With almost 800 local people taking part in our consultation on this year’s Budget and 10 Year Financial Plan, we’re all set to deliver for our community in 2024/25 and beyond!

Councillors endorsed the key documents at their meeting last night (25 June).

With an operating budget of $155 million, we’ll provide more than 100 valuable services for our residents, businesses and visitors. We’ll maintain and enhance community assets with a $55 million capital works program, including:

• $12 million for roads and bridges
• $6 million for footpaths and cycleways
• $4 million for drainage
• $3.1 million for the Schramm's Cottage Museum Complex Visitor Centre
• $1.6 million for playspace renewals
• $1.2 million for Ruffey Lake Park Masterplan implementation
• $1.1 million for Rieschiecks Reserve Management Plan
• $1.0 million to commence works on a co-working hub
• $1.0 million for a battery for Mullum Mullum stadium
• $0.3 million for a youth hub

We’ll also continue to deliver on our Climate Emergency Action Plan to reduce the impacts of climate change. We’ve allocated $11 million in our capital works program over the next ten years for Circular Economy, sustainability initiatives.

With inflation continuing to be higher than average, we’re conscious of cost-of-living pressures in our community. Council will continue to support rate payers through:

• Freezing the waste service charge well below the 4.80 per cent increase in the cost of waste services to Council.
• Financial hardship provisions including rates rebates for Low Income (LI) Health Care Card holders.
• $2.25 million for community grants and contributions programs.
• Continued financial support to agencies that provide emergency relief to those in need in our community.
• Funding for the provision of food relief for those in need in the community.
• Subsidies for school holiday programs.
• An average general rate increase in line with the State Government’s rate cap of 2.75 per cent.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange thanked everyone who contributed.

“We’re proud of the Budget and 10 Year Financial Plan and feel we’ve managed to balance delivering on our community’s needs while sustaining our commitment to being a financially responsible Council.

“We started working on the Budget back in November and had an incredible number of residents take part in our three different stages of consultation. Thank you all for your valuable insights.”

We're delivering on our Council Plan, including:

• $21 million for a healthy community
• $40 million for liveable places and spaces
• $19 million for a resilient environment
• $6 million for a vibrant prosperous economy
• $33 million for a well governed Council

Budget highlights

$3.1 million to build the Schramm's Cottage Museum Complex Visitor Centre in Doncaster East

We’ll build a new, multipurpose visitor centre in Rieschiecks Reserve as part of the Waldau Precinct Master Plan. The Visitor Centre will include spaces for exhibitions and meetings, as well as accessible public toilets. We’ll also upgrade the paths surrounding the centre and expect the project to be completed in early 2025.

$1.35 million to deliver the main phase of works for the Templestowe Route upgrade in Templestowe

The Templestowe Route is a 1.8km series of important local link roads between Templestowe Road and Williamson Road, including Parker, Swilk, James and Anderson streets. The upgrade will improve safety, pedestrian connectivity and the quality of infrastructure along the route.

$1.0 million to start work on a co-working hub at MC Square in Doncaster

The co-working business hub at MC Square will be far more than a professionally designed and operated space to conduct business. It will support a healthy economy and the business community, with a concierge and tailored calendar of events to create excitement and stimulate cooperation, as well as spaces for 30 to 40 users. We expect the co-working business hub to open in July 2025.

Read the Budget 2024/25

Read the 10 Year Financial Plan 2024/25 to 2033/34

To stay active these school holidays we're offering a discounted sports and recreation program for young people in Manningham. 

This program is centered around introducing young people to sport and activity – learning the basics, developing skills, building confidence and having fun.

This term we are offering: 

• Multi-sports with Ready Steady Go Kids

Spaces are strictly limited, and some participation requirements apply. 

A new larger-than-life exhibition is now open at the Manningham Art Gallery in Doncaster.

Pages of Me: A Bird, an Eye, Clouds, Ice cream, is a multimedia project by celebrated Melbourne artist and designer Beci Orpin.

Drawing from her textile-focused background, Orpin delves into mascot culture by creating a giant cat called Pomme, set in a display of oversized pages pulled from her sketchbook, blending bold patterns, found images and positive mantras.

The exhibition explores finding happiness through individuality and acceptance, and visitors are drawn in to read the mantras from Orpin’s pages and catch further glimpses of Pomme.

“The idea for the mascot came from seeing a series of photos of mascots caught in odd, unexpected places – doorways, ticket booths, elevators,” Orpin said.

“It struck me both as comical and a metaphor for getting ‘stuck in the cracks’. I often say that ‘the cracks’ are where I exist – somewhere between creative categories, never fully fitting into one genre.

“Though it can be challenging to exist in ‘the cracks’, it’s where I’m most authentic, where I can be fully myself and do my best work.”

Visitors are encouraged to get creative at the gallery themselves, drawing their own mascot, based on their unique qualities.

Orpin is known for her signature application of colour, shape and optimism. She has collaborated with major brands and organisations including Apple, Google Disney, Uniqlo and the Australian Ballet.

Manningham Mayor Deirdre Diamante said: “We’re thrilled to have such a highly regarded artist exhibit at the Manningham Gallery. It’s a wonderful exhibition and I encourage you to come and see it for yourself while you can.”

Pages of Me continues until Saturday 5 April 2025.

Manningham Art Gallery, 687 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, is open Wednesdays to Saturdays, 11.00am to 4.00pm.

For more information, visit our events calendar. 

Image: Pomme the giant cat mascot is a feature of Beci Orpins new exhibition at the Manningham Art Gallery. Picture: Charlie Kinross

A new installation at the Manningham Art Gallery will provide plenty of food for thought as part of Melbourne Design Week – Australia’s premier design festival.

Beyond the Table: The Dinner Party Reimagined, is a reimagining of a traditional dinner party by local artists Isobel Goodman and Jade Piltz.

It’s one of more than 350 events, exhibitions, talks and installations on show across the state during Melbourne Design Week, which runs from 15-25 May.

Goodman, of Donvale, has used works from Manningham Council’s ‘Potters Cottage Collection” to inspire her signature papier mache and plaster sculptures that reference a dinner party table setting. The sculptures sit alongside the handmade pottery created by the Potters Cottage co-operative, founded in Warrandyte in 1958.  

Visitors can view the setting, or, during Melbourne Design Week, pick a flower from the setting to take home.

Surrounding the dining table presentation is a display of paintings by Piltz, of Warrandyte, that depict bright, layered and abstract domestic objects.

The dinner party will continue beyond Melbourne Design Week, with the installation on display until 28 June.

Melbourne Design Week is an initiative of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and is curated and delivered by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).

Visit designweek.melbourne to view the full program.

Manningham Council has partnered with two of Australia’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging operators to set up a network of nine public charging stations across the municipality.

The partnership with JOLT Charge and Evie Networks will deliver universal direct current chargers, at key commercial and tourist destinations from early 2025.
These chargers will be situated on council 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 council.

The public charging infrastructure aims to accommodate the increasing use of electric vehicles, especially following new legislated vehicle standards.

In Manningham, a 2023 community survey 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.

Possible locations include Tunstall Square car park, MC Square and Jackson Court car park, which were identified as preferred sites in the community survey. The final locations will depend on technical feasibility, particularly access to adequate power supply.

This initiative aligns with Council’s commitment to reducing the high level of transport emissions in Manningham, improving local air quality, and enhancing fuel security.

It is another way we are working towards achieving net zero community emissions by 2035, as outlined in the adopted Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP).

Find out more at manningham.vic.gov.au/electric-vehicle-charging.

Did you know baseball was first played in Doncaster East at Deep Creek Reserve in the early 1960s? 

Today, this is the location for the brand-new Deep Creek Pavilion, home to the Doncaster Baseball Club and Manningham’s large and enthusiastic baseball community.  

Upgrades to Deep Creek Pavilion and its grounds have been completed as part of our Active for Life Recreation Strategy 2010-2025 and Capital Works Program.

Improvements have transformed the facilities to make them more inclusive, sustainable, and accessible.  

Completed works include:

• upgraded change rooms and amenities
• a new social space and kiosk
• improved storage and new umpire change rooms
• energy efficient design features and solar PV systems 
• use of eco-friendly, sustainable building materials
• lifting and rebuilding two dug outs, with new flooring and furniture
• new and upgraded seating for spectators 
• drainage, irrigation, landscape and turf improvement works.

Manningham Mayor, Cr Carli Lange said this upgrade represents a significant addition to our local recreation infrastructure, providing modern and vibrant facilities for our community.

Thanks to everyone that contributed and worked together on this impressive project. The completed pavilion stands as a testament to what we can achieve when we work together with a shared vision. 

It is fantastic to imagine the exciting games and local events that will take place at Deep Creek Pavilion in the future. This facility will serve our community for many years to come. 

These upgrades represent the start of an exciting new chapter and a bright future for Doncaster Baseball Club, local schools, and the baseball community in Manningham.

This project was delivered by Manningham Council in partnership with the Victorian Government and the Doncaster Baseball Club.

Learn more about Doncaster Baseball Pavilion.

We’re developing a Stormwater Management Strategy (Strategy) to help identify, manage and reduce flood risk to people, property, infrastructure and the environment. 

The Strategy will comprise a two-part document including:

1. Stormwater Management Strategy Policy: a framework detailing the methodology and criteria for prioritisation of Council’s future drainage capital works projects.
2. Future Works Plan: a prioritised list of future capital works projects within the municipality.

It will guide our planning and investment in the long-term Capital Works Program to support a healthy, safe and resilient community. 

It will be informed by a range of Council endorsed documents, existing data sources (customer requests), flood mapping information and internal stakeholder feedback. An external consultant is assisting Council officers to prepare the Strategy.

Council will consider the draft Policy for adoption in late 2024.

Your Waste Calendar will be delivered differently this year – here’s what you need to know.

This year, you will receive your waste calendar within the June issue of Manningham Matters. 

You’ll be able to simply pull out the insert, cut along the dotted line and place your calendar on your fridge or in a handy spot for easy reference.

As in previous years, the calendar will include your property’s bin day – along with tips for what can and can’t go in each bin and how to place them out for collection. 

Does the new calendar include changes to our bin collection schedule?

There are no changes to the schedule, so you can stick to your usual routine.

In Manningham, your green lid food and garden organics (FOGO) bin is collected every week, while your yellow lid recycle and red lid garbage bins are collected every fortnight, on alternating weeks.

What is the calendar for?

Our annual waste calendar can help you keep track of these collections throughout the year. 

As in previous years, the calendar will include information about:

• your property’s bin collection schedule
• what can and can’t go in each bin
• how to place your bins out for collection

Why have you changed the delivery method?

This new way of delivering your calendar within the Manningham Matters magazine is more cost-effective and efficient. It will help reduce unnecessary waste, while ensuring every household still gets this important resource.

What if I missed it?

If you misplace your magazine or need an extra copy of the calendar, don’t worry! 

You can download your waste calendar online, or, collect a copy from:

• Manningham Civic Centre at 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster 3108.
• Manningham Council Depot at 620-628 Blackburn Road, Doncaster East 3109.

Keep an eye out for your calendar in the middle of the June edition of Manningham Matters.

At the 27 May Council Meeting the draft Council Plan, draft 2025-26 Budget, draft 10 year financial plan and the draft Revenue and Rating Plan were tabled.  These have been developed in line with our newly endorsed Community Vision 2040 to help shape the future of Manningham.

These draft strategic documents are now available on Your Say Manningham website and will be presented for endorsement at the 30 June Council Meeting.

Our draft Asset Plan 2025-2035 and the Council Plan Action Plan will be made available at an upcoming Council meeting.

Our strategic documents are informed by extensive community engagement conducted throughout 2024-25.  

Many people have helped shape our community’s future. We’ve been planning for the next four years, and we’ve done it by listening closely to our community.

At the heart of this work was the deliberative community panel – a collaborative effort that brought together 37 community members to play a crucial role in helping determine key priorities for Manningham.

Extensive community consultation informed both our strategic planning and the Community Panel’s deliberations, ensuring that our plans are grounded in our community's priorities, needs and aspirations.

This consultation included a community-wide survey last year where we heard from 1,260 community members about what matters most to you and which three areas you think Council should focus on. We also held a series of targeted conversations with key groups and residents including young people, older adults, multicultural communities and partners.

On top of that, many community members sent in their own ideas and suggestions through individual submissions, showing us how Council services can improve and how we can build a better future together.

These community insights gave us a strong and balanced view of our community's wants and needs. It directly shaped our strategic planning and the work of our Community Panel.

Given the depth and quality of feedback received during this process, a separate public submission process will not be held for this year’s strategic plans.

We thank everyone who contributed. We’re all part of the plan and your voices are shaping the future of our community.

Find out more by visiting our Your Say Manningham website.

Manningham’s new Councillors have elected Councillor Deirdre Diamante as Manningham Mayor and Councillor Andrew Conlon as Deputy Mayor for the year ahead. 

Unanimously voted in by her fellow Councillors at the Annual Meeting of Council on 19 November 2024, Cr Diamante said it is an honour to lead the newly elected Council in the first year of its four-year term. 

The Tullamore Ward Councillor is passionate about equal opportunity, our natural environment and family, and has been a Manningham resident for more than 40 years. A Councillor since 2020, Cr Diamante previously served as Manningham Mayor in 2022/23. 

“I have grown up in Manningham, in Council Street, and the opportunity to again lead this City in public service is truly amazing,” Cr Diamante said.

“I want Manningham to continue to be a great place to live, learn and grow. I want my children to want to live here and want to raise their families here.” 

Cr Diamante said some of her key priorities over the next year will include advocating for the Manningham community on the North East Link Project, working with local multicultural communities, supporting the work of our healthy ageing unit and enhancing opportunities for local businesses.

“I look forward to collaborating with all of our Councillors in developing our Council Plan, the Budget and our strategic approach for Manningham, harnessing our extensive expertise and experience for our community.”

Cr Andrew Conlon was elected as Deputy Mayor and congratulated Cr Diamante.

“This is an important year to set the tone for our Council term and I know you will support us to collaborate and make the right decisions for our community,” Cr Conlon said. 

Find out more about Manningham’s Councillors.

Watch the Annual Meeting of Council.
 

Are you looking for a creative way to show someone how much you appreciate the difference they make to the Manningham community? Nominations are open for the 2024 Manningham Civic Awards.

The awards recognise individuals and community organisations improving the local area through volunteer, paid or unpaid work.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange encouraged the community to nominate. 

“Nominating a friend, family member or someone you work with is a great way to show how much you value and appreciate the difference they make,” Cr Lange said.

“Civic Awards are important because they raise awareness of all the good things happening in our community and acknowledge individual and group contributions.”

There are five award categories:

1. The Citizen of the Year Award – recognises a Manningham resident whose outstanding contribution has improved the lives of the local community.
2. The Young Citizen of the Year Award – for an outstanding contribution made by a young Manningham resident to improve the lives of the local community.
3. The Doreen Stoves Volunteer of the Year Award – recognises the contribution made by a volunteer in the local community.
4. Sports Volunteer of the Year Award – for individuals who demonstrate leadership in the Manningham sporting community.
5. Community Organisation of the Year Award – acknowledges community organisations, clubs or groups who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to improve the lives of the Manningham community.

Find out more and nominate

Nominations are now open for the Civic Awards and close Monday 22 July 2024. Winners will be announced at the 2024 Ceremony on Thursday 22 August 2024.

To find our more or to nominate visit, manningham.vic.gov.au/civic-awards. The awards acknowledge community organisations, clubs or groups who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to improve the lives of the Manningham community.

Hear from Berry - 2023 Young Citizen of the Year 

Manningham’s 2023 Young Citizen of Year, Berry Eain, received her award for her commitment to bridging the gap between local and international students within her school and the wider community.

Berry, an advocate for student voice, shared her gratitude for receiving an award.

“Growing up, I have always had strong intentions of striving for the betterment of myself, my family and my community. Unfortunately, this was not the reality in my home country, Myanmar.” Berry said.

Painted Country – a new major exhibition featuring the work of five First Nations artists – is now open at the Manningham Art Gallery in Doncaster. 

The artists – Nellie Ngampa Coulthard, Brenda Napaltjarri, Clara Napurrula, Rene Sundown and Adrian Jurra Tjungurrayi – bring diverse practices and perspectives to reveal their unique depictions of the Australian landscape in their work.

The senior and emerging artists represent two Indigenous arts centres – Iwantja Arts in South Australia and Papunya Tula Artists in the Northern Territory.

The exhibition has been timed to coincide with National Reconciliation Week, which is held each year from 27 May to 3 June, with the 2025 theme Bridging Now to Next.

Aboriginal writer, artist, arts worker and Aboriginal affairs advocate from Cape York Peninsula Jack Wilki-Jans has described the 14 artworks featured in Painted Country as “hypnotic visions” of the artists’ Country.

“Visions of a wide country, a country of colour and texture, of sand dunes and salt lakes, scorched earth and radiant sunsets, of brushes and sweeping tufts of grasses with flowers – Australia!” Jack Wilki-Jans  said.

“It isn’t the hand that paints which this exhibition exalts, it’s the eyes which see.”

This celebration of First Nations contemporary painting is presented in collaboration with Alcaston Art Gallery, with special thanks to the artists, Iwantja Arts in South Australia and Papunya Tula Artists in the Northern Territory.

Gallery opening hours

Manningham Art Gallery, 687 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, is open Wednesday to Saturday, 11.00am to 4.00pm.

School holidays are the perfect time for kids to explore sport and activities, build confidence and make new friends. 

This summer we're offering a range of activities to keep the kids happy and active.  

See upcoming events below.  

This year, Manningham residents have raised more than $20,000 for local schools, clubs and community groups with the support of the Manningham Monster Community Raffle.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange, acknowledged the community effort, and the key role the community plays in fundraising.

"Thank you to our amazing community for your generous support! Because of you, $15,000 will go directly to the groups who participated and $5,000 will support the Manningham Charitable Fund. Your contributions make a big difference." Cr Lange said.

For every ticket sold for $2.00, groups receive $1.50 and the remaining 50 cents is donated to the Manningham Community Fund.

With a prize pool of $10,000 including five $1,000 Coles/Myer gift vouchers, and one $5,000 Coles/Myer gift voucher, the Monster Raffle prize draw was held on Wednesday 17 July.

Manningham residents, Alex and Adeline, were the lucky winners of a $1,000 Coles/Myer voucher.

The couple purchased tickets supporting both Milgate Primary School and 1st Templestowe Scout Group.

“We often participate in fundraising and buy tickets not thinking we are going to win, but so the money can go a good cause.” Alex said.

“My son attends 1st Templestowe Scout Group, and the leaders at the club always work so hard to give the kids a good experience, and Milgate Primary has also been a huge part of our lives with our two children going to school there, receiving such a quality education.

“We’re incredibly thankful for this win!” Alex said.

The Monster Community Raffle is held annually and will open again in April 2025.

“For 19 years, our raffle has been a cornerstone of community spirit. Together, we’ve made a significant impact, and we look forward to many more years of making a difference,” Cr Lange said.

“We are deeply grateful to our raffle partner, the Templestowe Bowling Club, whose support has been key to its success.”

The Manningham Community Fund supports community initiatives including homelessness and affordable housing, education and employment, diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and wellbeing programs throughout Manningham.

A full list of raffle winners is available on the Monster Community Raffle website.