The April issue of Manningham Matters is out this week, it will be delivered to your letterbox from Monday 14 April. 

Each issue of Manningham Matters is distributed via Australia Post’s Unaddressed Mail Service, which can take up to a week to reach all households in Manningham.

Unfortunately for the April issue, Australia Post has advised us of capacity limits with this service, which means we will be posting copies of the magazine out to some areas.

Residents and businesses in Warrandyte, Park Orchards and the Manningham areas of Ringwood North and Nunawading will receive the April issue of the magazine in an addressed envelope, rather than loose in their letterbox.

Take a read of this month's magazine:

If you haven't received your hard copy of the magazine by Wednesday 23 April and would like one posted to you, contact us.   

While it might look like a regular street post, this is a ‘virtual fence’, designed to protect our local wildlife.

Virtual fences are activated by approaching headlights and emit sound and light to deter animals from crossing the road. 

Local wildlife rescuer, Katja Gutwein, has seen the benefits of these fences firsthand.

“The virtual fence is a low-cost solution that has drastically reduced wildlife fatalities and improved safety for all road users,” she explained.

By preventing animals from darting onto the road, these fences help protect both wildlife and drivers.

If you see a flashing light along Jumping Creek Road, it’s likely from a virtual fence. We’ve installed 20 in the area to help protect both wildlife and road users.

We know the virtual fences can look suspiciously like cameras, but these lights are alerting animals to your car’s presence and deterring them from crossing the road.  

Please keep our wildlife safe by leaving the fences alone. 

If you spot any damage to the fences, contact us on (03) 9840 9333 or email environment@manningham.vic.gov.au. 

These fences were installed as part of the Jumping Creek Road upgrade. 

For more information on this project, visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/jumping-creek-road-upgrade.

Council has endorsed Manningham’s suite of key strategic documents, marking a decisive step toward building a vibrant and sustainable future. This includes its Council Plan 2025-2029 and 2025/26 Budget. 

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante said: “It’s essential that Council’s actions reflect what truly matters to the people who live here – what they value, what they want improved and what kind of future they envision for our neighbourhoods. 

“Endorsing these strategic documents is more than a procedural step. It’s a commitment to delivering real and lasting outcomes for our community.

“Together, they set a clear direction for the future – one that is community-led, inclusive and focused on delivering meaningful outcomes for everyone who calls Manningham home,” Cr Diamante said.

At its meeting on Monday 30 June, Council formally endorsed the following documents:

•  Council Plan 2025-2029 (including the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan) and supporting Action Plan 
•  2025/26 Budget (an annual document)
• 10-Year Financial Plan 2025/26 to 2034/35
• Revenue and Rating Plan 2025/26 to 2028/29
• Asset Plan 2025–2035 and Asset Management Policy

The endorsed documents are the result of extensive community engagement. They have been shaped by the Manningham Community Panel’s recommendations, the Community Vision 2040, and feedback from the broader community, advisory bodies, partners, Councillors and Council officers.

“We’ve listened to our community’s concerns, priorities and aspirations for Manningham. From the rising cost of living, community safety, access to transport and open spaces, and protecting the unique character of our neighbourhoods as we grow – we understand what matters most to you.

“Together, we’ve created a roadmap that reflects our shared values and sets us on a path toward a healthier, more connected and resilient future,” Cr Diamante said.

At the heart of the Council Plan is a strong focus on building a healthier, more vibrant city. 

For the first time, Council has integrated its Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan into the Council Plan to ensure a unified approach to achieving the highest possible standard of public health and wellbeing, while meeting legislated obligations.

“We know that building a great city isn’t just about infrastructure and services. It’s about the health, happiness and resilience of our people. This integrated approach ensures that every decision we make supports the wellbeing of our community, now and into the future.

"Together, all these strategic documents lay the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive Manningham – one that reflects our community’s voice and is ready to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead," Cr Diamante said.

View Council’s full suite of strategic documents, including the Council Plan 2025-2029, 2025/26 Budget.
 

We've partnered with two of Australia’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging operators to set up a network of nine public charging stations across Manningham.

The partnership with JOLT Charge and Evie Networks will deliver universal direct current chargers at key commercial and tourist destinations from early 2025.

The chargers will be situated on our land and powered by 100% renewable energy. Their supply, installation, operation, and maintenance will be fully financed by the private sector at no cost to us.

By providing public charging stations, we aim to accommodate the increasing use of electric vehicles, especially following new legislated vehicle standards.

A 2023 community survey in Manningham revealed strong community support for local public charging facilities and highlighted the dependence of many local EV drivers on public chargers.

Locations for the chargers are being investigated, focusing on areas where the community can take advantage of the 30 to 40 minute charge time to visit local cafes and restaurants, retail outlets, and sporting facilities.

The final locations will depend on technical feasibility, particularly access to adequate power supply.

For more information, download the brochure below:

Council has endorsed Manningham’s suite of key strategic documents, marking a decisive step toward building a vibrant and sustainable future. These include our Council Plan 2025-2029 and 2025/26 Budget. 

Our Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante, said: “It’s essential that Council’s actions reflect what truly matters to the people who live here – what they value, what they want improved and what kind of future they envision for our neighbourhoods. 

“Endorsing these strategic documents is more than a procedural step. It’s a commitment to delivering real and lasting outcomes for our community.

“Together, they set a clear direction for the future – one that is community-led, inclusive and focused on delivering meaningful outcomes for everyone who calls Manningham home,” Cr Diamante said.

At its meeting on Monday 30 June, Council formally endorsed the following documents:

• Council Plan 2025-2029 (including the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan) and supporting Action Plan 
•  2025/26 Budget (an annual document)
• 10-Year Financial Plan 2025/26 to 2034/35
• Revenue and Rating Plan 2025/26 to 2028/29
• Asset Plan 2025–2035 and Asset Management Policy

The endorsed documents are the result of extensive community engagement. They have been shaped by the Manningham Community Panel’s recommendations, the Community Vision 2040, and feedback from the broader community, advisory bodies, partners, Councillors and Council officers.

“We’ve listened to our community’s concerns, priorities and aspirations for Manningham. From the rising cost of living, community safety, access to transport and open spaces, and protecting the unique character of our neighbourhoods as we grow – we understand what matters most to you.

“Together, we’ve created a roadmap that reflects our shared values and sets us on a path toward a healthier, more connected and resilient future,” Cr Diamante said.

At the heart of the Council Plan is a strong focus on building a healthier, more vibrant city. 

For the first time, we've integrated our Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan into the Council Plan to ensure a unified approach to achieving the highest possible standard of public health and wellbeing, while meeting legislated obligations.

“We know that building a great city isn’t just about infrastructure and services. It’s about the health, happiness and resilience of our people. This integrated approach ensures that every decision we make supports the wellbeing of our community, now and into the future.

"Together, all these strategic documents lay the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive Manningham – one that reflects our community’s voice and is ready to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead," Cr Diamante said.

View our full suite of strategic documents, including the Council Plan 2025-2029, 2025/26 Budget.
 

Manningham residents can now receive tailored support across most stages of the electrification journey, thanks to Solar Savers. 

Solar Savers has expanded its program to include more suppliers and product choices, as well as home energy assessments. Through Solar Savers, residents can now also see the potential savings involved in going electric, as well as the most impactful upgrades for their home. 

Solar Savers is a trusted local government initiative that offers personalised advice, vetted quotes and ongoing support to ensure households make informed decisions on home electrification. 

Alongside solar panels, batteries, reverse cycle air conditioners and hot water heat pumps, the program now supports upgrades like EV chargers, induction cooktops, draught-proofing and insulation. 

Home energy assessments, performed by Government-accredited assessors, provide tailored in-home advice – helping householders choose the best upgrades for their home.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante said this offering will provide residents with greater confidence, choice and convenience when making energy-efficient upgrades.

“Solar Savers takes the hassle out of researching energy upgrades and finding reliable suppliers,” Cr Diamante said.

“By simplifying the switch to electric appliances and systems, we’re supporting our community to reduce emissions and reach our target of net zero by 2035,” she said.

Electrifying your home helps lower energy bills, while also contributing to cleaner, greener Manningham.

Learn more at manningham.vic.gov.au/electrify-your-life.

The much-loved Spring Outdoors Festival is back this September, with a jam-packed program of free and low-cost events for all ages.

Running from September to November, the festival – a partnership program of Manningham, Banyule and Nilumbik Councils – features more than 50 events celebrating nature, sustainability and local biodiversity. 

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante said the festival is a much-anticipated part of the annual calendar, offering the community a chance to connect with the environment and each other. 

“We’re lucky to live in an area with such incredible biodiversity and green spaces,” Cr Diamante said.

“The Spring Outdoors Festival is all about inspiring our community to get outside, learn something new and take simple steps that help our environment thrive.”

This year’s program shines a light on biodiversity, with environment seminars, a wildlife gardening seminar series, a guided nature walk and more. 

Festival highlights include:

• Breakfast with the platypus river walk (Sunday 7 September, 6:45am to 8:30am)
• Backyard birds of Warrandyte (Tuesday 14 October, 11:00am to 12:00pm)
• Wildlife Gardening Seminar Series: Attracting wildlife and birds into the garden (Thursday 30 October, 7:00pm to 9:00pm)
• Star gazing night at Ruffey Lake Park (Friday 17 October, 8:00pm to 10:00pm)

The festival kicks off on 7 September and runs until November. Bookings are essential.

For the full program and to register, visit manningham.vic.gov.au/spring-outdoors