Manningham Council is encouraging local seniors community groups and clubs to apply for a new Seniors Club Support Grants program, aimed at supporting initiatives that benefit and empower older people in Manningham.

These grants provide up to $8,000 in funding and can be used for a wide range of activities, including digital literacy programs, creative writing classes, or exercise sessions.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange invites clubs and group to apply for a grant.

“This is a chance for our dedicated seniors clubs and groups to receive support for new programs that boost the health and wellbeing of their members.” Cr Lange said.

“It’s also an opportunity to support initiatives where our older community, family members and carers to come together and make meaningful connections.

“A lack of social connection can really affect older individuals and their caregivers. These grants provide great opportunities to get involved in a safe and welcoming environment.”

Applications open on Monday 5 August and close on Wednesday 4 September.

Council is hosting a free grant writing workshop for existing Seniors Clubs members on Tuesday 6 August at the Manningham Function Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster.

Bookings are essential and limited to two people per organisation.

To register, visit manningham.vic.gov.au/events/manningham-grant-writing-workshop-seniors-club-support-grant. 

For more information or to apply, visit manningham.vic.gov.au/community-grants or contact the Community Grants team on 9840 9333 or grants@manningham.vic.gov.au.

Drink bottles, cartons and cans can be returned for a 10-cent refund at Manningham’s first reverse vending machine.

The Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) is designed to increase recycling and reduce litter, while delivering economic benefits to the community.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange, encouraged community members to take advantage of the opportunity to more conveniently recycle their eligible containers.

“We all need to work together to take responsibility for how we dispose of waste. Let’s improve our recycling efforts, while supporting a sustainable future and the local economy along the way. Our recycling actions create products for future generations and ongoing sustainability for our community,” Cr Lange said.

Cr Lange was joined by Deputy Mayor Laura Mayne, Director City Services Rachelle Quattrocchi, Visy Co-owner Fiona Geminder, Visy CEO Mark De Wit, Visy Executive General Manager Wayne Russell, Visy General Manager Container Deposit Scheme Tim O’Donnell at the new reverse vending machine installed at Rieschiecks Reserve this morning.

“The reverse vending machines are automated, purpose-built and can capture up to 10,000 eligible containers each day. They can be used from 7.00am to 8.00pm daily and include acoustic panels for sound proofing and external lighting for enhancing safety and security.

Reverse vending machines will help make recycling more convenient and accessible said Tim O’Donnell, Visy General Manager Container Deposit Scheme.

“The Manningham community has already embraced CDS Vic in its first few weeks, returning their containers through over-the-counters and depots. Reverse vending machines are another way for sports and community clubs to be rewarded for recycling, as every bit counts when it comes to fundraising efforts.”

The community can choose to receive their refund via an electronic transfer through the downloadable CDS Vic North app for iOS or Android, a voucher or as a donation to a charity or community group. The community can also return eligible containers to over-the-counter sites across Manningham, for cash refunds.

“This initiative rewards recycling and allows used cans, bottles and other eligible containers to be repurposed into new products,” Cr Lange said.

“I’m confident that having the reverse vending machines in such convenient locations locally will significantly reduce litter and deliver positive community fundraising and environmental outcomes.”

Locals can now use the Rieschiecks Reserve reverse vending machine installed at Rieschiecks Reserve, 125-149 George Street, Doncaster East with further locations to open locally in coming months.

CDS Vic is part of the Victorian Government's $515 million investment to transform the state's waste and recycling sector. The scheme will contribute to Victoria's target of diverting 80 per cent of all material away from landfill by 2030.

The initiative will support community efforts towards achieving net zero community emissions by 2035 as set out in Council’s Climate Emergency Response Plan.

Find out more about CDS Vic.

Find the nearest refund locations in Manningham.

Photo left to right: Visy Executive General Manager Wayne Russell, Visy General Manager Container Deposit Scheme Tim O’Donnell, Director City Services, Rachelle Quattrocchi, Visy CEO Mark De Wit, Visy Co-owner Fiona Geminder, Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange, Deputy Mayor Laura Mayne, and Coordinator Waste and Resource Recovery Linda Kenworthy at Rieschiecks Reserve’s Container Deposit Scheme reverse vending machine.

Manningham Council is preparing a submission to the State Government's proposed new housing targets.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange, said the submission would draw on Council’s significant strategic planning work and community feedback.

“We’ll use our existing planning and community data to advocate for a range of outcomes that support Manningham’s current and emerging needs,” Cr Lange said.

The State Government has proposed a draft target of 39,000 new dwellings in Manningham by 2051. This target represents a 76 per cent increase in dwellings over the next 26 years or around 1,500 dwellings per year.

Cr Lange said this represented a significant increase in growth projections for Manningham.

“Over many years, Manningham Council has accepted growth, planned for growth and managed growth in a balanced and incremental way – in close consultation with our local community.

“The increased growth projections, and absence of detailed information provided, are a concern for Council, however we welcome the opportunity to engage with the State Government to ensure positive outcomes for the future of housing in Manningham.

“We’re eager to better understand the thinking and data behind the targets and how the state and federal governments will support the market to provide this additional housing,” the Mayor added. 

Council recently undertook comprehensive community engagement on its Residential Discussion Paper and Activity Centre Design Concepts. These initial phases of engagement will assist in preparation of the draft new Manningham Residential Strategy and Activity Centre Design Guidelines.

As part of the Residential Discussion Paper consultation, more than 70 per cent of respondents said the ‘look and feel of their suburb’ was their main reason for living there.

Respondents also identified a need for more diverse housing types, including more single level townhouses for downsizers and larger housing to suit intergenerational families.

When asked about preferred housing types needed for the future, single dwellings were the top choice (40 per cent), followed by townhouses (23 per cent).

The community expressed similar values and preferences in their feedback on the Activity Centre Design Concepts.  

Around half of the survey participants identified as visiting Park Orchards and Warrandyte Goldfield activity centres most often. Many of these respondents urged the importance of protecting these areas from development because of the sensitive environment, valued character and amenity, and lack of public transport.

“The valuable community insights received through our recent consultations will help inform our submission to the State Government,” Cr Lange said.

“Plans for future housing growth should respect the valued neighbourhood attributes of local communities.

“Planning also needs to ensure that the housing delivered is diverse and provides for a range of incomes, lifestyles and life stages. It should also consider the impact on core infrastructure (roads, footpaths, drainage, community facilities), the environment, public transport, traffic and more. 

“In addition to commercial development, we also expect that our major and neighbourhood activity centres will play an integral role in accommodating urban growth and development in Manningham,” she said.

To date this financial year, Council has approved planning permits for 651 dwellings – with 88 per cent of all our decisions made within the 60-day statutory timeframe.

Like other Councils, Manningham has issued permits for many homes that have not yet been built. As has been widely reported, the delivery of these already approved homes on the ground are challenged by the current economic conditions and rapidly increasing construction costs.

Council will keep the community informed throughout the engagement process with the State Government.

Residents are encouraged to have their say on the State Government’s plan for Victoria or learn more about the draft housing targets at engage.vic.gov.au/shape-our-victoria.

Manningham Council is investigating options to rehabilitate the site of the former Doncaster Quarry after identifying issues that prevent the land from being developed in its current state.

Earlier this year, Council sought expressions of interest for the potential development of the former quarry site, located at 620-628 Blackburn Road in Doncaster East. 

This process was part of Manningham Council's Strategic Property Portfolio initiative, which aims to find new ways of funding the increasing costs of services and infrastructure locally.

Due to issues with the quarry site limiting the financial return of any proposed development, the expressions of interest received were not found to be feasible. 

Manningham Council Chief Executive Officer Andrew Day said due to issues with fill, compaction, water and slope, the site will need to undergo rehabilitation before it could be developed.

“Our focus for the former Doncaster quarry site has shifted to rehabilitating the land site to support potential further development.”

The first step will be an investigation into what is required to remediate the land for future use and development. 

The findings of this investigation will be presented to Council mid next year.

“We only get one opportunity to determine the future of this site, and we want to ensure the best financial return for the community. Once we understand what is required to rehabilitate the site, we will be in a better position to assess its potential,” Mr Day added.

For more information, go to Your Say Manningham.
 

With support from Manningham Council, the new Jackson Court Traders Association has seen the launch of its first initiative – a welcoming new sign at Jackson Court Shopping Centre.

Formed just over a year ago, the Jackson Court Traders Association advocates for its businesses, collaborates with Council, pursues funding opportunities and creates initiatives to promote the popular activity centre.

Jackson Court has more than 90 businesses, making it one of Manningham’s busiest and most vibrant centres. 

The new sign on Doncaster Road is designed to showcase the mix of local businesses and advertise the centre.

Manningham Council supports activity centres with infrastructure upgrades, business support and planning. At Jackson Court, Council helped establish the traders’ association with registration, governance, communication and business development support.

President of the Jackson Court Traders Association, Con Valsamis said the sign brings a new look and increased advertising space for businesses at the centre.

"As a group, we have so many ideas on ways to continue improving this important shopping district. This new signage is a big step towards us achieving these goals,” Mr Valsamis said.

“A big thank you to my fellow committee members for their passion and dedication and to Manningham Council for their support in setting up our traders association.” 

“We want to bring this area to life and really show people what we at Jackson Court have to offer,” Mr Valsamis added. 

You can follow Jackson Court Traders Association on Instagram @jacksoncourt.doncaster.