What is public art?

Public art is defined as art in public places, it can take many forms including physical object, performance or creative process. 

Public art is created with an express artistic, creative or cultural purpose and can be a catalyst for community expression, discussion and pride.

View our public art
 

Public Art Program

Our Public Art Program actively commissions permanent and temporary contemporary public artworks of excellence, across the spectrum of public art practice that:

• respect the culture of traditional land-owners, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung
• reflect local identity
• are site specific and enhance public places
• connect with community by stimulating reflection and imagination
• contribute to contemporary art practice.
  
   

Public Art Policy

Our Public Art Policy outlines our commitment to commissioning high-quality public artworks that celebrate local identity and cultural heritage, respect traditional landowners, and enhance community spaces. 

It guides the creation of permanent and temporary artworks on public land, aligning with our objectives to support arts and cultural development.

Join the Public Artist Registry

Are you an artist interested in finding out about upcoming opportunities? Join the Public Artist Registry.

Apply now

Browse our public art map

The city also features numerous works in private settings, including outside Westfield Shopping Centre, Doncaster, and at the celebrated Heide Museum of Modern Art. 

More information

For more information about Public Art in Manningham, contact our Public Art Officer at arts@manningham.vic.gov.au or call 9840 9333. 

Subscribe to the Arts Manningham eNews 

Find information, services, and support for young people.

A range of information, resources and services are available for people with disabilities.

Reconciliation Manningham Group

Reconciliation Manningham is a small, committed group working to advance reconciliation through partnerships between Aboriginal people, Wurundjeri Tribe Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council, Manningham Council and the local community.

The group aims to preserve, protect and promote respect for, and pride in our Australian Aboriginal culture and heritage. They achieve this through offering a host of activities, programs, events and services that directly involve, support and include Aboriginal people.

Through Heritage Week, Reconciliation Week and other key times throughout the year, the group leads local Indigenous heritage walks and history presentations, and are also available to present indigenous history education within local schools. Fascinating information about local sites of significance and the process of reconciliation is presented on their website. New members are welcome.

Setting up a new business is an exciting and challenging time with many things to consider such as budgets, staffing, branding, operations and marketing.  It's important to think about the big picture and how you would like to grow into the future.

Below you'll find a range of resources, tools and information available to support all types of local businesses.

Find a world your taste buds will delight in, with Manningham’s fine dining. Tempt yourself with locally owned cafes and bakeries. Wine and dine at award winning restaurants, nestled amongst the trees, or standing proud in trendy suburbia.

Cafes and restaurants

Enjoy coffees, cake and hot chocolate as you snuggle into a comfy chair at cafes throughout Templestowe Village.

Find culinary delights at Tunstall Square Shopping Centre, in Doncaster East - home to over 45 businesses including great cafes, restaurant and fresh food providores.

Be spoilt for choice at Jackson Court Shopping Centre which effortlessly blends international and local flavours with Malaysian, Japanese, Greek and Persian cuisine on offer, among many others.

Local produce and wine

Explore local produce and take home some delicious jams and syrups at Warrandyte Berry farm, Aumanns Produce and more.

The renowned Yarra Valley food and wine region starts in Warrandyte. Find great wines, beer, cider and food at three cellar doors marking the entrance to the region.

Rob Dolan Wines

Rob Dolan Wines in Warrandyte South can guide you through a comprehensive tasting of wines at their cellar door. Purchase a 5 red star rating wine to takeaway or enjoy on the deck or in the gardens over a game of Bocce or Finska.

Pietro Gallo Estate

Nearby Pietro Gallo Estate is home to Olivigna Restaurant. Nestled in the sprawling hills of Warrandyte, celebrate the sweet life with friends and transports you to the Italian countryside through estate-grown produce, artisanal Grappa and liqueurs, and authentic Italian food and wine that is best savoured with friends.

Kellybrook Winery and Distillery

Kellybrook Winery and Distillery in Wonga Park is home to Kellybrook Wines, Rider Brew Co and Kelly Brothers Cider. Founded in 1962 making both still and sparkling cider from apples grown on site, grapes soon followed and Kellybrook was granted Yarra Valley’s first vigneron’s licence in 1969.

State Government Planning Reforms

Victoria is undergoing transformative change, with the State Government’s release of a number of important planning reforms.

These changes will affect the way that Manningham grows and will have impacts on the character and liveability of our neighbourhoods.

We will continue to advocate to the State Government on the implications of these reforms. We’re urging the State Government to continue to consult with us as we work closely with our communities to ensure these reforms align with their needs.

Plan for Victoria

The State Government released its new statewide strategy, Plan for Victoria, on 28 February 2025.

The Plan for Victoria focuses on directing housing to activity centres close to stations and public transport. With updated planning controls, activity centres and priority precincts have been identified as the key places for the delivery of more homes.

The identified priority precincts are based around the Suburban Rail Loop precincts, including Box Hill and Burwood. The targeted activity centres are focused around the 60 identified activity centres that have both fixed rail and tram infrastructure.

It’s proposed that new planning controls will provide for taller buildings in the core of these centres and lower rise apartments within walking distance of the centre. None of these precincts or activity centres fall within Manningham.

The Plan Victoria is based around five pillars:

1. Housing choice at an affordable price and close to daily needs. This includes the Activity Centre Program – planning for more homes in and around activity centres and the housing targets 
2. Accessible jobs and Services
3. Great Places, Suburbs and Towns
4. Sustainable Environments
5. Self Determination and Caring for Country

Housing targets

On 24 February 2025, the Minister released the final housing targets for each local government area within Victoria, for delivery over the next 30 years.
Following Council advocacy, Manningham’ s housing target has been reduced to 28,500 dwellings, from the original target of 39,000 dwellings.

This revised target will have implications on Manningham’s future residential growth strategy and the identification of areas for increased densities.

Manningham Residential Strategy

We’re currently preparing a draft Residential Strategy that will respond to this target.

The next stage of consultation on the draft strategy will focus on identifying how housing growth and diversity of housing types will be managed in the urban parts of the municipality.

Subscribe to receive project updates and stay informed about upcoming community engagement opportunities at Your Say Manningham.

Townhouse and Low-rise Code

On 25 February 2025, the Victorian Government announced a new Townhouse and Low-rise code to come into effect in all planning schemes.

These changes represent a significant departure to the standards for multi-unit development under ResCode, which have been in place for many years. In addition, where a development proposal is deemed to meet the Code, residents will still be able to lodge an objection to council, however, will be unable to appeal the matter in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Activity Centre Program

On 27 February 2025, the Victorian Government announced the final 25 ‘train and tram zone’ locations to the Activity Centres Program.

This program is part of the Victorian Government Housing Statement reforms to provide capacity for 300,000 additional homes to 2051.

No additional activity centres within Manningham have been identified as part of this announcement.

We’re currently preparing detailed draft Activity Centre Design Guidelines to manage built form outcomes for residential development within our neighbourhood activity centres.

Subscribe to receive project updates and stay informed about upcoming community engagement opportunities at Your Say Manningham.

What happens from here

We expect that the implications of these reforms will become clearer in the coming months.

The changes will have direct impacts on a number of strategic projects being progressed by Council.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on any further changes announced by the State Government.