Member councils
The Eastern Region Group of Councils (ERG) is a representative regional body whose membership comprises five local government authorities of eastern metropolitan Melbourne: Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges.
The ERG works collaboratively on issues of common significance, importance and priority through advocacy, integrated planning, shared services and joint procurement to benefit communities of the eastern metropolitan region. Our goal is to be a catalyst for collaborative action and a trusted voice on regionally significant matters.
Click on the Council logos for more information on services, facilities, projects and events offered in each of these municipalities.
Vision
Our vision for the eastern region is to be a connected, healthy, sustainable and prosperous region.
Our mission is to work together to make lives better, create better places and deliver better performance across all councils in the eastern region.
We work towards our vision by focusing on four strategic pillars:
- Our communities – improved health, wellbeing and social connectedness
- Our environment – sustainable living and access to nature
- Our economy – a connected, competitive, diverse and prosperous region
- Our infrastructure and buildings – promote social cohesion, health and equality of opportunity.
To achieve this, we aim to undertake supported and achievable projects and activities that benefit all councils, reduce duplication and provide better community outcomes and enhanced value through shared services.
Cr Linda Hancock, Chair
Cr Hancock is the Mayor of Maroondah Council and has lived in Maroondah for more than 30 years, raising two children with husband Rob. This is her second term on Council, and she has an active interest in community safety, working with residents and stakeholders to keep Maroondah safe. This includes ensuring neighbourhoods are accessible, safe, supported, and well connected.
Cr Hancock was a member of the ERG in 2024/25 as Deputy Mayor. She understands the work, strategies and advocacy of the ERG and is excited to progress this with the involvement and direction of all ERG members.
As a keen walker, Linda has completed two Camino walks to raise awareness for mental health and the benefits of an active lifestyle. Her training saw her enjoy the various walking trails and bush walks in Maroondah, including those in the Wonga Ward.
As a Councillor she has established strong connections with community groups and organisations, assisting them to have a voice, to work together to achieve greater outcomes, and to improve connections with Council services.
Cr Hancock understands the power of collective advocacy and efficiencies gained from working together on common issues and opportunities.
“All local government bodies face similar issues and constraints and the ERG enables councils to amplify individual voices and work together to achieve good outcomes for the communities ERG members serve.”
In addition, Linda will work with the ERG to continue our joint State government advocacy on important sector-wide matters such as planning, financial sustainability and waste management.
Cr Richard Higgins, Deputy Chair
Cr Richard Higgins is the current Mayor of the Yarra Ranges Council. He has lived in the area for over 28 years.
As a member of the local police force and through participation in local sporting clubs, Richard has developed a passion for community health, wellbeing and safety.
Richard believes it is important for people to have a sense of belonging as well as opportunities to get off the couch and be active in their community.
Richard also sees his role on Council as an opportunity to increase liveable space for the community through partnerships and sensible changes within his ward. Richard has served as Mayor in 2019-2020, Deputy Mayor in 2018-2019 and 2024-25 and is the current Mayor.
Cr Paige Kennett
Mayor, Knox City Council
Cr Chris Duncan
Deputy Mayor, Knox City Council
Bruce Dobson
CEO, Knox City Council
Cr Jim Grivas
Mayor, Manningham City Council
Cr Deirdre Diamante
Deputy Mayor, Manningham City Council
Andrew Day
CEO, Manningham City Council
Cr Linda Hancock
Mayor, Maroondah City Council
Cr Kylie Spears
Councillor, Maroondah City Council
Steve Kozlowski
CEO, Maroondah City Council
Cr Kirsten Langford
Mayor, Whitehorse City Council
Cr Kieran Simpson
Deputy Mayor, Whitehorse City Council
Simon McMillan
CEO, Whitehorse City Council
Cr Richard Higgins
Mayor, Yarra Ranges Council
Cr Gareth Ward
Deputy Mayor, Yarra Ranges
Council
Tammi Rose
CEO, Yarra Ranges Council
Liz Johnstone
ERG Executive Officer
The eastern metropolitan region is one of the six regions identified in Plan Melbourne. It stretches from the leafy middle and outer ring suburbs such as Doncaster, Box Hill and Ringwood, to townships like Yarra Junction and Olinda in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.
The region is the traditional home of the Wurundjeri and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations.
The region’s economy is significant, containing 16% of Greater Melbourne’s jobs and contributing almost $59 billion Gross Regional Product (GRP) annually.
The region is characterised by the transition from well-established suburbs to semi-rural and rural landscapes. In addition to the five ERG local government areas of Knox, Maroondah, Manningham, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges, the eastern metropolitan region also includes Monash City Council.
Residents enjoy a choice of health and recreation facilities, local and regional shopping destinations, and access to leading schools, universities and other tertiary institutions.
Five of the Eastern Metropolitan Region’s councils form the ERG.
Regional Profile Fact Sheet
Download the PDF for more information on our Regional Profile following the last Census.
*non-ERG member
ERG population
(approximately 15% of Greater Melbourne’s population)
ERG land area (hectares)
(28% of Greater Melbourne’s 999,251 hectares)
ERG Gross Regional Product ($M)
(approximately 10% of Melbourne’s total)
Each Council is represented by its Mayor, one other Councillor and the member Council CEO. The ERG is supported by the ERG Secretariat.
The ERG elects a Chair and Deputy Chair following Mayoral Elections 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 2025 – 2029.
The ERG works closely with other regional groups in the east, including:
- Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action
- Eastern Transport Coalition
- Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance
- Regional Local Government Homelessness and Social Housing Group Charter
- Specialist Council officer led groups, e.g. Melbourne East Regional Economic Development Group (MEREDG).