2025 Federal Election
The Yarra Ranges is a stunning and diverse region, encompassing rural, peri-urban, and urbanised areas, and is home to a rich and culturally diverse community. It's easy to see why we love living here, but as the federal election approaches, residents of the Yarra Ranges are keen for their voices to be heard on key topics that affect our community. These topics, including housing, childcare, climate change, infrastructure, road safety, and gendered violence, significantly impact the local community's well-being and way of life.
Mums of the Hill's (MotHs) dedication to addressing factors that contribute to isolation in the area, means we want to help our community be heard on these issues. While the challenges we face are not unique, they are often intensified by our location, making it harder for residents to stay connected and build a thriving community. MotHs is also calling for funding to help us continue our work in supporting the community, advocating for solutions, and providing essential assistance to those who need it most. Below we take a closer look at why these issues matter in our area, how they affect daily life and why the need for tailored solutions.
Rental prices in the area have surpassed the state average, forcing many families—particularly those undergoing separation—to relocate away from their support networks.
Housing Crisis
The Dandenong Ranges are experiencing a severe housing shortage. The increasing popularity of platforms like Airbnb has further tightened the rental market, with 2,492 short-term rental listings in the region. This trend is driven in part by the area's reliance on tourism, which has contributed to the higher number of short-term rentals. Additionally, extreme weather events in the area have led to the loss of homes at a rate faster than they can be rebuilt, placing additional stress on rental housing stocks as displaced families seek temporary housing nearby while rebuilding. As a result, rental prices have surpassed the state average, forcing many families—particularly those undergoing separation—to relocate away from their support networks. Addressing this issue requires stronger regulations on short-term rentals, incentives for long-term leasing, and increased support for disaster-affected families to ensure affordable and stable housing remains available for local residents.
The Yarra Ranges has been identified as an area with scarce childcare availability.
Childcare Accessibility
Access to affordable, high-quality childcare remains a pressing concern for families in the Yarra Ranges. The region’s unique geography and dispersed population present challenges in establishing and maintaining sufficient childcare facilities. This shortage limits parents’ ability to fully participate in the workforce and affects early childhood development. Policies that incentivise the development of childcare centres and provide support for early childhood educators are essential to improving accessibility for families in the area. Creative solutions, such as encouraging employers to support remote work and implement family-friendly hours, can help reduce commute times, support single-parent families, and alleviate pressure on childcare centres.
You can read more about this issue in our new advocacy blog here.
Among the hardest-hit regions, the Yarra Ranges has experienced significant climate-related disasters since 2019/20, highlighting the urgent need for sustained focus on climate change.
Climate Change
The Yarra Ranges have been disproportionately affected by climate-related disasters, including bushfires, storms, and floods. Since 2019/20, states and territories have requested assistance from the Australian Government 226 times, highlighting the growing strain on emergency response systems. These disasters have led to rising insurance premiums, declining property values in high-risk areas, and significant financial burdens on local businesses and residents. Without proactive climate action, the community will continue to face escalating risks. Policies focusing on climate resilience, emergency preparedness, and emissions reductions are crucial to safeguarding the future of the Yarra Ranges.
You can read more about this issue in our new advocacy blog here.
A significant reduction in federal funding for the 'Roads for the Community Initiative'—has severely limited the scope of planned road sealing projects
Road Safety and Infrastructure
The Yarra Ranges Council has made commendable progress in improving local road infrastructure, including major rehabilitation works on Victoria Road in Chirnside Park to enhance travel along this busy route. However, despite these efforts, a significant reduction in federal funding for the 'Roads for the Community Initiative'—from an initial $150 million to $47.7 million—has severely limited the scope of planned road sealing projects. This funding cut has hindered the Council's ability to proceed with many previously prioritized roads, affecting safety and accessibility in the region.
Given these challenges, it is crucial to advocate for the restoration of the original funding commitment to ensure the completion of essential road projects that enhance safety, accessibility, and community connectivity in the Yarra Ranges.
Reducing the barriers (like affordable housing availability) that prevent or hinder people leaving family violence is crucial.
Gendered Violence
Gendered violence remains a significant issue across Australia, with national statistics indicating that one in four women experience some form of violence from an intimate partner. This widespread issue has profound social and economic consequences, affecting individuals, families, and entire communities. Addressing gendered violence requires a compassionate and multifaceted approach that prioritises prevention, support for survivors, and systemic change. Community organisations like MotHs are doing what we can to raise awareness, advocate for stronger protections and ensure future generations do not face the same challenges. Policies that improve crisis intervention services, expand education on respectful relationships, and ensure accessible support networks are vital steps toward fostering safer and more inclusive communities. Additionally, reducing the barriers that prevent or hinder a victim from leaving a family violence household is crucial. Factors such as childcare, housing availability, and the cost of living often make it difficult for individuals to seek safety and rebuild their lives. Addressing these challenges through targeted policies will provide survivors with the necessary support and resources to escape dangerous situations and achieve long-term stability.
You can read more about this issue in our advocacy blog here.
Health Care
Access to timely and effective health care remains a significant issue for residents of the Yarra Ranges. Recent research highlights the challenges many individuals face in receiving adequate health assessments, with long wait times, limited local services, and financial barriers creating significant obstacles to early diagnosis and treatment. Many residents report difficulties in accessing GPs, specialists, and mental health services, further exacerbating health disparities in the region. Increased funding and targeted policies are needed to ensure that rural and peri-urban communities have the same level of healthcare access as urban areas. Expanding telehealth services, increasing the number of healthcare professionals in the area, and providing financial support for essential medical assessments would help bridge these gaps, improving overall community well-being.
You can read more about this issue in our advocacy blog here.
Many residents in the region experience inconsistent mobile reception and unreliable broadband services, which significantly impact their daily lives.
Telecommunications
Reliable telecommunications infrastructure is critical for safety, connectivity, and economic stability in the Yarra Ranges. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the necessity of stable internet access for essential activities such as remote work, telehealth consultations, online learning, and business operations. Despite this, many residents in the region experience inconsistent mobile reception and unreliable broadband services, which significantly impact their daily lives. The digital divide is particularly evident in times of crisis, as seen after the June 2021 or February 2024 storm, where prolonged outages left many without communication for weeks. Unlike electricity, which is treated as an essential service and restored quickly after natural disasters, internet access lacks the same prioritisation. Establishing telecommunications as an essential service at the state rather than federal level would ensure more accountability, faster restoration in emergencies, and improved infrastructure resilience against climate-related disruptions. Additionally, investment in new technology, such as satellite internet where applicable, is crucial to bridging the connectivity gap. Expanding the use of alternative technologies will ensure more consistent service, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Investing in better connectivity would not only support public safety and economic participation but also create more equitable opportunities for residents, fostering a more resilient and connected community.
Supporting a Community Led Approach
Providing funding for community organisations like Mums of the Hills can play a crucial role in building the resilience of the Casey electorate. Grassroots initiatives are often best positioned to understand local needs, provide targeted support, and foster social cohesion. Investment in these organisations ensures that communities can better withstand and adapt to changing social, economic, and environmental conditions. Whether responding to crises, addressing housing insecurity, or supporting families through economic hardship, locally driven solutions help bridge service gaps and create long-term stability. Strengthening community-led programs enhances our ability to respond to challenges proactively rather than reactively, making the region more resilient and connected. This can’t be done by volunteers alone. Funding organisations to carry out this work is critical to our region’s future.
You can read more about what we do but reading our 2024 annual report.
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As the federal election approaches, it is imperative that candidates put forward comprehensive, evidence-based policies that proactively address the diverse and urgent issues facing the Yarra Ranges. We love this area—its natural beauty, vibrant community, and strong sense of connection make it a truly special place to live. However, the challenges we experience, while not unique, are exacerbated by our location. Limited infrastructure, higher costs, and geographical isolation amplify issues such as housing shortages, telecommunications gaps, and access to essential services. These policies must offer sustainable and practical solutions that not only resolve immediate concerns but also strengthen the community’s resilience for the future. From improving infrastructure and telecommunications to addressing housing shortages and gendered violence, long-term strategies and investment are necessary to create a region that is safer, more connected, and inclusive for all residents.