Council elections 2024: Who’s running for the Yarra Ranges Shire Council
Nominations has closed for the Yarra Ranges Shire council elections. Meet the candidates who have thrown their hats in the ring.
Outer East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Outer East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Yarra Ranges Shire council election is not far away, and many candidates have thrown their hats in the ring.
The council has nine wards with one councillor in each ward.
Wondering how the elections will run? Check out our comprehensive FAQ guide here.
For the names of every candidate running across Victoria, see the full list.
Yarra Ranges candidates are championing a range of local issues including climate change, cost of living and upgrading road and drain infrastructure.
Here is what the candidates have to say.
Billanook Ward
Tim Heenan
Billanook ward councillor Tim Heenan announced he was running for re-election.
“I have been encouraged to stand again as your voice and am willing to work hard to keep the council accountable to you the community,” he said.
Mr Heenan has lived in Mt Evelyn for 38 years and has been a councillor for 12 years, including serving as the former mayor.
“I was living in my ward for 30 years but due to boundary realignment in 2016 by the VEC I am now living just outside of the Billanook Ward boundary,” he said.
Mr Heenan said roads, fogo bins and ageing drainage infrastructure were key issues impacting the Yarra Ranges Council.
“The inability to keep on top of road maintenance, with approximately 800km of unmade roads and insufficient funding coming from Federal level after they withdrew $97m last year,” he said.
“Also, the State Government forcing the FOGO bin upon our residents, which has caused enormous anxiety and cost to their rate bill.
“And the ageing infrastructure of drainage in Yarra Ranges is now adding to serious complications in flooding with massive rain events.”
Mr Heenan has no political party or union affiliations.
Wendy Wright
Wendy Wright will be running against Mr Heenan for the Billanook ward spot.
She grew up in the Yarra Ranges and has lived in Wandin North for more than 30 years.
“I hope to see a municipality where those who work and live in the region are heard and feel they are part of the decision making around projects and activities that council makes,” she said.
“My priority is to advocate for council spending that is transparent, responsible, sustainable, and continues to deliver essential services for its residents,” she said.
“I’m here to ease the financial pressures on residents, not add to them.
“I’m asking for your vote to represent you, to fight for lower costs, practical solutions, and greater transparency.”
Ms Wright has a background in accounting and administration.
Chandler Ward
Ashley Hansen
Ashley Hansen has worked as a building surveyor for local governments for more than 40 years.
He does not live in Chandler ward but has previously worked in the area.
Mr Hansen believes the council needs to be “open and transparent with how they go about the decision making process”.
“Council needs to be more responsive and we need to remove as much red tape as possible within the legislation,” he said.
Mr Hansen is a member of the Liberal Party but is running as an independent.
“I believe council issues are specific to local issues,” he said.
“It isn’t up to local government to interfere in state or federal issues unless they affect our local areas so we need to stick up for our ratepayers.”
Gareth Ward
Gareth Ward has also nominated as a candidate for Chandler Ward.
He has not responded to questions from the Herald Sun.
Chirnside Ward
Richard Higgins
Richard Higgins is the only nominated candidate for the Chirnside Ward and will return to council.
Lyster Ward
Divesh Sareen
Long time technology and product consultant Divesh Sareen said he decided to nominate for council to help play a role in his community.
“I have lived in the Hills for more than a decade and am raising my family here,” he said.
Mr Sareen said he would focus on improving traffic and parking in the Yarra Valley.
He also said he was invested in championing council’s health and wellness initiatives and wants to improve council’s communication and accountability.
“I would love to make council’s resources more accessible so people know how to find them,” he said.
Mick Spruhan
Mick Spruhan has lived in Lyster ward for more than 30 years.
His top three priorities for council are infrastructure, communication and improving roads in the Yarra Ranges.
Mr Spruhan is not affiliated with any political party.
He has worked in banking and finance for more than 40 years as well as being involved in local basketball and Aussie rules teams.
Peter McIlwain
Peter McIlwain is running as an independent for the Lyster Ward where he has lived for 20 years.
He is an academic and has worked AI technology research for more than 25 years.
Mr McIlwain said his three key issues were building trust and co-operation through participatory democracy, focusing on solutions for climate change and guiding council on how artificial intelligence could be used and positively adopted by council.
“Trust between local government and residents could be improved and I’m wanting to avoid the cynical transactional politics in campaigns that tends to encourage distrust and division,” he said.
“Also, climate change is impacting Lyster Ward now, regular blackouts have a big impact on local businesses and cause a range of problems for locals.
“Increasing storm activity has the council struggling to keep up with repairs and do the upgrades needed to cope with the new reality.
“Across a range of responses to climate change, we need creative, intelligent and practical solutions.”
Mr McIlwain also said local councils were now rolling out AI technology to improve and extend their services.
“There are many ways this technology can have a positive impact but few people understand it well and some in Lyster distrust it,” he said.
“As an academic I have worked in research on the core of AI technology for 25 years, so I can provide leadership and oversight that few other people would be able to do.
“I think this new technology can make interaction with council easier and more empowering and offer many other positive solutions if we use it correctly.”
Melba Ward
Mitch Mazzarella
Mitch Mazzarella will be running for election in the Melba ward and is a lifelong resident of Mooroolbark.
He believes three key issues impacting the Melba ward are the closure of the Kilsyth pool “without any forward planning”, the need for investment into drainage improvements and the “council drifting away for core functions”.
His election campaign is founded on getting the council back to basics.
Mr Mazzarella said he would focus on roads, rates, rubbish, recreation and repairs.
He is a current member of the Liberal Party but is running as an independent in this election.
He is also a member of the Independent Education Union.
Chris Templer
Chris Templer will be running as a Melba Ward candidate.
“I’m running to be the councillor for our area because I care about our community and want to make sure we’re all getting the services we deserve,” he said.
“As someone who lives, works, and raises a family here in the Melba Ward, I see the same issues every day that you do.
“The potholes, neglected parks, rubbish not being handled properly and decisions made without asking us first.”
Mr Temper said he was “not here for politics” but “here to help”.
“I know Lilydale and Mooroolbark inside out and I believe respect and clear communication are key to effective representation,” he said.
Sophie Todorov
Sophie Todorov is running for reflection in the Melba Ward for a second term.
She was elected as the Yarra Ranges Mayor in 2024.
She has not responded to questions from the Herald Sun.
O’Shannassy Ward
Jim Child
Former mayor Jim Child announced he would be running for re-election.
Mr Child was first elected to council in 2012 and has served as mayor for two periods from 2012 to 2013 and 2021 to 2023.
He is a fifth-generation resident of Yarra Ranges and has a background in information technology, telecommunications, hospitality and company directorships spanning 45 years.
Mr Child said he was passionate about supporting and encouraging local business and tourism.
He would like to boost employment in the Yarra Valley and said he was concerned about sensible management of council finances, planning projects and the local environment.
Wil Mikelsons
Long time Launching Place resident Wil Mikelsons is the Greens nominee for the O’Shannassy Ward.
“I’m running for council to protect our unique rural character and ensure the delivery of quality services that care for our whole community,” he said.
Mr Mikelsons said he would prioritise easing cost of living pressures and said he would push the council to invest more in emergency preparedness and community recovery from the extreme weather and bushfires.
“I will fight to keep our green wedge zones safe from overdevelopment, and to create inviting spaces with strong links to public transport, cycling and walking tracks,” he said.
“I will prioritise people before private developer profit, and will work to ensure that residents have an affordable place to call home, while still allowing for local tourism to flourish.”
Mr Mikelsons said key issues impacting the Yarra Ranges are housing affordability, prioritising local liveability and fighting to protect the environment and rural character of the area.
James Talbett
James Talbett said he was running for council so he could “take part” in democracy.
“I do not have a list of key issues or set goals that I think need to be addressed,” he said.
“I would approach each issue as it comes up, on the merits and I would listen to what people have to say, and then make a decision based on what I believed to be the best outcome.”
Mr Talbett, who previously worked in the transport industry, has lived in Warburton since 2018.
He is a Labor Party member but is running as an independent for this election.
Mr Talbett has been a financial member of the Australian Workers Union for several years and has previously been a member of the Media Arts and Entertain Alliance, National United Workers Union, Transport Workers Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Australian Services Union.
Karen Duke
Karen Duke is a resident of the Upper Yarra Valley and is not affiliated with any political party.
“I’m running for council as I feel our ward has been left behind compared to other wards in the Shire for too long,” she said.
“I am frustrated with our community being told what we should have instead of what is essential and the actual needs of the residents.”
Jane Stormer
Jane Stormer has nominated as a candidate in the O’Shannassy Ward.
“I am a good listener, and understand that we have a diversity of lifestyles that people enjoy in the O’Shannassy Ward and the range of issues we experience over life,” she said.
“As a designer I wish to ensure local cultures are reflected & supported in maintaining & enhancing community infrastructure.”
Ms Stormer is running as an independent.
Chloe Bond
Chloe Bond is a member of the Animal Justice Party and will be representing them in this election.
The Wesburn local said the three key issues in the Yarra Ranges were the roads, the housing crisis and local wildlife.
“There is a current housing crisis where tenants are being evicted with nowhere to go and there is just not enough rental properties in the area for those who need them,” she said.
“Also, the roads throughout our council are in serious need of repair, their current state
is proving hazardous to both people and wildlife.
“We are fortunate enough to live in an area which is also home to a lot of wildlife.
“However, we do not currently have the capacity to care for injured wildlife and
extreme pressure is placed on volunteer carers who are given little support.”
Dylan Little
Dylan Little is running for the Victorian Socialists for a spot on the Yarra Ranges Council.
“I believe in a more sustainable, equitable, and just society than the capitalist system we live
under today,” he said.
“Everyone deserves a dignified existence regardless of ability to work or wage
bracket.
“If we make choices that reflect the interests of all working-class people, there is
clearly enough for everyone.”
Ryrie Ward
Fiona McAllister
Ryrie ward councillor Fiona McAllister is the only nominated candidate for the Ryrie ward and will serve her fourth term on council.
“It has been a roller coaster of a term with Covid, storms, a term as Mayor,” she said.
“While lots has been achieved there are still challenges and a lot more I would like to achieve with community.”
Ms McAllister said she nominated again because she still had more to do.
She said she was focused on repairing local roads, bolstering emergency preparedness, and wants to huge solar on council building and community facilities.
Streeton Ward
Sigrid Peterson
Sigrid Peterson has nominated for the Streeton ward but has not responded to questions from the Herald Sun.
Jeff Marriott
Jeff Marriott has nominated for the Streeton ward but has not responded to questions from the Herald Sun.
Walling Ward
David Ferrier
David Ferrier is running for election in the Walling Ward.
He said the three issues impacting the Yarra Ranges Council were natural disasters, supporting community organisations and supporting and building healing projects in collaboration with our First Nations community.
“Given that our Yarra Ranges community has dealt with several recent flood events and with bushfire risk always front of mind over warmer months it’s imperative that our community is prepared for both pre and post natural disaster event,” he said.
“Also, we have so many wonderful local organisations who keep families and individuals cared for and supported each week, I want to play a serious role in supporting these groups so as to make them sustainable long term.
“I would also like our community organisations to be recognised and promoted for their incredible contributions towards supporting us all.”
Mr Ferrier also said he wanted continue to build and support collaborations with our First Nations community.
“I want to support safe spaces for further cultural education especially in our schools and wider community,” he said.
“I believe that we should also include a First Nations perspective when discussing disaster management and relief.”
Mr Ferrier does not have any political party or union affiliations.
Len Cox
Len Cox has nominated for the Walling ward but has not responded to questions from the Herald Sun.
Have other questions about the election? We answer everything you need to know and more here.
All the pics from the monster nights at Jooce nightclub
For club rats in Melbourne’s east, it was the mecca of nightclubs — where the dancefloors were packed and the line for the hotdog van were never ending.
Yellingbo man charged after alleged police ram, dramatic chase
A Yellingbo man who allegedly narrowly missed running over a police officer before embarking on a dramatic car chase has been arrested.