A new exciting opportunity to celebrate, develop and grow our local live music scene is coming to Manningham. 

The Live and Local program is presented in partnership with the Live Music Office, One Music Australia  and APRA AMCOS (the Australasian Performing Rights Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society). It has also been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia.

The free program offers professional development workshops along with performance and networking opportunities. It will provide valuable resources and support to musicians and song writers of all genres and levels, music industry professionals, venues and businesses within the Manningham community.
 

What’s included?

• Professional Development Workshops: Gain knowledge and skills from industry experts to grow your sustainable music career
• Mentoring and networking: Spending time with professionals and meeting other local people with the same music drive as you
• Micro-Music Festival: Get the opportunity to perform at, host or attend our local Micro-Music Festival events
• Local Industry Forum: Engage with key figures in the music industry and grow your network at our free forum on Saturday 28 June, 1:00pm-4:00pm at the Warrandyte Mechanics Institute in Warrandyte. Register today!
  
   

Who’s it for?

Local musicians, song writers, bands, producers, music industry professionals such as venue bookers, gig promoters, photographers, designers, production companies, managers.

Venues and businesses with space for small live music events in Manningham. 
 

Sign up to get involved

Join us to strengthen the local music scene, improve your skills and make meaningful connections. 

We’re creating the Manningham Music Database to connect local musicians and venues for future live music programming. This database will serve as a central hub for opportunities and collaborations within the Manningham community.

We’ll begin programming as expressions of interest come in, so get yours in today. 
 

Musicians, song writers and music industry professionals

Musicians, bands, song writers, music industry professionals, producers and acts will have the chance to participate in paid events, connect with other local industry professionals, build their experience and contribute to the growth of the local live music scene.  

Apply now

Businesses and venues  

If you run a local space that could be used for live music, or if you already book live shows in your venue, we want to hear from you.

You don’t need to be a traditional live music venue to take part, you may have just a small space within your café, gallery or retail or service area that could make a great little performance area. 

Our Venues Liaison Officer can provide guidance and connect you to local musicians, other businesses and industry professionals through the program.

Apply now
 

Live Music Forum

You're invited to our free Manningham Live Music Industry Forum on Saturday 28 June, 1:00pm-4:00pm at the Warrandyte Mechanics Institute in Yarra Street, Warrandyte. 

Whether you're a musician, business or venue owner, event manager or all-round live music enthusiast, this forum is a valuable opportunity to network with us and the broader community and discuss what a thriving music scene looks like for Manningham.

The outcomes of this forum will assist us to develop professional opportunities for local musicians, inform our planning, includidng our upcoming Live and Local microfestival.

This event is free, but registrations essential.

Register now

Manningham Council has launched an exciting new program to boost the local live music scene.

Live and Local is designed to celebrate, develop and support our local musicians, bands and businesses.

This free program offers professional development workshops as well as performance and networking opportunities, providing valuable resources and support to musicians, venues and music lovers within the Manningham community.

Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante, said Council wanted to support and grow the grassroots live music scene.

“We have so many talented musicians, and music industry professionals in our local area. We want to support our local industry so our community can enjoy live music close to home,” Cr Diamante said.

“This in turn will boost small businesses, bringing more patrons to local venues and activity centres.” 

To launch the program, Council is seeking expressions of interest from musicians and local venues and businesses to get involved.

Musicians will have the chance to showcase their talents and get paid, while connecting with other local industry professionals. This opportunity will build their experience and contribute to the growth of the local live music scene.

Businesses don’t need to be a traditional live music venue to take part. All is required is a space for small-scale performances. Examples include retail spaces, cafes and galleries, as well as hotels, restaurants and bars.

Expressions of Interest to be part of the program close on Sunday 1 June at 11.59pm. 

Live and Local is presented by Manningham Council in partnership with the Live Music Office, One Music Australia and APRA AMCOS (the Australasian Performing Rights Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society). This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia.

Find out more and get involved at our Live and Local program page.

Image: Musician Alex Robertson from Cleo Black.

Manningham’s highly anticipated International Women’s Day Breakfast event returns on Thursday 6 March, with tickets now available.

This year’s keynote speaker, Dr Emma Fulu, is a world-leading expert on gender equality and ending violence against women and girls. She has worked for the United Nations and other global programs.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante said International Women’s Day was an opportunity to celebrate, connect and reflect.

“I’m so pleased to welcome Dr Emma Fulu to Manningham to speak on such an important issue that demands attention and action both globally and locally,” Cr Diamante said.

“Championing gender equality and respect in every aspect of our lives is at the heart of driving change.

“We all have a role to play in turning promises into progress. I encourage men and women to join us for what will be an insightful and inspiring morning,” the Mayor added.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global celebration of women’s achievements and raises awareness for women’s equality.

Dr Fulu will speak to this year’s UN Women Australia IWD theme, ‘March Forward: It’s time to turn promises into progress’.

The theme is in reference to the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) – considered to be the most progressive blueprint for advancing women’s rights.

While women have broken many barriers since then, there’s still much to be done for millions of women around the world and it’s time to turn promises into progress.

Dr Fulu will be joined by a panel of guest speakers who will bring their lived experience and individual lens to this important discussion.

The event will be held on Thursday 6 March, 7.30am to 9.30am at the Manningham Function Centre. Tickets are $25 and include a plated breakfast.

For more information and to book your ticket, visit the International Women's Day page on our website.

Join us at the Manningham Asian Cultural Festival this Sunday for a free community celebration that will finish with a spectacular fireworks display.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the event at Doncaster Reserve on Sunday 9 March from 10.00am to 10.00pm.

A celebration of culture and community, the program will feature live music and performances including lion dancing and drumming, mouthwatering street food, rides and family friendly activities. The fireworks are expected to start at 9.00pm.

We’re proud to support this new festival, which is presented by the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse, organisers of the hugely popular annual Lunar New Year Festival in Box Hill.

Visit our festival tent where you can meet our Councillors throughout the day,  have a chat to our Healthy Ageing team about how we can help you to live and age well, and provide feedback on our arts, culture and local history programs in Manningham to help us develop a  new Arts Action Plan.

Festival-goers have the chance to win one of ten $50 Find Your Local shopping vouchers, simply by completing our short survey about the festival, which will help us plan for similar events in the future. Visit the Council festival tent to download your entry form. Terms and conditions apply*.

Don’t forget to drop into the Jackson Court shopping centre to browse more than 90 local traders.

Bring your family and friends and spread the word for what promises to be a fantastic day out.

For more information, visit the Manningham Asian Cultural Festival website.

Congratulations to our competition winners:

Sarah Guo, Joanne Ridge, Roy Luo, Denver Huynh, Joyz Lio, Eddie Luk, Qunfang Ll, Jenny Ong, Chris Yap, Seleana Ng.

*Read the Terms and Conditions for the Manningham Asian Cultural Festival feedback survey competition:

Manningham Council is seeking community feedback on a concept design for an upgrade at Wombat Bend Playground. 

Wombat Bend Playground is a much-loved regional playground catering to visitors of all abilities – created by the community, for the community. It embraces inclusive design to foster creative development, inspiration and imagination and to encourage the mind to explore.

The concept design developed for the playground upgrade reflects insights gathered from community consultations held in December 2024. The proposed upgrades include:

• a diverse range of play equipment suitable for all ages and abilities
• a dedicated swing zone with five different seat types
• a larger water play area
• a sand play zone with raised tables and a digger
• a refurbished maze zone
• improved access paths for better connectivity and movement
• upgraded amenities, including new seating, picnic areas, drinking fountains, shelters, and BBQs
• enhanced shade and expanded grassed areas
• a new co-located fitness station.

Community consultation now open

To have your say on the Wombat Bend Playground concept design, visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/wombat-bend-playground-upgrade.

Council is also holding an onsite consultation session on Sunday 18 May.

Community members are invited to attend between 10:30am and 12:00pm (noon) to discuss the design directly with the project team.

Council values the input of the community in shaping the future of the Wombat Bend Playground and appreciates everyone’s involvement in making the playground a better space for all.

Consultation closes Monday 2 June 2025.

For more information, visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/wombat-bend-playground-upgrade

We’re celebrating National NAIDOC Week from 6-13 July by sharing the stories and achievements of First Nations People.

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations peoples, culture and history and gives everyone a chance to participate in celebrations of the oldest continuing living cultures.

Storytelling is at the heart of First Nations culture – a powerful way to share history, knowledge and connection to country.

We’ve recently added special books to our collections at Maternal and Child Health centres, featuring traditional children’s stories translated into the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung language by Elder Aunty Gail Smith. These books are also available to read at our local libraries.

Bulleen Library will also be celebrating NAIDOC Week with a school holiday cultural experience for children – Aboriginal Storytelling Through Art – on Thursday 10 July. Bookings essential.

Don’t miss the final week of our free exhibition, Painted Country, featuring the works of five First Nations artists at the Manningham Art Gallery and closes on Saturday 12 July. 

The artists – Nellie Ngampa Coulthard, Brenda Napaltjarri, Clara Napurrula, Rene Sundown and Adrian Jurra Tjungurrayi – share their unique depictions of the Australian landscape in their stunning paintings.

The senior and emerging artists represent two Indigenous arts centres – Iwantja Arts in South Australia and Papunya Tula Artists in the Northern Territory.

We’ve recently acquired three new works by First Nations artists to add to our art collection and they can be viewed at the gallery. These are Tears of the Djulpan, 2023, by Djakaŋu Yunupiŋu featuring natural earth pigments on stringbark Eucalyptus with custom metal brace, Deceased Estate, 2024, a charcoal and acrylic binder on hessian by Matthew Harris, and Yarringa, 2023, an etched steel panel by Barayuwa Munungurr.

We’re committed to being an inclusive and connected community and recognise that local government has a key role to play in reconciliation.

Our work is guided by our Reconciliation Action Plan, which has been developed in partnership with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Corporation and local First Nations people.

Find out more about First Nations history and reconciliation in Manningham.
 

Volunteer-led community groups and clubs will receive new support under changes to the Manningham Volunteer Resource Service.

Manningham Council will move to a new delivery model for supporting volunteering once the current contract with external provider EV Strengthening Communities (formerly Eastern Volunteers) ends on 30 June 2025. 

Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante, said Council is committed to supporting volunteers and ensuring we continue to meet their evolving needs and aspirations. 

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our community, and essential for the continued success of local clubs, groups and associations,” Cr Diamante said. 

“We are deeply grateful to our volunteers for their dedication to making Manningham a better place, whether that’s through community, sport, emergency services, environment or arts and local history groups, among others.

“We’ve valued our partnership with EV Strengthening Communities since 2019, and I’d like to thank them for their work in supporting volunteerism in Manningham,” she said.

In recent years, there have been significant shifts in the volunteering sector, and a gradual decline in people undertaking formal volunteering right across Australia.

“We have been listening to our local clubs and groups, who are seeing increasing demands on their time to meet the growing administrative, regulatory and funding requirements for volunteering activities,” Cr Diamante said.

“These demands are stretching our volunteers, requiring not only extra time, but specific skills.

“We want to ease the burden on volunteers, so they can get back to doing what they do best – supporting the Manningham community,” the Mayor added.

Further details of the new program will be made available in the coming months.

Manningham residents will be able to continue to search for volunteer roles through Volunteering Victoria.

Stunning new botanical art displays at the Manningham Civic Centre provide inspiration for bringing the natural world into your own home or workplace.

The displays, on show until Spring, are by artist Kayla Moon, of floristry business xfloss, and are examples of biophilic design.

Biophilic design is about increasing our connection to the natural world within our built environment.

Kayla specialises in unusual large-scale sculptural pieces that combine different materials, colours and structural elements that are both beautiful and thought-provoking.

“Our work is unconventional because of the style of the materials that we use,” Kayla said.

“I love to create sculptures that are big floral monsters - more unusual, even grotesque – beautiful but a bit terrifying.”

Indeed, Kayla’s displays in the foyers of the Civic Centre and MC Square feature the dried and preserved weed Amaranthus, highlighting the beauty of what could considered a ‘monster’ outside its native environment. 

Kayla has combined the Amaranthus with the air plant Old Man’s Beard, Papyrus Sedge, and branches of Corokia to create beautiful sculptural displays.

“I’ve brought together different types of plants at different stages of their lifecycle – weeds, airplants, bushes and deciduous plants. I think it provides insights into natural materiality and the beauty of nature and how you can use flowers, twigs, rocks and other natural items as a medium.”

Biophilia refers to our innate connection with nature and was first coined by psychologist Eric Fromm in 1964. The word biophilia originates from the Greek words ‘bio’, meaning life, and ‘philia’, meaning ‘love of’, resulting in ‘in a love of life or living things’.

In our modern world, biophilic design supports connection to the natural world through practical design principals such as the use of natural shape and forms, environmental features, light and space. 

Bringing the natural world into our home and work environments has many health benefits, including relieving stress and improving our mental and physical wellbeing.

You, too, can bring biophilic design into your own home or workplace. Try some of these tips:

• Live plants: One of the easiest ways to bring biophilic design into your home is through live plants. Spider plants, snake plants, rubber plants and peace lilies are all known for their air purifying abilities and look good too.
• Texture and shape: Decorate your home with textures and shapes that replicate what you might find in nature. Materials such as wood, clay, cork or wool add a natural feel or you could find objects that mimic the patterns and forms of our natural world. 
• Colour: In colour psychology, green is known to calm and rejuvenate, so think about bringing natural colours into your home that make you feel peaceful and bring you a sense of joy, seek inspiration from sunsets, waterways and green spaces.
• Light: If you can, position desks or communal areas around windows to optimise natural light. Reflective surfaces such as stainless-steel bench tops and mirrors can help make a small space feel brighter and more expansive.
• Airflow: Open windows when you can to ensure natural air flow or invest in an air purifier. 
• Scent: Can be a powerful sensory experience. Use diffusers, candles, incense, or natural cleaning products in the home, think about natural scents such as lavender or citrus and made from natural or non-toxic ingredients. You might want to try growing herbs like rosemary, mint or thyme on your windowsill – they smell fantastic, and you can cook with them, too. 

Find out more about biophilic design from the Living Future Institute Australia.

Join us for our Inspired Living Series where you can learn about sustainable ideas from inspiring speakers throughout the year. 

Image: Artist Kayla Moon puts the finishing touches to her botanical art display in the foyer of the Civic Centre.
 

Manningham Council is inviting residents of Warrandyte, Wonga Park and surrounds to help shape infrastructure projects planned for their neighbourhood.

Locals are encouraged to attend a drop-in session this August to view project designs, ask questions and share feedback.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante, said hearing directly from residents is essential to making decisions that reflect the community’s priorities.

“Discussing projects with residents throughout the design and planning phase leads to better decision-making and outcomes that reflect community needs and preferences,” 

“These sessions are a chance for us to explain decisions that have been made and ensure future outcomes are shaped by community input.”.

Projects open for consultation include:

• Footpath construction - Paynters Road and Reserve Road, Wonga Park
• Main Yarra Trail Extension (stage three) - Pound Road to Taroona Avenue, Warrandyte
• Footpath construction - Tindals Road, Warrandyte 
• Drainage upgrade - Trezise Street, Brackenbury Street and Cemetery Road, Warrandyte

Final designs available for viewing:

• Footpath and drainage upgrades - Alexander Road, Warrandyte
• Pedestrian refuge installation - Russell Road, Mullens Road and Ringwood Warrandyte Road intersection, Warrandyte
• Intersection upgrade - Pound Road, Warrandyte

Community drop-in session details:

• Monday 18 August, 4:00pm to 7:00pm
  Warrandyte Community Hall, 2–8 Taroona Avenue
• Monday 25 August, 4:00pm to 7:00pm
  Wonga Park Hall, corner of Launders Avenue and Yarra Road

No registration is required - just drop in and have your say.

For more information or to have your say via our online survey, go to yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/capital-works-warrandyte-wonga-park.

Local community groups, sporting clubs and not-for-profit organisations are set to share in more than $290,000 through Manningham’s Annual Grant Program.

Grant applications open on Monday 3 February and eligible local groups can receive between $3,001 and $20,000 in funding.

Mayor Cr Deirdre Diamante said the program helped fund local initiatives, projects and activities that made a positive impact in Manningham.

“These include a wide range of community-driven projects such as arts, festivals and events, wellbeing programs, as well as inclusive and multicultural activities,” Cr Diamante said.

“We want to support our outstanding local organisations who do a wonderful job in helping make Manningham a vibrant, connected and inclusive community for all.”

Grants are available in the following categories:

• Community Development
• Arts
• Festivals and Events
• Healthy Ageing.

The Manningham Toy Library was one of last year’s successful recipients. The library received a grant to support its free 40th Anniversary Messy Play Day.

Toy Library Coordinator Anlina Jones said the event will be a wonderful way to showcase the benefits of the group to the Manningham community.

“We love running messy play events, but it can be costly purchasing the equipment required, so this grant was such an amazing opportunity for us. We can really celebrate the 40 years of play at the toy library,” Anlina said.

Applications for Manningham’s Annual Grant Program are open until 5.00pm, Tuesday 11 March. 

To assist groups with their applications, Council will host the following information sessions:

• Grant Writing Workshop, Wednesday 12 February, 10.00am to 12.00pm, Manningham Function Centre.
• Healthy Ageing Grant Information Session, Thursday 13 February, 11.00am to 12.00pm, Manningham Function Centre.
• Online Q&A session, Wednesday 19 February, 4.30pm to 5.00pm.

The sessions are free, but registrations are essential. For details visit the Annual Grants Program page.

Road improvements, targeted education and speed zone reviews are key priorities in Manningham’s draft Road Safety Strategy 2025-2035.

Manningham Council is seeking feedback on the draft strategy, which includes clear objectives and a detailed action plan for implementation. It aims to enhance road safety - reducing traffic-related accidents, injuries and fatalities.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante said it will serve as a roadmap for proactive projects and programs over the next decade.

“We’re committed to improving our transport system as we strive for ‘vision zero’ – where nobody is seriously injured or killed on our roads,”

“To plan for safer roads, we needed to first understand the local issues and experiences of road users in Manningham,” said Cr Diamante.

“We received more than 200 responses to last year’s community survey, which told us what matters most to our community.

“Now we want to ensure the proposed strategy and action plan accurately reflects community priorities,” she said.

The proposed actions include:

• conducting road safety audits in high-risk areas
• upgrading infrastructure
• speed limit reviews
• continual road user education
• updating of the Manningham Walking and Cycling Strategy.

The draft strategy was developed using local road safety data, input from road safety partners and aligns with State and Federal strategies.

Community to have their say
Have your say on the draft Road Safety Strategy 2025-2035 by completing the survey via Your Say Manningham, until 21 February 2025.

Feedback from community and Councillor consultations will inform the final version of the Road Safety Strategy. It will be presented for Council endorsement in early 2025.

For more information, go to Your Say Manningham – subscribe to the project to receive email updates.
 

The first phase of the Melbourne Hill Road drainage upgrades is now complete, and Manningham Council is preparing for phase two works to start late next year.

Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante said the completion of phase one marks a significant milestone for the project.

“Phase one has tackled key safety and flooding issues for locals, while also enhancing the local habitat through planting of species of native vegetation to provide shelter and food as well as contributing to the overall biodiversity.”

This major project, covering approximately 35 hectares of residential area, aims to reduce flood risk to protect local properties and businesses.

Commencing earlier this year, with the installation of underground drainage along the roadside, widening of the road, and removal of deep depressions and driveway culverts.

We are now preparing for the second phase of construction, which will focus on upgrading the drainage systems within easements on private properties. This phase will improve stormwater management and provide flood protection for properties by addressing surface water runoff.

“We’re looking forward to the next stage of construction starting next year, as it will provide essential flood protection for properties along Melbourne Hill Road,” the Mayor added.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2025 and take approximately one year to complete. However, the schedule may be affected by weather conditions and the potential relocation of underground service assets.

In the meantime, Council will continue its planting program, supporting the establishment of new native plantings over the coming years.

For further information and the latest project updates, visit Your Say Manningham.

Manningham Council is seeking community feedback on a proposal to rebuild an expanded Gum Nut Gully Preschool at a new nearby location in Doncaster East.

The current preschool building in Larnoo Drive is reaching its end of life and is unable to expand to provide more places for local families.

“The much-loved Gum Nut Gully Preschool has been part of our community for almost 40 years,” Manningham Mayor Deirdre Diamante said.

“We value the unique services like the bush kinder program and want to ensure the preschool can continue providing local children with quality early years education for many more years to come.”

Council has received Victorian Government funding through the Building Blocks program to build a new modular two-room preschool with places for 66 children in 3 and 4-year-old kinder programs.

However, investigations have found the modular preschool cannot be built at the existing location without significant impact on trees and vegetation. Challenging site conditions also make the project unviable.  

Corsican Reserve, 400m away in Corsican Avenue, has been identified as the most suitable nearby location. Manningham Council is inviting feedback on this proposal and no decision has yet been made. Under the proposal, the existing Larnoo Drive site would be retained for community use.

“We want to support local families by providing them access to more free kinder places locally as well as replace the ageing facility,” Cr Diamante said.

“There are many important considerations, and we want to hear what the community has to say before making any decisions about this proposal,” Cr Diamante said.

The proposal is open for community feedback until 11:59pm, Tuesday 2 September at Your Say Manningham.
 

We have signed the contract to purchase 576-578 Park Road, Park Orchards as part of its planning for a new Park Orchards Community House and Learning Centre.

A priority action in our Community Infrastructure Plan, discussions and advocacy have already commenced for the replacement of this popular neighbourhood house and it is hoped that this significant investment will be the catalyst for investment from other levels of government.

Our Mayor, Deirdre Diamante, said the existing community house needs replacing to bring programs and services together.

"The Community House is widely used and offers a variety of programs and services in learning, fitness and art for all ages, and includes a well-loved childcare facility.

“The current building is coming to the end of its useful life, has limited accessibility and is too small to cater to all programs. These limitations have resulted in programs moving to different locations and spread across multiple local venues.

“By bringing these programs together into one building with better access and more space, we can improve efficiency and better support the community’s growing needs.”

The location of the new property, adjacent to the existing Community House at 572 Park Road, will allow for more space for the variety of programs on offer.

“Located in the heart of Park Orchards, as part of a community and education precinct and near public bus transport, the site will maintain convenient access to childcare, schools, recreational areas, and shops.” Cr Diamante added.

The purchase of 576-578 Park Road is part of our long-term planning to replace this important neighbourhood house for Park Orchards.

Neighbourhood houses are predominantly funded by government grants and additional state and commonwealth government funding will be needed to deliver this new community facility.

“We have purchased this property as part of our long-term plan for the community house and local area. We’re pleased to be able to secure a site for a new centre in Park Orchards and will continue to advocate for State and Federal funding to deliver it.”

The purchase was funded by our Strategic Fund which is part of our 10 Year Financial Plan 2024/25 to 2033/34.

For more information, visit Your Say Manningham.

We’re inviting Expressions of Interest to join the Manningham Flooding and Stormwater Management Community Reference Panel, for its second two-year term.

This is your chance to make an impact on how we sustainably manage our water resources, care for our environment and manage flood risk into the future.

All Manningham residents and property owners are welcome to apply.

Learn more and submit an expression of interest via our Flooding and Stormwater Management Your Say Manningham page.

The expression of interest process will close at 11.59pm on Friday 29 November 2024. 

Manningham residents can now receive tailored support across most stages of the electrification journey, thanks to Solar Savers. 

Solar Savers has expanded its program to include more suppliers and product choices, as well as home energy assessments. Through Solar Savers, residents can now also see the potential savings involved in going electric, as well as the most impactful upgrades for their home. 

Solar Savers is a trusted local government initiative that offers personalised advice, vetted quotes and ongoing support to ensure households make informed decisions on home electrification. 

Alongside solar panels, batteries, reverse cycle air conditioners and hot water heat pumps, the program now supports upgrades like EV chargers, induction cooktops, draught-proofing and insulation. 

Home energy assessments, performed by Government-accredited assessors, provide tailored in-home advice – helping householders choose the best upgrades for their home.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante said this offering will provide residents with greater confidence, choice and convenience when making energy-efficient upgrades.

“Solar Savers takes the hassle out of researching energy upgrades and finding reliable suppliers,” Cr Diamante said.

“By simplifying the switch to electric appliances and systems, we’re supporting our community to reduce emissions and reach our target of net zero by 2035,” she said.

Electrifying your home helps lower energy bills, while also contributing to cleaner, greener Manningham.

Learn more at manningham.vic.gov.au/electrify-your-life.

Getting involved in climate action is vital to creating a more liveable future. We’re making this action easier by offering resources, events, programs and partnerships. 

Since we recognised the Climate Emergency in 2020, we’ve introduced several initiatives to help us move towards our zero emission targets – for Council by 2028 and for the Manningham community by 2035. 

Here’s how we’re supporting you to act on climate, both individually and together as a community.

Individuals: How we can support 

We’re making individual change feel less solo by sharing handy resources, connecting you with government discounts and even providing a year’s supply of compostable bin liners. 

	1. Resources and discounts to go electric
	We’re supporting households to go electric with free resources, webinars and information sessions. Residents can also access installers and government discounts through our partnership with Solar Savers. The benefits? The opportunity to create a healthier, more efficient home while also powering a cleaner future.
	2. A network of public electric vehicle (EV) chargers
	Considering purchasing an electric vehicle (EV)? Owning one will soon be more convenient in Manningham, as we’re rolling out a network of nine public EV chargers from early 2025. The chargers will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, through government accredited GreenPower.
	3. FOGO support (and a free roll of liners!)
	The FOGO service is one of the simplest ways to reduce carbon emissions.  By using our FOGO bins, we can decrease the waste sent to landfill to create a healthier environment for us all. This means placing the right items in your FOGO bins and using the certified compostable liners (that meet the AS4736 standards), as these decompose.  To make this simpler, we’re providing each Manningham household with a free roll of 150 compostable liners (approximately one year’s supply), available for collection from the Manningham Civic Centre or Council Depot. We’re also sharing FOGO tips and tricks, ‘how to’ videos, translated language guides and more to help you with FOGO. Explore our helpful FOGO resources.
	4. Clothes swap days
	Fast fashion has a negative impact on our environment, accounting for 10 per cent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. An alternative to this?  buying secondhand and vintage swapping clothes. Clothes swap days are a fantastic way to refresh your wardrobe and meet new people. Here at Council, we regularly run clothing exchange days. See when the next one is.

Our community: How we’re helping 

Our impact is greater when we work together. That’s why we’re facilitating community events and connecting you to local groups who make a positive difference.  

	5. Tree planting days
	Planting trees is one of the best and simplest ways to take climate action, while making Manningham a greener and more beautiful place to live and work.  Join us next National Tree Day (Sunday 28 July) to plant trees together. Check our What's on event calendar each July to find planting locations.
	6. Access to community groups
	Local environmental groups are a fantastic opportunity to connect with neighbours and make a difference in your shared backyard. We can connect you to: Andersons Creek Landcare Group Jumping Creek Catchment Landcare Group Friends Of Warrandyte State Park Wonga Park Environment Group Friends of Park Orchards Reserve Friends of Yarra Valley Parks
	7. A regular community garden
	The Doncaster Hill Community Garden is a friendly space for anyone interested in gardening and making new friends. Meeting every second Tuesday morning, volunteers tend to the garden with all produce donated to Doncare’s food relief program. Register for the next session.
	8. Sustainable schools program
	We run several programs to encourage local schools to protect and care for our natural environment, as well as sustainable education programs for our teacher network. This includes: Eastern Alliance for Sustainable Learning Resource Smart Schools Program Environmental Leadership Program for Schools Learn more about our schools programs.