Manningham’s leafy streets are a defining feature of our vibrant community. As our neighbourhoods continue to evolve, it’s more important than ever to protect and strengthen our tree canopy.

Why every tree counts in Manningham

Canopy trees are large, mature trees that provide shade. They reduce urban heat, support biodiversity, enhance air quality and create healthy environments for everyone.

With the largest loss of tree cover in Manningham occurring on private land, every tree matters – and your garden is one of the most powerful places to start. By planting and protecting canopy trees at home, you can help rebuild local tree cover and support our community’s long-term environmental health.

How to choose the right canopy tree for your garden

Manningham’s diverse landscapes mean different areas are better suited to different tree species.

Wondering which tree suits your garden best? Indigenous species are perfectly suited to our local climate and soils, and also improve biodiversity. Native Splendour provides a list of trees and shrubs indigenous to Manningham.

Alternatively, explore our Precinct and Tree Character Mapping Guide – a helpful tool to match your location with the ideal tree species.

Simply identify your precinct, then browse the recommended tree palette for your area. If you're looking to plant a canopy tree, be sure to check the column marked ‘Large’ for options that offer generous shade and long-term impact.

Things to keep in mind when selecting your tree

• Growth and space: Select a tree that will have the space to reach its natural size. Consider how close the tree is to buildings and other structures. If you’re unsure about the underground utility infrastructure in your garden, check out Before You Dig Australia (BYDA). 
• Supporting wildlife: Native trees provide food and shelter for local wildlife and boost biodiversity. Explore our gardening guide, Native Splendour, to find a list of our indigenous trees and shrubs.  
• Seasonal changes: Evergreen trees keep their leaves all year long, providing consistent greenery, while deciduous trees drop them seasonally – allowing for more winter sun. With both providing benefits, it’s a matter of preference.  
• Soil type: Different trees grow best in different soils. Consider whether your soil is sandy, clay-based or well-draining – and choose a tree that suits.  

We deeply appreciate your efforts in helping us preserve and grow our urban forest. 
 

UPDATED: 16 September 2025 with revised timeline and information on the JOLT App.

Our first electric vehicle (EV) charging station is now live in Bulleen!

The EV charger is at 178-180 Bulleen Road in Bulleen, at the corner of Austin Street. 

This location was chosen as it’s close to commercial, recreational and tourist destinations, and has access to a reliable power supply. 

Powered by renewable energy, this Jolt fast charger features the Combined Charging System (CCS), which is the industry-standard connector for EVs in Australia.

How many EVs can charge at this location?

There is one charger, servicing 2 parking bays. This lets 2 EVs charge at once! 

The parking bays are designated only for EV charging. 

How much does the charging cost?

The charger allows 7kWh of free daily charge (up to 50km of range), with additional charge costing $0.62 per kWh.

What do I need to charge?

To charge up, you will need to download the JOLT App via the App Store or Google Play and register an account. JOLT's charging and payment is all managed through the JOLT App.

Learn more about JOLT's charging.

Where’s next?

This charging station is part of a broader rollout of 9 public EV charging stations across Manningham.

The next EV charger to be installed will be in Doncaster East (near Devon Plaza), and is scheduled for early 2026. Donburn Village is expected to follow shortly after that. 

Find out more 

For more information, download the brochure below. 

Regardless of which holidays you celebrate; the festive season is a time when we often come together and it’s important to remember that sustainability never takes a holiday. The choices we make during this time have a profound impact on the environment, so here are a couple of tips to make this festive season more sustainable.

Plan your menu

Each year, Victorian households throw away 250,000 tonnes of food. That’s the equivalent weight of 100 Aquarena outdoor swimming pools! The reality is, about one third of all food produced for human consumption becomes waste. Luckily, reducing the amount of food we waste doesn’t need to be difficult, it just takes a bit of planning. 

Firstly, shop at local markets. Buying local produce is generally fresher, lasts longer, has less embodied energy and is usually free of packaging, meaning that you can purchase the quantity you need and reduce your waste from the source. 

Secondly, storing food correctly can also go a long way to reducing the amount of waste you create. Placing food in airtight containers and organising your fridge and pantry can help prevent unwanted spoilage. Too many leftovers? Try freezing them (if it’s safe to do so) or try new recipes that incorporate your leftovers. Not only does this reduce food waste, but it’s also a great way to discover new recipes! 

And lastly, if you must dispose of your food waste, ensure you are using your FOGO bin correctly so that it can be turned into nutrient rich compost.  

Dine wisely

In addition to food, we also produce a lot of waste when cooking and eating. Avoid disposable tableware such as plates, cups and cutlery as most of these can’t be recycled, and instead opt for reusable alternatives and wash them at the end of the day. Did you know you can also make your own bon bons from fabric napkins and a little bit of string? 

It wouldn’t be a summer festive season without a barbeque. If you must use disposable cookware, remember to choose aluminium trays and foil as these can be placed in your yellow lid recycling bin, even if there is a small amount of burnt-on food or oil. Simply remove food scraps and scrunch them into a ball.

Gift consciously

The most sustainable gifts are those that will be used. Making a conscious effort to give your family and friends items that they will actually use is a great way to reduce the amount of waste you contribute to this festive season. Consider shopping for second hand items at op shops or online marketplaces to divert other items from landfill and save some money in the process.

Wrap smart

Now that you’ve got your sustainable gifts organised, you need to wrap them. Did you know Australians use 150,000 km of wrapping paper over the festive season? That’s almost enough to circle the earth four times over! We can significantly reduce the amount of waste we create by ‘wrapping’ gifts in reusable bags or fabric. 

If you must wrap with paper, ensure that it is recyclable because not all wrapping paper can be put in your kerbside recycling bin. You can place any gift wraps made from kraft paper or recycled paper in your yellow lid recycling bin, although you cannot place any wrapping paper made from foil or with other items stuck to them (such as ribbons or bows). Paper cards can also be recycled, but not those embellished with glitter or foil – these must be placed in your red lid garbage bin.

There are many ways to make this festive season a more sustainable one. By making thoughtful decisions and considering the broader impact of your choices, you can celebrate in a way that honours both tradition and the environment.

If you are confused about what to do with an item this festive season, visit our webpage on how to dispose your items.

We’re developing a Nature Plan to help protect and enhance our environment over the next 15 years. 

The Plan will set a strategic direction for the future of our biodiversity and tree canopy assets, while also responding to challenges such as urbanisation, habitat loss and biodiversity decline.

It will also look to enhance Manningham’s bushland areas, landscape scale habitat connections, tree canopy, and provide recommendations to allow our natural environment to thrive and communities to live in a cooler, greener environment. 

Make your voice heard 

We want to hear your thoughts on:

• What our top priorities should be in protecting and enhancing our environment?  
• What practical solutions can help address these challenges?
• What type of Council support would be most helpful to you and the community? 

Share your ideas by:

• Completing our online survey
• Registering your interest in a workshop 

To get involved, visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/nature-plan.
 

Looking to enhance the comfort and energy efficiency of your home, but not sure where to start? 

Solar Savers takes the hassle out of home energy upgrades by engaging quality suppliers and negotiating competitive prices. 

The program has now expanded to include more suppliers and product choices, as well as home energy assessments. 

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

Solar Savers can now show you how much you could save by going electric and the upgrades that will make the biggest impact.

For more tailored in-home advice, home energy assessments are also available to help you choose the best upgrades for your household.

Electrifying your home helps lower bills, while also creating a cleaner, greener Manningham. It’s also the fastest way to reach our community target of net zero emissions by 2035.

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

With winter behind us, it’s the perfect time to rediscover our region’s natural beauty. 

The Spring Outdoors Festival is an opportunity to connect with nature through a broad program of environmental events. 

Banyule, Manningham and Nillumbik Councils are proud to collaborate again to offer our communities exciting experiences in nature.

There are events to suit families, children and individuals of all ages.

Want to hear about more events like this?

Subscribe to our Environment E-newsletter

We’re upgrading park benches and picnic tables to make our public spaces more welcoming, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

As part of our Park Furniture Renewal Program, we’re rebuilding, repainting and installing new furniture in parks throughout Manningham. 

This means more comfortable places to sit, gather and enjoy our stunning natural environment.

The upgrades come from a park furniture review, which found that it was smarter to rebuild items than it was to replace them. This approach saves around $3,000 to $5,000 per item and is less environmentally intensive.

What you’ll see

Over the next 6 months, we will:

• rebuild 48 benches and tables 
• install 21 new pieces of park benches or tables
• repaint or stain dozens more to extend their life. 

We’re also repositioning some furniture to better suit mobility needs, so our parks are inclusive for all. 

These upgrades are part of our commitment to creating sustainable, well-maintained parks that support a connection to our environment and each other.
 

We’re making the Doncaster Hill Community Garden safer, more accessible and even better for our community to enjoy.

The garden will be temporarily closed from June to August 2025 while we make these upgrades. 

Redesign goals

The new garden will deliver:

• A safer and more accessible design: A new level surface will remove tripping hazards while raised garden beds at varying heights will suit all ages and abilities.
• Increased food production and sustainability: New wicking beds, better composting and water management aim to boost vegetable yields.
• Better protection against theft: Trellising, soft fencing and access via a gate will enhance security. We are also installing lockable compost bins to reduce damage.
• A more inviting community space: More seating and improved diverse language signage will encourage greater community involvement and learning.

Shaped by feedback from our gardeners and volunteers, the transformation will model what a thriving urban space can achieve.

Feeding those in need

The garden is a space for community members to grow food, meet others and learn new skills.

Community members meet every fortnight where they plant, sow seeds, weed, water and harvestfresh produce. All food is donated to Doncare’s food relief program, providing fresh produce to those in need.

The community garden plays a vital role in strengthening the local food system, fostering social connections and supporting our community’s wellbeing. 

 

From aspiring gardeners to seasoned growers, there’s a session for everyone at this year’s Home Harvest. 

About Home Harvest

Our monthly gardening program, Home Harvest, teaches you how to grow delicious and nutritious food at home. 

From discovering how to choose the right crops to diving deeper into growing Asian vegetables, there’s a diverse array of topics on offer. 

Your new skills will lead to homegrown produce – and can even boost your physical and mental health. 

It’s also a simple, enjoyable and empowering action you can take against climate change.

Our 2025 program

Sessions run on a Wednesday evening from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, with a food swap commencing at 6.15pm. 

Everyone with an interest in gardening is welcome. No experience necessary.

As part of the Ruffey Lake Park Masterplan, we are developing a tree walk to promote environmental education and appreciation.

About the tree walk

This multi-year project will enhance the park’s natural beauty and provide an educational tour of trees in Manningham. 

The tree walk will feature a mix of indigenous, native, climate-resilient and exotic trees.

Works begin mid-May 2025

To create this walk, we are scheduling staged works. 

Stage one will begin on 13 May 2025 in the space across from the Victoria St Playground. This stage will involve pruning and removing non-indigenous vegetation, woody weeds and trees in poor condition. This will allow space to plant new trees.  

In response to removing low-quality trees, we will plant 10 new trees for every one removed. This replanting effort is on top of our ongoing tree planting program, which has been underway for the past three years.  

We will then focus on preparing the soil from June to November 2025 (stage two).

Stage three will commence in May 2026, with planting additional trees.  

The Ruffey Lake Park Masterplan

The Ruffey Lake Park Masterplan outlines a 15-year vision for the park’s design, development and management. 

Before being endorsed by Council in 2021, the Masterplan’s development involved a comprehensive review of background documents, extensive engagement with the community, and consultation with key external and internal stakeholders.

More than 1,000 community members provided feedback over two rounds of community consultation.

Learn more at yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/ruffey-lake-park. 

We are one of 31 Victorian Councils calling on the State Government to reconsider the requirement of a kerbside glass recycling bin for all households by 1 July 2027.

As a group, Councils are advocating for the mandatory implementation of the fourth glass-only bin service to be postponed and reconsidered.

We are concerned about the cost implications for our community and want to see the State Government release its business case for the service and delay its commencement date until Councils have had time to review it appropriately.

The cost to implement a fourth glass-only bin service is estimated at $4 million, plus, on average, $27 per household per year. 

As an advocacy group, Councils sent a joint a letter to the Minister for Environment, the Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, late last year, which outlined the findings of a Council investigation on the feasibility of the service in comparison to alternative options for glass recycling.

The investigation found that expanding the existing Container Deposit Scheme to include wine and spirit bottles would provide similar circularity benefits to a glass-only bin service, without passing on excessive costs to Councils and residents.

We want to see the State Government listen to Councils’ concerns and consider alternative options before forcing the implementation of a glass-only kerbside recycling bin.

As part of our advocacy for Manningham on this important issue, we have also submitted a motion to the Municipal Association of Victoria to repeal the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021 provisions, which mandate Victorian Councils provide a glass-only service to households.

You can find out more about this motion in the 25 February Council Meeting Minutes. See Item 13.2, MAV State Council Motions.

Community members will enjoy a safer, more accessible and usable Doncaster Hill Community Garden, with a redesign planned to get underway in June.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante said the garden is a treasured place where people come together to grow, share and connect.

“The Doncaster Hill Community Garden plays a vital role in supporting our community,” Cr Diamante said.

“Beyond providing fresh and nutritious food, it nurtures a stronger local food system, social connections and community wellbeing.

“Importantly, it also provides fresh produce to people experiencing hardship through Doncare’s food relief program,” she said.

The works will include levelling uneven ground to reduce tripping hazards and installing raised garden beds at varying heights to support gardeners of all ages and abilities.

New wicking beds, improved composting and better water use will support more efficient and diverse food growing, including culturally significant crops. Security will also be improved through soft fencing, gated access and lockable compost bins.

“We’ve listened to our dedicated volunteers and gardeners, whose insights and aspirations have helped shape the planned improvements to the garden,” Cr Diamante said.

“The result will be a more accessible space that reflects our community values of sustainability, sharing and inclusion,” she said.

The Doncaster Hill Community Garden is a friendly space for anyone interested in growing food, meeting others and learning new skills. It hosts a working bee every second Tuesday, where community members come together to grow and harvest produce.

The garden will be temporarily closed from June to August 2025, while the works take place.

The shed will not be impacted in the redesign.

For more information, visit manningham.vic.gov.au/garden-redesign 

Looking to make home energy upgrades, but not sure where to start? 

Come along to a Solar Savers webinar this August to meet the new supplier panel and hear about their new product and services. 

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

Solar Savers takes the hassle out of home energy upgrades by vetting suppliers and negotiating competitive prices. 

Free informative webinars

Each webinar will focus on one of Solar Savers’ products or services:

• solar, batteries and Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers 
• heat pump hot water systems
• reverse cycle air conditioners
• induction cooktops
• insulation and draughtproofing 
• home energy assessments

In the webinars, you’ll learn about what’s involved, how it works and the benefits of having that product. Solar Savers’ panel of trusted suppliers will also be there to answer any questions.

Explore the webinars below. Registration is essential. 

August webinars

As we edge closer to our zero emissions target, we’ve hit a powerful milestone: 1 in 4 Manningham homes now have rooftop solar. That’s over 11,500 houses powered by clean, renewable energy.

Why residents are making the switch 

Residents are embracing solar for:

• lower energy bills and long-term savings
• greater control over their home energy supply
• health and safety benefits of clean energy 
• a smaller carbon footprint

Support is also available to make the transition more affordable, with 663 Manningham households taking advantage of Solar Victoria’s $1,400 solar panel (PV) rebate last year.

Suburbs leading the charge 

Templestowe Lower and Park Orchards saw a surge in installations last year – up 58% and 60% respectively compared to 2023.

Doncaster and Doncaster East also saw strong growth, with installations collectively up 19% year-on-year. 

Warrandyte, Wonga Park and Park Orchards have seen the highest uptake, with 1 in 3 homes now solar-powered. 

Supporting solar with a battery

By pairing rooftop solar with a home battery, you can gain more control over your home energy and save more on bills.  

That’s because a battery stores excess solar power generated during the day, which you can then use later.

Increasingly, residents are complementing solar with a battery storage system.

To support this, the Federal Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers a discount of around 30% on the upfront cost of installing small-scale battery systems (5 kWh to 100 kWh) for households, businesses and community organisations.

Interested in making the switch?

We offer free events, resources and tips to support you in exploring clean energy options.

We can also connect you with our partner program, Solar Savers, which takes the hassle out of home energy upgrades.

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