Local home-based and small businesses will benefit from a vibrant new co-working business hub located at MC Square Doncaster from mid-next year.

We are investing $1.6 million from the 2024–2025 and 2025-2026 Council Budgets to redevelop existing, underutilised space to create a high-end, well-resourced and accessible work destination for local business operators.

Recent studies show that, while demand for co-working environments has grown post-COVID, there is a significant shortage of available spaces in the eastern region.

An estimated 80 per cent of all registered Manningham businesses are home-based and Manningham Mayor, Cr Carli Lange said the hub will play an important role in supporting these businesses.

“We know there are significant, proven benefits to co-working spaces, including opportunities to grow your networks, collaborate with other entrepreneurs and access professional high-end facilities without the usual overhead,” Cr Lange said.

“Small business owners and operators are a crucial part of our local economy and we are passionate about helping them to succeed.

“Our new co-working business hub will be an investment in the future of small business,” the Mayor added.

The development and operation of the co-working business hub is a Council Plan 2021–2025 priority and a key part of our Economic Development Strategy 2023–2028.

The Hub will be a contemporary space with everything on hand, including day and evening networking and upskilling events and a virtual receptionist, enabling members to have a dedicated business address for correspondence.

Filled with natural light, the space overlooks the leafy environment of Doncaster and beyond to the mountains. A vibrant café space downstairs provides a place for coffee and chats with clients and business connections.

The hub will also feature Council’s Business Concierge service, providing dedicated support to establish and grow your business. The project is expected to be delivered in July 2025, with capacity for 30–40 individuals.

“Council will consult with our local business owners and our friends at the Manningham Business Network throughout the hub’s development, to ensure we are delivering the best possible space for local commerce to thrive,” Cr Lange said.

MC Square, as a modern Council facility bringing together a range of other services, is an ideal location for the co-working space.

MC Square will undergo a revitalisation in the coming months, to become a space where different areas of the community can come together with a common purpose.

In addition to the co-working hub, the upgrade includes plans for refreshed internal branding and wayfinding, a new youth hub and redeveloped library facility.

Business owners will have the opportunity to check out the co-working business hub prior to redevelopment alongside the project architect in the coming months.

Follow @ManninghamCouncil or keep an eye on manningham.vic.gov.au for more information.

Stunning new botanical art displays at the Manningham Civic Centre provide inspiration for bringing the natural world into your own home or workplace.

The displays, on show until Spring, are by artist Kayla Moon, of floristry business xfloss, and are examples of biophilic design.

Biophilic design is about increasing our connection to the natural world within our built environment.

Kayla specialises in unusual large-scale sculptural pieces that combine different materials, colours and structural elements that are both beautiful and thought-provoking.

“Our work is unconventional because of the style of the materials that we use,” Kayla said.

“I love to create sculptures that are big floral monsters - more unusual, even grotesque – beautiful but a bit terrifying.”

Indeed, Kayla’s displays in the foyers of the Civic Centre and MC Square feature the dried and preserved weed Amaranthus, highlighting the beauty of what could considered a ‘monster’ outside its native environment. 

Kayla has combined the Amaranthus with the air plant Old Man’s Beard, Papyrus Sedge, and branches of Corokia to create beautiful sculptural displays.

“I’ve brought together different types of plants at different stages of their lifecycle – weeds, airplants, bushes and deciduous plants. I think it provides insights into natural materiality and the beauty of nature and how you can use flowers, twigs, rocks and other natural items as a medium.”

Biophilia refers to our innate connection with nature and was first coined by psychologist Eric Fromm in 1964. The word biophilia originates from the Greek words ‘bio’, meaning life, and ‘philia’, meaning ‘love of’, resulting in ‘in a love of life or living things’.

In our modern world, biophilic design supports connection to the natural world through practical design principals such as the use of natural shape and forms, environmental features, light and space. 

Bringing the natural world into our home and work environments has many health benefits, including relieving stress and improving our mental and physical wellbeing.

You, too, can bring biophilic design into your own home or workplace. Try some of these tips:

• Live plants: One of the easiest ways to bring biophilic design into your home is through live plants. Spider plants, snake plants, rubber plants and peace lilies are all known for their air purifying abilities and look good too.
• Texture and shape: Decorate your home with textures and shapes that replicate what you might find in nature. Materials such as wood, clay, cork or wool add a natural feel or you could find objects that mimic the patterns and forms of our natural world. 
• Colour: In colour psychology, green is known to calm and rejuvenate, so think about bringing natural colours into your home that make you feel peaceful and bring you a sense of joy, seek inspiration from sunsets, waterways and green spaces.
• Light: If you can, position desks or communal areas around windows to optimise natural light. Reflective surfaces such as stainless-steel bench tops and mirrors can help make a small space feel brighter and more expansive.
• Airflow: Open windows when you can to ensure natural air flow or invest in an air purifier. 
• Scent: Can be a powerful sensory experience. Use diffusers, candles, incense, or natural cleaning products in the home, think about natural scents such as lavender or citrus and made from natural or non-toxic ingredients. You might want to try growing herbs like rosemary, mint or thyme on your windowsill – they smell fantastic, and you can cook with them, too. 

Find out more about biophilic design from the Living Future Institute Australia.

Join us for our Inspired Living Series where you can learn about sustainable ideas from inspiring speakers throughout the year. 

Image: Artist Kayla Moon puts the finishing touches to her botanical art display in the foyer of the Civic Centre.
 

UPDATED: 4 April 2025 with new JOLT prices.

Owning an electric vehicle (EV) in Manningham will soon be more convenient.

We’re partnering with Jolt Charge and Evie Networks to roll out nine public electric vehicle charging stations in 2025 – powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.

What is a public EV charger?

Although they’re privately owned, public EV chargers are on public land and available for everyone to use – all day, every day. The universal chargers are accessible to every electric vehicle.

Public EV charging network benefits

Electric vehicle use is booming, with more people switching every day.

• Ensure that EV charging is accessible and practical 

  Many EV owners rely on public chargers to power up while on the go, or because they don’t have the infrastructure at home. A public charging network will ensure that residents living in apartments, rental properties or areas without dedicated parking can access EV chargers.

• Reduce our transport emissions 

  Transport accounts for nearly a quarter of Manningham’s carbon emissions. This rate is higher than other local governments in Melbourne – and nationally. 

  Encouraging more people to use electric vehicles powered by renewable energy will help decrease our transport emissions and reach Manningham's net zero emissions target by 2035. 

• Boost local businesses with enhanced car parking

  It's proven that EV users visit shops and activity centres that provide EV chargers. While charging, they can explore nearby shops, businesses, and recreational facilities. 

• Increase driver confidence 

  EV users can travel confidently in and around Manningham, knowing they can rely on a network of fast chargers to top up on the go.

• Create a cleaner and greener Manningham

  Powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, the charging network will help reduce transport emissions, improve local air quality and reduce noise pollution.

Charger locations

The nine new public EV charging stations will be conveniently located near commercial, recreational and tourist destinations.

The specific locations of the charging bays will depend on access to power supply.

Sites we’re exploring include:

• Doncaster Reserve (near Jackson Court), Doncaster East
• Tunstall Square, Donvale
• Templestowe Village, Templestowe
• Bulleen Road, Bulleen
• Devon Plaza, Doncaster East
• Donburn Village, Doncaster East
• Lawford Road (near Westfield), Doncaster
• Mullum Mullum Stadium, Donvale
• Pines Learning and Activity Centre, Doncaster East
• Donvale Reserve, Donvale
• Warrandyte (location TBC)
• MC Square, Doncaster
• Macedon Square, Templestowe Lower

About the chargers

Each charging station will be operated by either Jolt or Evie.

Both chargers are powered by 100 per cent renewable energy through government accredited GreenPower.

Each provider offers a distinct product and service, giving you more options for charging.

Their services are summarised below.

How much will the project cost?

There will be no cost to us to install and operate the infrastructure. The chargers will be located on our land, however Jolt Charge and Evie Networks will cover all expenses for the chargers, including ongoing maintenance. The chargers are based on a user-pay model, with charging costs at standard market rates. 
 

How are they powered?

The chargers are powered by 100 per cent renewable energy through government accredited GreenPower.

Find out more

Visit the Victorian Government or Electric Vehicle Council website.

Local home-based and small businesses will benefit from a vibrant new co-working business hub located at MC Square Doncaster from mid-next year.

Manningham Council is investing $1.6 million from the 2024–2025 and 2025-2026 Council Budgets to redevelop existing, underutilised space to create a high-end, well-resourced and accessible work destination for local business operators.

Recent studies show that, while demand for co-working environments has grown post-COVID, there is a significant shortage of available spaces in the eastern region.

An estimated 80 per cent of all registered Manningham businesses are home-based and Manningham Mayor, Cr Carli Lange said the hub will play an important role in supporting these businesses.

“We know there are significant, proven benefits to co-working spaces, including opportunities to grow your networks, collaborate with other entrepreneurs and access professional high-end facilities without the usual overhead,” Cr Lange said.

“Small business owners and operators are a crucial part of our local economy and we are passionate about helping them to succeed.  Our new co-working business hub will be an investment in the future of small business,” the Mayor added.

The development and operation of the co-working business hub is a Council Plan 2021–2025 priority and a key part of the Economic Development Strategy 2023–2028.

The Hub will be a contemporary space with everything on hand, including day and evening networking and upskilling events and a virtual receptionist, enabling members to have a dedicated business address for correspondence.

Filled with natural light, the space overlooks the leafy environment of Doncaster and beyond to the mountains. A vibrant café space downstairs provides a place for coffee and chats with clients and business connections.

The hub will also feature Council’s Business Concierge service, providing dedicated support to establish and grow your business. The project is expected to be delivered in July 2025, with capacity for 30–40 individuals.

“Council will consult with our local business owners and our friends at the Manningham Business Network throughout the hub’s development, to ensure we are delivering the best possible space for local commerce to thrive,” Cr Lange said.

MC Square, as a modern Council facility bringing together a range of other services, is an ideal location for the co-working space.

MC Square will undergo a revitalisation in the coming months, to become a space where different areas of the community can come together with a common purpose.

In addition to the co-working hub, the upgrade includes plans for refreshed internal branding and wayfinding, a new youth hub and redeveloped library facility.

Business owners will have the opportunity to check out the co-working business hub prior to redevelopment alongside the project architect in the coming months.

Follow @ManninghamCouncil or keep an eye on manningham.vic.gov.au for more information.