Member councils

The Eastern Region Group of Councils (ERG) is a representative regional body whose membership comprises six local government authorities of eastern metropolitan Melbourne: Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges.

The ERG works collaboratively on issues on common significance, importance and priority through advocacy, protection, research and integrated planning on behalf of the communities of the eastern metropolitan region. The collaborative intent of the ERG is based on building regional leverage as a cumulative motive force.

Vision

We work collaboratively on issues of common significance, importance and priority through advocacy, research and integrated planning on behalf of the communities of the eastern region.

We collectively pursue:

  • Better community outcomes in a high demand environment.
  • Service effectiveness and efficiency in a resource constrained environment.

We will achieve this through:

  • Integrated planning (built and social).
  • Joint procurement and shared services.
  • Advocacy.

Cr Kylie Spears (Chair)

Cr Spears has been involved in local government for many years and is currently the Mayor of the City of Maroondah and the Australian Local Government Women’s Association Victoria President.

As a long term resident of Melbourne’s east, Kylie is actively involved in community sport and education and is a member of the Board of Netball Victoria. Kylie runs her own local Swim School and brings her business and community skills and experience to the ERG.

Kylie recognises that the ERG Councils face common challenges of population, infrastructure, transport and finance and can benefit from a regional approach, that avoids solutions that stop at municipal boundaries. Overlapping Federal and State electoral boundaries make collaboration essential for successful advocacy.

As Chair, Kylie drives the ERG vision to ‘work collaboratively on issues on common significance through advocacy, research and integrated planning on behalf of the communities of the eastern region’.

Cr Rebecca Paterson (Deputy Chair)

Cr Paterson is a third term Councillor in the City of Monash. First elected in 2013, Rebecca has also served as Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

As well as her growing family, Rebecca’s priorities include advocating for youth mental health services and protecting the liveability of the area. Her interests include appropriate development, retaining the green character of our city, gender equity, eradicating family violence, and supporting our business community.

She has represented Monash on the ERG since 2015 and brings a strong understanding of the need for the ERG to quickly establish a clear forward agenda to be effective advocates for the region’s community.

Cr Lisa Cooper
Mayor, Knox City Council

Cr Susan Laukens
Deputy Mayor, Knox City Council

Tony Doyle
CEO, Knox City Council

Cr Andrew Conlon
Mayor, Manningham City Council

Cr Anna Chen 
Deputy Mayor, Manningham City Council

Andrew Day 
CEO, Manningham City Council

Cr Nora Lamont
Deputy Mayor, Maroondah City Council

Steve Kozlowski
CEO, Maroondah City Council

Cr Brian Little 
Mayor, Monash City Council

Dr Andi Diamond 
CEO, Monash City Council

Cr Andrew Munroe 
Mayor, Whitehorse City Council

Cr Raylene Carr
Deputy Mayor, Whitehorse City Council

Simon McMilllan
CEO, Whitehorse City Council

Cr Fiona McAllister 
Mayor, Yarra Ranges Council

Cr David Eastham
Deputy Mayor, Yarra Ranges Council

Tammi Rose 
CEO, Yarra Ranges Council

Liz Johnstone 
ERG Executive Officer

Vacant (advertising soon)
ERG Project & Administrative Officer

The eastern region of Melbourne stretches from the leafy middle and outer ring suburbs such as Glen Waverley, Doncaster, Box Hill and Ringwood, to townships like Yarra Junction and Olinda in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.

Characterised by the transition from well-established suburbs to semi-rural and rural landscapes, the eastern region includes the six local government areas of Monash, Whitehorse, Knox, Maroondah, Manningham and Yarra Ranges.

The region is the traditional home of the Wurundjeri and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations.

Residents enjoy a choice of health and recreation facilities, local and regional shopping destinations, and access to leading schools, universities and other tertiary institutions.

The region’s economy is significant, containing 16% of Greater Melbourne’s jobs and a contribution of $57,333 million Gross Regional Product (GRP), or 16% of Melbourne’s total.

Regional Profile Fact Sheet
Download the PDF for more information on our Regional Profile.

Knox population
164,538
Manningham population
127,573
Maroondah population
118,558
Monash population
202,847
Whitehorse population
178,739
Yarra Ranges population
159,462

Total population (people)

951,177

(18.7% of Greater Melbourne’s 5,078,193)

Total land area (hectares)

311,104

(31% of Greater Melbourne’s 999,251 hectares)

Gross regional product ($M)

$57,333

(16% of Greater Melbourne’s $360,198)

Each Council is represented by its Mayor, Deputy Mayor or second Councillor, and CEO. The ERG is supported by the ERG Secretariat.

The ERG elects a Chair and Deputy Chair in December each year. CEOs and the ERG Secretariat are ex-officio members of the ERG; with voting rights held by Councillor members only.

The ERG meets at least six times per year.  
The ERG’s work is guided by the ERG Strategic Plan 2018-2021

The ERG works closely with other regional groups in the East, including: