MOOROOLBARK, VIC. — Community members in Mooroolbark are being invited to join a series of Community Workshops to help map out the future of the town.
Expressions of interest are now open for community members who would like to attend two collaborative workshops in late October to provide thoughts, feedback and expertise to shape the draft Mooroolbark Place Plan.
Melba Ward Councillor, Mitch Mazzarella, said the sessions were an important next step and encouraged community members to sign up.
“A Place Plan helps to articulate what residents, businesses and visitors love about the township and set priorities for the future, ensuring that decisions we make as a Council about developments, projects and infrastructure respect and improve on those qualities,” he said.
“It will guide our decision-making for the next 20 years, ensuring the Mooroolbark of the future continues to meet the evolving needs of the community, while retaining the qualities the community likes about it today.”
“There will be plenty of opportunity for the wider community to get involved as the draft progresses but, for now, we’re looking for 30 passionate locals with a variety of life experience, to help us create and shape the draft.”
Cr Mazzarella said that previous community feedback provided to Council will be used as a starting point and conversation topics at the workshops.
“At these workshops, we will review what we’ve heard from the community previously, explore key themes and priorities and create some actions to address that past feedback. We will then develop a shared vision for the town, refine those actions and help shape the draft Place Plan, which will go to the wider community for feedback in 2027,” he said.
Community members interested in joining the workshops can register their interest at Shaping Yarra Ranges, Council’s community engagement platform, or by requesting a hard copy of the sign-up form from any Council Community Link.
The workshops will be held from 5:30 – 8:30 pm on Wednesday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 28, at the Mooroolbark Community Centre at 125 Brice Avenue. The second workshop will build on the discussions from the first, so participants must be available to attend both sessions.
An Engagement and Opportunities paper has also been prepared for these sessions, which outlines key community findings to date, explains place planning concepts, and includes analysis of local issues.
Community members can read the paper and submit an expression of interest on council’s Shaping Yarra Ranges website.
There will be more opportunities for community members to have their say as part of the wider community engagement on the draft Mooroolbark Place Plan in early 2027.
Yarra Ranges Shire Council encourages all community members to keep up to date on the Mooroolbark Place Plan.
