The Local Government Act 2020 requires candidates in a council election to return election campaign donations. Returns must be:

• done within 40 days after election day
• to the Chief Executive Officer.

Campaign donation returns on gifts to, and on behalf of candidates must contain the amount or value equal to, or exceeding the gift disclosure threshold of $500. This includes the amount or value of:

• goods
• services
• in-kind support.

Election campaign return details relate to the donation period and during an election campaign.

The donation period begins either:

• 30 days after the last general election for the council
• 30 days after the last election for the council at which the person required to give the election campaign donation return was a candidate
• whichever is the later and ending 30 days after election day in the current election for the council.

Within 14 days after the deadline for completed returns, summaries will be available on our website. They’ll be available until the entitlement date for the next general election.

Getting involved with your local council is a great way to make a difference in the community. Anyone can be a Councillor if they’re:

• an Australian citizen
• an eligible British subject
• enrolled to vote in Manningham.

Being a Councillor isn’t a full-time job. Councillors do have to go to meetings and briefing sessions held out of normal business hours. They’re also required to attend committees or serve on external committees as a representative.

The duties of a Councillor

The definition of a Councillor in the Local Government Act 2020 is a person who:

• participates in the decision making of the Council
• represents the interests of the municipal community in that decision making.

Councillors also contribute to strategic decision. They help develop and review key strategic documents and the Council Plan.

A Councillor must put the interests of their community first

A Councillor must:

• consider the diversity of interests and needs of the community
• support the role of the Council
• acknowledge and support the role of the Mayor
• act lawfully and in accordance with the oath or affirmation of office
• act in accordance with the standards of conduct
• comply with Council procedures required for good governance.

Councillors don’t have the same duties or responsibilities as a Chief Executive Officer.
 

How much time is required to be a Councillor?

Being a Councillor is not a full-time job. Most Councillors are in full-time employment and perform their Councillor duties in their own time.

Councillors are required to:

• attend Council meetings and briefing sessions held out of normal business hours
• attend various Council committees
• serve on external committees as a Council representative.

Most, but not all of these meetings, are held after 6.00pm.
 

Do Councillors receive an allowance?

The Mayor and Councillors receive an allowance for performing their duties. The Victorian Government sets the levels for allowances paid to Councillors.

Current allowances

The Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal has responsibility for determining the level of allowances.  The current yearly allowances, as of 18 December 2023, are:

• $130,390 for the Mayor
• $65,195 for the Deputy Mayor
• $39,390 for a Councillor. 

View the most recent Allowance report.

Superannuation

There is also a requirement for an amount equivalent to the superannuation guarantee under Commonwealth taxation legislation (currently 9.5 per cent) to be paid in addition to the allowance.

Expenses

Councillors are entitled to be reimbursed for any necessary out-of-pocket expenses they incur whilst performing their duties. The Council Expenses Policy guides the reimbursement of Councillor Expenses.

Council reports annually to the community on their reimbursements.

More information

Learn more about being a Councillor by following the links below.

• VEC - Becoming a Council Candidate
• MAV Citizen to Councillor Guide 2024
• Municipal Association of Victoria
• Victorian Local Governance Association
• Candidate Training (localgovernment.vic.gov.au)

Local Government Act 2020

Local Government in Victoria is administered under the Local Government Act 2020, which provides a framework for the establishment and operation of councils.

The Act is the main legislative instrument for Victoria's seventy-nine councils.

Part 1A of the Local Government Act contains the Local Government Charter, which describes the purpose, objectives and functions of council.

In addition to these matters, the Local Government Act also includes provisions for:

• entitlements for residents and ratepayers to vote in council elections
• the conduct of local council elections, nominations and vote counting
• independent Electoral Representation Reviews by an electoral commission
• council governance requirements, including codes of conduct and disclosure of conflicts of interest
• council decision making, including records of meetings, confidentiality and limits on decisions during election periods
• levying and payment of council rates and charges
• preparation of Council Plans, budgets and annual reports
• council's powers to make and enforce local laws.

Community Local Law

Manningham’s Community Local Law 2023 is a local law made under Part 3 of the Local Government Act 2020 and section 42 of the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

This Local Law is made in recognition of Manningham’s Generation 2030 Community Plan and the Council Plan, which, as Council’s overarching strategic documents, provide a long-term shared vision for Manningham and the community by guiding the development of policy and strategies.

Freedom of Information

Find out what information you can request and how in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

Request now

Information Privacy

Manningham City Council and its service providers value the privacy of every individual's personal information.

Council is committed to protecting the information it collects and uses by compliance with its obligations under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. To review Council’s privacy statement and policies, please visit Manningham Council's Privacy Policy.

Human Rights Charter

The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 is a law that protects the human rights of all people in Victoria.

The Charter requires all public authorities and their employees to act compatibly with human rights in the delivery of services and when making decisions.

Manningham City Council recognises and respects that everyone has the same human rights entitlement to allow them to participate in, and contribute to, society and our community. We recognise that all persons have equal rights in the provision of, and access to, Council services and facilities. We also recognise that, at times, such rights may be limited, insofar as to strike a balance between individual rights and the protection of public interest.

The Charter complements other laws such the Equal Opportunity legislation and protects rights such as freedom of speech, freedom from forced work and freedom from degrading treatment which previously had no legal protection. The Charter sets out a list of twenty rights that assist all people to live with freedom, respect, equality and dignity.

For more information:

• Visit the Department of Justice website
• Visit the Human Rights Commission website

Fraud and Corruption Control

Council is the custodian of significant public funds and assets therefore it is important that the community has assurance that these are adequately protected. 

In December 2022, Council approved the Manningham Council Fraud and Corruption Policy.

The Policy sets out specific guidelines and responsibilities regarding appropriate actions that must be followed for the investigation of fraud and corruption and other similar irregularities.

The Policy should be read together with the Manningham Risk Management Strategy and relevant legislation.

Public Interest Disclosures Procedures

The Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 (the Act) facilitates the making of public interest disclosures about improper conduct within the public sector without fear of reprisal. The Act aims to ensure openness and accountability by encouraging people to make disclosures and protecting them when they do.

Manningham is committed to the aims and objectives of the Act and encourages the making of disclosures about improper conduct. Council will not tolerate improper conduct by the organisation, its workers or Councillors nor the taking of reprisals against anyone who discloses such conduct.

What is a public interest disclosure?

Public Interest Disclosures (PID) are reports about:

• Improper conduct of public bodies or public officers (such as corrupt conduct).
• Detrimental action that a public body or public officer has taken against a person in reprisal for them (or another person) having made a PID or cooperating with the investigation of a PID.

A person making a disclosure must believe, on reasonable grounds, that the Council, worker or Councillor has engaged in, or proposes to engage in, improper conduct.

How do I make a public interest disclosure?

A PID may only be made by a natural person or a group of people making a joint disclosure. A PID cannot be made by a company or organisation.
We can only address disclosures that relate to Manningham City Council and its workers. A person making a disclosure can do so by contacting Council or the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC).

Council recommends that a written disclosure is sealed in an envelope and clearly marked:

• “Private and Confidential – Attention Mr Andrew McMaster, Chief Legal and Governance Officer”.
• Or by email to Andrew McMaster: andrew.mcmaster@manningham.vic.gov.au.

If your disclosure is about a Councillor, your disclosure must be made to the IBAC or the Victorian Ombudsman.

How will Manningham protect me if I make a disclosure?

Manningham will take all reasonable steps to protect a person who makes a public interest disclosure. All correspondence, phone calls and emails from a discloser will be referred to the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator.

The Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator will take all necessary steps to ensure that the identity of the discloser and the person who is the subject of the disclosure are kept confidential. Where appropriate welfare support will also be provided.

Who can I contact if I am thinking about making a public interest disclosure?

Anyone considering making a disclosure is encouraged to read Manningham’s Public Interest Disclosure Procedures on this page. The procedures will guide you through the process and help you understand how to make a disclosure and activate the protections available under the Act.

Disclosures to Manningham Council

Disclosures to Manningham should be made confidentially to the Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator or to one of the Public Interest Disclosure Officers listed below:

• Andrew McMaster, Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator, telephone 9840 9360
• Kerryn Paterson, Director Experience and Capability, telephone 9840 9201
• Carrie Bruce, Senior Governance Lead, telephone 9840 9210
• Vicki Miller, Risk and Assurance Lead, telephone 9840 9204

Disclosures to the IBAC

Disclosures can also be made directly to the IBAC.

• Address: Level 1, North Tower, 459 Collins Street, Melbourne 3001
• Telephone: 1300 735 135
• Online: You can also submit an online complaint at the IBAC website

Disclosures about Councillors

Disclosures about Councillors must be made directly to the Victorian Ombudsman

• Address: Level 2, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000
• Telephone: 9613 6222 or toll free to 1800 806 314
• Online: You can also submit an online complaint at the Victorian Ombudsman website

Alternatives to making a public interest disclosure

The Public Interest Disclosures Procedures are designed to complement normal methods of submitting a complaint to Council and existing communication channels between workers and line managers. If your complaint does not meet the threshold of a public interest disclosure, it will be referred through to the appropriate person for action.

Need more information?

You can find more information about public interest disclosures in the Guidelines for handling public interest disclosures on the IBAC website.

Manningham’s Public Interest Disclosures Procedures have been prepared in accordance with these guidelines and advice from the IBAC.

Please contact the Council’s Protected Disclosure Coordinator on 9840 9360 for further information or a confidential discussion. Advice can also be received from IBAC on a confidential basis.

Manningham Council is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who are in our care, who attend our services, programs and events and those who enjoy our outdoor play and community spaces.

Manningham Council is committed to implementing the Victorian Child Safe Standards, which are part of the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005.

Manningham Council is committed to:

• Creating an organisational culture of child safety
• Empowering children and young people
• Having robust practices in place for employees, volunteers, and contractors to reduce the risk of child abuse
• Ensuring employees, volunteers and contractors are clear about their responsibilities when they suspect abuse, harm or neglect of a child.

How to report a Child Safe Concern or Complaint

For immediate concerns contact the Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) Child Protection Eastern Division Intake Team on 1300 360 391 or 9843 6000; or the afterhours DHS Child Protection Emergency Service on 13 12 78.

If you have concerns about conduct involving a child or young person by a Manningham Council employee, volunteer or contractor or anyone working in a council facility, report your concerns to Manningham Council Child Safety Contact Officer, Ash Camm by:

• Phone: 0437 371 350
• Email: childsafetyofficer@manningham.vic.gov.au
• In writing:

Written and confidential child safety concerns or complaints sent through the post should be marked:

Strictly Confidential
Child Safety Contact Officer
Manningham City Council
PO Box 1
Doncaster VIC 3108

Helpful links

The Commission for Children and Young People website 

Victorian Child Safe Standards

The Residential Strategy outlines the key strategic directions and actions required to meet people’s diverse and changing housing needs and to ensure that Manningham’s suburbs remain liveable and vibrant over the longer term.

Focus areas:

• housing in urban areas
• housing in low density residential areas
• housing in the non-urban areas
• residential design, character and ecological sustainable development 
• connecting communities
• providing sustainable infrastructure provision
• affordable housing and affordable living options.

Related Pages

• Liveable City Strategy

Council Plan theme

We recognise the benefits of encouraging cycling within and through the municipality as a sustainable mode of transport - integral to improving the health of our community, improving safety, minimising congestion and achieving environmental benefits.

Focus areas:

• improved on-road and off-road cycling infrastructure, to connect to key destinations and generators
• improved end of trip facilities at key destinations and improve bicycle facilities on key routes
• educational and promotional activities to increase the community’s awareness of cycling as a viable form of transport for both commuting and recreational purposes.

Related pages

• Parking, Roads and Footpaths
• Road Safety Strategy

Council Plan theme

Manningham’s bushland is vital to the area’s character, health and identity, and is a haven for numerous native species. It provides a beautiful area for walking and being with nature. However, only a third of Manningham’s bushland remains, with the habitat quality reduced to a thin cover of eucalyptus trees. We are working hard to re-plant grasses and shrubs to improve habitat for the many native wildlife species that live in Manningham, such as koalas, echidnas and wombats.  

Focus areas:

• maintain and where possible, restore ecological processes
• manage and minimise threatening processes
• improve habitat
• protect threatened species.

Related Pages

Climate Emergency Response Plan

Manningham's Green Wedge

Council Plan theme