The Aranga Reserve off-lead dog park is set for an upgrade to improve the park’s safety, usability and comfort for both dogs and their owners.

This upgrade will be delivered with support from a $200,000 State Government grant, through Round 2 funding of its New and Upgraded Dog Parks program.

Located in Donvale, Aranga Reserve features a fenced dog activity park, playspace, and picnic area.  

The concept for the grant application was developed in consultation with Friends of Manningham Dogs and Cats (FOMDAC). The proposed improvements include:

• new entry gates and fencing to improve access and safety

• new and upgraded equipment and play areas

• additional seating and shaded areas

• new lighting to improve safety 

• additional planting to improve shade. 

The total project budget is $300,000. 

Consultation on this upgrade is planned for late 2025, with delivery expected in the 2025–26 financial year.

The Aranga Reserve dog park upgrade is supported by the Victorian Government through the New and Upgraded Dog Parks program. 

We have signed the contract to purchase 576-578 Park Road, Park Orchards as part of its planning for a new Park Orchards Community House and Learning Centre.

A priority action in our Community Infrastructure Plan, discussions and advocacy have already commenced for the replacement of this popular neighbourhood house and it is hoped that this significant investment will be the catalyst for investment from other levels of government.

Our Mayor, Deirdre Diamante, said the existing community house needs replacing to bring programs and services together.

"The Community House is widely used and offers a variety of programs and services in learning, fitness and art for all ages, and includes a well-loved childcare facility.

“The current building is coming to the end of its useful life, has limited accessibility and is too small to cater to all programs. These limitations have resulted in programs moving to different locations and spread across multiple local venues.

“By bringing these programs together into one building with better access and more space, we can improve efficiency and better support the community’s growing needs.”

The location of the new property, adjacent to the existing Community House at 572 Park Road, will allow for more space for the variety of programs on offer.

“Located in the heart of Park Orchards, as part of a community and education precinct and near public bus transport, the site will maintain convenient access to childcare, schools, recreational areas, and shops.” Cr Diamante added.

The purchase of 576-578 Park Road is part of our long-term planning to replace this important neighbourhood house for Park Orchards.

Neighbourhood houses are predominantly funded by government grants and additional state and commonwealth government funding will be needed to deliver this new community facility.

“We have purchased this property as part of our long-term plan for the community house and local area. We’re pleased to be able to secure a site for a new centre in Park Orchards and will continue to advocate for State and Federal funding to deliver it.”

The purchase was funded by our Strategic Fund which is part of our 10 Year Financial Plan 2024/25 to 2033/34.

For more information, visit Your Say Manningham.

Manningham Council property purchase sets the stage for new community house

Manningham Council has signed the contract to purchase 576-578 Park Road, Park Orchards as part of its planning for a new Park Orchards Community House and Learning Centre.

A priority action in Council’s Community Infrastructure Plan, discussions and advocacy have already commenced for the replacement of this popular neighbourhood house and it is hoped that this significant investment by Council will be the catalyst for investment from other levels of government.

Manningham Mayor, Deirdre Diamante, said the existing community house needs replacing to bring programs and services together.

"The Community House is widely used and offers a variety of programs and services in learning, fitness and art for all ages, and includes a well-loved childcare facility.

“The current building is coming to the end of its useful life, has limited accessibility and is too small to cater to all programs. These limitations have resulted in programs moving to different locations and spread across multiple local venues.

“By bringing these programs together into one building with better access and more space, we can improve efficiency and better support the community’s growing needs.”

The location of the new property, adjacent to the existing Community House at 572 Park Road, will allow for more space for the variety of programs on offer.

“Located in the heart of Park Orchards, as part of a community and education precinct and near public bus transport, the site will maintain convenient access to childcare, schools, recreational areas, and shops.” Cr Diamante added.

The purchase of 576-578 Park Road is part of Council’s long-term planning to replace this important neighbourhood house for Park Orchards.

Neighbourhood houses are predominantly funded by government grants and additional state and commonwealth government funding will be needed to deliver this new community facility.

“We have purchased this property as part of our long-term plan for the community house and local area. We’re pleased to be able to secure a site for a new centre in Park Orchards and will continue to advocate for State and Federal funding to deliver it.”

The purchase was funded by Council’s Strategic Fund which is part of its 10 Year Financial Plan 2024/25 to 2033/34.

For more information, visit Your Say Manningham.

Victoria Street playground in Ruffey Lake Park has reopened after its major update. 

We welcomed residents to celebrate its reopening with free ice-creams, fresh fruit and family fun on Sunday 24 November 2024.

Children joined in the excitement with an activity hunt to explore the playground.

If you'd like to try it yourself, download the hunt to enjoy the fun with your family. 

Be sure to check it out and experience the newly upgraded playground for yourself! 

For more information on Victoria Street playground upgrade visit Your Say Manningham.

Australia Post has informed us that their distribution of this issue will not reach all households in the Warrandyte and Park Orchards areas.

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

If your copy of Manningham Matters hasn't arrived by Wednesday 11 June, please email us at manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au and we can send you a copy.

You can also read this month's edition online.  

UPDATED: 11 September 2025 with edit to upgrade wording. 

We’re making West Oval better, safer and easier to play on – all year round.

Better fields. More play.

The upgrade will:

• deliver better playing conditions, with improved drainage, soil and turf
• support both footy and cricket

West Oval will be closed from October 2025 to April 2026 while we complete these improvements.

We encourage you to explore and enjoy other parts of Wonga Park Reserve while construction is underway.

More oval upgrades coming soon

This is one of several oval upgrades across Manningham that will support sport and recreation in our community.

It’s also part of the Wonga Park Reserve Masterplan, which guides how the reserve will grow and improve over the next 15 years.
 

Manningham Council is inviting residents of Warrandyte, Wonga Park and surrounds to help shape infrastructure projects planned for their neighbourhood.

Locals are encouraged to attend a drop-in session this August to view project designs, ask questions and share feedback.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante, said hearing directly from residents is essential to making decisions that reflect the community’s priorities.

“Discussing projects with residents throughout the design and planning phase leads to better decision-making and outcomes that reflect community needs and preferences,” 

“These sessions are a chance for us to explain decisions that have been made and ensure future outcomes are shaped by community input.”.

Projects open for consultation include:

• Footpath construction - Paynters Road and Reserve Road, Wonga Park
• Main Yarra Trail Extension (stage three) - Pound Road to Taroona Avenue, Warrandyte
• Footpath construction - Tindals Road, Warrandyte 
• Drainage upgrade - Trezise Street, Brackenbury Street and Cemetery Road, Warrandyte

Final designs available for viewing:

• Footpath and drainage upgrades - Alexander Road, Warrandyte
• Pedestrian refuge installation - Russell Road, Mullens Road and Ringwood Warrandyte Road intersection, Warrandyte
• Intersection upgrade - Pound Road, Warrandyte

Community drop-in session details:

• Monday 18 August, 4:00pm to 7:00pm
  Warrandyte Community Hall, 2–8 Taroona Avenue
• Monday 25 August, 4:00pm to 7:00pm
  Wonga Park Hall, corner of Launders Avenue and Yarra Road

No registration is required - just drop in and have your say.

For more information or to have your say via our online survey, go to yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/capital-works-warrandyte-wonga-park.

We're inviting community feedback as we develops a new masterplan for Timber Reserve in Doncaster.

Manningham Mayor Cr Deirdre Diamante, who is the Councillor for Tullamore Ward, encouraged residents and reserve visitors to get involved.

“We want to hear how you use Timber Reserve and your ideas for how we can make it even better,” Cr Diamante said. 

“The 4.6ha reserve is a much-loved space for formal and informal sport and recreation including soccer, cricket, walking, jogging, and dog exercise. It also features two playgrounds for children to enjoy.

“Your feedback will help us create a master plan that supports sport and recreation for all members of our community for many years to come,” Cr Diamante said.

The Timber Reserve masterplan will assess the current sporting infrastructure, explore how the area is used, and identify opportunities for future improvements. 

Community members are invited to complete a survey at Your Say Manningham.

The consultation is separate to that by Victoria’s Big Build on behalf of Yarra Valley Water regarding a pressure reducing station at the reserve as part of the North East Link Project.

Council Officers will be available to answer questions a drop-in “Have your say” session at the Timber Reserve sportsground on Thursday 16 October, 5:00pm to 6:30pm.

Consultation continues to 11.59pm on Sunday 26 October 2025.

While out getting your daily exercise, you may have spotted a green sign with white text in one of our beautiful parks or along a walking trail.

These are Emergency Markers and can be your gateway to help in an emergency as they save our emergency responders time trying to locate you.

Each marker has a unique code linked to Triple Zero Victoria. When you call 000, knowing the location of your nearest marker can help ESTA quickly determine your GPS coordinates and the nearest road access point and other navigational data to help emergency responders.

We recently conducted a full audit of our Emergency Markers to identify any damaged and missing markers within our parks and along our walking tracks. These have all now been replaced so emergency services can respond quickly where needed.

If you spot a damaged or illegible marker, please report this issue to us.

We’re proposing to install a new public toilet along the Mullum Mullum Trail, near the park at 16 Conos Court in Donvale.

This location was carefully chosen for its accessibility, ease of maintenance, and minimal environmental impact, avoiding the sewer pipe on the eastern side of the trail.

Why it’s needed

Public toilets make trails more accessible and allow more people to use them – for longer.

Whether you’re a walker, runner, cyclist, or family with young children, this new facility would provide a much-needed convenience for trail users.

What’s included?

• A standard and accessible toilet to cater to all users
• Baby and child change facilities for family-friendly use
• Natural and powered lighting, inside and out
• A water tank for environmentally friendly natural water supply.

The facility would be well maintained,cleaned daily and open between 6.00am and 10.00pm.

Have your say

Would you like to see a public toilet here? Let us know! Complete our online survey by 5.00pm on Monday 9 December 2024.

This project is part of our Public Toilet Plan.

We’ve completed a review of our Road Management Plan (RMP), and the updated plan was formally adopted at the Council meeting on 27 May 2025.

The RMP sets out how we manage more than 680 kilometres of local roads across Manningham, in line with the Road Management Act 2004 – ensuring they stay safe, functional and well-maintained for everyone in our community.

As part of the review, we proposed a number of updates to make the plan easier to read and more aligned with current best practice.

What you told us

We invited feedback from the community between 20 March and 17 April 2025.

Thank you to everyone who took part and provided input into the plan.

Most feedback focused on specific local issues like traffic conditions, road crossings, or footpaths which are areas outside the scope of the RMP. We’ve passed these concerns on to the relevant Council teams or other agencies like the Department of Transport and Planning to follow up.

We also heard that many of you supported our current practices, such as proactive vegetation management.

Based on your input, no major changes were made to the Road Management Plan. We did make some minor formatting improvements.

You can find out more about the consultation on Your Say Manningham.

View the Road Management Plan

View the Road Management Plan on our website. You can also view in person at the Manningham Civic Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster.

If you have questions or want to know more, please contact our Coordinator Sustainable Engineering on 9840 9333 or email us at manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au

Come and celebrate Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 2 March. 
Join our clean up event at Koonung Creek Linear Park from 10.00am to 1.00pm.

Manningham is home to a variety of parks and reserves as well as rivers and creeks that connect to larger water systems. Unfortunately, we’re seeing litter in many of these areas, which can endanger our waterways and wildlife. 

Litter impacts our waterways

When waste ends up on the ground, it doesn’t just stay there – it washes into our waterways, especially during rainy or windy weather. This disrupts water quality and creates hazards for our aquatic life, making it harder for plants and animals to thrive.

Litter impacts our wildlife

Wildlife can also mistake plastic bags, food wrappers or small debris for food. When ingested, this can lead to choking, malnutrition and even death. 

What you can do

Clean Up Australia Day is a chance to take positive, practical action. 

Let’s roll up our sleeves, get outdoors and clean up Koonung Creek Linear Park.

• Sunday 2 March 2025 
• 10.00am to 1.00pm
• Koonung Creek Linear Park, 105 Leeds Street, Doncaster East, enter via Boronia Reserve

We'll provide gloves, litter collection gear, and a barbecue lunch.

Register now 

Can’t make it on the day? No worries!

There are several ways to get involved and support this important cause:

Organise your own event

Even if you can't attend an official event, you can organise a clean up in your own neighbourhood or at a local park or beach. Clean Up Australia Day has resources to help you get started.

Spread the word 

Use your social media channels to promote the initiative, share tips for reducing waste, and encourage others to get involved. Check out instagram.com/cleanupaustralia for content.

Reduce your own waste

Make a difference by reducing your personal waste, recycling responsibly, and encouraging others to do the same. Every small action counts! 

By keeping litter out of our natural environment, we can create a cleaner, healthier Manningham for all.