Manningham Council is preparing a submission to the State Government's proposed new housing targets.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange, said the submission would draw on Council’s significant strategic planning work and community feedback.

“We’ll use our existing planning and community data to advocate for a range of outcomes that support Manningham’s current and emerging needs,” Cr Lange said.

The State Government has proposed a draft target of 39,000 new dwellings in Manningham by 2051. This target represents a 76 per cent increase in dwellings over the next 26 years or around 1,500 dwellings per year.

Cr Lange said this represented a significant increase in growth projections for Manningham.

“Over many years, Manningham Council has accepted growth, planned for growth and managed growth in a balanced and incremental way – in close consultation with our local community.

“The increased growth projections, and absence of detailed information provided, are a concern for Council, however we welcome the opportunity to engage with the State Government to ensure positive outcomes for the future of housing in Manningham.

“We’re eager to better understand the thinking and data behind the targets and how the state and federal governments will support the market to provide this additional housing,” the Mayor added. 

Council recently undertook comprehensive community engagement on its Residential Discussion Paper and Activity Centre Design Concepts. These initial phases of engagement will assist in preparation of the draft new Manningham Residential Strategy and Activity Centre Design Guidelines.

As part of the Residential Discussion Paper consultation, more than 70 per cent of respondents said the ‘look and feel of their suburb’ was their main reason for living there.

Respondents also identified a need for more diverse housing types, including more single level townhouses for downsizers and larger housing to suit intergenerational families.

When asked about preferred housing types needed for the future, single dwellings were the top choice (40 per cent), followed by townhouses (23 per cent).

The community expressed similar values and preferences in their feedback on the Activity Centre Design Concepts.  

Around half of the survey participants identified as visiting Park Orchards and Warrandyte Goldfield activity centres most often. Many of these respondents urged the importance of protecting these areas from development because of the sensitive environment, valued character and amenity, and lack of public transport.

“The valuable community insights received through our recent consultations will help inform our submission to the State Government,” Cr Lange said.

“Plans for future housing growth should respect the valued neighbourhood attributes of local communities.

“Planning also needs to ensure that the housing delivered is diverse and provides for a range of incomes, lifestyles and life stages. It should also consider the impact on core infrastructure (roads, footpaths, drainage, community facilities), the environment, public transport, traffic and more. 

“In addition to commercial development, we also expect that our major and neighbourhood activity centres will play an integral role in accommodating urban growth and development in Manningham,” she said.

To date this financial year, Council has approved planning permits for 651 dwellings – with 88 per cent of all our decisions made within the 60-day statutory timeframe.

Like other Councils, Manningham has issued permits for many homes that have not yet been built. As has been widely reported, the delivery of these already approved homes on the ground are challenged by the current economic conditions and rapidly increasing construction costs.

Council will keep the community informed throughout the engagement process with the State Government.

Residents are encouraged to have their say on the State Government’s plan for Victoria or learn more about the draft housing targets at engage.vic.gov.au/shape-our-victoria.

Manningham City Council (Council) gives notice under section 115 of the Local Government Act 2020 of its intention to enter into a lease with unincorporated joint venture, comprising WeBuild S.p.A, GS Engineering & Construction Australia Pty Ltd, CPB Contractors Pty Ltd and China Construction Oceania Pty Ltd (D&C Contractor) trading as "SPARK NEL DC JV" (ABN 94 762 343 962) for part of the land known as 2-14 Websters Road, Templestowe.

The principal terms of the lease will be:

• Three-year lease commencing on or following 1 October 2024
• Two further terms of one year each
• Commencing rent of $180,000 per annum plus GST 
• Permitted use - use and development of the land for a store (truck staging and storage of materials for the North East Link Project construction activities)
• Installation of fencing at the Tenant’s expense, to secure and separate to the remainder of the site (which is still in operation)
• Obligations to comply with environmental law
• Reinstatement of the land at the end of the lease to Council’s satisfaction; and
• Compliance with the conditions of Planning Permit PLN24/0069.

In accordance with Council’s Community Engagement Policy, any person may make a submission on the proposed lease. 

Submissions must be in writing, addressed to the Corporate Counsel and must be submitted by no later than 5.00pm on 16 September 2024.

Submissions can be emailed to manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au delivered to the Council Offices, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster or posted as follows:

Corporate Counsel
Manningham City Council
PO Box 1
Doncaster VIC 3108

A meeting will be established for any person requesting to be heard in support of their submission. They will be notified of the time and date of the meeting. The individual can be represented by a person acting on their behalf.

26 February 2025

We’re calling for Federal Government support for a number of priority projects ahead of this year’s Federal election.

At its meeting on Tuesday 25 February, Council set out its advocacy priorities across four key themes of Our Commute, Our Environment, Our Safety and Our Wellbeing.

This includes seeking funding support for seven major projects as well as a series of local sports infrastructure, road and footpath upgrades in Manningham.

Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante, said Council is calling for Federal Government funding for projects that will benefit the local community.

“We’re advocating for our community and seeking funding support for important local projects that will improve the wellbeing, safety, environment and transport in Manningham.”  

We’re advocating for:

• $15 million for the redevelopment Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre outdoor precinct
• $7.5 million for open space upgrades, some of which include:
• Wombat Bend and Finns Reserve upgrade in Templestowe Lower
• Anderson Park in Doncaster East
• Warrandyte Skate Park
• The Boulevarde playspace at Ruffey Lake Park.
• $5 million for safety improvements at the 5-ways intersection in Warrandyte South
• $3 million for a feasibility study to inform the high frequency busway implementation along Doncaster Road
• $2.5 million for a new building for the Park Orchards Community House and Learning Centre
• $350,000 to support community legal services in Manningham
• the Federal Government to encourage the Victorian Government to make commitments around the North East Link Project.

And we’re seeking funding support for road and footpath upgrades, sports infrastructure projects and LED floodlighting conversion projects.

We want to see a range of improved transport options for our Manningham community.

We’re calling for $3 million to undertake a feasibility study to inform the high frequency busway implementation along the Doncaster Road corridor, between Mitcham Station and Doncaster Park and Ride.

“The North East Link Program (NELP) is having a significant impact on our community and we are continuing our advocacy for the best outcomes for local residents,” Cr Diamante said

As a funding partner of the North East Link Project, we want the Federal Government to encourage the Victorian Government to:

• deliver a Transit Oriented Development when Doncaster Park and Ride is redeveloped.
• improve access and transparency on the Environment Protection Agency air quality data reports.
• install filters within the Southern Portal Ventilation Stack or improve transparency around the trigger for when filters would be required.

As a member of the Eastern Region Group of Councils, we also supports the regional goals and advocacy priorities of:

• Addressing financial stability
• Supporting housing growth
• Building climate resilience
• Transforming movement in the east.

For more information, visit our Advocacy page

Updated 17 September 2024

The following information reflects Council's position on the use of signage by candidates at Federal, State and Local government elections.

Manningham’s Community Local Law requires approval before any signage is placed in any public place, space or on Manningham’s footpaths or roads. 

However, to maintain Council’s neutrality during an election period, applications to erect electoral signage on public land will not be supported.  Any electoral related signs erected on Council land may be impounded.  Infringements may also be issued to anybody who breaches the Local Law.

Locations for electoral signs

Private property

Under the planning scheme a planning permit is not required to display an electoral sign on private land that promotes an election candidate provided all the following are met:

• only one sign is erected on the site
• the area of the sign does not exceed 5 square metres
• the sign is not animated or internally illuminated
• the sign must not be displayed for longer than three months or 14 days after the event is held.

If these criteria are not met, a planning permit will be required before the display of any signage on private land. 

Displaying a sign before obtaining a planning permit may result in significant penalties being issued under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to the owner of the land and to the person who erects the sign.

Mobile signage

Signage on vehicles, trailers and/or caravans must be attached to a moving vehicle. When parked these may require additional approvals.

Council property

No signage is permitted on any Council properties and/or at any Council facilities.

To discuss any requirements for election signage beyond these specifications, please contact us.

For more information on the Manningham Community Local Law, visit Guiding legislations (LGA and our Local Law).

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.

Manningham’s housing growth projections have been reduced by more than 25 per cent, following the State Government’s decision to scale back its proposed targets. 

The revised housing target for Manningham is 28,500 new dwellings by 2051, down 10,500 from the proposed figure released in June 2024.

However, the target is still significantly higher than what Council had been planning for (8,000 dwellings by 2036), increasing Manningham’s existing housing stock by more than 50 per cent.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante said: “While the reduced target is positive, we’re still concerned about the impact this will have on Manningham’s character and liveability, particularly without detailed information and meaningful consultation.”

“We’re eager to better understand the thinking and data behind the targets, as well as how the state and federal governments will support the market to provide this additional housing.

“We’ve raised concerns about how the necessary infrastructure and community services will be funded to support these housing targets.

“Our ongoing efforts to engage with the state government, specifically on our draft target number, have been met with silence.

“The state’s decisions have progressed without transparent consultation and adequate consideration of their potential impact, and we have no visibility of how the targets will be enacted,” Cr Diamante said.

In mid-2024 Council undertook extensive community consultation on both its Residential Discussion Paper and Activity Centre Design Concepts.

“We understand the need for housing development in Manningham and are reviewing our Residential Strategy in response to this need with input from our local community.”

The initial phases of engagement aimed to help Council better understand the community’s needs and aspirations for the future of housing and managing growth in Manningham.

As part of the Residential Discussion Paper consultation, more than 70 per cent of respondents said the ‘look and feel of their suburb’ was their main reason for living there.

The community expressed similar values and preferences in their feedback on the Activity Centre Design Concepts. Around half of the survey participants urged the importance of protecting areas in Manningham’s green wedge from development because of the sensitive environment, valued character and amenity, and lack of public transport.

These community’s insights are now helping inform the preparation of the draft Manningham Residential Strategy and draft Activity Centre Design Guidelines, which will both open for community consultation later this year and will now also consider the final housing target.

“Planning needs to ensure that the housing delivered is diverse and provides for a range of incomes, lifestyles and life stages. It should also consider the impact on core infrastructure, the environment, public transport, traffic and more,” Cr Diamante said.

“We’re committed to ensuring that our community’s values are reflected in the plans for Manningham’s housing future, while aligning with the state’s requirements.”

Planning for the provision of infrastructure and community services is a joint responsibility of both levels of government, with each level of government responsible for different infrastructure and community services.

“Like many councils, Manningham also faces significant challenges to long-term financial sustainability due to cost shifting by the state government, rate capping, rising costs, increasing population and rising community expectations.

“To address this, we need to engage with and seek support from other government levels to find sustainable solutions. Rate capping and funding gaps hinder our ability to meet increasing demands and provide essential services and infrastructure.

“We’ve reached out to the state government with the goal of collaborative understanding and planning as we plan ahead for housing in Manningham.  

We want to achieve best outcomes for our community and will await their response with anticipation,” the Mayor added.

Manningham Council would like to inform residents that from Tuesday 28 January 2025 through to mid March, your household may receive a call from an independent market research agency, National Field Services. They have been commissioned to conduct our 2025 Community Satisfaction Survey on behalf of the council. Please be assured that your details and individual responses are confidential.

The Community satisfaction survey is a yearly requirement. For these surveys, the market agency reaches out by phone to 400 randomly selected residents. The results of the phone conversations are then analysed, reported back to us, and discussed internally. 

This helps us to learn more about our performance across several areas. It also helps us to understand where changes and improvements are necessary.

Read more about last year’s community satisfaction survey.

UPDATED: 12 August 2024 - new community and candidate information session

Would you like a role in shaping the future of Manningham Council? Are you passionate about making a positive contribution to your community? 

The Victorian Local Government elections will be held in October 2024 with the vote to take place by post. Now is the time to put up your hand to represent your community and take on one of the most important leadership opportunities our country has to offer, one that enables you to make a real difference.

Councils are the closest level of government to community. To ensure our communities are successfully represented we need quality candidates to nominate for election.  

Are you interested in becoming a councillor? If so, here are some things you need to know: 

There is a range of eligibility criteria for candidates, including:

• being an Australian citizen or an eligible British subject
• being at least 18 years of age on election day
• being enrolled to vote in the municipality.

For the full list of eligibility criteria, visit the VEC – Becoming a Council Election Candidate. You can also get some further information on what being a councillor involves at Role of a Councillor. 

To support potential candidates, Manningham Council, in partnership with the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), is hosting a candidate information session to provide information and inspiration to future candidates. Details of the upcoming session are listed below.

Keep an eye on our website and socials for information on a local session closer to election day. If you’re keen to learn more in the meantime, the closest upcoming session will be held at Port Phillip City Council in July.

Stand for Council (Community and Candidate Information session)

• Date: Monday 19 August 2024
• Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm (in person registration 6.00pm)
• Attendance: In person or online
• Location: Manningham Function Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster (Function Room 1) 
• Registration details: Register via the MAV website.

Please ensure you register as places are limited. We cannot wait to see you there as a future leader of our community.

Manningham encourages applicants from all walks of life

We recognise the benefits of a diverse range elected representatives to best reflect the rich diversity of people and cultures within our community.

As such, we are proud to encourage nominations from all members of our community, including persons who are from First Nations backgrounds, people of different ages, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations and cultural backgrounds.

If you require any additional support or information regarding nominating for Council elections, please contact 9840 9333.

Mandatory Training

Under the Local Government Act 2020, candidates must complete the separate mandatory training to be eligible to nominate as a candidate.  Access to the online training, along with further information, can be found at Local Government Victoria – Candidate Training.

For more information on the MAV Stand for Council campaign, please visit the MAV website.

Victoria Walks have created 26 digital maps of accessible walks around Victoria, giving people with disability greater access to nature walks.

Walking paths around Victoria have been audited and turned into digital walking maps as part of a project giving people with disability greater access to nature walks. This partnership between Victoria Walks and Scope Australia has been supported by the Victorian Government Access for All Abilities initiative.

So far they have completed 26 digital maps of accessible walks and the walks have been audited by people with disability, for people with disability.

Take some time to explore the great outdoors with some of these wonderful walks in Manningham

• wonguim wilam Accessible Walk
• Westerfolds Park Accessible Walk
• Wombat Bend Accessible Walk

Click here to see the full list of accessible walks in Victoria.