We need your help!
This Tuesday, 11 February, Yarra City Council will vote on the next four-year funding agreement for the nine City of Yarra Neighbourhood Houses (which includes us). With rising costs due to inflation and cost-of-living increases, we have advocating (since last year you probably remember from previous posts) for annual funding increases of 3.5% (or CPI, whichever is higher).
Neighbourhood Houses operate incredibly efficiently, delivering significant social value far beyond the funding we receive. However, without funding increases that match our actual costs, we risk losing services and programs because we can no long afford to employ the staff run them.
On Tuesday 11 February, Yarra Council is considering four options:
Option 1 (Recommended by Council Officers): Funding increases tied to the annual rate cap.
Option 2 (Our Second Preference): Annual increases of 3.5% (or CPI, whichever is higher) – this is what Neighbourhood Houses need to stay sustainable.
Option 4 (Our Preferred Option): Annual increases of 3.5% or CPI, whichever is higher and allowing Neighbourhood Houses access to apply for Yarra’s Community Grants Program.
We need your urgent help to ensure elected Councillors hear the voice of the community and support either Option 4 (ideally) or Option 2.
How You Can Help
Email Yarra Councillors today and urge them to support Option 4 or 2. It will only take you a couple of minutes and could make a big difference for us.
Request to speak at the Council meeting on Tuesday evening to show your support. You can do so at this link: https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90801756/e8cb6a47e69d
Want to know more? Read the Council Papers here (from page 203): https://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/about-us/committees-meetings-and-minutes/council-meeting-11-february-2025
Councillor emails (so you can easily send a supportive email)
Sharon.Harrison@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Stephen.Jolly@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Edward.Crossland@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Evangeline.Aston@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Meca.Ho@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Kenneth.Gomez@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Sophie.Wade@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Andrew.Davies@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Sarah.McKenzie@yarracity.vic.gov.au (Sarah is the Councillor in our ward).