Agenda and draft minutes

In accordance with Chapter 7, Rule 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 7, Rule 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

There were no disclosures of conflicts of interest made for this meeting.

­­­­­­­­There were no Mayoral Announcements for this meeting.

In Favour:    Cr Child, Cr Higgins, Cr Cox, Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott,
Cr Mazzarella, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rules 57 and 59, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rules 57 and 59, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

There were no Questions from the Public listed on the agenda for this meeting.

SUBMISSIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

Warburton 7 Mountains in a Day

Ivor Wolstencroft presented a proposal to promote "Warburton 7 Mountains in a Day" with the inclusion of summit signs on each mountain.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rule 60, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rule 60, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

There were no Petitions listed on the agenda for this meeting.

SUMMARY

This report seeks Council to endorse the final community engagement consultation phase on the:

·                Draft Yarra Ranges Council Plan 2025-2029 (the Council Plan – Attachment One)

·                Draft Yarra Ranges Asset Plan 2025-2025 (Asset Plan – Attachment Two)

·                Draft Yarra Ranges Long Term Financial Plan 2025-2035 (LTFP – Attachment Three).

All councils have obligations under the Local Government Act 2020 to produce a Council Plan, Asset Plan and LTFP every four years.

The Council Plan sets out the medium-term direction for Council and must be aligned to the long-term Community Vision under the Local Government Act 2020 (the Act) requirements.

The Asset Plan includes information about maintenance, renewal, acquisition, expansion, upgrade, disposal and decommissioning in relation to each class of infrastructure asset under the control of the Council.

The LTFP demonstrates Council's financial sustainability to fund the aspirations of the Community Vision, the Council Plan and support the Asset Plan.  This LTFP has been prepared in compliance with the Act, and the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions Financial Plan Better Practice Guide and Model.

These three plans have been developed following an extensive 15-month community engagement process, and collaboration between Councillors, local communities and other relevant stakeholders.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Child, Cr Higgins, Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott and Cr Mcilwain spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:    Cr Child, Cr Higgins, Cr Cox, Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott,
Cr Mazzarella, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil

SUMMARY

The Audit and Risk Management Committee (the Committee) has been established by Council under Section 53 of the Local Government Act 2020 (the Act). It is the responsibility of the Committee to provide Council with independent, objective advice and assurance on the adequacy of Council arrangements as set out in the Committee Charter (the Charter).

The Act requires that the Committee prepare a biannual report for Council that describes its activities and includes and findings and recommendations.

This report is the biannual report of the Committee for the six-month period ending 30 June 2025.

In accordance with Governance Rule 58, Stephen Schinck spoke in support of the recommendation included in the officer report.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Child and Cr Higgins spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:    Cr Child, Cr Higgins, Cr Cox, Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott,
Cr Mazzarella, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil

SUMMARY

Under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (the Act), councils must prepare a Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan (MPHWP) every 4 years, within 12 months of a general council election. The Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025 meets these requirements; a Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025 Final Evaluation Report is provided as Attachment One.

Council must now prepare a new Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2029 (the Strategy), due to the Department of Health in October 2025. This report is intended to present the new Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2029- Draft; included in this report as Attachment Two. The Strategy is informed by the Yarra Ranges Health and Wellbeing Data Profile (Attachment Three) and four weeks of community engagement; Community Engagement Summary Report as Attachment Four.

Following Council endorsement of the Draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2025-2029, a further four-week community engagement period will run over July and August 2025. Council will then review and finalise the Strategy, ready for submission in October 2025.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Ward, Cr Higgins, Cr Mazzarella and Cr Marriott spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:    Cr Child, Cr Higgins, Cr Cox, Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott,
Cr Mazzarella, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil

SUMMARY

The Victorian Disability Act (2006) requires councils to maintain a Disability Action Plan (DAP). Council’s Equity, Access and Inclusion Strategy 2013–2023 met this requirement; a final report is provided (Attachment 3).

The proposed Disability Action Plan 2025–2029 (Final) is Council’s next plan to support disability inclusion (Attachment 1). It moves to a four yearly planning cycle, while setting four strategic goals and a long-term vision, while also preparing for possible future requirements under the proposed Disability Inclusion Bill.

The refreshed DAP was shaped through two phases of community engagement, conducted over eight weeks, in addition to consultation with Council’s Disability Advisory Committee; the Community Engagement Report is included as Attachment 2.

Council’s Disability Advisory Committee plays a significant role in the development, implementation and review of the DAP. A yearly report is provided to Council on the implementation of the DAP and a summary of the Disability Advisory Committee’s achievements. The committee’s achievements for 2024 are provided as Attachment 4.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Cox, Cr Higgins and Cr Child spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:    Cr Child, Cr Higgins, Cr Cox, Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott,
Cr Mazzarella, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil

In accordance with Chapter 3, Division 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Division 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

There were no Councillor motions listed on the agenda for this meeting.

12.1    Waste and Recycling in Yarra Ranges

Cr Heenan noted the distributed waste and recycling in Yarra Ranges education material that helps community understand what they can and can’t put in each bin.

12.2    Holy Fools' Street Smarts Trivia Night

Cr Heenan attended the Holy Fools' Street Smarts Trivia Night on 28 June 2025 at the St. Patrick's Community Centre, Lilydale. The Trivia & Games Night was to raise funds for Felix House. Cr Heenan noted Felix House has been equipped with showers, laundry facilities, and a kitchenette for community members who may not have access to these facilities.

12.3    Lilydale & Yarra Valley Show Annual General Meeting

Cr Heenan attended the Lilydale & Yarra Valley Show Annual General Meeting, noting this year will be the 70^th Anniversary of the Show. Cr Heenan congratulated the Committee for the months of planning to hold such a successful event.

12.4    Cuppa with a Councillor – Mt. Evelyn

Cr Heenan noted the success of his Cuppa with a Councillor he holds regularly in Mt Evelyn and encouraged any community members to make a booking if they wish to meet.

12.5    Gippsland Kangaroo Harvest Zone

Cr Cox provided an update in regard to the exclusion of the Yarra Ranges from the Gippsland Kangaroo Harvest Zone. Cr Cox noted his disappointment that the State Government has rejected Council’s request.

There were no Reports from Delegates received for this meeting.

In accordance with Clause 87 of the Meeting Procedures and Use of Common Seal Local Law 2015, as prescribed by Section 14(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 2020.

SUMMARY

It is requested that the following document be signed and sealed:

Doongalla Reserve, Montrose Native Vegetation Offset – Landowner Agreement.

For establishment of a native vegetation offset site on part of Doongalla Reserve, Montrose.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Higgins spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:   Cr Child, Cr Higgins, Cr Cox, Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott,
Cr Mazzarella, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil

In Favour:   Cr Child, Cr Higgins, Cr Cox, Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott,
Cr Mazzarella, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil

In accordance with Chapter 3 Rule 24 of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

There were no Urgent Business listed on the agenda for this meeting.

In accordance with section 66(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 3 Rule 24 of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In Favour:   Cr Child, Cr Higgins, Cr Cox Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott,
Cr Mazzarella, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil