Have your say on the draft Economic Development Strategy before the consultation closes at 11:59pm on Sunday 24 May 2026.
We have developed a draft Economic Development Strategy to guide our support for businesses over the next five years, now it's over to you to tell us what you think.
From bustling retail and service precincts to passionate sole-traders and entrepreneurs, Yarra is home to over 98,000 local jobs. We want to help local businesses to grow, boost employment and investment, reduce red tape and capitalise on our city’s unique advantages.
In June and July 2025, we asked business owners and the broader Yarra community to help shape how we support traders into the future. These ideas have been used to inform our new draft Economic Development Strategy, building on what makes Yarra such a great place to Live, Work and Play.
This draft Strategy responds to feedback received over the past five years from trader groups, individual businesses, large organisations and our Business Advisory Committee, and outlines initiatives to address the unique challenges of operating in the City of Yarra.
Before Council adopts the draft Strategy, we want to hear directly from businesses to ensure it reflects their priorities and nothing has been overlooked.
Yarra is the place to Live, Work and Play
Yarra is the place to Live, Work and Play
Yarra is a dynamic, inclusive and future ready economy shaped by purposeful local government leadership. We champion innovation, support diverse communities and enable business success. By proactively planning for residential and workforce growth, Yarra is evolving into a resilient, high performing city where talent, investment and opportunity thrive.
Yarra’s activity centres and precincts are vital hubs that support social connection, local identity, and economic participation. By strengthening their functions, accessibility and leadership, Council can enhance their role as vibrant, attractive places for people to live, work and play.
Yarra’s business community is vital to local jobs, innovation, and community wellbeing, and Council plays a key role in creating an environment that enables businesses to thrive. By reducing barriers, strengthening skills and networks, and improving access to data and support, Council helps build a resilient and confident business sector.
Yarra’s growing and increasingly diverse community requires a resilient, adaptable business ecosystem that can respond to changing needs, technologies and workforce patterns. By supporting priority industries, aligning economic activity with strategic planning, and protecting Yarra’s unique sectors, Council ensures the local economy remains vibrant, sustainable and future ready.
Join us at the Learning Bank in Richmond. The venue is accessible with step-free access. You can speak to Council Officers, ask questions about the draft Strategy and share your feedback.
If you need an interpreter or Auslan interpreter or have any accessibility requirements to participate, phone 03 9205 5555 or email [email protected].
The Learning Bank
124 Victoria Street, Richmond VIC 3121
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If you want to find out more in your own language, please call our interpreter service on 9280 1940.
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Broad community engagement
Monday 16 June to Monday 21 July 2025
We heard from our business community about their priorities and actions to help Yarra’s economy thrive.
Timeline item 2 - complete
Review feedback
August to October 2025
Feedback gathered as part of the broad community engagement was considered alongside a series of in-depth interviews with select industries, trader groups and business types and helped inform the development of our new draft Economic Development Strategy.
Timeline item 3 - complete
Draft Economic Development Strategy presented at Council Meeting
Tuesday 14 April 2026
A draft Economic Development Strategy was considered by Council for the next stage of engagement.
Timeline item 4 - active
Draft Economic Development Strategy available for community feedback
Friday 1 May to 11:59pm on Sunday 24 May 2026
The endorsed draft Economic Development Strategy is available for community feedback before being finalised.
Timeline item 5 - incomplete
Finalise draft Economic Development Strategy
Tuesday 11 August 2026
The draft Strategy is revised based on feedback and will be considered by Council for adoption.
Over the last five years we have been working closely with trader groups, individual businesses, large organisations and our Business Advisory Group to understand their unique challenges operating in Yarra. These include:
These were also common themes within the feedback which helped to develop Yarra’s most recent Council Plan 2025-2029.
The draft Economic Development Strategy is aligned with the Council Plan 2025-29 and aims to balance Council's needs to accommodate our existing, growing and changing population while remaining a financially sustainable organisation as Yarra continues to grow and diversify.
The objectives include:
Thanks to everyone who took part in the first stage of consultation on the draft Economic Development Strategy.
We heard from 98 people, including 55 business owners, who shared their priorities and actions to help Yarra’s economy thrive.
| Feedback themes we heard | How it informed the Strategy Themes and Directions of the draft Economic Development Strategy | Quote examples from community and businesses |
| Visitor attraction and visitor economy development | Theme 3. A Future Ready Economy:
| “Increase Yarra’s focus on tourism and the visitor economy.” |
| Events and activation of precincts and places | Theme 1. Activated and Vibrant Places:
| “Provide funding or logistical support for community events that activate commercial areas—live music, markets, and school holiday programs bring families out and encourage spending locally.” |
| Policy and governance reform to support planning and development | Theme 2. A Thriving Business Community:
| “Rate subsidies for businesses providing employment in the area.” |
| Beautification and streetscape improvements | Theme 1. Activated and Vibrant Places:
| “Invest in cleaner, safer and more attractive public areas – like seating, lighting, greenery and footpaths – which encourage people to spend more time in local precincts.” |
| Streamlining planning approvals processes and other planning reforms | Theme 2. A Thriving Business Community:
and Theme 3. A Future Ready Economy:
| “Red tape needs to drop around businesses setting up and growing.” |
| Business support, including grants and networking initiatives | Theme 2. A Thriving Business Community:
and Theme 3. A Future Ready Economy:
| "Supporting live music and hospitality venues through grants and legislative support." |
These priorities have been added into the draft Strategy, which is now open for feedback. You can also read the engagement report from the first stage of consultation below for further information about the feedback we received.
Phone: +61 3 9205 5555
Email: [email protected]
National Relay Service 133 677
(ask for 03 9205 5555)
