Children on top

By Tania Martin
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges’ new community plan has highlighted farming, children, transport and affordable housing as key priorities for the future.
The plan – Vision 2020 was adopted at a meeting last month (22 September) following a review. Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said the plan was an import part of the shire’s planning framework.
“It’s our community’s vision,” she said. Vision 2020 was first developed in 1999 as a blueprint of the kind of the community the shire would like to see in the future.
It was originally based around buildings, strong and connected communities, environmental stewardship, the local economy and tourism, the arts and providing a safe and accessible shire.
The council has reviewed the plan a number of times in 2003, 2006 and again this year in a bid to catch any shifts in community views. Vision 2020 aims to encapsulate the community’s vision for the future, and is also used in the shire’s decision making.
As part of the review, the council received more than 25 submissions to an online discussion paper, undertook 30 youth interviews; 196 participants took part in a survey of children and artwork program and 31 people attended children’s workshops.
Cr Dunn said it had been great to see all the children getting involved in the consultation process. It is now available on the shire’s website at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au.