The Shire of Yarra Ranges, also known as Yarra Ranges Council, is a local government area in Victoria, Australia, located in the outer eastern and northeastern suburbs of Melbourne extending into the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. It has an area of 2468 km2, of which 3% is classified as urban. In June 2018, it had a population of 158,173. It was formed on 15 December 1994 by the merger of parts of the Shire of Sherbrooke, Shire of Lillydale, Shire of Healesville and Shire of Upper Yarra.

History

Prior to European settlement, the land within and beyond the Yarra Ranges was occupied by the Wurundjeri people. European settlement was established from the 1830s with settlers engaging in agriculture and gold mining.

Council

Yarra Ranges is divided into nine wards, each of which elects one councillor for a period of four years.

Wards

Current composition

Election results

2024

Townships and localities

The shire had a population of 156,068 at the 2021 census, an increase from 149,537 recorded at the 2016 census. ^ - Territory divided with another LGA

Major thoroughfares