Our open spaces are the 'green lungs' of the City and are areas for our enjoyment. We are fortunate to have this wonderful “green” environment accessible by so many of our residents and visitors to enjoy a walk or cycle, take part in a sporting activity, meet friends or just relax in a natural setting.

Focus areas:

• to engage with the Manningham community and encourage involvement in public open space planning and management
• to partner with government, agencies, institutions and other land managers to improve our public open space network 
• to guide Council officers involved in the planning, development and management of Manningham’s public open space.

Related Pages

Liveable City Strategy

Council Plan theme

We acknowledge that embedding risk and building a risk culture is a journey. Our Risk Management Strategy provides the framework to handle risks and ensure the sustainability of our operations. Effective implementation of the Strategy will ensure top-down accountability, a risk-aware culture, integration into management processes, adequate resources, regular reporting, and continuous review. 

Focus areas:

• Assurance – Three Lines of Defence
• Risk Policy
• Risk Appetite Statement 
• Risk Tolerance
• Risk Register
• Executive Risk Committee
• Audit and Risk Committee.

Related pages

• 10 Year Financial Plan
• Budget

Council Plan theme

The Doncaster Hill Strategy provides an integrated planning response to the social, economic and environmental issues facing the Doncaster Hill Activity Centre. It provides a strategic framework for sustainable urban development and future land use. The strategy is designed to ensure that Doncaster Hill develops as a sustainable, vibrant, and inclusive urban centre, enhancing the quality of life for current and future residents​.

Focus areas:

• emphasis on environmentally sustainable design (ESD) principles
• development of a mixed-use urban village
• creation of a range of building heights that complement the natural topography of the area
• provision of diverse housing options to cater to various demographics and promote social interaction and community vibrancy
• development of well-connected public open spaces that foster social interaction, recreation, and a sense of place
• prioritization of pedestrian and bicycle accessibility
• integration of sustainable transport policies and infrastructure.

Related Pages

• Liveable City Strategy
• Residential Strategy
• Doncaster Hill Mode Shift Plan
• Doncaster Hill
• Doncaster Hill Community Garden

Council Plan theme

The Community Infrastructure Plan will direct Manningham’s significant investment in new and upgraded infrastructure and guide decisions to decommission those assets that no longer meet the needs of the community. It reflects two of our Council Plan 2021–2025 priorities for liveable places and spaces and for a healthy community.

Focus areas:

• Early Years
• Young People
• Libraries and learning spaces
• Arts and Culture
• Community meeting spaces
• Community Services (medical and legal services, material aid and aged care).

Council Plan theme

While Manningham Council’s preferred method of payment is our Accounts Payable system, the Procurement Card is designed to provide a convenient and cost effective way of purchasing when using the preferred method is not possible.

Focus areas:

• control features including authorisation of the card issuance, card limits, transaction limits, approval controls and weekly/monthly reconciliations
• reducing the instances of reimbursements to employees
• ensuring all transactions on the Procurement Card form part of the Council records and are available for release under Freedom of Information requests. 

Related pages

Procurement Policy

Council Plan theme

Our Community Engagement Policy ensures the community is involved in decisions that affect them through clear, inclusive, and respectful processes. Guided by the Local Government Act 2020 and the IAP2 Spectrum, it uses tools like surveys, workshops and digital platforms to gather input, ensuring transparency and trust while improving decisions to better meet community needs.

Focus areas:

The key principles of the Policy focus on creating meaningful and inclusive participation for everyone in the community. They include:

• Clear purpose: community engagement must have a clear goal and focus
• Informed participation: participants need timely, relevant, and unbiased information
• Inclusivity: engagement should represent everyone affected by the issue
• Supportive process: provide resources to ensure meaningful participation
• Transparency: explain how the engagement will shape Council decisions.

Related pages

Community Vision

Council Plan theme

We are responsible for delivering a wide range of services to support our community. Services that rely on multiple assets, which must be created, upgraded, renewed and maintained regularly and on time, if we are to continue delivering quality service provision.

Focus areas:

• $44 million boost to community infrastructure spending
• $108.3 million for buildings
• $1.5 million a year on building maintenance
• $40.3 million in expenditure for footpaths and cycleways
• $600,000 for expansion as part of our commitment to getting the basics right.

Related downloads

Council Plan theme

We are committed to ensuring that all people in our community are treated with dignity, respect and fairness. We will consider the gender, equality and diversity of all people in our community as we develop our plans, strategies and services.

Focus areas:

• an overarching policy and planning environment which commits Council to addressing gender equality and other disadvantage related to intersectionality
• leadership commitment, capability, and accountability
• an organisational culture which embraces gender equality, diversity, and inclusion
• people leaders and key staff who have the understanding, commitment, confidence, and skills to implement gender equity action, including Gender Impact Assessments
• policies and systems which enable effective action to progress gender equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Related Pages

Careers

Council Plan theme

The Templestowe Village Structure Plan seeks to provide greater certainty for residents, businesses and landowners regarding the future planning and development of Templestowe Village up to the year 2030.  It will assist us in determining planning permit applications and planning scheme amendment requests. The Plan will also guide Council investment in streetscape, open space and community facility development within the area. 

Focus areas:

• improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
• future development in the commercial core
• strategic redevelopment sites with considerations for built form, community facilities, and public amenities
• business development to enhance existing services and promote appropriate redevelopment
• housing opportunities and built form to encourage a mix of dwelling types and sustainable design
• public environment and public realm improvements to create visually appealing and accessible spaces
• public transport, traffic, and car parking enhancements to prioritize cycling, public transport, and safe traffic flow
• promoting safe and attractive pedestrian and bicycle routes throughout the area. ​
   

Related Pages

Liveable City Strategy

Vibrant Villages - Activity Centre Action Plan

Council Plan theme

One of our significant areas of open space is Donvale Reserve. It's a sporting hub for the local community and home to six sporting clubs and a preschool. This Reserve supports the active participation of more than 800 club members and 100 volunteers throughout the year. Many local residents access the Reserve regularly to walk, play and exercise with family and friends.

Focus areas:

• improve the broad range of formal recreational services and programs based at the Reserve, including building and facility upgrades
• improve pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular access to and within the Reserve to encourage greater use and increase safety
• maintain and enhance opportunities for informal recreation
• protect the existing environment and encourage improved environmental practices for future use, development and management of the Reserve.

Related Pages

• Donvale Reserve

Council Plan theme

The purpose of the Domestic Wastewater Management Plan is to manage domestic wastewater systems. It integrates with the Stormwater Management Plan and the Manningham Planning Scheme, and is an essential strategic planning tool to address existing and future wastewater issues within Manningham.

Focus areas:

• Improve and protect public health
• Promote the principles of environmental sustainability by reducing the impacts of domestic wastewater on local creeks, streams and remote receiving environments
• Continue to engage with property owners regarding septic tank management and ongoing maintenance responsibilities
• Identify properties that would benefit from an alternative sewerage solution and refer these to Yarra Valley Water (YVW) for inclusion in their Community Sewerage Program
• Advocate on behalf of the community to ensure the same access to sewerage infrastructure (reticulated or onsite solutions) as the rest of the Melbourne population
• Support YVW in applying their powers of enforcement for properties that continue to discharge to stormwater.

Related Pages

• Manningham Planning Scheme

Council Plan theme

Rieschiecks Reserve provides areas of open space, a sporting oval, pavilion, recreation centre, Schramms Cottage museum, cricket and football facilities, scout hall, playground, public toilets and carparks. It is located across Victoria Street from Ruffey Lake Park. The Reserve exists within one of the most populated residential communities within Manningham including four primary schools and two secondary colleges in a one kilometre vicinity.

Focus areas:

• Improve physical access including pedestrian, cycling and vehicular access and flow to and through the site.
• Assess and improve the infrastructure for formal sport, recreation and community facilities within Rieschiecks Reserve.
• Improve opportunities whilst retaining existing character for informal and passive recreation values at Rieschiecks Reserve.
• Protect and conserve the heritage values of the Reserve for current and future generations

Related Pages

• Rieschiecks Reserve

Council Plan theme