By Chelsea Szabo
The Stormwater Community Reference Panel (SCRP) was formed without opposition at the Yarra Ranges Council meeting on Tuesday, with all applicants securing a seat on the body.
The SCRP is part of Action 26 in the council’s Stormwater Management Plan 2024-2034, a landmark policy announced in 2024 alongside $16 million of funding in the latest budget for drainage infrastructure.
The newly formed SCRP is intended to provide a platform for community voices to help shape council decisions regarding stormwater management in the area.
“I’ve got every faith in these community members to make sure that we are held accountable for what we need to do in upgrading aging infrastructure to make sure we can face those challenges with flooding,” councillor Tim Heenan, who seconded the council’s motion, said on Tuesday.
“The effects of flooding have been far and wide for far too long.”
The selected members represent eight of the nine wards in the Yarra Ranges Shire, with Walling being the only ward not represented.
Councillor Mitch Mazzarella also noted on Tuesday that a diverse number of community members are represented on the panel.
“It’s great to see that we’ve got representatives from all backgrounds and all manner of different experiences including many people with professional experience in the sector,” he said.
Meetings will be held three times per year and panel members will be appointed for a two-year term with the opportunity to reapply for another.
