Manningham Council is encouraging local seniors community groups and clubs to apply for a new Seniors Club Support Grants program, aimed at supporting initiatives that benefit and empower older people in Manningham.

These grants provide up to $8,000 in funding and can be used for a wide range of activities, including digital literacy programs, creative writing classes, or exercise sessions.

Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange invites clubs and group to apply for a grant.

“This is a chance for our dedicated seniors clubs and groups to receive support for new programs that boost the health and wellbeing of their members.” Cr Lange said.

“It’s also an opportunity to support initiatives where our older community, family members and carers to come together and make meaningful connections.

“A lack of social connection can really affect older individuals and their caregivers. These grants provide great opportunities to get involved in a safe and welcoming environment.”

Applications open on Monday 5 August and close on Wednesday 4 September.

Council is hosting a free grant writing workshop for existing Seniors Clubs members on Tuesday 6 August at the Manningham Function Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster.

Bookings are essential and limited to two people per organisation.

To register, visit manningham.vic.gov.au/events/manningham-grant-writing-workshop-seniors-club-support-grant. 

For more information or to apply, visit manningham.vic.gov.au/community-grants or contact the Community Grants team on 9840 9333 or grants@manningham.vic.gov.au.

We invite residents to provide feedback on upcoming projects in Warrandyte and Wonga Park in November.

Our CEO, Andrew Day, encouraged residents to share their thoughts and ideas at upcoming consultation sessions – to help ensure future projects reflect community values and priorities.

“We want to hear directly from the people who know the area best – its residents,” said CEO, Andrew Day.

"If you like the project – tell us. If you have ideas to improve the project – tell us. Your feedback, no matter the opinion, is essential to helping us make informed decisions for the community," he said.

The sessions will consult on projects across various stages. Some will be in the initial planning phase, where community sentiment and input are vital. Others will be further advanced, where project designs will be shared, and officers will be available to answer questions.

Each session will focus on projects within its suburb.

Consultation Session details

• Monday 25 November, 4.00pm to 7.00pm, Wonga Park Hall, corner of Launders Avenue and Yarra Road
• Monday 2 December, 4.00pm to 7.00pm, Warrandyte Community Hall, 2-8 Taroona Avenue 

Can't attend a session? Provide your feedback online.

Projects

Wonga Park

• Paynters Road

Warrandyte

• Pound Road (stage two) footpath upgrade
• West End Road footpath upgrade
• Main Yarra Trail Extension, stages three (Pound Road to Taroona Avenue) and four (Taroona Avenue)
• Tindals Road footpath upgrade
• Blair Street drainage upgrade
• Mitchell Avenue drainage upgrade
• Pedestrian Refuge at Russell Road
• Alexander Road road upgrades

There will be opportunities to discuss other projects, which may be taken on notice as required.

We host these sessions twice yearly as part of our ongoing commitment to meaningful community engagement.

Stay informed about upcoming events and outcomes by visiting the Your Say Manningham website. 

Subscribe to the project page for email updates on current and future consultations.

 “Our aim was to improve our home’s efficiency and reduce our reliance on the grid,” explains Ken.

While the couple initially dreamed of being off-grid, they found a powerful alternative: a well-insulated home with rooftop solar and a battery system.

For Ken, who comes from the country and doesn’t identify as an environmentalist, it was clear that “this is the way we must go.”

So, in 2023, Ken and Joan upgraded their 1kW solar panels to a 10kW system and also purchased a Sungrow battery through the Solar Savers scheme.

The battery offers three-phase backup protection, which keeps their home steady if there’s a power outage or problem with the grid. They can also add extra units to increase the battery’s capacity – if their energy needs grow or they add more appliances.  

The impact? Less grid outages and more reliable energy. Plus, with an interest-free loan from Solar Savers, the upgrade was more affordable.

“While the total cost was around $20,000, I only paid $7,000 upfront, with the rest on an interest-free loan. It’s a great deal that’s made a huge difference for us.”

North East Link Project (NELP) has released designs for the redevelopment of the Doncaster Park and Ride, which you can now provide feedback on and have your say. 

The designs are within a draft Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP), which shows that the Doncaster Park and Ride will connect to a new dedicated busway along the Eastern Freeway, known as the Eastern Busway. 

The plan is to construct the facility into a modern version of its existing state (like-for-like), resulting in the Park and Ride being retained as a car park and bus interchange only, with a similar number of car parking spaces. The draft UDLP is currently on exhibition for public comment.

Council will be providing a submission in response to the UDLP to propose that the current plan is a missed opportunity to reconstruct the Doncaster Park and Ride as a mixed-use Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). 

While the facility being redeveloped into a modern interchange is positive, this is a key opportunity for TOD, which could provide wide-ranging benefits to the community, environment and local economy.

We will be advocating that there is a growing demand for park and ride facilities due to population growth and the lack of any rail infrastructure in Manningham. This is shown through the high-usage of the newly opened Bulleen Park and Ride which consistently operates at capacity, and reinforces the significant opportunity this Doncaster Park and Ride site offers for our community.

As such, our submission seeks to include a multi-level car park with increased capacity, new open spaces areas, as well as retail and other commercial opportunities. This is in-line with our commissioned 2022 site design concept which was endorsed on 26 July 2022 as Council’s preferred redevelopment outcome for the Doncaster Park and Ride site.

We ask you to join us in advocating that Doncaster Park and Ride be reconstructed to include: 

• mixed-use transit-oriented development
• increase in carpark spaces, or
• flexibility to address population growth and allow for mixed-use development in future. 

Have your say

Help shape the Doncaster Park and Ride. You can provide feedback while the UDLP is on exhibition until 5.00pm Tuesday 24 September 2024.

To find out more, or to make a submission, head to Engage Victoria.

What’s next?

Council will be considering its submission on the Doncaster Park and Ride UDLP at its meeting on Tuesday 16 September. Following this, the submission will be lodged on behalf of Council to Engage Victoria. 

NELP will consider all written comments and submissions received, before the final UDLP is submitted to the Minister for Planning for consideration.

You can read more on the Big Build website and sign up to receive email updates.

We've provided a submission to the Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP) for the Doncaster Park and Ride Upgrades, as part of the North East Link Project (NELP).

Our recommendations throughout the submission demonstrate our strong commitment to advocating for a mixed-use transit-oriented development due to the wide-ranging benefits to the community, environment, and local economy.

Our detailed submission focuses on key outcomes we're seeking, including: 

• multi-level car park with increased capacity
• a mix of retail and commercial development
• public open space areas
• increased car parking spaces for bus commuters
• improved access to retail for surrounding residents
• improved public transport access
• pedestrian connectivity to be maintained and improved   
• noise walls that meet the expectations of our community, and
• robust future-proofing for our growing population and evolving community needs.

Our submission also provides a detailed assessment of the UDLP, focusing on key areas across: 

• traffic, car parking and access
• urban design and architecture
• open space and landscaping
• amenity
• cultural themes
• as well as other considerations.

We lodged our submission in September 2024.

For more information, please download the Urban Design and Landscape Plan submission.

For more information and to view the UDLP, visit Doncaster Park and Ride Upgrades on Engage Victoria.

What’s next?

NELP will consider all written comments and submissions received, then finalise the UDLP and submit it to the Minister for Planning for consideration.

After the Minister for Planning has approved the UDLP, the community will be updated on how feedback was considered.

You can read more on the Big Build website and sign up to receive email updates.

Our community panel came together for the first time on Saturday for the first of six and half day’s deliberation.

The Panel recruitment started with 8000 envelopes sent randomly to local households. Of those who accepted the invitation, a second random draw resulted in the final 40 people chosen. This second draw was ‘stratified,’ set up, so people chosen were representative of Manningham by age, gender, location, living situation and the language spoken at home.

This will be our most significant deliberative engagement to date, with the panel set to play a crucial role in shaping our major strategic plans. 

Here’s some feedback from two panel members after day one:

“I was surprised when I got the invite but said to myself, I have grandchildren and what better way to leave a legacy for them but to have a say into shaping Manningham.” 

“I am from an accounting background so especially interested to look at Council’s financial documents and exploring that side of the process.”     

You can also participate in the deliberative process by registering to be an observer. Observing the process means that you can form your own assessment of the merits of the deliberative approach.

18 October 2024

Council officers have today seized two dogs suspected of being involved in animal aggression and livestock losses in the Wonga Park and Warrandyte South area.

This action was taken this morning, after officers were able to formally speak to an individual who is assisting Council with our ongoing investigations.

We are assessing all available evidence. We encourage any witnesses with new information that could assist with our investigation to contact us directly on 9840 9333 at manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au.
 

16 October 2024

We are actively investigating reports of uncontained dogs, animal aggression and livestock losses in the Wonga Park and Warrandyte South area.

Since we received reports early last week, we have:

• visited 26 local properties that house large dogs, including German Shepherds, to confirm they are appropriately contained and that the owners understand their obligations to contain their dogs
• met with local residents, taken multiple witness statements and photos related to the reports – however, at this stage, we have not collected evidence that directly links the reported incidents to dogs from an individual property
• been in contact with local police
• continued to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to attend to emergency reports relating to community safety.

We have not received any reports of further attacks on livestock or wildlife since Monday this week.

If you have information about this

As part of our ongoing investigation, we are collecting all available evidence and encourage any witnesses to contact us directly. Timely and accurate reporting will assist with our investigation.

Our officers are ready and available to follow up any new information and will meet with witnesses to take statements and gather evidence, once reported.

Direct evidence is required before we can take legal steps to seize or remove animals from a property. It’s important to note, social media speculation doesn’t assist our investigation, it can just create concern in our community. If you have witnessed something in relation to this matter, please contact us directly as we cannot act on social media content alone. Where we have sufficient direct evidence, we will take all appropriate and available actions.

Contacting us

If you have witnessed something, we encourage you to let us know as soon as possible.

If you have information or evidence relating to these incidents and that could assist with our investigation, please contact us on 9840 9333 at manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au

We have officers on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to attend to emergency reports related to community safety.

Calls received outside of office hours, between 5.00pm to 8.30am and on weekends, are directed to our on-call after hours emergency service.

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’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.
 

Last night, 25 March, a petition to remove from permanent display the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from all Manningham flagpoles and the cessation of holding a Welcome to Country ceremony and statement of the Acknowledgement of Country before any Council meeting or function, with 12 signatures was tabled at the Council meeting. The Council vote was to enable the petition to be tabled, and it did not provide any position on the matter.

In accordance with our Council meeting procedures, all petitions are formally tabled at the meeting, and Council votes to receive it.

Manningham Council's use of the Welcome To Country ceremony, statement of Acknowledgement of Country and the flying of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are strategic elements of our Council Plan, endorsed Manningham Reconciliation Action Plan and Flying Flags In The Civic Precinct Policy; and designed to provide a roadmap for Manningham's own commitment to reconciliation.  

No decision has been made to change this current endorsed position.

Valuing free speech means listening to different views regardless of whether we agree or disagree with a position.

In line with our commitment to transparency and our standard procedures, we will respond to the lead petitioner and include that response in the Agenda papers for the April Council Meeting.

Deirdre

UPDATED: 28 March 2025 new date for community workshop

A new Arts Action Plan is set to guide future arts, culture and local history services, programs and activities in Manningham.

To inform the plan, artists, creatives and community members are invited to provide feedback to Council on what’s important to them about arts, culture and local history, and the types of programs they would like to see in the municipality.

Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante, said arts, culture and local history enriched community life by providing opportunities for expression and creativity, social connections and a sense of identity and belonging.

“Whether it’s visual arts and exhibitions, theatre, music and live performances, writing and literature, or photography and film - arts and culture touches everyone,” Cr Diamante said.

“Our local history dates back thousands of years from the traditional owners, the Wurrundjeri Woi-wurrung people, through the days of European settlement to our present multicultural community.

“Creative industries also form an important part of our local economy.”

Feedback can be provided by completing an online survey, or attending an online community workshop on Wednesday 8 April 2025, 6.00pm to 7.30pm.

More information is available at Your Say Manningham. Feedback closes Friday 25 April 2025.

UPDATED: 28 March 2025 new date for community workshop

We’re developing a new action plan to guide future arts, culture and local history services, programs and activities in Manningham.

We want to hear what’s important to you about arts, culture and local history, and the types of programs you would like to see in our municipality.

Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante, said arts, culture and local history enriched community life by providing opportunities for expression and creativity, social connections and a sense of identity and belonging.

“Whether it’s visual arts and exhibitions, theatre, music and live performances, writing and literature, or photography and film - arts and culture touches everyone,” Cr Diamante said.

“Our local history dates back thousands of years from the traditional owners, the Wurrundjeri Woi-wurrung people, through the days of European settlement to our present multicultural community.

“Creative industries also form an important part of our local economy.”

Share your thoughts by:

• completing our online survey at Your Say Manningham
• registering to attend our online community workshop on Wednesday 8 April 2025, 6.00pm to 7.30pm

Visit Your Say Manningham for more information and to have your say. 

Survey closes Friday 25 April 2025 at 5pm.

Manningham Council has welcomed more than $450,000 in Victorian Government funding to support three major recreation and leisure projects, including the Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre outdoor redevelopment.

Mayor Cr Deirdre Diamante met with North-Eastern Metropolitan MP Sonja Terpstra, and the new Federal Member for Menzies, Gabriel Ng, MP, at Aquarena this week for the funding announcement. The three projects that have received support through the 2024-25 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, are:

• Aquarena outdoor redevelopment: $250,000
• Domeney Reserve sports field LED floodlight upgrade: $162,937
• Manningham Recreation Strategy: $40,000.

“We’re grateful to receive this critical financial support through Sonja Terpstra and the Victorian Government’s 2024-25 Local Sports Infrastructure Fund,” Cr Diamante said.

“This funding will go toward important projects that benefit the health, wellbeing and safety of our community in Manningham.

“Aquarena has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. From learn to swim lessons in the old outdoor 25m pool, to hot summer days climbing those endless stairs to the car park. Aquarena is part of the fabric of Manningham.”

Sonja Terpstra said, “The Allan Labor Government is delivering on its promise to upgrade Aquarena at Doncaster. As a seasoned swimmer myself, I couldn't be more excited about what this means for locals in Doncaster and surrounding suburbs who love to swim.

“We're also investing $162,937 for LED lighting at Domeney Reserve in Park Orchards and $40,000 towards Manningham Council's recreation strategy. These investments ensure our community sporting facilities are modernised and accessible, which means more people can enjoy playing local sport right on their doorstep.”

The redevelopment of the outdoor precinct at Aquarena will see a new 50m outdoor pool, family zone with interactive water play, splash pad and toddler pool, spectator seating, change rooms, a new café and more.

At Domeney Reserve, the sports field floodlighting will be upgraded to a minimum of 100LUX to meet the needs for evening AFL play. This will improve facility capacity and participant safety and ensure the lighting meets appropriate standards.

A new Manningham Recreation Strategy will help guide the future provision of community-based sport, recreation and leisure opportunities for residents over the next 10 years.

Image: Federal Member for Menzies Gabriel Ng, MP, Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante and North-Eastern Metropolitan MP Sonja Terpstra at Aquarena for the funding announcement.