YARRA RANGES PLANNING SCHEME

21.02 YARRA RANGES - A PROFILE 19/01/2006 VC37

21.02-1 Diversity is a hallmark of the Shire 19/01/2006 VC37 Located at the eastern edge of metropolitan , the is one of ’s largest, most varied and scenic municipalities. The population is estimated to be 139,315 people (1999 estimate), in 47,780 households, making it the sixth largest municipality in the metropolitan and fringe areas and the seventh largest in the State in terms of population. One in every thirty Victorians lives in the Shire. Also, with an area of some 2,500 square kilometres, the Shire is the largest of any metropolitan or fringe municipality in the State. Although generally considered to be a metropolitan fringe municipality, having a large urban population, Yarra Ranges Shire also has a significant rural focus in terms of environment, industry and settlement pattern. There are over 40 townships and small communities unevenly dispersed over a large area. Population density, at 55 people/sq km, is significantly lower than most metropolitan fringe municipalities. The major areas of employment are in the retail, manufacturing and education sectors and key industries include viticulture, agriculture, horticulture, timber and tourism. The Yarra Ranges Shire can be characterised as a “young” Shire, with a higher than average proportion of our population aged between 0-14 years and a lower than average proportion of residents aged 60 years and over. In the period 1976-1991, the Shire experienced considerable population growth. However, the overall growth rate has slowed significantly in recent years. The Shire’s population is expected to remain constant over the foreseeable future. The Shire, which forms part of the Wurundjeri-balluk territory, has a significant and active Aboriginal population. They, along with other ethnic communities, contribute to the cultural diversity of the Shire. The Yarra Ranges Shire provides or supports a wide range of facilities to cater for the different needs of its community. Council is committed to developing partnerships with the community and other levels of government to provide the facilities required. Community involvement in the planning and development of facilities is encouraged. Council is particularly supportive of multi-purpose facilities that cater for a range of community groups and encourages the equitable access to facilities and service opportunities. The Shire is enriched with natural resources such as good quality water, a range of agricultural and forest products, landscapes of scenic and natural beauty, and flora and fauna of regional, state and national significance. An extensive range of recreational, tourism and economic opportunities arise from this impressive resource base. Because of the fragile nature of the environment a key theme throughout the land management and planning approach is that of sustainability.

21.02-2 Metropolitan context map 19/01/2006 VC37 The following map shows the Yarra Ranges Shire in its Melbourne metropolitan context.

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Metropolitan Context Map

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21.02-3 Geographic and functional areas 19/01/2006 VC37 There are some twelve geographic-functional areas in the Shire, which highlight its diversity. These are characterised by the following key features:

ƒ Metropolitan Urban Areas: Fully serviced urban areas; mostly detached houses; major concentration of population; several major commercial centres; extensive industrial land; range of educational facilities. ƒ Foothills Residential Areas: Extensive bushland residential areas; visually attractive landscapes; important environmental features. ƒ Rural Townships: Individual townships in rural areas, each containing a range of different characteristics. ƒ : Visually attractive landscapes; important environmental features; low density bushland residential areas; major tourist destination. ƒ Silvan Agricultural Area: Red soil resource; important horticulture and floriculture production; increasing use of horticultural structures; opportunities for value adding to primary produce. ƒ Macclesfield - Yellingbo Rural Areas: An agricultural area which is extensively fragmented into small rural holdings; interspersed with areas of environmental significance; poor linkages to balance of the Shire; close to South Eastern Growth Area. ƒ Upper and Hoddles Creek: Attractive rural landscapes interspersed with forested areas; traditional timber industry area; areas of productive red soil used for fruit and grapes. ƒ Dixons Creek and Northern Valleys: Attractive rural landscapes; areas of large rural land holdings including grazing and wine growing areas; good road access to Melbourne and areas to the north. ƒ Yarra Valley Plains: Expansive rural landscapes with spectacular mountain backdrop; extensive wine growing areas; broadscale market garden areas being established; few non-urban visual intrusions in the area; prominent tourist routes along Maroondah and Melba Highways. ƒ Warramate Hills: Regionally significant hills landscape; significant area of vineyards and orchards; contains substantial remnant forest; frontage to ; limited access to other parts of the Shire. ƒ Mountain Forests: Mostly public land - extensive closed water catchments; Yarra Ranges National Park; impressive mountain scenery; extensive forests of major conservation value. ƒ Corridor: Major traffic route through the Shire; accommodates small discrete towns within rural settings; pressure for new urban/commercial development outside the township boundaries - impacts on visual amenity. The environmental importance and attractive topography of Yarra Ranges have necessitated that a distinct boundary be maintained between areas designated for urban and non-urban land uses. Outward urban expansion of the existing urban areas is not appropriate, due to the desire to protect and enhance special environmental characteristics and to maintain long held State and regional policies for urban containment. Also, many of the small towns are constrained by the high cost of providing adequate infrastructure or being located in areas of high conservation value. The diversity of landscapes, range of rural pursuits and settlement patterns create a complex mosaic which constrains, and limits, certain types of use and development, whilst providing opportunities for those which rely on the natural features of the area. Hence, local planning

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policies, controls and guidelines within the planning scheme will relate not only to specific areas, but often across more than one area. Issues can be complex and community expectations as to how to deal with these issues differ, as do the outcomes. This means that Council needs to consider a broad range of views, some of which are in conflict with each other. Regular review of policies, consultation with the community, thorough evaluation and assessment of the issues and meaningful community participation signify the preferred practice of Council in dealing with future land use and development as well as service delivery.

21.02-4 Our strengths and opportunities 19/01/2006 VC37 The key strengths and opportunities impacting on the character, amenity and appeal of the Yarra Ranges Shire are as follows:

ƒ The Shire is an important and critical area for conservation of natural values, which are of local, metropolitan, State and national significance. The diversity of vegetation types, land forms, land uses and historic and scenic landscapes highlight the ecological, cultural, recreational and economic value of the municipality. The natural environment provides a wide range of habitats for birds, animals and plants (many of which are endangered species) with the concept of biodiversity underpinning the future well being and sustainability of the natural ecosystems of the Shire. Agriculture plays an integral part in protecting and promoting the Shire's landscape and environmental values. A balanced, interdependent and sustainable approach to the environment and farming practices is required so that they exist in harmony with one another. ƒ The Shire is a premier tourist destination of national and international acclaim. More than two million people visit the municipality each year, making a considerable contribution to the local and regional economy. The range of tourist attractions, features and experiences is indeed diverse, with potential for increased investment and more jobs in this sector. ƒ The Shire accommodates a range of activities which contribute to both the local economic base and the economy of Victoria generally. Horticulture, floriculture, viticulture and wine making, forestry and timber milling, poultry farming, cattle grazing and dairying, as well as a range of ‘market niche’ rural enterprises, reflect the important role of the Shire in primary produce of State and export value. The 'clean and green' image of the agricultural sector offers potential for value adding, and tapping into new domestic and overseas markets. Manufacturing and rural industries, as well as growth in the research and development sector, and tertiary education pave the way for a highly skilled workforce and local employment. ƒ The Shire offers a variety of lifestyles to suit all age groups and household types. From secluded bushland settings and small discrete settlements nestled within the Dandenong Ranges, to compact villages and service towns set amongst a rich and undulating rural landscape, and larger urban areas forming part of the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne - all of these options provide choice and diversity in the way people choose to live their lives, and what they value.

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ƒ The Shire is strategically located to provide an attractive eastern gateway into metropolitan Melbourne, as well as provide excellent road linkages from there to North Eastern Victoria and interstate. Major arterial roads and rail services link many residents of the Shire to jobs, services and goods within the Shire and the metropolitan area generally, although in some instances these require upgrading to ensure adequate access for key agricultural and industry groups. ƒ Vast tracts of public land in the upper reaches of the Yarra River (some in closed catchments) supply approximately 80% of Melbourne's domestic water requirements. Other parts of these public lands contribute significantly to the visual amenity, scenic quality and natural beauty of the Shire, as well as being a source of timber for commercial harvesting.

21.02-5 Our community 19/01/2006 VC37 The communities living in the Shire are diverse in demographic make-up, lifestyle preferences and community needs. Approximately one third of the population resides in the urban areas in the west of the Shire, with the balance living in the small townships and rural areas scattered throughout the Dandenong Ranges, its foothills and in the Yarra Valley and its townships. The distribution of the Shire's population will continue to impact on the ability of Council to provide local and regional services and facilities, within easy access of where people live and work within the municipality. Overall, Yarra Ranges is characterised as a “young” Shire, with a higher than average proportion of young people between the ages of 0-14 years, and a lower than average proportion of residents aged 60 years and over. The overall population growth rate of the Shire is slowing down, primarily as a result of limitations on outward urban growth imposed by State and regional planning policies. This trend is leading to a gradual increase in the average age of the Shire's population, a trend that is projected to continue through this century. Population projections for the Shire over the next 25 years (1996-2021) show a relatively stable population level, peaking at 144,100 around the year 2011, then dropping to 140,800 by 2021. Clearly, Yarra Ranges Shire is not designated as one of metropolitan Melbourne's growth corridors. This reflects such factors as its special environmental characteristics and the commitment by Government to protect land with productive agricultural and high environmental values. The processes of urban consolidation and redevelopment will play a vital role in accommodating the majority of existing residents and new arrivals in the years ahead. Whilst the number of occupied private dwellings will increase over the next 25 years (from 47,780 to 51,285), the average household size is expected to decline from 2.94 persons (1996) to 2.75 persons (2021). This trend to smaller households is also evident at the metropolitan and Statewide levels. Yarra Ranges generally has annual household income levels similar to the metropolitan average with just under 50% of its households earning between $0-$40,000 per annum and less than 5% earning more than $80,000 per annum. The occupation structure of the resident workforce (employed persons of 15+ years) favours tradespersons, clerks, and sales and personal services (just under 50% of the workforce), with approximately one third in professional, para-professional and manager/administrator jobs. Yarra Ranges is a car dependent community. Many of those employed have to travel outside the municipality for jobs and hence the car ownership level is very high (almost

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50% of occupied private dwellings have two or more vehicles and just under 20% have three or more vehicles) when compared to the metropolitan average. Because the Shire accommodates a significant proportion of families that have relatively low incomes and only single car ownership their need for a good public transport system is high. However, the current public transport services are limited, especially for residents living outside the main urban areas. Many local residents value living within, or being in close proximity to, the area's scenic and bushland environments, and have therefore traded off problems such as accessibility to services and facilities, having to drive to work etc for the lifestyle and environmental benefits. Future planning and development needs to respect and reinforce this community value, whilst maintaining a diverse and sustainable future.

Statistical information generally obtained from Victoria in Future - Department of Infrastructure 1996 and the Shire of Yarra Ranges Corporate Plan 1999-2002.

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