Our 2021/22 Budget is now ready to deliver following endorsement at the Ordinary Council Meeting this week. We will invest in projects that will support and benefit our diverse community today, and ensure we are well placed to prepare for future generations.

Following extensive community engagement including a community panel, surveys, discussions with groups, and comments on Your Say Manningham, your feedback has helped inform our budget, key plans and strategies including our Community Vision, Council Plan, 10-year Financial Plan and Revenue and Rating Plan.

Manningham Mayor Cr Andrew Conlon said this year’s budget focuses on ensuring we deliver essential services while being aspirational and investing in things that matter to our community, along with being financially sustainable over the long term.  

“We continue to beautify our City through a focus on our natural and built environment including investment in parks, playspaces, open space and facilities and services to support our residents’ needs.”  

“Following what has been a challenging year, we are considering future income streams and ways to maximise returns on Council assets to ensure we continue to be financially sound for future generations.”  

“Significant planning and considered debate has been undertaken by our newly-elected Council to carefully determine our priorities and how to best meet the needs of our community,” Cr Conlon said.

Together with our accountable leadership, good governance, engagement practices and proven track record of getting things done, we will see the Manningham community thrive in the future.

This budget ensures we are set to deliver for our people, and envisage a brighter future for our diverse community.

See budget highlights below, and to learn more about the major initiatives that we will be investing in for the coming year read the full 2021/22 Budget document at manningham.vic.gov.au/budget  

Highlights of our 2021/22 budget include:

• Increased funding for trees, footpaths, bicycle strategy implementation, drainage, roads and a significant investment in community facilities as part of the Capital Works Program.  
• $59 million Capital Works Program ($223 million over four years) to maintain and enhance Council’s $2 billion of community assets.
• A huge program of waste initiatives such as Food Organics Green Organics (FOGO), glass and other recycling initiatives and advanced waste processing delivered within a $6.5 million allocation over four years.
• Delivery of over 100 services for our community with $133 million in this year’s budget and $560 million over four years in our operating budget. 
• Support for ratepayers undergoing financial difficulties through our financial hardship provisions.
• $500,000 for a new Relief Fund to assist the community with a focus on business and not-for profits impacted by COVID-19, the North East link project and other disruptions. 
• $250,000 for additional traffic safety measures and related programs in Council owned activity centres and recreation reserves in light of recent accidents and budget submissions.
• New initiatives for sustainability and the environment, asset management, flood modelling, water management, strategic land use, data management, precinct planning, a feasibility study into a car share scheme, recognition of our volunteer community, and to reduce the harmful impacts of gambling.
• $5 million for strategic land acquisitions.  
• Establish a new 'Strategic Fund' to provide long-term community benefit and ensure ongoing financial sustainability. This will enable Council to invest in the development of major community infrastructure such as libraries, community hubs and recreation facilities. For example, this will include $20 million over the next four years for the construction of major community facilities.