What is a planning property enquiry request?

Get advice in writing about whether or not your proposed building, works or land use needs approval from us. We will provide advice to confirm if:

• you do not need a permit
• you need to apply for a planning permit
• you need an amendment to an existing permit
• you need consent under the conditions of a permit or a registered section 173 agreement.

How may this advice be useful?

The advice will confirm the planning requirements. If we do not require a planning permit or consent, you can provide this letter to your Building Surveyor accompanying an application for a building permit.

How much does it cost?

There is a flat fee for a planning property enquiry request.

Find out how much it costs

How to prepare for your request:

Before submitting your request, gather the following documents:

1. An electronic copy of plans and/or details of your proposal;
2. A recently searched current copy of title. Obtain a copy of property title through Landata – Victoria Land and Registry Service.
3. A copy of any registered restriction/covenant or section 173 agreements on title.

Any additional information details of your proposal or request for advice can also be included.

How to lodge your request

Apply through our online portal to lodge your request. Select one of the following:

Pay now by credit or debit card

When lodging your request, choose "Request and pay now' to pay by credit card.

Request and pay now

Pay later by invoice (Credit or debit card, BPAY or Post BillPay)

If you need more time to pay, select 'Request and pay later' below when lodging your request.
We’ll send advice after we receive payment.

Request and pay later

What happens next?

Once we receive your request, you can expect a response within seven to 10 business days. This may include a request for further information if we need any additional details about your proposal.

Related links

Request pre-application advice

Apply for a planning permit

The planning permit process

Early Years at MC Square is a purpose built facility, providing high quality early childhood education and care services.

With only 38 spots, we are able to build strong relationships with every child and family member who use our service.

Our programs offer flexibility and fun

Our play based learning approach values each child’s individual needs, strengths and interests. This allows for opportunities for planned experiences and spontaneous learning.

How much does it cost?

Apply for the childcare subsidy

Your family might be eligible to receive reduced childcare fees via the childcare subsidy.

Visit Centrelink to see if you meet the requirements for government support. If eligible, submit a claim on myGov to get a fee reduction.

How to join

Download the early years - waiting list application form and send the completed form to eunica.richdale@manningham.vic.gov.au.

Learn about us at orientation

After accepting a place, we recommend an orientation period before your child comes to our centre.

We have 2 free orientation visits. We require parents to stay onsite during orientation. Orientation is an opportunity for you to ask questions and share info about your child with us.

Our opening hours

We operate from 8.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.

The centre is closed on public holidays and over the Christmas and New Year period.

Book a visit today

Choosing the right early childhood education and care service can be difficult. We welcome tours of our service before making a choice. If you need full time or part time childcare for your 3-5 year old, or want to arrange a tour contact us on 9840 9255.

Any person who believes they will be affected by a planning application can lodge an objection.

Things to do before lodging an objection

Make sure you look at the advertised plans and supporting documents before lodging an objection. You can find them on the Planning applications portal.

When should you lodge an objection?

Advertising of an application runs for a minimum of 14 days. You should lodge an objection during the advertising period using the Planning Applications Portal.

This allows for consideration of your concerns before there is a decision on the application.

What information must you contain in your objection?

To submit an objection, it must include the following information:

• be in writing with your full name, address, phone number and email
• state the grounds for your objection and;
• describe how you will be affected by the granting of a permit.

How to lodge an objection

A person can submit an objection to an application using the Planning Applications Portal.

You will receive an acknowledgement email of your objection.

Who can view an objection?

Your objection, including the personal information supplied, may be:

• inspected in person at Manningham Council’s offices during Council business hours
• published online via a private service for third parties to view by appointment only, where there is a written request to us
• distributed to the permit applicant or their representatives where we have received a request 
• distributed to parties involved in a VCAT proceeding relating to this permit application, when applicable.

In accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Will there be a consultation meeting?

Not all applications will need a consultation meeting. An officer will determine if one is necessary.

If we require a consultation meeting, its aim is bringing the parties to the application together. Our officers and where available, ward councillors, will also be in the meeting.

The objectives of a meeting is:

• to give objectors a chance to clarify or emphasise key aspects of their objection
• to give applicants a chance to clarify the objector’s concerns and respond where appropriate
• to seek a mediated outcome on key issues, where possible.
   

Will there be a decision made on an application at the consultation meeting?

Consultation meetings are part of the decision making process, but there’ll be no decision made on the application on the night of the meeting.
 

What happens after a decision has been made?

Applications will be either approved or refused. Objectors will receive notification of the decision in writing.

If we approve a planning application, we may issue a Notice of Decision to grant a planning permit. This is not a planning permit. It is a notice that sets out the conditions we will apply to the permit if there’s no appeal lodged to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Under certain circumstances, we may proceed to immediately issue a Planning Permit even if objections are received. Some classes of application (for example - some applications on Council land, State Government Projects, and projects for non-Government schools) are specifically exempt from third party review rights.

Under the new Townhouse and Low-Rise Code in effect from March 2025, some applications for townhouses and residential buildings may be deemed to meet all relevant standards of the Code. Where this is the case,  there will be no objector appeal rights and we will issue a Permit, rather than a Notice of Decision. For more information on the Townhouse and Low-Rise Code, please refer to the Department of Transport and Planning's website.
 

Appealing a decision

If you receive a copy of a Notice of Decision to grant a planning permit, you will have 28 days to lodge an application for review to VCAT.

We will issue a planning permit after 28 days if there are no objector appeals lodged to VCAT.

Related links

Planning Applications Portal

The planning permit process

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)

Book into an upcoming immunisation session. Discover what vaccinations we offer and when to immunise your family.
 

When are the immunisation sessions?

Go to the Vitavo booking link to view all our available sessions.

What happens at a session?

We ask that you arrive no more than 10 minutes before your booking time and check in at the desk.

After vaccination, we will ask you or your child to stay behind for 15 minutes for observation.

How to cancel a booking

To change or cancel your booking, login to your account on Vitavo.

Once you have created an account, you can login to eRates to view your rates notices, or change your delivery preference back to ‘post’.
 

What is a Section 173 Agreement?

An Agreement under Section 173 of the Planning and Environment Act (or Section 173 Agreement) is a legal agreement between us and the owners of a property that is registered on a property title. The agreement is entered into as a means of:

• Requiring the owner to carry out certain actions in accordance with the conditions of a planning permit.
• Placing ongoing obligations on any future owner/s of land where a development has been completed.

We commonly draft agreements as a condition of issuing a permit for the subdivision of land. The conditions include:

• An obligation to complete development in accordance with the endorsed plans of an issued development planning permit, that allows for the issuing of a statement of compliance prior to the completion of the development.
• Obliging future owners to share maintenance costs and responsibilities for the onsite stormwater detention management system constructed as part of a development.
• Any other requirement specified in the conditions of the planning permit.

What kind of requests can you lodge to us?

You can lodge the following requests using the submission tool:

• A request for us to draft and lodge a Section 173 Agreement.
• A request for us to review and lodge a prepared agreement.
• A request to amend or end an existing agreement.

How much does it cost?

The fee will depend on the specific type of request from the list above. 

View full list of fees

How to prepare for your request:

You will need the following for each of the request types:

Drafting of a new agreement

If drafting a new agreement, you will need the following:

• A full copy of your property title that’s no more than seven days old. You can get a new copy from Landata.
• You must get endorsement of all plans from permits associated with this agreement. You will get a prompt to enter endorsement dates for all relevant plans.
• If the registered owner is a company, a current ASIC Company Extract produced within the last seven days. The Company Extract must clearly show the registered Australian Company Number (ACN) and all company directors and secretaries. A copy can be obtained from the ASIC website. A free Company Summary will not be accepted.

Review of a prepared agreement

All information required for the drafting of a new agreement, plus:

• a draft copy of the prepared agreement in an editable format such as a word document.

Amending or ending an agreement

You should contact us to see if we agree in principle to amend or end the agreement. You will need:

• a full copy of the property title, including a digital copy of the existing agreement
• a cover letter either requesting an end or specifying changes to the agreement in accordance with s 178(2) of the Planning and Environment Act.

How to lodge your request

Search for your Permit on our Planning Applications Portal to lodge your request.

How to pay

Pay by invoice (Credit or debit card, BPAY or Post BillPay)

Once a request is received, an invoice will be issued via email for payment of the request. Payment can be made by credit or debit card via our website – or through BPAY or Post BillPay using the details on the invoice.

What happens next?

The process of registering a section 173 Agreement involves several steps, and may take over two months to complete.

For new agreements

1. We will review all the information given to us to make sure that we have all relevant documentation, including endorsed plans and documents. We will either send an invoice with a fee or ask for more information within three business days.
2. After receiving payment, we will draft the agreement or review the submitted agreement, making the required changes.
3. After finishing preparation or review, we will send a digital copy of the agreement to the registered contact person. We will need two printed copies of the agreement, signed by all relevant parties. You will need to give us the two original copies.
4. We will review the returned agreements to make sure they are signed before an authorised officer signs the agreements.
5. The agreement will go for formal review and lodgement with Land Use Victoria. The agreement is then registered on title and we will consider all conditions met.

Amending or ending agreements

• We will make sure that we have all relevant information and documentation. Then, we will either send you an invoice with a fee, or ask for more information within three business days.
• If the agreement affects more than one property, you must give notice about the proposal to the other affected properties in accordance with section 178C of the Planning and Environment Act.
• We will then issue a decision to amend or end the agreement. We will send you a formal letter stating you can amend or end the agreement. Your legal representative must lodge and complete an application at Land Use Victoria.

Do you need to update your details for your rates notice or direct debit payments? This includes change of address/name, contact details, account details, or change of ownership.

Once you have submitted your form, you will receive a response within 10 working days. We will contact you via email if we require further information.

Update your contact details

Make sure your rates details are correct and let us know if there’s been a change to your:

• address
• name

We need this information to update your details if you’re the registered property owner.

Update now

Manage your direct debit payment details

You can make your direct debit changes such as:

• change account details
• cancel direct debit
• switch between 4 or 10 instalments

Update now

Change of ownership

You’ll need your solicitor or conveyancer to provide us with a Notice of Acquisition if you’ve bought a property in Manningham. You can also give us a copy of an updated Certificate of Title as proof of ownership change.

Get a copy of your title at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.

You can request a certificate of ownership if you need:

• a certificate of ownership
• to request residency confirmation.

What is a Regulation 51 statement?

A Regulation 51 statement is a legal document that forms part of the Section 32 Sale of Land Act and your building permit. You need it when buying, selling or preparing a building permit application.

There are three types of statements:

• historical details of building permits, notices, orders or certificates in relation to a property (Building Regulations 51(1))
• details on designated areas affecting a property (Building Regulations 51(2))
• inspection approval dates of the mandatory notification stages of building work carried out on a property (Building Regulations 51(3))

Building Regulations 51 (1)

Any time you're buying or selling a house, you need this statement to form a part of the Section 32 Sale of Land Act. It includes:

• Details of any building permit issued in the last 10 years.
• Details of any current notice, order or certificate issued under Regulations or Acts.

How much does it cost?

View full list of fees.

How to request

Select 'Request now' below to apply online

Request now

Building Regulations 51 (2)

Any time you're buying or selling a house, you need this statement to form a part of the Section 32 Sale of Land Act or for when you're preparing a building permit application. It informs if a property is:

• liable to flooding (under Regulation 153 or 154)
• subject to infestation by termites (under Regulation 151)
• subject to significant snowfalls (under Regulation 152).

Whilst you still need the statement, here are a couple of things to be aware of:

• you can explore land liable to flooding on the Manningham Planning Scheme using the Urban Floodway Zone, Land Subject to Inundation and Special Building Overlay.
• you can find out what land, proposed structures and works are affected by Melbourne Water's waterways and/or assets. View the Melbourne Water Flood Zone Map BR154: 

• our entire municipality is a designated termite zone and
• our municipality doesn't have any land subject to significant snowfalls.

How much does it cost?

View full list of fees.

How to request

Select 'Request now' below to apply online

Request now

Building Regulations 51 (3)

This statement includes:

• the inspection approval dates of the mandatory notification stages for building work carried out on that building or land.

How much does it cost?

View full list of fees.

How to request

You must be the owner or an authorised person to request the statement.

To request in person (restrictions allowing) or by post (we cannot accept requests by email), download the complete the following form:

Get postal address.

What types of building plans or documents can you request?

You can request the following types of building plans:

• House plans / original construction plans.
• Occupancy permits
• Construction insurance documents.

These plans are usually architectural drawings. We can't guarantee they include structural drawings. All building plans are stored off-site and we can only retrieve electronic copies from the storage facility.

Who can request the plans or documents?

You need to be the owner or have written, signed authorisation from the owner to be able to request plans.

If you are the agent of the owner or a Lessee, you must provide written, signed authorisation from the owner of the property to make this application.

If the property is an apartment building, the Owners Corporation must request a copy of plans/documents. The Owners Corporation chairperson will need to provide evidence of their appointment with this request.

If the property is owned by a company, a copy of the company search listing the individual director seeking the information must be provided. This is available via the ASIC website.

How much does it cost?

View our full list of fees.

How to pay

You can pay by credit card through SecurePay when you make a request online. 

If you are requesting by post, we only accept payment by cheque.

How to request

To request an electronic copy of building plans, select one of the following options:

For owners:

If you are the owner of the property, you can request your building plans online.

Request now

For non-owners:

First, download and complete the Owner Consent form to attach with your request. Make sure you have all the required documentation.

Then, select 'Request now' to begin:

Request now

Other ways to request:

To request an electronic copy of building plans in person or by post, download and complete the following:

What happens next?

Once your request is made, an electronic copy of the building plan(s) will be emailed to you. We are unable to provide hard copies of building plans.

You may choose to have your infringement matter heard in a Court.

How to apply

To have your infringement matter heard in Court, download and complete:

and then:

• email to manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au
• post to Manningham Council, PO Box 1, Doncaster, Victoria 3108 or
• drop in at the customer service desk at Manningham Civic Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster.

Otherwise, if you have not already done so, you can have us review your infringement.

Why do you need to get your pool or spa regularly certified?

New swimming pool and spa laws were introduced by the State Government in 2019 to enforce safety barrier standards and reduce the number of deaths by drowning among young children.

These laws require your private pool or spa to:

1. Be registered with your local council
2. Provide proof every four years that you're complying with existing safety barrier standards

You are responsible for ensuring your private pool or spa remains compliant at all times.

Get familiar with safety barriers and standards

What proof do you need to provide?

As a pool owner, you will need to get a registered practitioner (inspector) to inspect your registered pool or spa to confirm it is compliant every four years.

If your pool or spa is compliant, they will provide you with a Certificate of Compliance Form 23 which then needs to be lodged with us for record keeping within 30 days.

Find out who can inspect your pool or spa compliance on VBA's website

How much does it cost?

Contact your inspector how much they will charge to assess your pool or spa and issue the certificate.
We will only charge for the lodging of the certificate.

View our full list of fees.

How to lodge

Once you receive your certificate of compliance Form 23 from your inspector, you must:

• be the owner,
• lodge within 30 days and
• prior to due date.

Lodge now

What happens next?

After you lodge your certificate, you'll:

• receive a letter confirming we lodged your certificate and
• advising you of a new due date in 4 years.

Let us know if you are removing your pool or spa to no longer receive an advice letter.

What the program hopes to achieve

The Recreation Capital Works Funding Program supports sporting facility infrastructure developments.

The aim of the program is to:

• increase participation in organised sports
• increase participation in active recreation
• provide a transparent and equitable process for the development of our sporting facilities.
   

Projects the program funds

The program aims to provide funding for a range of projects, including but not limited to:

• pavilion upgrades
• sports field floodlighting
• tennis court upgrades
• synthetic surfaces
• cricket nets
• coaches boxes
• spectator shelters
• bin cages
• storage buildings.

Contact us to apply for non-sport related infrastructure such as traffic bollards and car parks.

What type of applicants does the program support

We accept applications from groups that:

• have a written agreement with us to use our sporting facilities
• demonstrate the capacity to fund the required financial contribution, where applicable.

What happens after we receive an application

We’ll assess applicants every February and August. You should also be aware that:

• we’ll contact applicants to let them know of the outcome of their submissions
• there’s no guarantee of funding for submissions
• we’ll make an assessment against a predetermined criteria.

To find out more about the program

For more information, contact us.

Related links

The Council Plan

The valuation process

All properties in Victoria are valued on 1 January each year.

Valuations are not done by councils. Valuations are completed by certified practising valuers on behalf of the Valuer-General Victoria (VGV). 

Valuations are then provided to councils to use for the calculation of rates. 

How valuers calculate property valuations

Valuers must return three valuations of each property which are:

• Capital Improved Value (CIV).
• Site Value, which relates to the market value of land only.
• Net Annual Value, which is the current value of the property’s net annual rent. This is set at five per cent for residential properties, but could be higher for commercial assessments.

For more information about property valuations, please go to the Victorian Government's website.

You can find out the statutory requirements and obligations within the Valuation of Land Act 1960 and the Valuation of Land Regulations 2014. 

Amendment VC288 was gazetted by the Minister for Planning on 18 September 2025 and commenced operation on 16 October 2025.

From 16 October 2025, an application to develop a second dwelling on a lot may be assessable as a fast-tracked VicSmart application.

Where do these requirements apply?

Within Manningham, the new VicSmart provision for two dwellings on a lot apply to land within the:

• General Residential Zone Schedules 1 & 3 (GRZ1 & GRZ3)
• Mixed Use Zone (MUZ)

What if an overlay applies to my property?

If a property has an overlay (such as a Design and Development, Heritage, Bushfire or Environmental Significance Overlay), a two dwelling development cannot be assessed through the VicSmart application process.

You can check the zones and overlays that apply to your property on our Maps page.

Do I need to apply for any other approvals?

Canopy trees

A planning permit may also be required for the removal of canopy trees. Application fees associated with tree removal will be applicable.

In order to qualify for VicSmart, which standards MUST be met?

An application to:

• Construct one new dwelling if there is one existing dwelling already on the lot
• Extend a dwelling if there are two dwellings on a lot
• Construct two dwellings on a lot

may be a VicSmart class of application if ALL of the following Clause 55 standards are met:

• Clause 55.02-1 Street setback
• Clause 55.02-2 Building height
• Clause 55.02-3 Side and rear setbacks
• Clause 55.02-4 Walls on boundaries
• Clause 55.02-5 Site coverage
• Clause 55.02-6 Access
• Clause 55.02-7 Tree canopy
• Clause 55.02-8 Front fences
• Clause 55.04-1 Daylight to existing windows
• Clause 55.04-2 Existing north-facing windows
• Clause 55.04-3 Overshadowing secluded open space
• Clause 55.04-4 Overlooking
• Clause 55.05-2 Overshadowing domestic solar energy systems.

If your application is unable to meet one or more of the required standards, it cannot be assessed as a VicSmart application.

Design Standards for car parking

Plans must also meet the car parking design standards of Clause 52.06-8 of the Manningham Planning Scheme.

These plans should be lodged in conjunction with your Vic Smart application.

Car parking is required to be provided at the following rate:

• 1 car space to each one or two bedroom dwelling, or
• 2 car spaces to each three or more bedroom dwelling

Do garden area and building height requirements need to be met?

Development applications must comply with the mandatory minimum garden area and maximum building height requirements of the relevant zone, where applicable.

What is used to assess an application?

All applications for two dwellings on a lot are assessed against the full set of standards in Clause 55 of the Manningham Planning Scheme. This approach ensures consistency across all applications, irrespective of VicSmart eligibility.

I’m a neighbour - will I be notified of a VicSmart application?

VicSmart is a streamlined planning permit application process designed for specific types of proposals.

Key features of VicSmart applications include:

• A 10 business day permit assessment timeframe.
• Exemption from public notice requirements and third party appeal rights.
• Pre-set application requirements and assessment criteria.

How to apply

Visit our VicSmart application page and select ‘Development for 2 dwellings’ from the applications menu.

Apply now

Why do we request further information (RFI)?

When you first submit a new application for a planning permit, you may receive a letter requesting further information (RFI).

The information will help us to process your application. We may:

• ask for new sets of plans
• request further clarification on particular uses or proposed works
• provide comments (concerns and general advice) from a preliminary assessment.

Do you need to address any information items raised in the RFI?

You must address any information items listed by the RFI. Only concerns or comments at the bottom of the letter isn't mandatory.

Addressing these comments early on can help you avoid extra fees and time costs later down the track - from needing to apply for a section 57A amendment, pay additional fees, excessive permit conditions and/or receiving a refusal.

Contact us to speak with your planning officer.

Can you make changes to your planning permit application before submitting the requested information?

Yes, but you will need to instead submit a section 50 amendment to declare your changes. You must include all of the requested information in your RFI letter as well.

What happens if you can't get all the information or disagree with it?

You should speak with your planning officer about any concerns you may have.

When do you need to respond to the RFI letter?

You need to respond to the RFI letter by submitting all requested information before the due date on the letter, known as the 'lapse date'.

If we do not receive all requested information by this date, then your planning permit application will lapse (closed/cancelled) and no further work will be undertaken on your application. You will need to submit a new application, along with new fees and planning documentation should you wish to proceed with the proposal.

There is no way to pause applications, so if you are unable to submit requested information before the lapse date, then request an extension of time.

Can you reverse a lapsed planning permit application?

Unfortunately, there is no way to reverse a lapsed application. You will need to submit a new application, along with new fees and planning documentation.

How to submit requested information

To respond to further information, follow these steps:

1. Visit the planning applications portal
2. Search for your planning application
3. In the search results, select your planning applications ID number to view the application details
4. Scroll down to the bottom of the details and select the 'Respond to Further Information' button to start the request.

What happens next?

After you have submitted your response to the RFI letter, the Planning Officer will review the information and their response will depend on whether they are satisfied with the information you have provided.

If your response is satisfactory

Your application will proceed to the next stage.

If your response is not satisfactory

You will receive another RFI letter outlining the outstanding we information require.

Congratulations on your new best friend. Now that you have got your pet, you will need to register your microchipped pet with us.

Registering your pet lets you reunite with them quickly if they ever get lost.

When do you need to register?

Before your pet reaches three months (12 weeks) of age you need to:

1. microchip your pet with a vet and 
2. register them with us. 

You can only register your pet after they have been microchipped. 

Why does your pet need to be microchipped?

A microchip is a small computer chip about the size of a grain of rice - implanted just under your pet's skin between the shoulder blades at the back of the neck. It is a common, safe and painless procedure that takes a few seconds. Each microchip has a unique number that can be detected with a microchip scanner. 

A microchipped pet allows us to easily identify your pet to safely return to you if they become lost or stray. Always keep your contact details up to date. 

If you need an exemption from microchipping, you have to provide proof from a vet documenting why your pet's health would be harmed by the procedure.

Learn more

How much does registration cost?

Pet registration fees vary depending on your pet's circumstances. Check below if you are eligible for a discounted registration fee. 

Discounts also apply pets who are:

• desexed (see above fee table)
• over 10 years (see above fee table). 
   

How to register your pet

To register your pet, choose from the options below. Complete an application for each pet you are registering. Check if you need to apply for an excess animal permit.

Register online

To register a pet, you will need:

• your pet’s microchip number
• proof of desexing (desexing certificate) where appropriate
• a copy of pension concession card if you have one.

You can pay online by credit or debit card using our links below.

 For cats:

Less than six months of age

Cat less than six months of age

Cat less than six months of age – Pensioner discount only

Desexed: Over six months of age

Cat Desexed over six months of age

Cat Desexed over six months of age – Pensioner discount only

Not desexed: Over six months of age

Cat over six months of age

Cat over six months of age – Pensioner discount only

For dogs:

Less than six months of age

Dog less than six months of age

Dog less than six months of age - Pensioner discount only

Desexed: Over six months of age

Dog Desexed over six months of age 

Dog Desexed over six months of age - Pensioner discount only

Not desexed: Over six months of age

Dog over six months of age

Dog over six months of age - Pensioner discount only

Register in person or by mail

If you can not register online you can download and complete the Annual Pet Registration form.

Renew your pet registration

Each year, you need to renew your pet registration(s) by 10 April. We will send your renewal forms before this deadline so that you can review your pet's details and let us know if there are any updates or changes.

If any details are incorrect or incomplete, please contact us before making payment.

If all details are correct, pay the amount specified on the renewal form by the due date. This will ensure we can register your pet on time and avoid any extra costs being charged.

To renew:

• have your animal ID number ready
• select 'Renew now'. You can pay using Visa or MasterCard.

Renew now

Request a new pet registration tag

After registering your pet, you will get a tag to help with their safe return if they go missing.

If you have lost the tag or it’s damaged, you can request a new one.

Related links

• Microchipping of dogs and cats
• Domestic animal (microchip) registries
• Desexing cats and dogs
• Things you should know - declared dangerous dogs

Septic tanks need ongoing maintenance to make sure they function for an extended period of time.

If your septic tank gets blocked or malfunctions, it can be messy, costly to repair and poses a threat to our waterways, creating potential public health issues.

How to maintain your septic system

Different types of septic system each have specific maintenance requirements. It’s important for you to understand their own system. Below are some common questions.

How often should you clean a septic tank and grease trap?

Get your septic tank pumped out every three years for a family of up to five people. This can vary depending on how much wastewater enters the system (the more people using the system, the more often you need to pump out). After you have cleaned your septic tank, you must notify us.

If you have a grease trap, check how full it is every three months, and have it pumped out at least every six months.

Who can pump out a septic tank and grease trap?

To pump out your septic tank and grease trap, you must use specialist septic tank cleaning companies.

These specialists insert a large hose into the top lid of the septic tank and pump the sludge and scum up and into a temporary storage tank. This is then disposed at an EPA approved site (generally a commercial sewage treatment facility).

How to manage bad odours?

Sometimes new systems are smelly as the biological process gets established. If this is a problem, flush a handful of lime down the toilet every day for about a week or until the smell goes away.

Some plants can help effluent disposal trenches to function as they soak up water during the wetter months. Grasses are best near the first few rows of trenches because they have a root system that won’t invade the pipes.

Check with your local indigenous nursery for plants and grasses including:

• Weeping Grass,

• Purple-sheath Tussock-grass,

• Common Tussock-grass,

• Kangaroo Grass, Hooker’s Fescue,

• Australian Sweet Grass,

• Sedges including Tall, Tassel and Knob Sedges, Spiny-headed Mat-Rush, Pale Rush, Green Rush.

Or explore using other suitable water-loving plants including groundcovers, wildflowers and small shrubs.

Notify us of your septic tank clean

Each time you have your tank or cleaned, you must notify us.

Notify us

If you were not the driver and received a parking infringement notice then you may complete the nomination statement form below to have the infringement reissued to the correct person. Nominating another person is only available for parking infringements. 

How to nominate

To nominate another person, download and complete:

and then:

• email to manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au
• post to Manningham City Council, PO Box 1, Doncaster, Victoria 3108 or
• drop in at the customer service desk at Manningham Civic Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster.

Who can book a bundled branches collection?

If you have a residential bin collection service with us, you can choose to have up to two bundled branches or hard rubbish collections (or a combination of each) per calendar year. You can book:

• A standard collection (2m³)
  For a pile of 2m x 1m x 1m
• Or use both collections at once (4m³)
  For a pile of 4m x 1m x 1m

What items can and cannot be collected?

The bundled branches collections are dedicated for branches that cannot fit into your FOGO bin.

How to book

You can book online using the 'Book now' button or contact us.

Book now

How to cancel a booked collection

To cancel your bundled branches booking, contact us by 5.00pm on the Friday before the week of collection.