy is Local Government,” Cr Child said.

“This will involve our community – through a process where we elect a committee or a People’s Panel, to lead this process and generate great ideas that provide jobs and give great outcomes to our communities.”

The Local Development Strategy, which will be created with community representatives from each area and local

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Biochar to improve soil, reduce environmental impacts Council will open a biochar facility by October 2022, producing charcoal by heating biomass in the absence of oxygen.

This material can be applied to the soil of farm lands to improve nutrient and moisture availability.

Biochar is produced using a proven technology, pyrolysis where the biomass feedstock such as branches are converted to carbon-rich materials (charcoal). The process is carbon positive removing carbon emissions from the atmosphere, playing a key role in mitigating emissions while assisting farmers adapt to a drier climate.

Deputy Mayor Johanna Skelton, said that a new facility will be housed at the Lysterfield Waste Transfer Station, processing woody debris from Council and local tree contractors.

“Our residents will know – particularly after the last year – that we have a lot of woody debris from the many trees lost in recent storms throughout Yarra Ranges,” she said.

The location of Lysterfield was chosen because of existing waste operations on a Council-owned site, with proximity to Knox and Cardinia Councils and a three-phase electricity supply.

“Anything Council and community members can do to reduce open–air burning for the purpose of disposal should be considered.

Council has awarded a contract to Melbourne based Earth Systems to supply the plant, which is currently under construction in a factory in the northern suburbs. The plant is expected to be commissioned in October 2022.

“The material produced can be used in Council tree planting projects, on local farms and gardens to enhance soil nutrients and moisture, all while removing carbon from the atmosphere.”

The biochar facility has been funded with $500,000 from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, with Council providing the remainder of the project costs.

For more information on the facility – including frequently asked questions and a recording of a recent biochar webinar – visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/biochar

Community Safety Officers to begin body-worn camera trial Council’s Community Safety Officers have begun trialling the use of body worn cameras as part of their standard uniform, when out in the field.

The equipment will also assist officers in obtaining information and evidence in a safer, more efficient way and, in turn, help keep the community safe.

The cameras will be secured on vests, reducing the amount of additional equipment required and will make Council’s Community Safety Officers easily identifiable when out in the community.

Evidence from other councils utilising similar equipment has shown that bodyworn cameras can de-escalate situations if officers are called out to a concern involving aggressive behaviour, including physical and verbal.

Community Safety Officers are tasked with many varying challenges on a day-to-day basis, these can range from stray animal pickups, and securing wandering livestock, to dog attacks, illegal burning off and illegal rubbish dumping.

In these instances and more, the cameras will be utilised when responding to calls or potentially-hazardous situations.

Data recorded by the cameras will be managed in line with relevant government legislation and Council’s privacy policy.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Jim Child, said that the new equipment would assist Council’s Community Safety Officers greatly when going about their work in the field.

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“It’s all about safety, not just for our staff but for the community as well when our officers are called out,” Cr Child said.

“The wearing of cameras also provides our officers with great learning opportunities, as it allows them to re-watch and review recordings of incidents to see what, if any, adjustments could be made in future situations.”

“It also provides greater transparency over how incidents occur and how they have been resolved.”

“While the cameras won’t be necessarily switched on at all times, it is great that our officers now have that option to quickly begin recording information which can help in situations that require quick action.”

1300 368 333