By Jim Child
On Tuesday 19 November, I was honoured to be elected as Mayor, alongside returning Chirnside Park Ward Councillor Richard Higgins as my Deputy.
This is my fourth term as Mayor of Yarra Ranges, and I’m proud to lead our new Council in their first year.
This Council will be passionate and collaborative in representing our community; we’ll continue to protect and enhance the place that we call home, and the things you love about it.
Council is responsible for delivering more than 120 services to 55 townships, and our Council group has a keen eye on how we can keep costs down, while still meeting the needs of more than 150,000 residents, thousands of businesses and millions of annual visitors.
We expect visitation to the region to double over the next decade, so a priority is going to be advocating to the State and Federal Government for their continued support.
With more than 500 local jobs and an extra $80 million per year into our local economy, as a result of our Ridges and Rivers projects, we’re excited to usher in the first stages of the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, ngurrak barring and the Yarra Valley Trail.
We’re currently working to finalise our 2025-29 Council Plan, along with our Long-Term Financial Plan and Asset Management Plan.
We, as community and Council, will build on these plans, to ensure our future matches the vision of our community.
I’d like to take a moment to pay tribute to our outgoing Mayor, Sophie Todorov, and Deputy David Eastham, along with our previous Council group.
We worked fantastically over the last four years and I’d like to thank each of them for their service to the community.
Welcome to our new Council group, particularly our new Councillors, Cr Mitch Mazzarella Melba Ward, Cr Jeff Marriot Streeton Ward, Cr Peter Mcilwain Lyster Ward and Cr Gareth Ward Chandler Ward.
We’re going to have a great four years ahead of us.
The one person I’d like to thank more than anyone is my wife, my confidante and my support over countless years – Teresa. Thank you.
I look forward to working with our community for another fantastic four years.
Cr Jim Child
Mayor of Yarra Ranges
