TWELVE people from Yarra Glen will be selected to represent the community on a People’s Panel.
The group will help determine the best way to invest funds from the sale of the former Yarra Glen Maternal and Child Health Centre at 39-41 Bell Street.
More than 500 people, randomly selected from the electoral roll, will receive a letter inviting them to submit an expression of interest to participate in the panel.
From those expressions of interest, 12 people will then be selected by an external review panel, who will consider the demographic information provided to ensure the final panel best represents the Yarra Glen community.
An Advisory Committee has been established to lead and manage the process.
The panel will meet over three days in March to discuss how the proceeds from the sale of the site in Bell Street could be spent on capital works priorities in Yarra Glen.
The panel will then present the report to council for a final decision.
Yarra Ranges Director Social and Economic Development, Ali Wastie, said the Yarra Glen People’s Panel was an exciting opportunity for community members to help lead an important decision-making process.
Ms Wastie said it would ensure the money was invested into capital works projects that had broad community support.
“This is the first time we’ve seen a People’s Panel established to assist with an important local decision-making process, and I hope we see lots of enthusiastic community members put in their expression of interest to be involved,” she said.
“Of course, those who don’t get a chance to be part of the panel will also be able to have their say on capital works priorities through an online survey and a community forum to be held in late February.”
If you would like more information, contact Kym Murphy at Yarra Ranges Council on 9294 6464.
