VIC · Melbourne — outer east, Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges · Local council, made simple
Yarra Ranges Shire Council
A shire of 2,468 km² on Melbourne's outer eastern edge, home to about 161,000 people across some 55 townships — from Lilydale, Mooroolbark and Chirnside Park to the Dandenong Ranges, Healesville, Yarra Glen and Warburton. The council runs your bins, local roads and drains, parks and trails, libraries and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, followed by what affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: average general rate +2.75% (state cap)
Open →Budget & financesThe council's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $2,161 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyYarra Ranges' recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
All 11 offence rates below the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Richard Higgins (since November 2025)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Yarra Ranges votes, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, office hours and address.
Phone: 1300 368 333
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 160,906 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
4 updatesRecent items from Yarra Ranges Shire Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Have your say
Draft Climate and Environment Strategy open for feedback
The council is asking for feedback on its draft Climate and Environment Strategy 2026–2036, which sets five goals for climate action, water, nature, places and the circular economy. There are pop-up sessions around the shire and an online webinar on Wednesday 7 October.
What this means for you: You can read the draft and complete the survey on the Shaping Yarra Ranges website.
Source: Shaping Yarra Ranges — Climate and Environment Strategy 2026–2036
- Development
Lilydale confirmed as preferred site for a new aquatic and leisure centre
At its 8 September meeting the council endorsed Lilydale as the preferred location and set the business case scope: a 25-metre pool, learn-to-swim, a warm-water therapy pool, a splash park, saunas and fitness spaces. A 50-metre pool and Kiloran Park in Kilsyth were ruled out.
What this means for you: No site in Lilydale has been announced yet; the council says it will keep the community updated as the business case progresses.
- Policy
2026–27 budget adopted: rates up 2.75%, $46.9m of capital works
The council adopted its 2026–27 budget on 9 June 2026. The average general rate rises by 2.75%, in line with the state cap, and waste charges rise to cover landfill levy and disposal costs. The budget plans $46.9 million of capital works and does not include a separate glass bin.
What this means for you: Your rates notice shows general rates, a waste base charge and one charge for each bin, plus the state's ESVF levy.
Source: Shaping Yarra Ranges — Council Budget 2026–2027 endorsed
- Election
Cr Richard Higgins elected Mayor, Cr Gareth Ward Deputy Mayor
At the Council meeting on 11 November 2025 the councillors elected Cr Richard Higgins (Chirnside Ward) as Mayor and Cr Gareth Ward (Chandler Ward) as Deputy Mayor, both unopposed, according to local press. The council's councillors page lists both in these roles.
What this means for you: The Mayor chairs council meetings and is the council's main spokesperson.
Source: Lilydale Star Mail
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Yarra Ranges Shire Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.