Through increased climate action, we aim to enhance the liveability of Manningham, promote community health and wellbeing, and boost the resilience of our natural and built environments, as well as the economy.

Climate emergency resolution

In October 2021, Manningham Council unanimously adopted climate mitigation targets. These targets are:

• net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2028 for Council operations
• net zero emissions by 2035 for the Manningham community.

The climate emergency resolution and the net zero targets empower us to enhance climate action. Community feedback enabled a shared commitment with Council to respond to climate change with decisive action.

Climate Emergency Response Plan

Climate change is the defining issue of our time. That’s why we're pursuing ambitious but achievable goals of our own as part of our climate emergency response. 

Focus areas:

• improved public transport and car share services
• more electric vehicle charging infrastructure
• conversion to energy efficient LED streetlights
• more rooftop solar
• household and building energy saving measures
• diverting food and garden organics (FOGO) waste away from landfill
• incentives to recycle and repurpose materials
• preserving and strengthening local biodiversity and bushland
• continuing community education and awareness raising through workshops, events and activities.
   

What we’re doing

We’re adopting a diverse approach to tackling climate change and its effects. We know a challenge like this requires action on several fronts. 

We developed the Climate Emergency Response Plan, our blueprint to address the impacts from climate change for our community. Each year we will publish a Climate Implementation Plan Update to ensure transparency with our community in actions to meet the set targets.

Our key actions include:

Sustainable transport 

We've introduced a pilot car share service at Doncaster Hill. We've transitioned more than 60 per cent of our fleet to low emission vehicles. We're increasing the number of electric vehicles (EVs) in our fleet and we've begun electrifying our plant equipment, including:

• a fully electric heavy vehicle
• electric mowers
• gardening equipment such as blowers and hedgers. 

We're expanding our EV charging infrastructure, including 14 chargers for Council vehicles and a network of public EV chargers.

Sustainable energy

• a program to convert all streetlights to energy efficient lighting
• transferring all our electricity to renewable power (at lower than business as usual costs)
• rollout of solar and battery storage program (10 buildings per year)
• supporting the Solar Savers Program, an incentive and education program for residents to convert to all-electric homes.
   

Nature and greening our suburbs

• planting 2000 street trees each year
• maintaining streetscapes and reserves
• preserving and strengthening local biodiversity and bushland reserves.
   

Community education

We run monthly biodiversity walks and produce a monthly What's On e-newsletter. We run webinars and workshops to educate and raise awareness on the circular economy, climate and biodiversity, including:

• Inspired Living Series
• Spring Outdoors
• Electrify your home
• Clothes swap days
• Detox your home.

View the events calendar.

Related pages

Take climate and environmental action

Council Plan theme

Our Council Plan 2025-2029 was adopted at the Council Meeting on 30 June 2025 and sets out our priorities and goals over Council’s 4-year term.

The plan is shaped by the voice of our community and incorporates the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. This approach will ensure that we achieve the highest possible standard of public health and wellbeing for our community and meet our legislated obligations

Themes and goals

The Council Plan has 5 themes and 10 strategic objectives.

Download the Council Plan 

How can my school get involved?

Schools can sign up for the following programs and events.

Eastern Alliance for Sustainable Learning

Manningham Council is a member of the Eastern Alliance for Sustainable Learning (EASL). EASL provides professional development, learning and networking opportunities for early years, primary and secondary schools. Events run throughout the year, including the Learning for Sustainability Conference held in March.

Register for the annual Learning for Sustainability Conference.

Resource Smart Schools Program

Get involved in the Resource Smart Schools Program run by EASL. The program can help your school embed sustainability into everything you do, including ways to promote biodiversity, minimise waste, save energy and water, and take action on climate change.

Sustainability and Environmental Education Day 

In 2025 we are piloting a new program for Manningham primary schools, Sustainability and Environmental Education Day (SEED).  

This program will be an incursion, and will cover four themes of biodiversity, composting, waste and Traditional Owner education. The program includes both theory and hands on activities to enable students to gain a practical understanding of sustainability initiatives within their local context. The program is free of charge for schools and lead by Council Officers and in partnership with the Wurundjeri Corporation Education Unit.   

Lead to Sustain Conference

Bring your students along for a day of discovery and education at Currawong Bush Park. 

The Lead to Sustain Conference offers young people in our community the opportunity to learn how to lead the implementation of sustainable actions for the benefit of our local community. The conference includes activities dedicated to supporting biodiversity and ecology, saving water, reducing waste, recycling and reducing energy consumption.

This conference is designed to follow on from the SEED program and provides a day of celebration for the students and schools that participated in SEED. 

Subscribe to our Environment Newsletter

Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.

Subscribe now

This document sets out how we manage Manningham’s local road network, including more than 686 km of local roads, 912 km of pathways, and 980 km of kerb and channel.

The Plan is guided by the Road Management Act 2004 and aligns with our broader asset management and financial strategies.

Focus areas:

• Service standards define how often roads and footpaths are inspected and maintained.
• Roads and pathways are classified by use and importance to prioritise maintenance.
• Maintenance targets set response times for repairs based on risk and road category.
• The plan aims to reduce hazards and ensure safe travel for everyone.

Our responsibilities under the Road Management Plan

We manage local roads, while the Department of Transport and Planning manage arterial roads and freeways. However, not all infrastructure within the road reserve on local roads is managed by us.

For example:

• Property owners are responsible for maintaining vehicle crossovers and nature strips.
• Utility providers manage their infrastructure (e.g. water, gas, electricity).

How we maintain our roads

We use a four-tier inspection system:

• Reactive inspections: we respond to community requests.
• Proactive inspections: we schedule inspections based on road hierarchy.
• Condition assessments: we evaluate the long-term health of assets.
• Emergency works: we provide immediate responses to urgent hazards.

Maintenance is prioritised based on risk, usage, and available resources. Temporary measures may be used to mitigate risks until permanent repairs are completed.

Council Plan theme

Our 10 Year Financial Plan 2025/26 to 2034/35 provides a financial road map for the future. 

Adopted at the 30 July 2025 Council Meeting, the 10 Year Financial Plan ensures we deliver on the Council Plan and continue to be a financially sustainable organisation.

The Community Infrastructure Plan will direct Manningham’s significant investment in new and upgraded infrastructure and guide decisions to decommission those assets that no longer meet the needs of the community. It reflects two of our Council Plan 2021–2025 priorities for liveable places and spaces and for a healthy community.

Focus areas:

• Early Years
• Young People
• Libraries and learning spaces
• Arts and Culture
• Community meeting spaces
• Community Services (medical and legal services, material aid and aged care).

Council Plan theme

Toilets allow people to spend more time in public spaces to socialise, exercise, recreate, learn, support local businesses and to engage with their community. Equitable access is critical for the health, wellbeing and diversity of a community.

Focus areas:

• opening up five existing toilets to provide new public toilet facilities
• constructing new public toilet facilities in eleven locations
• upgrading older style toilets to improve safety and be gender inclusive
• conduct accessibility audits and upgrade access paths to public toilet facilities
• provide Changing Places at major destinations around Manningham
• provide public toilets along linear trails at regular intervals as site conditions permit
• investigate a program of artworks on blank walls of toilet buildings to raise awareness of our toilet facilities, improve perceptions of safety and activate public spaces.

Council Plan theme

Transport systems shape cities, build lifestyles and drive local economies, and a well-integrated transport network often underpins the successful operation of a city. 

Focus areas:

• improve current transport options including bus and active transport
• reinforce advocacy for the Doncaster Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) 
• actions that will assist Manningham to move towards sustainable transport technologies such as on-demand bus services, car-share schemes and electric vehicles 
• support the concept of achieving a City of 20-minute neighbourhoods throughout the municipality.

Related downloads

Council Plan theme

We are committed to ensuring that all people in our community are treated with dignity, respect and fairness. We will consider the gender, equality and diversity of all people in our community as we develop our plans, strategies and services.

Focus areas:

• an overarching policy and planning environment which commits Council to addressing gender equality and other disadvantage related to intersectionality
• leadership commitment, capability, and accountability
• an organisational culture which embraces gender equality, diversity, and inclusion
• people leaders and key staff who have the understanding, commitment, confidence, and skills to implement gender equity action, including Gender Impact Assessments
• policies and systems which enable effective action to progress gender equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Related Pages

Careers

Council Plan theme

The Templestowe Village Structure Plan seeks to provide greater certainty for residents, businesses and landowners regarding the future planning and development of Templestowe Village up to the year 2030.  It will assist us in determining planning permit applications and planning scheme amendment requests. The Plan will also guide Council investment in streetscape, open space and community facility development within the area. 

Focus areas:

• improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
• future development in the commercial core
• strategic redevelopment sites with considerations for built form, community facilities, and public amenities
• business development to enhance existing services and promote appropriate redevelopment
• housing opportunities and built form to encourage a mix of dwelling types and sustainable design
• public environment and public realm improvements to create visually appealing and accessible spaces
• public transport, traffic, and car parking enhancements to prioritize cycling, public transport, and safe traffic flow
• promoting safe and attractive pedestrian and bicycle routes throughout the area. ​
   

Related Pages

Liveable City Strategy

Vibrant Villages - Activity Centre Action Plan

Council Plan theme

One of our significant areas of open space is Donvale Reserve. It's a sporting hub for the local community and home to six sporting clubs and a preschool. This Reserve supports the active participation of more than 800 club members and 100 volunteers throughout the year. Many local residents access the Reserve regularly to walk, play and exercise with family and friends.

Focus areas:

• improve the broad range of formal recreational services and programs based at the Reserve, including building and facility upgrades
• improve pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular access to and within the Reserve to encourage greater use and increase safety
• maintain and enhance opportunities for informal recreation
• protect the existing environment and encourage improved environmental practices for future use, development and management of the Reserve.

Related Pages

• Donvale Reserve

Council Plan theme

The purpose of the Domestic Wastewater Management Plan is to manage domestic wastewater systems. It integrates with the Stormwater Management Plan and the Manningham Planning Scheme, and is an essential strategic planning tool to address existing and future wastewater issues within Manningham.

Focus areas:

• Improve and protect public health
• Promote the principles of environmental sustainability by reducing the impacts of domestic wastewater on local creeks, streams and remote receiving environments
• Continue to engage with property owners regarding septic tank management and ongoing maintenance responsibilities
• Identify properties that would benefit from an alternative sewerage solution and refer these to Yarra Valley Water (YVW) for inclusion in their Community Sewerage Program
• Advocate on behalf of the community to ensure the same access to sewerage infrastructure (reticulated or onsite solutions) as the rest of the Melbourne population
• Support YVW in applying their powers of enforcement for properties that continue to discharge to stormwater.

Related Pages

• Manningham Planning Scheme

Council Plan theme

Rieschiecks Reserve provides areas of open space, a sporting oval, pavilion, recreation centre, Schramms Cottage museum, cricket and football facilities, scout hall, playground, public toilets and carparks. It is located across Victoria Street from Ruffey Lake Park. The Reserve exists within one of the most populated residential communities within Manningham including four primary schools and two secondary colleges in a one kilometre vicinity.

Focus areas:

• Improve physical access including pedestrian, cycling and vehicular access and flow to and through the site.
• Assess and improve the infrastructure for formal sport, recreation and community facilities within Rieschiecks Reserve.
• Improve opportunities whilst retaining existing character for informal and passive recreation values at Rieschiecks Reserve.
• Protect and conserve the heritage values of the Reserve for current and future generations

Related Pages

• Rieschiecks Reserve

Council Plan theme