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 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.

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 Michelle Kleinert (Chair)

Cr Kleinert was first elected as a Councillor in 2012 and is the current Mayor of Manningham City Council, a role she has held since 2016-17.

In her role as ERG Chair, she is committed to driving the ERG’s focus on achieving better health, wellbeing, housing, economic and infrastructure outcomes for the entire region.

Cr Kleinert is particularly passionate about strengthening and promoting our regional economy, local jobs, industries and businesses, improved road safety and quality, enhanced public transport and more accessible mental health services across the region.

She is currently the Multicultural Ambassador for Mental Health Foundation Australia and has also served as President, before taking on the role of Executive Officer, for the Australian Local Government Women’s Association, Victorian branch. She is also a former Vice President of the Victorian Local Governance Association.

Cr Tina Liu (Deputy Chair)

Cr Liu has lived in Melbourne’s east for most of her life and is the current Mayor of Whitehorse City Council. This is her second term as a Councillor.

Her interests include community service and engagement, community health and wellbeing, sustainability, urban design, transport, local business and animal welfare.

Cr Liu is committed to advocating for the needs of the eastern region and broader sector-wide issues being faced collectively.

She is a member of several regional groups and boards including the Eastern Transport Coalition (current Deputy Chair), Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action, Whitehorse Manningham Library Corporation (Chair – 2019), Whitehorse Business Group and Whitehorse’s Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) representative.

Cr Susan Laukens
Mayor, Knox City Council

Cr Nicole Seymour
Deputy Mayor, Knox City Council

Bruce Dobson
CEO, Knox City Council

Cr Deirdre Diamante
Deputy Mayor, Manningham City Council

Andrew Day 
CEO, Manningham City Council

Cr Mike Symon
Mayor, Maroondah City Council

Cr Rob Steane
Deputy Mayor, Maroondah City Council

Steve Kozlowski
CEO, Maroondah City Council

Cr Stuart James 
Mayor, Monash City Council

Cr Rebecca Paterson 
Monash City Council

Dr Andi Diamond 
CEO, Monash City Council

Cr Denise Massoud 
Deputy Mayor, Whitehorse City Council

Simon McMilllan
CEO, Whitehorse City Council

Cr Jim Child 
Mayor, Yarra Ranges Council

Cr Johanna Skelton
Deputy Mayor, Yarra Ranges
Council

Tammi Rose 
CEO, Yarra Ranges Council

Liz Johnstone 
ERG Executive Officer

Erika Atwill 
ERG 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 almost $59 billion Gross Regional Product (GRP), or approximately 16% of Melbourne’s total.

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

Knox population
162,769
Manningham population
126,924
Maroondah population
117,484
Monash population
197,980
Whitehorse population
175,970
Yarra Ranges population
158,831

Total population

939,958

(approximately 18% of Greater Melbourne’s area)

Total land area (hectares)

311,104

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

Gross regional product ($M)

$58,970

(approximately 16% of Melbourne’s total)

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 2021 – 2025.

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