We've received 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.

Did you get your driver licence back when seatbelts weren’t mandatory, cars were less advanced and driving tests were simpler?

If so, our free Wiser Driver course might be just the refresher you need.

This friendly, informative program helps older adults stay confident and independent on the road - without needing to undergo any driving assessments.

The four-session accredited course will run again this June for drivers aged 65 and over. 

You’ll learn about:

• challenges faced by older drivers
• safety tips for wiser driving
• updated road rules and regulations
• car safety features
• staying roadworthy
• planning for future travel needs
• exploring alternative transport options
• VicRoads tools and other helpful resources.

Join our Wiser Driver course in June

📍 Manningham Function Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster 3108

📅 Wednesdays: 4, 11, 18 and 25 June 2025

🕙 Each session runs for two hours, from 10.30am to 12.30pm

Bookings essential.

Book now

If you're interested in future courses, or part of a group or community organisation interested in a dedicated session, please let us know by emailing manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au or calling 9840 9333.

This course is part of our commitment to supporting safe, informed and active ageing in the Manningham community. It is also an initiative aligned with our Road Safety Strategy, specifically our action to provide education and awareness programs that promote safer driving across all ages.

By staying up to date with the latest in road safety and transport options, older drivers can continue to enjoy their independence safely and confidently.
 

Manningham Council’s wild deer control program is helping reduce the negative impact of deer on private properties, bushland, waterways and road safety.

Since 2017, Manningham Council has supported residents to manage deer on their properties through our Local Environment Assistance Fund (LEAF) program. 

In recent years, this support has been strengthened through funding from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), enabling Council to provide a 100 per cent rebate for eligible Green Wedge residents who engage a professional deer control contractor.

Through the program, since January 2024 more than 200 Sambar deer have been managed in Warrandyte, Warrandyte South, Park Orchards and Wonga Park. Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante, commended the program’s impact on both local biodiversity and road safety.

“Thanks to LEAF, we’ve been able to make significant headway in controlling the wild deer population and reducing the associated damage to private land and our environment,” Cr Diamante said. 

“It’s important that we continue this work, and I encourage eligible landowners to take advantage of the support and expertise offered by the LEAF program.”

Wild deer cause significant and widespread impacts to both private and public land, including destroying native vegetation, disrupting ecosystems and threatening agricultural activities.

The LEAF program provides residents with access to professional support and expertise, ensuring that deer control is done safely, effectively and responsibly.

Manningham Council’s deer control efforts on private land are supported by Parks Victoria’s work on public land, including its successful expansion of deer control activities across five reserves in Warrandyte State Park since July 2024. 

The DEECA grant that helps fund Council’s deer control program is set to end in June 2025.

Manningham Council is in ongoing discussions with DEECA about securing further funding to help support deer control. 

If you see a deer or notice damage, please report it using the FeralScan app to help us reduce the impact of wild deer. Data is securely stored in the FeralScan database and may assist government and biosecurity agencies in planning deer control. You can choose to make your report public or private.

For more information about our LEAF program, visit manningham.vic.gov.au/deer-control 

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.