Sign in

The Community Views team surveyed 320 residents from Urban in October 2025.

Urban in Yarra Ranges

Urban is made up of Chirnside Park, Coldstream, Kilsyth, Lilydale, Montrose, Mooroolbark, Mount Evelyn, and Yering.

Living in Urban in October 2025

Urban Overall Liveability Index
Yarra Ranges
63.0
Healesville - Yarra Glen
60.5
Hills
68.5
Yarra Valley
57.6
Collected October 2025

Use the values and experiences matrix to understand the relationship between what your residents believe makes somewhere a good place to live and how they experience their local area in that regard. The matrix highlights the attributes that your community believe needs to maintained and improved to advance overall liveability.

Greater Importance & Worse Experiences    Greater Importance & Better Experiences    Less important attributes

Urban Overall Liveability Index

Urban Overall Liveability Index 62.0

Yarra Ranges Overall Liveability Index

Yarra Ranges Overall Liveability Index 63.0

Urban
Yarra Ranges
Importance
Experience
Feeling safe
Importance
Experience
76%
6.0
75%
6.6
Natural environment
Importance
Experience
61%
7.7
61%
8.1
Affordable decent housing
Importance
Experience
43%
5.3
43%
5.2
Shopping, leisure & dining
Importance
Experience
41%
6.1
33%
5.7
A lack of road congestion
Importance
Experience
40%
4.8
38%
5.4
Health services
Importance
Experience
39%
6.2
40%
5.9
Sense of community
Importance
Experience
34%
6.4
43%
7.0
Public transport
Importance
Experience
30%
6.4
32%
5.7
Making your way
Importance
Experience
26%
6.2
27%
6.1
Education
Importance
Experience
21%
6.4
19%
5.9
Sports and recreation
Importance
Experience
20%
7.4
18%
7.3
Social cohesion
Importance
Experience
17%
6.5
20%
6.5
Good job prospects
Importance
Experience
14%
5.6
14%
5.0
Opportunity for all
Importance
Experience
13%
6.5
14%
6.4
A prosperous economy
Importance
Experience
13%
5.7
12%
5.7
Cultural facilities
Importance
Experience
11%
5.5
12%
5.7
The arrows indicate whether a difference is statistically significant. Significance testing helps determine if a difference between two groups is likely real (shown by an arrow) or due to random chance (no arrow).
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Health and Wellbeing in Urban in October 2025

Physical Health

How would you rate your physical health?
Do you think your physical health will get better, worse or stay the same over the next year?
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
7.1
Very poor
Excellent
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
7.1
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
11%
53%
37%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
10%
54%
35%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Mental Health

How would you rate your mental health?
Do you think your mental health will get better, worse or stay the same over the next year?
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
7.5
Very poor
Excellent
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
7.4
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
6%
72%
22%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
6%
69%
25%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Social wellbeing

How would you rate your social wellbeing?
Do you think your social wellbeing will get better, worse or stay the same over the next year?
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
7.3
Very poor
Excellent
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
7.2
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
11%
70%
19%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
9%
72%
19%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Financial circumstances in Urban in October 2025

How would you rate your personal financial circumstances?
Do you think your personal financial circumstance will get worse, stay the same or get better over the next year?
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
6.5
Very poor
Excellent
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
6.3
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
22%
51%
26%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
24%
51%
25%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
How often, if ever, are you late meeting your financial commitments?
Do you think the economic situation in your local area will get worse, stay the same or get better over the next year?
Urban 2025 (n = 309)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1112)
Always late
1%
2%
Often late
2%
4%
Sometimes late
29%
30%
Never late
67%
64%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
46%
48%
6%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
44%
50%
6%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Impacts of climate change in Urban in October 2025

Which of the following best describes your personal views on climate change?
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Climate change is happening and is caused entirely or mostly by human activities
44%
44%
Climate change is happening and is caused equally by human activities and natural causes
29%
29%
Climate change is happening and is caused entirely or mostly by natural causes
11%
11%
Climate change is happening, but I am not sure what is causing it
7%
6%
I do not believe climate change is happening
9%
10%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Among those that believe in climate change, 43% indicated that their local area is currently feeling the effects of climate change and a further 41% expected their local area to feel the effects within their lifetime. Of those, 3% were very confident that their local area would be able to adapt to the effects of climate change and a further 37% somewhat confident. 53% were not confident.

Please select the extent to which climate change is impacting or will impact your local area in your lifetime?
Urban 2025 (n = 291)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1048)
My local area is feeling the effects of climate change
43%
50%
My local area is not feeling the effects of climate change, but expect it will in my lifetime
41%
35%
My local area is not feeling the effects of climate change, and do not expect it will in my lifetime
16%
15%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
How confident are you that your local area will be able to adapt to the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
Urban 2025 (n = 248)
Yarra Ranges (n = 910)
Very confident
3%
3%
Somewhat confident
37%
36%
Not very confident
37%
39%
Not at all confident
16%
16%
Don't know
7%
6%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Among the group of residents that felt their local area is currently feeling, or will feel, the effects of climate change in their lifetime, the top local area climate-related events were: Bushfires (73%), Extreme heat (73%) and Severe wind (70%). The top actions residents felt should be taken to address the effects of climate change in their local area were: Protect and enhance local biodiversity (plants and animals) (71%), Educate residents on how to live more sustainably (52%) and Reduce pollution of the environment (49%).

How is your local area currently, or how do you expect it will, feel the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
Urban 2025 (n = 249)
Yarra Ranges (n = 919)
Bushfires
73%
78%
Extreme heat
73%
64%
Severe wind
70%
73%
Storms
67%
69%
Flooding
51%
46%
Droughts
50%
45%
Extremely cold temperatures
29%
23%
Landslide
12%
23%
Earthquakes
10%
7%
Sea level rise
7%
5%
Cyclones
2%
2%
Other
3%
3%
None of these
5%
6%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
What do you feel are the best ways to address the effects of climate change in your local area?
Urban 2025 (n = 248)
Yarra Ranges (n = 910)
Protect and enhance local biodiversity (plants and animals)
71%
67%
Educate residents on how to live more sustainably
52%
54%
Reduce pollution of the environment
49%
49%
Conserve natural resources (e.g. air, water, soil, etc.)
48%
48%
Adopt renewable energy sources
42%
48%
Encourage residents to buy locally
41%
41%
Provide options for recycling waste (e.g. household waste, food waste, e-waste, etc.).
41%
43%
Through more sustainable building and development practices
40%
42%
Host renewable energy projects in the local area (e.g. solar, wind, hydro, etc.)
36%
38%
Create renewable energy sources
36%
38%
Reduce carbon emissions in the local area
35%
33%
The use of more sustainable transport options
35%
35%
Other
6%
8%
None of these
2%
3%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Impacts of climate change on residents

Among those that believe in climate change, 36% indicated that they themselves are currently feeling the effects of climate change and a further 48% expected to within their lifetime. Of those, 8% were very confident that they would be able to adapt to the effects of climate change and a further 58% somewhat confident. 30% were not confident.

Please select the extent to which climate change is impacting or will impact you personally in your lifetime?
Urban 2025 (n = 291)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1048)
I am feeling the effects of climate change
36%
42%
I am not feeling the effects of climate change, but expect to in my lifetime
48%
43%
I am not feeling the effects of climate change, and do not expect to in my lifetime
16%
16%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
How confident are you that you personally will be able to adapt to the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
Urban 2025 (n = 246)
Yarra Ranges (n = 892)
Very confident
8%
9%
Somewhat confident
58%
58%
Not very confident
25%
24%
Not at all confident
5%
6%
Don't know
4%
4%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Among the group of residents that felt they are currently feeling, or will feel, the effects of climate change in their lifetime, the top personal impacts were: Increased household running costs (e.g. energy, water, insurance, etc) (91%), Food production, making it harder and more expensive to get food items (68%) and Essential infrastructure vulnerability (e.g. water, electricity, gas, sanitation) (46%). 54% feel climate change will reduce their quality of life somewhat, and a further 21% feel it will reduce their quality of life a lot.

How are you currently, or how do you expect to, personally feel the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
Urban 2025 (n = 246)
Yarra Ranges (n = 892)
Increased household running costs (e.g. energy, water, insurance, etc)
91%
88%
Food production, making it harder and more expensive to get food items
68%
60%
Essential infrastructure vulnerability (e.g. water, electricity, gas, sanitation)
46%
45%
My ability to leave my home due to weather (e.g. extreme heat, cold, rain, storms, wind, etc.)
42%
42%
Challenges getting around (e.g. damage to roads, public transport)
37%
42%
Loss or damage to your home/property
32%
43%
Reduction in air quality
31%
30%
Challenges accessing essential services (e.g. emergency and health services)
29%
28%
My ability to access nature due to weather (e.g. erosion of parks, coastal areas, etc.)
27%
29%
Transport infrastructure vulnerability (e.g. roads, rail, public transport services)
23%
27%
Reduced personal safety or health to myself and/or those around me
22%
24%
Reduced value to your home/property
13%
20%
Other
3%
3%
None of these
0%
1%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Which of the following best represents how you believe the effects of climate change will affect your quality of life?
Urban 2025 (n = 246)
Yarra Ranges (n = 892)
It will improve a lot
5%
3%
It will improve somewhat
4%
5%
It will not change
9%
12%
It will reduce somewhat
54%
52%
It will reduce a lot
21%
22%
Don't know
7%
7%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Concerns in Urban in October 2025

What are the top three issues facing your local area?
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Inflation/Cost of Living
64%
61%
Law & order
46%
38%
Housing/Price of Housing
37%
36%
Population/Overpopulation
22%
16%
Healthcare/Hospitals
17%
22%
Household Debt/Personal Debt
16%
16%
Taxation
14%
13%
The Economy
13%
14%
Drug/Alcohol Abuse
13%
12%
Transport
12%
18%
Petrol Prices/Fuel
11%
14%
Environmental Concerns
9%
13%
Immigration
8%
8%
Poverty/Inequality
6%
7%
Education
4%
5%
Unemployment
4%
5%
Race Relations/Racism
2%
3%
Defence
1%
1%
Issues Facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
1%
1%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Extreme Weather & Natural Disasters in Urban in October 2025

Thinking about the past five years, what impacts of extreme weather and/or natural disasters have you personally experienced?
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Increased power costs
74%
74%
Increased home and/or contents insurance premiums
69%
72%
Higher food costs or food shortages
59%
56%
Long power outages
46%
57%
Exposure to bushfire smoke
32%
29%
Could not keep home adequately warm or cool during extreme temperatures
28%
29%
Damage to home/property
25%
31%
Blocked major roads or transport routes
23%
31%
Long internet outages
22%
31%
Long loss of mobile phone services
18%
28%
Health issues triggered by extreme weather
17%
16%
Loss of income due to inability to work
13%
17%
Disruption to water supply
11%
11%
Unable to afford adequate home insurance
7%
13%
Damage to business/work premises
7%
6%
Reduced access to essential services
6%
9%
Evacuated my home
5%
9%
Unable to obtain insurance
3%
3%
Unable to afford adequate business insurance
1%
2%
Other
2%
2%
None of these
5%
3%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

What “other” impacts of extreme weather events have you personally experienced?

When you need critical or time-sensitive information (e.g. during emergencies, service disruptions, major decisions), which organisations or authorities do you trust most to provide accurate and reliable information?
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Emergency services
84%
83%
Major media agencies
41%
39%
State and/or federal government departments
30%
27%
My local council
22%
19%
Community organisations or leaders
13%
17%
Other
6%
7%
I don’t trust any organisations
4%
5%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

What “other” organisations or authorities do you trust most to provide accurate and reliable information?

Installed solar panels
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
38%
36%
Planning to do it in the next two years
16%
14%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
12%
14%
None of these
34%
36%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Installed a home battery
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
6%
7%
Planning to do it in the next two years
18%
17%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
22%
23%
None of these
55%
52%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Purchased an electric vehicle
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
3%
5%
Planning to do it in the next two years
9%
9%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
10%
12%
None of these
79%
74%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Purchased a home generator
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
19%
35%
Planning to do it in the next two years
10%
10%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
10%
11%
None of these
62%
45%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Switched to electric heating, cooking and/or water heating, or to more energy efficient appliances
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
24%
28%
Planning to do it in the next two years
13%
12%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
10%
10%
None of these
53%
50%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Installed insulation
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
55%
56%
Planning to do it in the next two years
8%
10%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
7%
7%
None of these
30%
27%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Installed double-glazed windows
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
22%
23%
Planning to do it in the next two years
9%
9%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
15%
18%
None of these
54%
51%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Reviewed our insurance to find a better or more affordable cover
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
49%
52%
Planning to do it in the next two years
15%
15%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
7%
8%
None of these
28%
26%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Moved to a different area within Yarra Ranges Shire
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
8%
6%
Planning to do it in the next two years
5%
6%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
2%
3%
None of these
85%
85%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Used government rebates (e.g. for solar power, or for electric vehicles and appliances)
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
27%
26%
Planning to do it in the next two years
8%
7%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
9%
13%
None of these
56%
54%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Changed daily habits (e.g. avoided outdoor activity during heatwaves)
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
62%
61%
Planning to do it in the next two years
4%
3%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
1%
2%
None of these
33%
33%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Prepared an emergency kit
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
36%
44%
Planning to do it in the next two years
14%
14%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
11%
11%
None of these
39%
32%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Made an emergency plan
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
35%
49%
Planning to do it in the next two years
15%
13%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
12%
10%
None of these
38%
28%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Started growing my own food
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
40%
44%
Planning to do it in the next two years
13%
14%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
5%
5%
None of these
42%
37%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Sought information on how to make our household more resilient
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Currently doing/have done
28%
32%
Planning to do it in the next two years
8%
8%
Would like more information or support on how to do this
15%
16%
None of these
49%
44%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Thinking about the past year, what actions have you taken to protect the environment?
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Reduced household waste
68%
66%
Reduced use of single-use plastics or products containing microplastics
53%
54%
Composted organic waste
47%
52%
Conserved water at home
46%
44%
Bought locally produced foods or grown my own food
39%
42%
Avoided harmful chemicals in my home or garden
38%
42%
Used more sustainable energy
29%
30%
Planted or maintained a wildlife garden
28%
34%
Improved energy efficiency
25%
28%
Reduced my meat or animal product consumption
24%
26%
Incorporated more plant-based meals into my diet
24%
29%
Chosen sustainable transport options instead of driving
21%
20%
Started conversations about climate change with friends, family or community members
14%
16%
Supported environmentally sustainable businesses
11%
16%
Chosen environmentally responsible investment options
10%
13%
Participated in local clean-up or environmental events
7%
8%
Volunteered with local environmental or conservation groups
6%
8%
Other
2%
2%
None of these
7%
7%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

What “other” actions have you taken to protect the environment?

If you own your home, which of the following best describes the current level of home insurance coverage?
Urban 2025 (n = 141)
Yarra Ranges (n = 513)
Fully insured
70%
68%
Underinsured
17%
19%
Uninsured
1%
2%
Don’t know/Not sure
6%
5%
I don’t own the home
6%
6%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Local Area Experiences in Urban in October 2025

How often do you feel lonely or isolated?
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Often/always
6%
6%
Some of the time
16%
19%
Occasionally
27%
24%
Hardly ever
32%
31%
Never
19%
20%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Which of the following are you or members of your household unable to access within the Shire of Yarra Ranges?
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1167)
Hospitals
26%
28%
Leisure and recreational facilities
21%
15%
Work
18%
19%
Food and entertainment venues
13%
12%
Arts and cultural experiences
12%
11%
Tertiary education
12%
15%
Primary healthcare (e.g., GPs)
10%
10%
Shops
7%
10%
Parks and open/green spaces
7%
7%
Other community or health services
6%
9%
Community groups
5%
5%
School
4%
4%
Libraries
4%
6%
Vocational training
3%
5%
Childcare and/or kindergarten
3%
4%
Culturally safe spaces
3%
3%
Sporting clubs
2%
3%
Other
3%
3%
None of these
40%
38%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

What “other” services are you or members of your household unable to access?

Do you experience any barriers to accessing services or spaces within the Shire of Yarra Ranges? If so, what are those barriers?

Which of the following services would you like to see Yarra Ranges Shire advocate for to help us progress towards our Vision?
Urban 2025 (n = 320)
Yarra Ranges (n = 1168)
Health services
41%
44%
Law enforcement
34%
29%
Transport infrastructure and services
29%
34%
Social services
28%
26%
Recreational facilities
25%
18%
Affordable private housing
23%
22%
Emergency services
20%
22%
Economic development services
15%
15%
Education opportunities
14%
14%
Food and entertainment venues
13%
12%
Public and emergency housing
12%
11%
Public utilities
9%
11%
Climate adaptation, emergency recovery
7%
11%
Environment services
7%
8%
Cultural services
5%
5%
None of these
1%
2%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower