OUr PeOPLe - Shire of Yarra Ranges

74 Our people 

STraTegiC 

LeaderSHIP TEAM 

Yarra Ranges’ Chief Executive Officer, 

Glenn Patterson, reports directly to the 

Council. He is supported by four directors 

who together comprise the Strategic 

Leadership Team. 

OUR 

PEOPLE 

Simon 

welcoming an 

Earthkeepers 

trainee

Yarra Ranges Council Annual Report 2011– 2012 

75 

The Strategic Leadership Team are, 

from left to right: 

Mark Varmalis 

Director Environment and Engineering 

Alison Cran 

Director Social and Economic Development 

Glenn Patterson 

Chief Executive Officer 

Rebecca McKenzie 

Director Corporate Services 

Andrew Paxton 

Director Planning, Building and Health

76 Our people 

Chief Executive Officer 


Glenn Patterson commenced as Chief Executive Officer 

of Yarra Ranges Council in July 2008, previously being 

the Baw Baw Council CEO from January 2005. 

Glenn has 23 years senior management experience with 

a number of metropolitan and rural Councils and was 

first appointed CEO at the Colac Otway Shire in 1998. 

He also spent a period as the Chief Executive of a 

Melbourne based property development group. 

This led to Glenn owning and operating a property 

related business on the Mornington Peninsula. 

Glenn has a business degree and a Master of Business. 

He is also a graduate member of the Australian Institute 

of Company Directors. 

Director Social and Economic Development 

Alison Cran 

Alison commenced with Yarra Ranges Council in 2000. 

She has degrees in Arts and Social Work and is a graduate 

member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Alison brings a commitment to the development of 

sustainable communities to her role. She has worked 

in an array of social and community development roles 

over the last 30 years, including time spent working in 

Aboriginal health, the Office of the Public Advocate, 

community health and the tertiary education sector. 

The Social and Economic Development directorate 

comprises Aged and Disability Services; Family, Youth 

and Children’s Services; Economic and Community 

Development; and Arts, Culture and Heritage. 

The directorate also undertakes planning for the provision 

of a range of facilities including cultural centres, 

community service facilities and libraries. 

Alison is also the Municipal Recovery Manager, a role which 

involves the planning and delivery of relief and recovery 

support to affected communities in times of emergency. 

Director Environment and Engineering 

Mark Varmalis 

Mark has been with Yarra Ranges Council since its 

formation in late 1994 and has 28 years of experience in 

local government. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering 

and a Graduate Diploma in Municipal Engineering and 

Management. 

Mark has a commitment to meeting community needs 

through improved infrastructure and service provision, 

whilst recognising that we must value and protect the 

unique natural environment of Yarra Ranges. He also 

has a strong commitment for the advancement of staff 

in local government through the creation of networking, 

skills improvement, personal development and industry 

development opportunities provided by industry 

associations. He is actively involved with the Institute 

of Public Works Engineering Australia as a director on 

the state and national boards of the Institute. 

The Environment and Engineering Directorate comprises 

Capital Works and Urban Planning, Civil Development 

Services, Environment, Infrastructure Services and Parks 

and Facilities. These departments have a focus on creating 

and managing infrastructure assets across the municipality, 

protecting and enhancing our natural environment, looking 

after open space and recreational facilities and delivering 

waste management and recycling services.


77 

Director Planning, Building and Health 

Andrew Paxton 

Andrew commenced with Yarra Ranges Council in January 

2010. Andrew has worked in senior roles with Parks Victoria 

and in local government. 

Andrew is passionate about fostering sustainable 

development that meets the needs of future generations. 

He is committed to finding a balance between diverse 

and challenging community interests to achieve 

sustainable long-term outcomes for the broader 

community. He has qualifications in Landscape 

Architecture and a Masters in Business. 

The Planning, Building and Health directorate provides 

strategic land use and statutory planning services, guiding 

the use and development of land towards a strategic 

vision. The directorate is responsible for setting a strategic 

direction, audits and inspections through to prosecutions 

to ensure buildings, landscapes, amenity and the public 

realm remain accessible and reflect broader community 

values through local laws, health, planning compliance 

and building. 

Director Corporate Services 


Rebecca commenced with Yarra Ranges Council in April 

2009, following eight years international experience in both 

Ireland and the United Kingdom. Prior to that Rebecca 

worked at State Government level in Queensland. 

Rebecca has a Bachelor of Arts in Government and 

Sociology, a Masters degree in Strategic Human Resource 

Management, and is a graduate member of the Australian 

Institute of Company Directors. 

With her background in human resources and change 

management, Rebecca is well positioned to drive 

continuous improvement in all areas of Council’s 

internal support and enabling services as well as 

leading reform of the organisation’s community facing 

customer service approach. 

The Corporate Services directorate is made up of the 

departments of Information Services; Corporate Finance, 

Procurement and Rating Services; Customer Service and 

Communications; Governance; People and Performance; 

and Risk, Emergency and Community Safety. It provides 

the core governance and support frameworks that guide 

Council’s day to day operations, and the tools to support 

all Council staff to undertake their responsibilities to the 

best of their ability. 

Having a laugh 

at a planned 

activity group

78 Our people 

Organisational structure 

Our organisational structure is designed to most effectively deliver quality services to our community. It complements 

our focus on sustainability and continuous improvement and enables us to effectively deliver on our objectives. 

CEO 


Planning, 

Building and Health 

Director: 

Andrew Paxton 

Corporate 

Services 

Director: 


Social and 

Economic 

Development 

Director: 

Alison Cran 

Planning Services 

Manager: Jacqui Hansen (Acting) 

Strategic Planning 

Manager: Damian Closs 

Community Compliance 

Manager: David Clarkson 

Customer Service and Communications 

Manager: Troy Edwards 

Governance 

Executive Officer: (Vacant) 

People and Performance 

Manager: Jill Colson 

Information Services 

Manager: Craig Whalley 

Finance, Procurement and Rating Services 

Manager: Rob Ewart 

Risk, Emergency and Community Safety 

Manager: Brett Ellis 

Arts, Culture and Heritage 

Manager: Greg Box 

Economic and Community Development 

Manager: Ali Wastie 

Family, Youth and Children 

Manager: Guy Masters 

Aged and Disability Services 

Manager: Cheryl McInnes 

Environment and 

Engineering 

Director: 

Mark Varmalis 

Capital Works and Urban Planning 

Manager: Jane Sinnamon 

Civil Development Services 

Manager: Doug Dickins 

Environment 

Manager: David Harper 

Parks and Facilities 

Manager: Grant Jack 

Infrastructure Services 

Manager: Don Reiter


79 

Staff profile 

Staffheadcount 

Yarra Ranges Council is one of the region’s largest 

employers. We employ 911 staff in a variety of permanent 

and temporary roles on a full-time, part-time and casual 

basis. Three quarters (73 percent) of our staff also live 

within the municipality. This means our people are able 

to bring a local passion, perspective and knowledge 

to the services they provide. 

Over the last five years, our workforce has grown by 

approximately 9 percent. While the number of employees 

at Yarra Ranges has grown this doesn’t equate to a growth 

in equivalent full-time positions which have in fact 

reduced by 13 over the past year. 

Council provides a range of flexible employment 

arrangements. The table below demonstrates a significant 

portion of the workforce is made up of part-time and 

casual staff at different levels within the organisation. 

Number of people 

1000 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0 

826 

843 

868 

890 

911 

2007–8 2008–9 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 

Category Full-time PART-time Casual 

CEO and Directors 5 0 0 

Managers 17 0 0 

Executive Officers and 

Senior Executive Officers 

29 4 0 

Staff 380 393 83 

Total 431 397 83 

Equivalentfull time EFT staff 

Number of EFT positions 

800 

700 

600 

647 

604 

500 

547 558 

400 

300 

200 

634 

100 

0 

2007–8 2008–9 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12

80 Our people 

The age profile of our workforce is similar to that of 

other local councils, with an average age of 49.6 years. 

This will present challenges in the future as it is expected 

a considerable portion of the workforce will approach 

retirement. Significant workforce planning is being 

undertaken to address this issue. 

AgespreadofemployeesbyEFT 

Number of EFT positions 

250 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

125 

164 

205 

84 

48 

1 

7 

20 or 

under 20–30 

years 30–40 

years 40–50 

years 50–60 

years 60–70 

years years 

70+ 

Casual Part time Full time 

Yarra Ranges Council is an equal opportunity employer 

and is proud of its equitable gender balance. 

Gender Full-time PART-time Casual Total 

Females 196 350 74 620 

Males 235 47 9 291 

Our People Strategy 

At Yarra Ranges Council, we recognise the importance 

that each individual plays in achieving our goals. 

Our People Strategy identifies three priorities. 

These are to build Council as: 

a great place to work 

where the capability of our people is nurtured 

performance is focused on delivering exceptional 

service for our communities. 

These priorities drive the activities, policies and 

procedures implemented to ensure that Yarra Ranges 

continues to be a great place to work. 

Building leadership capability 

Yarra Ranges is committed to building the capability 

of its leaders. A range of leadership development 

programs were held across the year including: 

the 360 Degree Feedback program which provides 

senior leaders with direct feedback from peers, direct 

reports, customers and management about individual 

leadership capabilities. This is followed up with the 

preparation of a development plan aimed at working 

on undeveloped competencies or making ‘good 

competencies’ great 

the Leader as Coach program which successfully builds 

relationships across the corporate leadership team with 

a focus on self-aware leaders who communicate, coach 

and develop their teams 

the Lift Off Leadership program which focuses 

on building leadership, self awareness and shifts 

in emerging leaders 

the development of a Project Management 

Methodology to be implemented at all levels of the 

organisation with a focus on effective project scoping, 

stakeholder management and project delivery on time 

and to budget.


81 

Professional development 

Yarra Ranges offers study assistance for staff undertaking 

relevant undergraduate or post-graduate studies. In the 

past year, 12 staff obtained this form of support. 

Yarra Ranges also provides a comprehensive corporate 

learning program that supports a broad range of staff 

development needs. This is developed in alignment 

with strategic priorities as well as in response to needs 

identified through performance and development plans. 

A variety of learning methodologies are used including 

e-learning, facilitated workshops and personal coaching. 

Staff surveys 

In 2011–12, a number of key organisational surveys were 

undertaken to inform and influence our People Strategy 

and measure employee engagement. These were: 

the Employee Opinion Survey which provides a 

measure of employee attitudes across a range of 

cultural and performance areas based on the Australian 

Business Excellence Framework. Excellent results were 

achieved in this year’s survey with the organisation 

achieving the highest results in the employee 

engagement category when benchmarked against 

other public and private companies. This survey is 

conducted every two years and the data includes 

previous results and shows benchmarked data 

against a large range of external organisations 

Yarra Ranges also offers exit surveys through an 

external provider to better understand why staff are 

leaving the organisation. In the past year, 99 staff left 

the organisation and 33 chose to complete the survey. 

Results indicate that 17 percent of respondents left the 

organisation for ‘personal reasons’ (including retirement) 

and 7 percent were ’approached with a better job offer’. 

Health and safety 

Our aim is to develop an informed safety culture that 

promotes an incident and injury-free workplace for 

all employees, Councillors, contractors, visitors and 

the public. Over the last 18 months, Yarra Ranges 

Council implemented a new Health and Safety 

Management System. 

Recently Council has successfully obtained Advanced 

Level accreditation in the Safety Management Achievement 

Program SafetyMAP for the implementation of the Health 

and Safety Management System. This accreditation 

confirms the Health and Safety Management System 

is embedded throughout each department of the 

organisation. Introduced in 2012 were: 

mandatory health and safety training for all staff in 

our new Health and Safety Management System 

training of key staff in the revised Return to Work 

processes which resulted in significant savings in 

our WorkCover premiums 

the expansion of the Manual Handling Awareness 

Program following a successful trial in the Home 

and Community Support team. 

NumberoflosttimeinjuryLTIincidences 

Average monthly number of LTI incidences 

1.5 

1.2 

0.9 

0.6 

0.3 

0 

*A target of 

0 was set 

for 2010–11 

0 

2010–11 

1.5 

1.4 

2011–12 

1.5 

Target 

Actual

82 Our people 

The number of lost time injury incidents is tracked to 

ensure that the work environment is safe and incidents 

are kept to a minimum. Our results show that throughout 

the year we have had 18 incidences taking us just above 

our monthly target of 1.4. 

Equal opportunity 

Yarra Ranges is wholly committed to the principle of equal 

opportunity. Our policies and practices ensure that there 

is no discrimination relating to gender, age, disability, 

marital status, parenthood, lawful sexual preference, race, 

colour, national extraction, social or ethnic origin, religion 

or political affiliation. Our Equal Opportunity Policy reflects 

our commitment to a workplace free of discrimination 

for all Council representatives including Councillors, 

employees, volunteers, contract workers, visitors and 

members of the public. 

Harassment or bullying in the workplace is unacceptable 

and, where identified, is regarded as a serious breach of 

conduct. All employees have a responsibility to ensure 

proper standards of conduct free from harassment and 

discrimination are maintained at all times. Employees must 

ensure that their behaviour does not create or condone 

harassment or bullying of any type. 

In the past 12 months we have provided Equal 

Opportunity Awareness sessions for all new employees 

and managers, to ensure they are fully aware of their 

responsibilities in maintaining a workplace free of bullying 

and harassment. 

Applicable legislation 

The Council and other employers, both public and 

private, are subject to a number of Federal and State 

laws, which prohibit certain kinds of discrimination. 

Federal legislation includes: 

Disability Discrimination Act (1992) 

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity 

Commission Act (1986) 

Racial Discrimination Act (1975) 

Sex Discrimination Act (1984) 

Age Discrimination Act (2004) 

Fair Work Act (2009). 

Victorian Legislation includes: 

Equal Opportunity Act (2010) 

Racial and Religious Tolerance Act (2001) 

The Local Government Act (1989) 

Victorian Charter of Human Rights and 

esponsibilities Act (2006) 

Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004). 

Indigenous employment 

This year Council signed the Australian Employment 

Covenant, a national industry-led initiative aimed at 

securing sustainable jobs for Indigenous Australians. 

Yarra Ranges is one of few Victorian councils to have 

committed to this initiative, demonstrating our commitment 

to encouraging and supporting diversity in our workforce.


83 

Awards and 

reCOgnition 

Excellence Awards 

The contribution of staff is vitally important to the success 

of the organisation. Yarra Ranges held its annual Excellence 

Awards in September 2011 to celebrate the achievements 

of its staff. Using the Sustainable Excellence categories as 

a guide, staff were nominated for a range of individual and 

team awards. 

This annual awards program celebrates success to 

recognise and reinforce those values and behaviours critical 

to Council’s sustainability and continuous improvement. 

It also provides a valuable opportunity to share good 

practice, encourage innovation, and raise customer 

awareness of the quality of our services and the standards 

of excellence to which our employees strive. Winners of the 

2011 awards are listed below: 

Acknowledging 

excellence at 

Yarra Ranges 

Category Recipient type Recipient 

Leadership 

Individual 

Team 

Joelle McKay 

Continuous Improvement Facilitator Team 

(cross organisational team) 

Strategy and Planning Team Economic and Community Development 

(Essential Engagement Toolkit) 

People Team Emergency Management Planning for 

Caravan Parks (cross organisational team) 

Customer Focus 

Process Management Improvement 

and Innovation 

Special SLT Living the Values Award 

Individual 

Team 

Individual 

Team 

Winner 

Nominees 

Jenny Davies, Stephen Coleman, 

Sue Lakeland (highly commended) 

Recreation Services, Corporate Planning 

and Performance (highly commended) 

Charmian Gaskill 

Aged and Disability Services 

Anne Monichon 

Claudette Fahey, Errin Smitka, 

Tracey Varley

84 Awards and recognition 

Service Awards 

The Service Awards program is another important 

way employees are recognised for their contribution 

to the achievement of our vision and objectives over 

a considerable number of years. Service Awards are 

presented to employees that have achieved significant 

milestones in their service at Council with the aim 

of developing and encouraging a culture that 

acknowledges loyalty, recognises commitment 

and celebrates valued service. 

External recognition 

Yarra Ranges Council, individual staff and specific projects 

delivered by Council have also received external awards 

and recognition over the 2011–12 year. These awards 

demonstrate where Yarra Ranges has been seen to have 

shown excellence in the delivery of our services and in 

specific projects. These external awards are listed below. 

Employment milestones at five-year intervals are recognised 

by a formal ceremony and morning tea with the Mayor and 

CEO. Over the course of the year, 148 employees were 

recognised over three Service Award ceremonies. 

The average length of service is eight years and 25 

recipients were acknowledged for 20 years and over. 

External AWARDS 

Keep Australia Beautiful (Victoria) – Cultural Heritage Award 2011 

Museums Australia Victoria Award for medium museum (8-50 paid staff) – Yarra Ranges Regional Museum 

Herald Sun Peoples’ Choice Award – Best Museum for Yarra Ranges Regional Museum 

Finalist in LGPRO Award For Excellence 2012 – Special Project Initiative ‘Not the Archies’ 

Finalist for the Victorian Disability Sector Award 2012 for excellence in practice for Early Childhood Intervention Service 

Highly commended in Early Years Awards 2012 for Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service 

Highly commended in the Early Years Awards 2012 for Supported Play Groups 

Silver in the Australasian Reporting Awards – Annual Report 2010–11 

Best Summary Chartered Accountants/MAV Annual Report Awards 

Best Financial Overview Chartered Accountants/MAV Annual Report Awards


85 

VOLUnteers 

The work of our many volunteers is greatly appreciated by 

Council and our communities. Volunteers provide services 

to the community across a range of areas including 

transport, environment, aged and disability services and 

youth and children’s services. 

Aged and disability services volunteers 

Aged and disability services volunteers contributed over 

17,500 hours of service to the community in 2011–12. 

The contribution of these volunteers supports clients to 

remain independent in their homes, stay well nourished 

and socially active. 

Our food services volunteers drove in excess of 107,500 

kilometres throughout the municipality to deliver just over 

38,200 meals, while Planned Activity Group volunteers 

assisted clients with their activities, helping them to have fun. 

An Eating with Friends program was also commenced 

through a partnership with Lilydale Adventist Academy. 

More than 30 clients were rostered to attend lunch at 

the school, which the students planned and prepared, 

once a fortnight. The highlight of the program was the 

intergenerational contact between the two groups. 

Instead of these isolated clients eating a meal at home 

alone, they sat down together with the students enjoying 

talking and sharing the three course meal. 

Environmental volunteers 

Environmental volunteers play a key role in the 

preservation of our natural assets and bushland 

areas. More than 70 friends and Landcare groups 

are supported by Council to help conserve reserves, 

roadsides, waterways and native plants and animals. 

During 2011–12 a number of these volunteer groups 

engaged the community and local schools in the pursuit 

of local environmental preservation. Many of the friends 

and Landcare groups worked particularly closely with 

schools and have had a strong on reducing weeds. 

Tree planting days and working bees have been 

another considerable highlight. 

To provide further support and acknowledgement to the 

contribution of volunteers, Council held an Environmental 

Volunteer Celebration Event in March 2012 and developed 

an Environmental Volunteers Resource Kit. The kit is 

an online resource that provides support and advice to 

environmental volunteers. 

Youth services volunteers 

Yarra Ranges youth services team provides a number of 

opportunities for adults to volunteer their time each week 

to support young people through the Jindi Woraback 

Youth Mentoring and the L2P Learner Driver Mentor 

Program. Through these programs, 170 young people 

participated in 4,500 hours of mentoring. 

The Jindi Woraback Youth Mentoring Program aims to 

provide a structured and trusting relationship that brings 

young people together with caring mentors who can 

offer guidance, support and encouragement. The L2P 

Learner Driver Mentor Program is a community based 

volunteer program, funded by VicRoads, which aims to 

provide support, guidance and access to driving practice 

for learner drivers aged 16–21 who are facing significant 

barriers to gaining their mandatory 120 hours of driving. 

A volunteer 

delivering 

meals

86 Community engagement 

COMMUnity 

engagement 

Yarra Ranges Council is committed to engaging effectively 

with our communities on decisions that affect them. 

This is done through a range of methods including 

community forums, surveys, workshops, online 

technologies and representative committees. 

Community engagement is undertaken by Council in 

recognition of the right of communities to express their 

view on decisions proposed by Council and with the view 

that people who live in the community are in a strong 

position to inform us about the local issues of concern. 

Community Engagement Policy 

In June 2011 Council endorsed a revised Community 

Engagement Policy. This policy describes Council’s 

commitment to making balanced decisions where all 

community voices are considered. It also demonstrates 

Council’s commitment to four principles of effective 

community engagement: transparency, inclusiveness, 

responsiveness and capacity building. 

Essential engagement framework 

and staff training 

An internal framework and toolkit called Essential 

Engagement was developed in 2011 to support the 

revised Community Engagement Policy. This framework 

and toolkit assists officers and Councillors to complete 

community engagement activities which are meaningful, 

well planned and effective. Over the past year, twelve 

Community Engagement Champions have participated in 

community engagement training at Swinburne University 

and a further 20 completed Emotion, Outrage and Public 

Participation training. 

Community engagement highlights 

Over the past year Council has engaged with the Yarra 

Ranges community on a number of issues and important 

decisions. Three examples of community engagement 

processes are described below to show some 

of the ways we are working with our communities. 

YOU&I project 

The YOU&I project was a partnership project undertaken by 

Yarra Ranges Council, Morrisons, Upper Yarra Secondary 

College, Ranges Community Health and Yarra Valley 

Community Health to respond to social issues concerning 

young people, violence within relationships and sexual 

health issues identified by Ranges Community Health. 

The project engaged young people (aged 15 to 21 years 

old) from Yarra Ranges in a creative project to explore 

their understanding of respectful relationships through 

workshops and photo journaling. 

The concept of the red couch was developed as a unique 

hook. The couch created a comfortable, safe place from 

which it was relatively easy to initiate a conversation with 

young people. Over a six month period, the engagement 

team hit the streets and attended a number of youth 

events to talk to and recruit young people to be part of 

the project. A total of 30 young people participated and a 

professional artist came on board to guide the workshop 

and exhibition components. 

The creative workshops spanned an eight week period 

and involved a range of techniques to explore the idea 

of respectful relationships, including photomedia works, 

collaborative paste up and animations. Themes relating 

to respectful relationships emerged from the workshops 

including: equality, balance, communication, trust, 

understanding diversity, individual empowerment 

and connecting with others. 

After the workshop process, participants were asked to 

display their works at an exhibition at the Red Earth Gallery 

Mooroolbark Community Centre. Over 100 people attended 

the launch of the exhibition held on 27 June. 

Monbulk township improvements 

In 2010 Council allocated more than $300,000 for 

a second stage of township improvements to Monbulk. 

The first stage of township improvements had been 

completed in Main Street and included new paving, street 

furniture, artwork and a shelter. The second stage of 

works required strong community engagement in order


87 

to capture the aspirations of the townspeople and address 

the difficult issue of replacing street trees with smaller 

varieties to reduce the impact on overhead powerlines. 

Yarra Ranges Council located their designer at the 

Monbulk Living and Learning Centre one day a week for 

nine months. This resulted in a better understanding of 

the character and function of the town and provided a 

regular face-to-face contact point for traders, residents 

and community groups to go through the design options. 

During this time a number of Council officers regularly 

visited Monbulk community groups such as the Monbulk 

Business Network, Senior Citizens group, Monbulk 

Secondary College students, Monbulk and District 

Community Opportunities Working (MADCOW) group, 

the Historical Society and others in order to develop an 

understanding of issues facing the town and to generate 

design ideas. 

In November 2011 a life-size temporary installation was 

added to points along the street at the Merry Monbulk late 

night shopping event in collaboration with local businesses 

and community groups. The installation introduced 

advanced street trees and shrubs along both sides of the 

streets and in car spaces to gain an understanding of how 

local people responded to additional trees and activities. 

Feedback generated on the night informed the final design. 

The construction of the township improvements is due 

to commence in mid 2012. 

Community Emergency Planning 

Committee pilots 

Yarra Ranges has commenced a pilot program to encourage 

communities to identify risks, manage and own their local 

community emergency planning. This program is currently 

being trialled at Powelltown and will also shortly be trialled 

at Warburton. 

The process started in February 2012, when the 

community of Powelltown held a public meeting, 

facilitated by Council officers, to discuss the formation 

of the Powelltown Community Emergency Management 

Planning Committee. Approximately 35 people attended. 

A Community Emergency Risk Assessment Committee 

was selected to investigate and develop a plan for 

treatment options and to implement agreed strategies. 

The committee will meet on the first Tuesday of the 

month at the Powelltown Public Hall. 

The Powelltown Community Emergency Management 

Plan will assist the community to prepare for disasters 

and to build resilience through increased ownership of 

processes. The Powelltown Community was successful 

in obtaining a grant of $20,000 as part of the Fire Ready 

Communities Grants Program, through the Department 

of Planning and Community Development. The State 

Government has expressed interest in being involved in 

publicly supporting this initiative following the committee’s 

appointment. 

Council’s emergency management team has provided 

initial guidance and is now allowing the community to own, 

guide and manage this project. 

YOU I project 

participants on 

the red couch

88 Corporate governance 

Sherbrooke 

Family and 

Children s 

Centre 

CorPOrate 

governance


89 

Information available for inspection 

Council is committed to open and transparent 

governance. In accordance with the Local Government 

Act (1989) and Part 5 Section 11 of the Local Government 

(General) Regulations (2004), the following information is 

available for public inspection: 

a. mayoral and Councillor allowances 

b. details of senior officers’ remuneration 

c. details of interstate and overseas travel by Councillors 

and Council staff 

d. names of Council officers required to submit a return 

of interest and the date the returns were submitted 

e. names of Councillors required to submit a return of 

interests and the date the returns were submitted 

f. council agendas and minutes held in the previous 

12 months* 

g. a list of all special committees established by Council, 

and the purpose for which they were established 

h. a list of all special committees established by Council, 

which were abolished or ceased to function during 

the financial year 

i. minutes of meeting of special committees held in 

the previous 12 months 

j. register of delegations 

k. submissions received in accordance with S223 of 

the Local Government Act (1989) during the previous 

12 months 

l. agreements to establish regional libraries 

m. details of all property, finance and operating leases 

involving land, buildings, plant, computer equipment 

or vehicles 

n. register of authorised officers 

o. a list of donations and grants made by the Council 

during the financial year 

p. a list of the names of the organisations of which 

Council was a member during the financial year 

q. a list of contracts valued at $150,000 or more for 

goods or services, and $200,000 or more for works 

outside competitive process, except S186(5). 

In accordance with Section 222 of the Local Government 

Act (1989), inspection of these documents can be 

arranged by contacting the Governance team on 

(03) 9294 6817. The documents can be inspected 

at the Council Offices, Anderson Street, Lilydale. 

Additional information available for public 

inspection includes: 

Annual Report (includes Auditor’s Report)* 

Code of Conduct for Councillors* 

Council Plan 2009–2013* 

Councillor Expenditure and Donations 

(Reimbursement) Policy 

register of pecuniary interests 

return of election donations 

Yarra Ranges Council Whistleblowers 

Protection Act Procedures.* 

*Also available online at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au 

Our commitment to Best Value 

Council is committed to implementing the principles 

of Best Value in the delivery of services and programs 

to our community. 

Through the 2011–12 corporate planning process, 

a coordinated organisation-wide approach to 

implementing the Best Value principles was undertaken. 

This was achieved by requiring all departments to 

identify a range of actions that ensure our services are 

responsive to changing community needs and represent 

value for money. 

The Business Excellence Framework is now well 

embedded into all aspects of our operations through 

the Sustainable Excellence program. Working ‘on the 

business’ as well as ‘in the business’ has become a 

commonplace activity in teams.


2011–12 Best Value initiatives 

The following Best Value initiatives were undertaken 

in 2011–12: 

Traffic and Drainage Process Review 

Design Standards for Non Urban/Rural Roads 

Trees Process Review 

Customer Contact Channel Review 

Authorisations Process Review 

Planning Application Files, Subdivision and 

Certification Process 

Customer Service/Trees Process Review 

Insurance Policies for Liability, Property and Mobility 

Youth Services Process Review 

Governance Process Benchmarking 

Customer Correspondence Process Review 

Customer Service/Waste Process Review. 

National Competition Policy compliance 

Yarra Ranges Council has complied with the requirements 

of the National Competition Policy (NCP) for the period 

1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012, in accordance with the 

requirements outlined in National Competition Policy 

and Local Government (revised 2011). 

Freedom of Information (FOI) 

Yarra Ranges Council maintains both paper based 

and electronic documents in respect to its operational, 

general administrative, financial and investment functions. 

The disposal of these records is governed by the Public 

Records Act (1973) and no records are destroyed or 

otherwise disposed of except in accordance with the 

relevant standards. 

The Freedom of Information Act (1982) (Vic) gives any 

individual or organisation the right to access information 

held by Yarra Ranges Council unless that information 

is deemed exempt under the Act. The Freedom of 

Information Act (1982) embodies the four following 

basic principles: 

members of the public have a legal right of access 

to information in documentary form 

government departments and agencies are required to 

publish information concerning the documents they hold 

people may ask for inaccurate, incomplete, out-of-date 

or misleading information in their personal records 

to be amended 

people may appeal against a decision not to give access 

to the information or not to amend a personal record. 

When a solicitor makes application under the legislation for 

the purposes of a common law claim, personal information 

will only be provided if the claimant has signed a release 

for the solicitor to receive the information. In addition, 

medical reports, medical opinions and impairment 

assessments are only released to a medical practitioner 

and only after written authorisation from the applicant. 

During the 2011–12 financial year, Yarra Ranges Council 

received 64 Freedom of Information requests from 

39 individual applicants. 

Of those, 18 were granted in full, 13 in part, access was 

denied on nine occasions and no documents existed 

on one occasion. 

Of the remaining requests, two applications were 

withdrawn, one request was processed outside the 

requirements of the legislation and five remain outstanding. 

Year 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 

Access in full 16 12 18 

Access in part 26 19 13 

Access denied 7 11 9 

No documents exist 11 2 1 

Request withdrawn 2 11 2 

Outside the Act 58 1 1 

Decision pending 3 21 5 

Total requests received 

(includes carried forward) 

72 77 64 

Number of applicants 34 32 39


91 

Access arrangements 

Access by way of inspection, or by a copy of a document, 

is available from the Council offices at Anderson Street, 

Lilydale. Council also provides copies by mail. Requests 

for access to documents should be directed to the FOI 

officer. The request must be in writing and must clearly 

describe the document/s being sought. 

An application fee applies to all requests and must be 

lodged with the request. This fee may be waived or varied 

on account of hardship. Additional charges specified in 

the Freedom of Information (Access Charges) Regulations 

(2004) may apply prior to the release of any documents. 

All enquiries should be directed to the FOI officer, Yarra 

Ranges Council, PO Box 105, Lilydale, Vic. 3140 by 

telephone on 1300 368 333. 

Information privacy 

Standards set out by the Information Privacy Act (2000) 

(Vic) and the Yarra Ranges Privacy Policy Statement 

control how we manage personal information. Privacy 

compliance is included in our staff training program. 

We have trained privacy officers within our Information 

Management Service to assist staff and members of the 

public with privacy-related queries or issues. All privacy 

inquiries should be directed to the Privacy Officer, Yarra 

Ranges Council, PO Box 105, Lilydale, Vic. 3140 by 

telephone on 1300 368 333. 

Whistleblowers Protection Act (2001) 

Yarra Ranges Council is committed to the aims and 

objectives of the Whistleblowers Protection Act (2001). 

It does not tolerate improper conduct by its employees, 

officers or Councillors, nor the taking of reprisals against 

those who come forward to disclose such conduct. 

Council recognises the value of transparency and 

accountability in its administrative and management 

practices and supports the making of disclosures that 

reveal corrupt conduct, conduct involving a substantial 

mismanagement of public resources, or conduct 

involving a substantial risk to public health and safety 

or the environment. 

We will take all reasonable steps to protect people who 

make such disclosures from any detrimental action in 

reprisal for making the disclosure and also afford natural 

justice to the person who is the subject of the disclosure. 

Part six of the Whistleblowers Protection Act (2001) 

requires Council to establish procedures to facilitate the 

making of disclosures, investigation of such disclosures 

and the protection of those people making disclosures. 

Council has adopted such procedures to establish 

a system for reporting disclosures of improper conduct 

or detrimental action by the Council or its employees. 

The system enables such disclosures to be made to 

the protected disclosure coordinator. Disclosures may 

be made by employees or by members of the public. 

These procedures are designed to complement 

normal communication channels between supervisors 

and employees. 

Employees are encouraged to continue to raise matters at 

any time with their supervisors. As an alternative, employees 

may make a disclosure of improper conduct or detrimental 

action under the Act in accordance with these procedures. 

A full copy of the Yarra Ranges Council Whistleblowers 

Protection Act Procedures is available on request. 

Disclosures during 2011–12 

Council is required to report information relating to 

the disclosures dealt with in accordance with the 

Act in the Annual Report. No disclosures relating 

to the Whistleblowers Act were received by Council 

during the financial year 2011–12. 

Current local laws 

General Provisions Local Law 2010 

(No. 1 of 2010) 

This Local Law supersedes the Public Amenity Local Law 

2001. It re-enacts the substantive provisions of the Public 

Amenity Local Law 2001 in respect of unsightly land and 

land kept in a dangerous manner, caravans, motorised 

recreational vehicles and obstructing roads, Council land 

and public places. The local law enacts new provisions 

in respect of camping on roads, Council land and public 

places, bees, and the destruction of European wasp nests.


Consumption of Liquor in Public Places Local 

Law 2007 


The objective of this local law is to protect people and 

property from the consequences of offensive behaviour 

or nuisance associated with the consumption of alcohol 

in public places. 

Animal Control Local Law 2007 


The objectives of this local law are to minimise the adverse 

effect of animals on the amenity of the municipality, 

minimise the nuisance and danger caused by animals 

and to protect the welfare of native and indigenous wildlife, 

domestic and farm animals. 

Meeting Procedures and Use of Common Seal 

Local Law 2007 


The objectives of this local law are to provide a mechanism 

to facilitate good governance of the Council, promote and 

encourage community participation, control the use of 

the Council’s seal and provide for the administration of 

Council’s powers and functions. 

Open Air Burning Local Law 2007 


The purpose of this local law is to manage fuel loads to 

minimise bushfire risk and to protect the amenity of the 

municipality by controlling the use of incinerators and 

open air burning, allowing burning for the purpose of fuel 

reduction for fire prevention purposes, minimising nuisance 

and hazards caused by smoke and encouraging recycling, 

use of green waste services and other alternatives to the 

management of fuel loads and bushfire risk. 

Scaregun Control Local Law 2002 


The objectives of this local law are to regulate and control 

the use of scareguns within the municipality in a manner 

that prevents their use being detrimental to the environment 

or quality of life for residents. 

Streets and Roads Local Law 2005 


The objectives of this local law are to control a range 

of uses which impact on the use of the municipality’s 

streets and roads, ensuring public safety and amenity. 

The Local Law controls such things as the placement of 

furniture on pavements and the exhibition of merchandise/ 

advertisements on pavements and Council land. 

A copy of current local laws may be obtained from 

Yarra Ranges’ Community Links or via our website 

at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au. 

Risk management 

Yarra Ranges Council is committed to proactive risk 

management and has a well developed risk framework 

and strategy to ensure we prevent and minimise the 

chances of adverse impacts on Council’s objectives 

and operations. 

Strategic risk register 

Council has continued to maintain its strategic risk 

register across 2011–12. This register has been reviewed 

and updated quarterly by staff and is monitored by the 

Risk and Audit Committee. The register guides and 

support actions to manage Councils highest perceived 

risks. The organisation has put significant effort into 

reducing its risk, particularly in the areas of: 

peak oil and climate change 

tree management 

road management 

compliance with new legislation such 

as Neighbourhood Safer Places 

IT systems failure 

data management 

staff health and safety management. 

Each risk is assessed using Council’s Risk Management 

Framework which is consistent with ISO/AS 310000. 

Controls and actions are documented to ensure that where 

possible risks are being reduced or maintained at an 

acceptable level. Progress on actions identified in the risk 

register are reported to both Strategic Leadership Team 

and the Audit and Risk Management Committee quarterly.


93 

Annual public and professional liability audit 

Council’s public and professional liability insurance policy 

is placed with Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) 

Insurance. Every two years Council has an MAV Liability 

Audit, with the purpose of encouraging Council to develop 

and maintain sound risk management practices. Council’s 

performance in this audit is a major factor in determining 

our premium. 

The audit focuses on; organisational risk management, 

reactive risk management, proactive inspections of 

Council assets, written agreements, building services, 

town planning and food services. 

The outcome of the most recent audit resulted in an 

overall liability assessment score of 89%. This has 

seen Yarra Ranges’ performance remain in the top third 

of Victorian Councils. 

Workcover 

Council has continued to work hard to improve its 

WorkCover management systems through improving 

safety, undertaking preventative programs and supporting 

people back to work as soon as possible. Our process of 

managing injuries has improved over the past 12 months, 

contributing to a significant improvement in our WorkCover 

performance. Our WorkCover premium will reduce by 30% 

as a result and in 2011–12 we exceeded our performance 

targets and sit at 40% above the industry benchmark. 

Insurance 

Council has continued to review its insurance profile, 

policies and cover. This year we undertook an insurance 

tender to test the market, seeking best value for money. 

One outcome of this tender was the transfer of our 

Industrial Special Risk Insurance Policy placed with Willis 

Australia Limited. The insurance tender provided some 

significant challenges and has seen some improvements 

in coverage. Asset valuations were also reviewed and 

updated to further reflect true values. Further work will 

be completed in 2012 to ensure the insurance profile is 

correct for Council’s identified risks. 

The increase in storm events and high levels of rain has 

continued to put further pressure on insurance claims 

process. More than 210 liability claims were processed 

for the 2011–12 financial year. Council also completed 

a project to further refine and streamline the insurance 

claims process. 

Audit and Risk Management Committee 

The Audit and Risk Management Committee’s charter 

is to provide independent assurance and assistance 

to Council on Council’s risk, control and compliance 

framework, its external accountability responsibilities 

as defined in the Local Government Act (1989) and the 

various requirements of the Victorian Auditor-General’s 

Office. The committee determines the scope of the internal 

audit program and liaises with external auditors. 

During 2011–12, committee membership included: 

Mr Simon Crone, Independent Member and Chair 

(1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012) 

Cr Terry Avery, Councillor Representative 

(1 July 2011 to 6 December 2011) 

Cr Graham Warren, Councillor Representative 

(1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012) 

Cr Jeanette McRae, Councillor Representative 

(6 December 2011 to 30 June 2012) 

Mr David Orborne, Independent Member 

(1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012) 

Ms Theresa Glab, Independent Member 

(1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012) 

The committee met four times during the year and 

considered seven reports prepared by Council’s internal 

auditors Crowe Horwath: 

actions recommended in previous internal 

audit reports post audit review 

Tree Management Plan 

Property Leases and Licenses 

Non-recurrent Grants 

Fuel Cards 

Fraud Control Framework 

Councillor Expenses (review of expenditure statement) 

Contractor Management.


Internal audit 

A separate independent internal audit service is conducted 

by Crowe Horwath. Crowe Horwath adopts a strategic 

risk-based approach to developing, in consultation with 

management, a risk profile for each auditable area within 

Council. This allows greater attention to be directed to 

areas of high risk. Based on the risk assessment, the 

general direction of Council’s internal audit activities over the 

medium-term is documented in a three year Internal Audit 

Plan. This was reviewed and modified during the year and 

approved by the Audit and Risk Management Committee. 

Internal audit reports on all findings and recommendations 

are submitted to the Audit and Risk Management 

Committee. The internal auditors’ work is supplemented 

by business process reviews using the Australian Business 

Excellence Framework which are completed by internal 

staff. These reviews ensure Council processes are efficient, 

comply with legislation and identify opportunities for change. 

Contractor management 

Council employs a large number of contractors to assist 

with the delivery of a range of major projects and services. 

A significant review of our Contractor Occupational Health 

and Safety Management procedures was completed as 

part of the annual supply tendering process. This was to 

ensure works continue to be undertaken so as not to pose 

undue risks to contractors and the public. 

In partnership with the procurement department, Council 

continues to undertake audits and inspections of contractor 

activities. This allows for improvement opportunities to 

be identified and implemented in conjunction with 

relevant contractors. 

During the course of the year a review was undertaken 

of Council’s Contract Management Guidelines and 

supporting business practices. This review resulted in 

the development of an updated Contract Management 

Manual as a resource tool for staff undertaking contract 

management responsibilities. 

The Anzac 

Memorial in 

the main street 

of Lilydale

Victorian Local Government Indicators 

Indicator Description 2011–12 2010–11 2009–10 2008–09 2007–08 

Overall 

performance 1 

Advocacy 1 

Community 

Consultation 1 

All rates 

Residential 

rates 

Operating costs 

Capital 

expenditure 

Infrastructure 

Community satisfaction 

rating for overall 

performance generally of 

the Council 


rating for Council’s 

lobbying on behalf of the 

community 


rating for Council’s 

community consultation 

and engagement 

Average rates and 

charges per assessment 

Average residential 

rates and charges per 

assessment 

Average operating 

expenditure per 

assessment 

Average capital 

expenditure per 

assessment 

Renewal gap 

58 The methodology and content of the 2011–12 community 

satisfaction survey measures are different to the previous years. 

As a result direct comparisons cannot be made between the 

community satisfaction survey results of 2011–12 and prior years. 









$1,635 $1,493 $1,385 $1,296 $1,241 

$1,526 $1,384 $1,278 $1,195 $1,150 

$2,643 $2,544 $2,334 $2,029 $1,860 

$627 $646 $516 $331 $276 

91% 63% 17% 17% 22% 

Infrastructure 

Debts 

Operating 

results 2 

Renewal gap and 

maintenance 

Average liabilities per 

assessment 

Operating result per 

assessment 

97% 80% 61% 66% 67% 

$716 $572 $553 $505 $500 

($59) ($48) $100 $275 $140 

Note: 

1 

The Department of Planning and Community Development satisfaction survey has a margin of error of +/-4.4. 

2 

Council’s operating result per assessment of ($59) includes some major factors that contributed to the result. 

These factors include: 

$12.1 million LASF Defined Benefit Plan superannuation funding call payable to Vision Super. 

$8.5 million funding received for natural disaster events. 

$3.7 million net funding received in advance from Victorian Grants Commission. 

$906k share of deficit from Council’s investment in Eastern Regional Library (ERL) 

as a result of a $3.4 million LASF Defined Benefit Plan superannuation funding call. 

Council’s portion of the additional call at 38.72% is $1.3 million. 

The result per assessment excluding these major items would have been ($38).

96 Major capital works projects 

Major capital 

WOrKS projeCTS 

The 2011–12 financial year saw Council undertake 

approximately $47.6 million worth of works on 660 projects 

across the municipality. These projects aim to address the 

diverse needs of many communities within the municipality. 

The following is a summary of the program expenditure, 

highlighting some of the major projects undertaken this 

financial year and challenges faced. 

Building improvements 

and new construction 

32 projects – $1.7 million spent including: 

Kiloran Park Pavilion, Mooroolbark 

Wandin Netball Amenities 

disability access improvements at various public 

locations throughout the municipality 

caravan amenities improvements at Doon Reserve 

fire safety improvements at Warburton Caravan Park. 

Challenges for the year included: 

Don Road Reserve pavilion 2 development, Healesville: 

the scope of this project is larger than initially 

expected and a business case is being prepared 

for additional funding 

Keith Hume Fraser Reserve pavilion upgrade, Montrose: 

to allow for better project management, Stage 1 was 

delayed to be combined with Stage 2 works during 

2012–13 

Olinda Reserve pavilion works: as above, Stage 1 was 

delayed to be combined with Stage 2 works during 

2012–13 to allow for better project management. 

Other building projects 

152 projects – $1.9 million spent, including: 

Yarra Centre maintenance, Yarra Junction 

graffiti and vandalism repair throughout the municipality 

façade restoration Athenaeum Theatre, Lilydale 

Montrose Library improvements 

Kilsyth Centenary Pool maintenance. 

Carparks 

Seven projects – $0.6 million spent including: 

Pinks Reserve Sports Centre access road, Kilsyth 

carpark rehabilitation and maintenance throughout 

the municipality 

Disability Discrimination Act audit of all car parking 

across the municipality 

Upper Yarra Arts Centre, Warburton. 


town centre carpark construction, Yarra Junction: 

project scope has been reviewed to ensure the best 

possible outcome, delaying the project. 

Drainage 


drainage maintenance and improvements throughout 


Pembroke College, Morrison Reserve water harvesting 

project, Mt Evelyn 

drainage condition assessments and rehabilitation 

throughout the municipality 

Hoddle Street drainage rehabilitation, Yarra Junction 

Worcester Street drainage improvements, Lilydale 

Main Street drainage improvement, Upwey 

Dealbata Street drainage improvement, Upwey 

Osborne Avenue drainage improvement, 

Belgrave South. 


Alice Street drainage, Mt Evelyn: project delayed due to 

further investigations into the best method of drainage 

improvement to suit this project 

Sheffield Road drainage improvements, Montrose: 

project delayed pending the outcome of negotiations 

with private land owner.


97 

Footpaths 


footpath rehabilitation minor works throughout 


Bailey Road footpath construction, Mt Evelyn 

Cambridge Road footpath construction, Mooroolbark 

Anderson Street to Mt Lilydale College footpath 

rehabilitation, Lilydale 

Mt Pleasant Road footpath construction, Monbulk 

footpath and kerb and channel in front of Mt Evelyn 

Primary School 

The Patch Road footpath construction, The Patch. 


Chirnside Park Golf Club development footpaths: 

construction works delayed to meet developer’s 

construction schedule 

Don Road footpath construction, Don Valley: project 

delayed due to further investigation as project site is in 

a flood-prone area adjacent to the Yarra River 

Monbulk Road footpath, Belgrave: delayed pending 

the completion of a highly complex design due to the 

project being in a high value environmental area. 

Local bridges 


bridge rehabilitation works throughout the municipality 

Warburton Trail bridges and culverts works 

investigation and design of Grace Burn bridge Healesville. 


Dammans Road bridge, Warburton: delayed by several 

months due to difficulty obtaining the necessary 

laminated decking system. 

Local roads – Special Charge Schemes 


Sheepstation Creek Road, Hoddles Creek 

Paton Road and Mulhalls Road, Macclesfield 

Range Road and Lumeah Avenue, Olinda. 


Chudleigh Crescent Road improvement, Sassafras: 

delayed pending VCAT decision 

Clematis Road and Falkingham Road improvement, 

Mt Evelyn: delayed while consideration is given to an 

extended scope including additional works 

William Road, Charles Road and Gilba Place, Lilydale: 

delayed due to further considerations for environmental 

and cultural heritage factors. 

Local road projects 


York Road and Wray Crescent signals, Mt Evelyn 

Armstrong Grove pavement rehabilitation, Yarra Glen 

Old Belgrave Road kerb and channel works, Upwey 

Morris Road, Upwey 

Old Baker Road widening, Wandin. 


McAllister Road upgrade, Monbulk: significant 

environmental and service assets required a more 

complex design than initially expected.

98 Major capital works projects 

Traffic management 

64 projects – $1.2 million spent, including: 

Macclesfield Road and Old Emerald Road black spot 

improvements, Monbulk 

Cambridge Road (Hull to Hawthory Road) road 

improvements, Montrose 

McNicol Road and Hazelvale Road intersection 

improvements, Belgrave 

road traffic management – signage improvements 

at various locations 

road traffic management – new line marking 

at various locations 

Myers Creek Road black spot improvements, Healesville 

Haig Avenue parking improvements, Healesville 

minor road traffic management improvements 

at various locations across Yarra Ranges. 


Bimbadeen Drive local area traffic management works, 

Mooroolbark: delayed to allow for comprehensive 

resident consultation 

Blackburn Road traffic management works, 

Mooroolbark: delayed to allow for comprehensive 

resident consultation. 

Townships 


township improvements, Chirnside Park 

township improvements, Seville 

street and heritage trees in townships 


township improvements, Belgrave South 

Burrinja Art of Place, Upwey. 


Township improvements, Mooroolbark: extending 

timelines of the community consultation to include the 

State Government funded Train Station for a Creative 

Community Hubs project. 

Public open space funding 


recreation reserve bowling rink extension, Warburton 

Lillydale Reserve oval 2 lighting, Lilydale 

Queens Park basket ball court works, Healesville. 


Hookey Park Play Space, Mooroolbark: 

Stage 1 was delayed to be combined with 

Stage 2 works during 2012–13. 

Parks and trails management 


McKenzie Reserve playground works, Yarra Glen 

playground and park furniture renewal program 


Mt Evelyn tennis court upgrade, Mt Evelyn 

Lilydale to Mooroolbark trail rehabilitation 

Lilydale to Warburton trail works, Maroondah 

Highway Lilydale 

Morrison Reserve Athletics Track, Mt Evelyn. 


Birdsland - Lysterfield Trail (Belgrave): bridge 

construction and planning phases have experienced 

delays due to pending approvals from Melbourne Water. 

Sports reserve management 


recreation reserve netball courts, Warburton 

recreation reserve oval upgrade, Lilydale 

Morrison Reserve pitch 1 refurbishment, Mt Evelyn 

sports reserve minor drainage rehabilitation throughout 


sports court rehabilitation program throughout 

the municipality.


99 

Major capital projects 


Morrison Reserve athletics facility Stage 1 

Yarra Glen Memorial Hall 

Yarra Glen Pavilion Development 

Burrinja Cultural Centre, Upwey 

Monbulk Aquatic Centre. 


Olinda Aquatic Centre: project delayed due to 

community engagement process to align with 

Bushfire Royal Commission recommendations 

Community hub feasibility development, Mooroolbark 

and Chirnside Park: project delayed pending the 

development of a wider community engagement 

program including stakeholder conversations 

and surveys. 

Plant and equipment 

Four projects – $3.4 million spent including: 

upgrade and replacement of computer hardware 

upgrade and replacement of software 

replacement of Council fleet and other plant 

and machinery 

re-branding of Council vehicles. 

Waste management 

2 projects – $0.3m spent including: 

landfill improvement works, Coldstream 

recovery and waste station works, Coldstream. 

Exploring a local 

playground 

One of many trails 

in Yarra Ranges

OUr PeOPLe - Shire of Yarra Ranges

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