The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is set to recognise the efforts of Yarra Ranges Council to innovate for the local community at an upcoming awards ceremony.
The inaugural MAVlab Innovation Awards will shine a light on staff and programs from councils around the state next month, with Yarra Ranges Council a finalist in four categories.
Yarra Ranges Council chief executive Tammi Rose said they’re thrilled that several of their teams and projects were named as finalists in the inaugural MAVlab Innovation Awards.
“These Victoria-wide awards are open to all councils and include innovative solutions when responding to complex challenges like climate change, economic pressure and community wellbeing with creativity and care,” she said.
“Finalists include service optimisation through our new online planning tool, working with community as part of the State Government’s Timber Transition through the Upper Yarra Local Development Strategy and embedding Indigenous perspectives in land and emergency management.”
Yarra Ranges Council are represented in the following categories:
Planning and building manager Amanda Kern is up for the 2025 Innovatio Pro Bono Publico Award.
The ‘Our Country, Our Way – Embedding Indigenous Perspectives in Land and Emergency Management’ program has been nominated for the The Connector Award for community inclusion and cohesion.
The ‘Timber Transition: Upper Yarra Local Development Strategy’ is a finalist for the Stronger Together award for council collaboration.
The MyLot digital planning tool is one of five projects in the running for the Smooth Sailing award for service optimisation and customer experience.
Ms Rose said they’re proud that Yarra Ranges’ work has been recognised with these nominations.
“Each of these projects is a worthy recipient, and a small example of the work all of our teams do day-in, day-out to serve our community,” she said.
“I look forward to the awards event, and will have my fingers crossed for our staff.”
Other awards categories celebrate emerging leaders, change management, data-driven decision making, community health, climate resilience and adaptation, regenerative design, impact and legacy, impactful and inclusive storytelling, asset management, innovation in safe spaces, experimentation practice and financial ingenuity.
MAV chief innovator in residence Bonnie Shaw said the calibre of entries reflects the sector’s leadership and collaborative spirit.
“Local government is where innovation meets community impact, these awards shine a spotlight on the courage, creativity, and commitment of councils across Victoria who are shaping the future of our state,” she said..
“These finalists, and all of the amazing entries, have shown what’s possible when vision and collaboration come together,”
“We look forward to celebrating their achievements at the awards night.”
Winners will be announced on Wednesday 8 October.
