A new wave of youth leadership is making its mark as the 2025 Manningham Youth Advisory Committee (MYAC) steps forward to amplify young voices in local decision-making.

Together, these members will help shape our initiatives and contribute to meaningful, positive changes across our community.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante welcomed the newly appointed committee members and reiterated Council’s commitment to elevating youth voices.

"Our young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow – they’re leaders today. This committee ensures their voices are heard and their ideas help shape a stronger, more inclusive community,” Cr Diamante said.

“Young people bring fresh perspectives and bold ideas. By giving them a platform, we’re helping build a community that reflects the hopes and needs of all generations,” she said.

Returning member Sienna Strangis shared their excitement about the new term. 

“Young people are just as diverse as the wider community, and it's essential that we’re represented in the decision-making process. Being at the table ensures our voices are heard on the issues that matter to us.”

The committee’s 2025 priorities are:

• youth safety and crime prevention
• transport and accessibility – enhancing public transport options, supporting young people without a driver’s license, and improving pedestrian and traffic safety
• recreation and public facilities – upgrading local recreation facilities, creating more inclusive community spaces, and increasing green and open areas
• community inclusion and engagement – encouraging volunteering, local opportunities for all youth, and responding to global challenges like climate change and displacement through local action
• housing and youth support services – advocating for more affordable housing and expanded youth support programs and financial assistance
• education and civic participation
• environmental sustainability.

In collaboration with Council and the broader community, MYAC members will play a key role in shaping local policies and programs, promoting positive change and empowering young people as confident and active leaders.

Now in its fourth year, MYAC has a renewed structure that better reflects the diversity of our local community. 

The 2025 committee is made up of:

• 9 public representatives aged between 15 to 25 who live, work or study in Manningham (including 3 returning members)
• 7 school representatives, each nominated by one of Manningham’s secondary schools, collectively representing nearly 9,000 students
• 4 youth service representatives, nominated by Manningham Youth Services (Each).

The committee remains a vital platform for young people to share their perspectives, develop leadership skills and gain experience that supports their personal, educational and professional growth.

We encourage all young people in Manningham to stay engaged and get involved.

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. 

Since declaring a Climate Emergency in 2020, we’ve been working hard to reach our zero emission targets for Council by 2028 and the community by 2035.

Now, we’re proud to release an implementation update on our Climate Emergency Response Plan, which details the progress we’ve made, what’s next and how you can get involved.

Our big wins

From electrifying our facilities to decreasing landfill waste, we’ve accelerated our climate action in the past four years.

In turn, we’re enhancing the liveability of Manningham and promoting community health and wellbeing. We’re also boosting the resilience of our natural and built environments, as well as the local economy.  

We’re proud to have: 

• reduced landfill waste by more than 50 per cent since introducing Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) bins
• converted all Council-owned facilities and street lighting to 100 per cent renewable energy from regional Victorian wind farms 
• begun transitioning our vehicles and plant equipment to be fully electric
• planted more than 2,000 advanced trees and over 15,000 shrubs and grasses each year in our parks, reserves and bushland areas.

How you can help

Climate action is something everyone can do at home, work, school – or in your community.

Whether it’s electrifying your home, growing your own food, joining a community group or attending one of our Inspired Living Series events, there’s something for everyone.

Need more ideas?

Download our Climate Emergency Response Plan - Implementation Update below for more ways to act on climate in Manningham.

Next steps for Council

We have 10 years to reduce emissions to net zero. This ambitious goal will require a collective effort to secure a safer, healthier climate for our generation – and every one after.  

To realise our net zero target by 2035, we’re implementing changes across the following themes:

• energy transition
• sustainable transport
• climate resilient communities
• natural systems
• sustainable water
• circular economy

You can see a detailed breakdown of what this looks like in our Climate Emergency Response Plan - Implementation Update.

We’re currently seeking community input on our proposed upgrade of Larnoo Playground to improve facilities for the community. 

We have created a concept plan and are inviting community members to share their thoughts via Your Say Manningham by Friday 20 December 2024.

The proposed upgrade will include new play equipment, new park furniture, new shade sail, and new tree and garden bed planting.

This project is part of our Parks Improvement Program and will be delivered under our 2024/25 open space capital works program.