Manningham has one of the largest networks of open space in metropolitan Melbourne covering approximately 17 per cent of the municipality and including more than 300 parks.
This includes recreation parks, sporting reserves, natural areas and neighbourhood parks.
Our unique natural environment provides a sanctuary to 56 threatened animal species and is home to 22 per cent of Victoria’s known plants, including 11 species of state significance and four species of national significance.
A large section of the eastern half of Manningham is designated as a ‘Green Wedge’ area for the protection of our natural and rural environment.
Responding to climate change
As an environmentally forward thinking Council, we believe the decisions we make today have the potential to change the future for generations to come.
Protecting our environment
Protecting our environment and biodiversity is a shared responsibility and together with the support of our partners and community, we are actively working to preserve and enhance our city’s natural resources to ensure they will survive and thrive for generations to come.
Citizen Science
Learn about what Manningham are doing in your local green spaces to gain a better understanding of the world around us.
The Green Wedge
A large section of the eastern half of Manningham is designated as a ‘Green Wedge’ area for the protection of our natural and rural environment. Learn about the area and what we're doing to protect it.
Tree management
We plant new trees within Manningham as part of our tree planting program. We also maintain trees in residential areas, parks, and reserves. Find out about our Tree Management Plan and how to request an additional street tree for planting.
Guides
Our strategies and action plans detail how we deliver outcomes for the community and Manningham. Planning is developed in consultation with the community in line with our community engagement policy.
Manningham’s 2040 Community Vision
Manningham is a peaceful, inclusive and safe community. We celebrate life with its diverse culture, wildlife and natural environment. We are resilient and value sustainable and healthy living, a sense of belonging, and respect for one another.
Strategies
Action plans
To achieve our vision of a high quality, sustainable urban design environment, Doncaster Hill has a number of unique processes in place - in addition to the Manningham Planning Scheme provisions.
The tools below are designed to help you navigate more efficiently through the planning permit application process when developing in Doncaster Hill.
View construction specifications for the boulevard
Find out about the boulevard construction specifications for developments located along Doncaster, Williamsons and Tram Roads (including the ceding of land to Council).
Submit a Construction Management Plan
Find out how we manage the protection of neighbourhood amenity and assets during construction
Supply a 3D model visualisation
All new major developments planned within Doncaster Hill are now required to supply a 3D building file of the proposed development.
View requirements for water initiatives
Every planning permit issued within Doncaster Hill will include conditions for the submission of a Sustainability Management Plan (SMP) which achieves best practice outcomes. The SMP addresses a range of matters including water, energy and indoor environment quality.
With respect to water, it is a permit condition that the development must connect to Yarra Water’s recycled water and meet our stormwater objectives.
Learn all about Manningham’s unique local wildlife and environment with TV Zoologist Chris Humfrey from Wild Action, ‘The Zoo That Comes to You’.
Chris has presented a series of 30 short videos across two series that will introduce you to a range of native animals which call Manningham home. The first series introduces the backyard diversity of our resident fauna, the second series addresses the impact of litter on the homes and habitats of the local wildlife.
Series 1: Manningham's Backyard Diversity
You will be amazed by what lives in Manningham and maybe even your backyard. You will learn about our incredible local biodiversity and how we can all play an important role in the protection of our native species and our local fragile environment.
Echidnas can be shy, but are found in many areas of Manningham where there is enough native habitat for them to roam in. The Echidnas home range can be up to 50 hectares. Echidnas like to burrow into the soil, hide under vegetation and shelter in hollow logs, rock crevices and in burrows. They need lots of understory habitat that can provide them with their food including ants and termites.
The Southern Boobook is the smallest owl in Manningham and makes a distinctive 'boo-book' or 'mo-poke' call. As with many of our local species The Southern Boobook's needs tree hollows to nest in. The Southern Boobook feeds on insects, small mammals (such as the House Mouse, Mus musculus) and other small animal species.
The Swamp Wallaby is a shy animal that usually live alone. They can be found in places where there is thick habitat for them to hide in. The Swamp Wallaby feeds on a variety of plants including introduced and native shrubs, grasses and ferns. They are regularly spotted early in the morning along our local creeks and the Yarra River habitat corridors where there is plenty thick scrub for them to hide in during the day.
Sugar gliders are tree-dwelling marsupials gliding possums found across Manningham. They can glide up to 50 metres in one trip with their “wings” made up of thin stretched skin between their forefinger and back ankle, During flight they use their bushy tails as rudders as they soar through the air. The Sugar Glider is most active at night, sleeping by day in nests made of leaves in tree hollows. The biggest threat to Sugar Gliders are cats. It is important to bring your cat inside so they don’t eat our native bird, possums and other native animal species.
Ringtail Possums get their name from their long white prehensile tail. They are not as noisy as Brushtail Possums, and make a soft, high-pitched twittering call. Ringtail Possums are at risk from cats, dogs, foxes, traffic, and also electrocution from powerlines. Possums are also at risk from the removal of habitat due to human development. It is illegal to catch and release possums into areas more than 50 m away from where they were caught as they do not often survive relocation. You can help local wildlife by keeping big trees in your backyard as they provide tree hollows for native animals like possums, birds, bats and gliders to nest in.
Blue-tongues usually live in open country with lots of ground cover such as tussock grass or leaf litter. They shelter at night under large objects on the ground such as rocks and logs. During cold weather they remain inactive, buried deep in their shelter sites, but on sunny days they may emerge to bask. Unfortunately, blue-tongues will eat snails and slugs poisoned by snail baits and can be poisoned themselves. They rapidly become used to human activity, and may live in the same place for many years. Rockeries and cavities under houses are favourite hiding places. Many residents and schools create lizard lounges to provide habitat for bluetongue lizards and skinks. All you need are some rocks, ground cover and a sunny place for lizards to bask in and call home.
The Tawny Frogmouth is nocturnal and is often mistaken as an owl. They are however more closely related to the nightjars. Their beaks are designed to catch insects such as cicadas and beetles and the occasional mouse, rat or frog. Unlike owls, the Tawny Frogmouth is a poor flyer and will sit quietly for its prey to approach. Tawny Frogmouths love mature trees to roost and camouflage in during the day like a stringybark trees where they can be almost invisible. Tawny Frogmouth families stay together giving many local residents generations of the same family in their backyard. Protecting big old trees are a great way to encourage a Tawny Frogmouth to your backyard. The call of a Tawny Frogmouth is very distinctive and is often described as a spooky low pitched ooom ooom sound.
The koala is one of the most recognizable Australian animals. A tree-climbing marsupial, a small remnant population of koalas survived in Manningham as recently as 2015 (the last known recording of a koala in Manningham). It is thought the loss of Koalas in Manningham was mainly due to habitat loss, disease, dog attacks and road accidents. Koalas are fussy eaters and only eat a few types of eucalypt leaves. Manna Gums which are found along Manningham’s waterways are the most favoured. There is now a renewed effort by local Landcare groups and concerned residents to create more koala habitat in hope that they will return to our municipality. If you do see a Koala in Manningham, record the location and contact Manningham Council. Citizen Science is a great way to record information on our local natural environment.
The Laughing Kookaburra is common across Manningham where there are suitable trees. They have one of the most iconic calls in the Australian bush. The kookaburra feed mostly on insects, worms and crustaceans, although small snakes, mammals, frogs and birds may also be eaten. Kookaburras can pair for life and their nest is a naturally occurring tree hollow. Both sexes share the incubation duties and both care for the young. Kookaburras can become quite tame around humans and will readily accept scraps of meat. Similar to live prey, this 'pre-processed' food is still beaten against a perch before swallowing.
The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is an important part of Manningham's natural ecosystems. They promote the regeneration of native plants and reduce the fuel load in forests and grasslands. They are regularly seen in our conservation parks including Currawong, Westerfolds and Mount Lofty parks. They rest amongst shady trees during the day and move out to graze from late afternoon to early morning. Their fur is light grey colour making then perfectly camouflaged in our local woody grasslands. A baby kangaroo or ‘joey’ is raised in the pouch until it becomes independent at about 18 months of age.
Centipedes are common in Manningham and can be found under logs, in leaf litter or under rocks and bark. Centipedes are nocturnal and hunt their prey at night time. Centipedes are myriapods not insects, as they have more than six legs. Centipedes and other ‘minibeasts’ including spiders, ants, termites, butterflies, bees and other small animals play a vital role in any ecosystem. They are eaten by bigger animals in the food chain, help to pollinate plants and eat dead and decaying matter which recycles the nutrients back into the soil and ecosystem.
Lace Monitors were once common in Manningham, however due to habitat loss they are now very rare. They need tall open Eucalyptus woodlands to live. There are occasional sightings of Lace Monitors in Manningham’s Green Wedge usually between September to December when they are on the move. If you go for a walk through bushland during the cooler months of the year, watch where you step, Lace Monitors spend much of this time hiding under logs or rocks, or inside hollow tree stumps. If you do see a Lace Monitor please take a photo, record the location and contact Manningham Council. Citizen Science is a great way to record information on our local natural environment.
Gang-gang Cockatoos visit backyards and parks in Manningham and feed on eucalyptus and wattles. Male Gang-gang Cockatoos are easily distinguished by their wispy red crest, which looks like a feather duster. Plant locally native plants that Gang-gang Cockatoos can eat from, such as sheoaks (casuarinas), eucalyptus, and wattles. Be careful of low perched or low flying Gang-gangs when driving in areas with many trees, especially near hawthorn shrubs. Don’t forget to participate in the Citizen Science program: Aussie Backyard Bird Count in October.
Barn Owls are found right across Manningham and are silent hunters of the night eating mice, rats and snakes. Their heart-shaped face and asymmetrical ears help the owl to use even the slightest sound to pinpoint their prey even in complete darkness. Barn owls need old growth trees to nest in. These trees provide large hollows with the nest sometimes up to 10m inside the tree. Don't use rat poisons that cause secondary killings. Owls are natural predators of rodents but if an owl eats a rat that has ingested this poison, it can die too. Remember Manningham’s raptor birds (birds of prey) need old growth trees to breed in and hunt for prey.
Series 2: Litter Impacts
In this Litter Impacts series, Chris will present 15 short videos that will introduce you to a range of native animals which call Manningham home and how we can protect their home by reducing our litter and appropriately disposing of our waste.
Manningham is home to an array of incredible and unique native animals. Our litter and waste has a big impact on our wildlife; as it flows into waterways and out into the bay, it can drastically change the water quality or even be mistaken for food.
Grey Headed Flying Foxes are the largest bat in Australia, but they’re also a vulnerable species here in our parks and backyards in Manningham. They spread seeds from our trees across Melbourne making sure new trees keep growing. Unfortunately they get caught in our fruit nets, so make sure that once your fruit has finished on your trees you take down your nets to ensure they don’t get tangled.
Earthworms are terrific for our backyards and our environment. They move through out soil helping to aerate it and at the same time eat the organic matter turning it into fertilizer for our gardens. Make sure you don’t put harmful chemicals in our soil as it can kill the worms and stop them from keeping our soil healthy.
Copperhead Snakes can be found basking in the sun in Manningham. They’re highly venomous and should never be touched or picked up, it’s also illegal to kill or harm snakes. They’re very important for our environment, as they eat mice and rats. Unfortunately they cannot move backwards, so if they get trapped in a discarded aluminium can or PVC pipe they can get stuck there and die.
Wood Ducks love our parks and farmland here in Manningham. They eat grass and poo out the seeds to keep the grass growing. Sometimes they mistake cigarette butts for food and the butts can swell in their tummies making the ducks very ill. It’s important that we don’t feed ducks bread as they need to find native food for themselves.
The Eastern Long Necked Turtle is common in our creeks and rivers in Manningham. They eat snails, dead fish and yabbies, keeping our rivers and creeks clean. Litter is a huge threat to turtles as it can get caught around their limbs and necks, choking them. Fishing line and illegal opera house nets can also kill our turtles, platypus and rakali (water rats) when they get caught in the nets and can’t escape.
This Buff Breasted Rail is a secretive bird in Manningham, but keep your eyes peeled at Ruffey Lake Park, you might just see them walking around through the reeds. They’re omnivorous, which means that they eat plants and other animals, sometimes they also mistake our litter for food as well. Make sure you pick up litter that you find on the ground, report overflowing bins and litter dumped in our parks, you might just save our local wildlife.
Cattle Egrets are known as a cosmopolitan bird, as they’re found all around the world. They love flooded agricultural land and wetlands in Manningham; it’s the perfect place for them to find their food. They’re also directly affected by stormwater pollution and litter, like polystyrene cups that can remain in our environment for up to 600 years. Unfortunately they see polystyrene or cigarette butts as potential food.
It might sound like you have a bluegrass band in your backyard at night, but that’s the call of the Banjo Frog. They burrow into our soil with their digging feet and eat all the bugs. Their skin is susceptible to pollution, as that’s how they breathe and drink water. Instead of putting your chemicals down the drain, make sure you dispose of your oils, detergents, paints and other chemicals at a chemical drop off point.
Brown Tree Frogs love hanging out in Manningham. They eat bugs, like pesky mosquitos and flies in our gardens. If you have frogs croaking in your garden, it means you have a healthy place for them to live. Frogs absorb moisture and breathe through their skins, so they’re highly susceptible to pollution in the water. Be careful with what goes down your drains and we can protect our important little frogs.
The Yabbies, or Fresh Water Crayfish, love our waterways in Manningham. They grab onto their food with their big claws and propel themselves through the water with their big finned tail. They clean up all of the organic matter in our rivers, creeks and wetlands and keep our waterways healthy. Yabbies are very sensitive to pollution in our rivers and creeks, so be careful with what you wash down the sink and into the stormwater drain. You can dispose your harmful chemicals at a Detox Your Home drop off.
The Short Finned Eel is common in our waterways here in Manningham. They’re long, slippery fish that live in our creeks and rivers and they hunt yabbies, insects, worms and fish. When they’re ready to breed, they swim all the way down the Yarra River, out of Port Phillip Bay and breed in the Pacific Ocean! The babies then make their way back to Melbourne and live in our rivers again. It’s up to us to keep our rivers and creeks free of litter to make sure our Eels survive.
Little Penguins are the smallest penguin in the world and they’re found in Port Phillip Bay here in Melbourne. They live on our beaches and eat the fish around our bay. Unfortunately when they lay their eggs on our beaches, they can be easily caught by foxes and cats, so make sure you keep your cat in at night. They also fall victim to plastic waste in our waterways, it can get caught around their necks and choke them, or they could mistake the plastic for food. Please be responsible and dispose of your waste properly.
Foraging at the bottom of our beautiful Port Phillip Bay is the Banjo Ray. As our waste flows down the Yarra River and into Port Phillip Bay, it comes into the home of our ocean wildlife. Banjo Rays can be harmed by eating the litter that arrives in the bay, so make sure you put your litter into the correct bin and report any litter dumped around Manningham.
Pot Bellied Sea Horses live in Port Phillip Bay, right at the end of the Yarra River. The Sea Horses eat crustaceans in the bay but they can mistake microplastics for food as well. Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic which look like food to our aquatic life they eat it and it often stays in their stomachs and often stays there. Unfortunately this means that when we eat some fish we could be eating microplastics too! Make sure you dispose of your plastic waste into the correct bin.
Join Chris through Wild Action
Visit ZooHQ. The 11 acre wildlife facility in the Macedon Ranges in Victoria.
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Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.
This in person session includes how solar power and battery systems work, buying good quality solar and battery products, quoting, installation and Council subsidies, rebates and much more.
Its free to attend but bookings are essential.
This event is part of our Inspired Living Series. This series showcases an exciting range of fun and sustainable activities and events for all ages, supporting sustainability at home, in the community and at work.
As part of the Inspired Living Series and National Recycling Week, Nina Gbor and fellow panel members will discuss sustainable fashion in a circular economy at the Manningham Function Centre.
Nina Gbor is a sustainable fashion educator, international speaker, sustainability consultant, and Founder of Eco Styles. Nina is also the Director of the Circular Economy and Waste Program at The Australia Institute and has been featured on the ABC's War on Waste. Nina will talk about her journey into sustainable fashion and discuss the collaborative effort needed to address sustainability challenges in the fashion industry.
Additional panel members to be announced shortly.
Inspired Living Series - keynote speaker events
The Inspired Living Series - keynote speaker events showcases five insightful, not-to-be-missed evenings at the iconic Manningham Function Centre.
The series will introduce you to a diverse line-up of local and international keynote speakers offering unique insights on how we can all shift to a greener future.
Topics range from permaculture to sustainable fashion. Each speaker will inspire and motivate simple, positive lifestyle choices, connection to nature and growing a thriving community in the midst dynamic change.
Find out how solar power and solar batteries will improve your home, save you money and generate a clean future for the environment.
This webinar will include how solar power and battery systems work, buying good quality solar and battery products, quoting installation and rebates and much more.
Our presenter, Ian Moxon, is a seasoned sustainability consultant with over 15 years of experience in this field. He’ll share his extensive knowledge and valuable industry insights into the benefits of installing solar power and solar batteries at your home.
This event is part of our Inspired Living Series. This series showcases an exciting range of fun and sustainable activities and events for all ages, supporting sustainability at home, in the community and at work.
In this webinar discover how an all electric home can make sense economically as well as environmentally. Find out about appliance end-of-life and replacement plans, and at what stage it makes sense to switch over to electric appliances.
Our presenter, Ian Moxon, is a seasoned sustainability consultant with over 15 years of experience in this field. He’ll share his extensive knowledge and valuable industry insights into the benefits of changing to an all-electric home.
This event is part of our Inspired Living Series. This series showcases an exciting range of fun and sustainable activities and events for all ages, supporting sustainability at home, in the community and at work.
In this webinar discover easy and practical ways to make your home more energy efficient including draught sealing, insulation, double glazing and appliances. The webinar also covers energy monitors, how to use a thermal camera and finding the best energy deal.
Our presenter, Ian Moxon, is a seasoned sustainability consultant with over 15 years of experience in this field. He’ll share his extensive knowledge and valuable industry insights into the benefits of changing to a more energy efficient home.
This event is part of our Inspired Living Series. This series showcases an exciting range of fun and sustainable activities and events for all ages, supporting sustainability at home, in the community and at work.
Home Harvest Manningham is a monthly home gardening seminar series that will teach you how to grow your own delicious fresh food at home.
In this comprehensive program, Sustainable Gardening Australia will cover everything you need to know about preparing your garden (in Spring) for a bumper summer harvest.
Part 2 will cover:
- garden maintenance and preparation
- selecting what to plant and when to plant it
- summer veggies in pots
- mulching
- smart watering and managing hot weather
- introducing sustainable ways to improve productivity
- starting with seeds and seedlings
- tips for sustainably avoiding and managing pests and diseases
- feeding the soil and summer crops.
Food swap from 6.45pm, session starts at 7.00pm.
Registration is recommended but not required.
This event is part of our Inspired Living Series. This series showcases an exciting range of fun and sustainable activities and events for all ages, supporting sustainability at home, in the community and at work.
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Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.
As part of the Inspired Living Series, Jesse Glascott and Elle Paton will discuss sustainable building design and tiny homes at the Manningham Function Centre.
Jesse Glascott, is co-founder of the Sustainable Building Alliance, Director of G-Lux Builders and architect of the iconic Warrandyte Panel House. Jesse will discuss what goes into designing and building net zero sustainable homes.
Elle Paton is co-founder of the Australian Tiny House Association. Tiny homes are prefabricated, transportable dwellings that can provide off-grid, eco-friendly and low cost solutions. Elle will share her story of what its like to live in a tiny house.
Inspired Living Series - keynote speaker events
The Inspired Living Series - keynote speaker events showcases five insightful, not-to-be-missed evenings at the iconic Manningham Function Centre.
The series will introduce you to a diverse line-up of local and international keynote speakers offering unique insights on how we can all shift to a greener future.
Topics range from permaculture to sustainable fashion. Each speaker will inspire and motivate simple, positive lifestyle choices, connection to nature and growing a thriving community in the midst dynamic change.
Manningham is widely recognised as an innovator and leader in local water management. The challenges posed by climate change require a collaborative and integrated approach by Council and the community to develop long-term sustainable solutions to managing water supply and protecting our waterways.
In partnership with lead water agencies, Council is committed to the:
- Sewer Backlog Program rollout
- Doncaster Hill Smarter Water Planning
- Living Rivers Stormwater Program
Grey Water
Greywater (all non-toilet household wastewater) can be a good water resource during times of drought and water restrictions, but its reuse can have health and environmental risks.
Greywater is domestic wastewater from the laundry, kitchen and bathroom. Toilet wastewater is known as blackwater and is not suitable for domestic treatment. Greywater with low levels of contamination can be used on your garden. Rinse water from your washing machine is the most suitable greywater to divert to your garden provided you use low phosphorus detergents.
Permits and safe use of greywater
You will need a septic tank permit to install a permanent system to collect, treat and reuse greywater. The system must be EPA approved.
No permit is needed for a simple, temporary diversion system. A permanent diversion system (that doesn’t store water for more than 24 hours) needs to be installed by a licensed plumber.
To apply for a septic tank permit, return the completed application form along with detailed plans and the appropriate fee to:
Approvals and Compliance Unit
Manningham Council
PO Box 1, Doncaster
Victoria 3108
For more information, please refer to the EPA's septic tanks code of practice for design options for the installation of septic systems . A permit must be granted prior to any works commencing by a registered contractor or plumber.
For more information about using greywater and some simple health rules to follow, please see the Related downloads.
Rainwater tanks
Installing a tank to capture rainwater from your roof is a great way to supply water for uses including flushing toilets and watering your garden. Rainwater tanks can also help you save money on your water bill.
For more information view or find out about the Building Permit requirements.
Biodiversity
Through bushland weed control and planting regimes, we keep waterways intact by promoting riparian vegetation to secure riverbanks keeping the shape and flow of rivers intact while stopping erosion. This program includes conserving natural habitat for local wildlife and increasing native vegetation along and in creeks and rivers
Weed control consists of multiple methods, taking into consideration what the weed is, the area it's situated, what other weeds or indigenous species are around it, and habitat requirements. The weeding is conducted by our Bushland Management Team to minimise damage and maximise positive environmental impact in removing pest plants from riverbanks.
Through various Landcare groups and events, Manningham Council, Melbourne Water, and community volunteers help revegetate local waterways with indigenous species and increase conservation action. If you are interested in joining one of these groups, please consider our Citizen Science Programs.
Sustainability
All new homes are now required to achieve a house energy rating of five stars for building fabric and have either a solar hot water system or a rainwater tank. For this purpose, rainwater tanks must have minimum capacity of 2000 litres.
Water saving showerheads
On average, 30% of all household water usage is in the shower. Installing a water efficient showerhead can save around 11,000 litres of water per household each year and reduce the energy required to heat the water - reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Bring in your latest Yarra Valley Water bill and old showerhead to our customer service and pick up a free water efficient showerhead.
Waterwatch program
Waterwatch is a citizen science program for monitoring waterway health.
Waterwatch volunteers get involved in exploring and protecting their local waterways by collecting water quality data that contributes to scientific research, management planning and on ground actions that improve the health of our waterways.
Manningham volunteers have been collecting and undertaking surveys and observations for over 10 years. The information collected has been helping improve local waterway health.
Waterwatch is a citizen science program for monitoring waterway health. In Manningham, Waterwatch has been connecting local communities with waterway health and sustainable water issues since 1993.
In 2007 a group of concerned volunteers initiated the Manningham Waterwatch Monitoring Network. This group continues to monitor the health of our local waterways and has carried out over 10,000 water quality measurements at more than 40 sites across the municipality. The data collected is used to assess the health of Manningham's waterways and identify what is currently impacting stream ecology.
In addition to water quality monitoring, many volunteers are affiliated with local action groups including Landcare and ‘friends of’ groups which undertake stream rehabilitation programs that contribute to catchment and waterway health.
Volunteer to be a citizen scientist
Citizen scientists are people who want to make a difference to the environment and their community. You can join this movement by taking part in programs like Waterwatch, you can email to let us know you're interested at manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au
Related downloads
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Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events.
Celebrate National Tree Day in 2024.
Bring along your family and friends for a morning planting native trees and vegetation to help protect the park's natural environment.
Our team will be on hand to help and provide advice on planting for the local habitat.
What to bring
We'll provide all the tools, equipment, and plants. All you need to bring is a personal water bottle and any snacks.
Where to meet
The planting site will be at Mullum Mullum Creek, walk 100 meters upstream from Reynolds Road Bridge, Donvale.
Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events by subscribing to our Environment Newsletter.
Related events
Participants will learn how to make and maintain beeswax wraps for keeping food fresh and hygienic without the use of single-use plastics such as cling-wrap.
Celebrate Plastic Free July with an interactive online workshop led by sustainability advocate and author Anita Vandyke.
Anita is the author of the new book ‘A Zero Waste Family: a thirty day guide’.
She will be joining us to discuss her personal journey to reduce waste. During the workshop she will show us how to make low waste items including a facial cleansing oil, body scrub and cleaning products.
Participants will learn how to make and maintain beeswax wraps for keeping food fresh and hygienic without the use of single-use plastics such as cling-wrap.
Celebrate National Tree Day in 2024.
Bring along your family and friends for a morning planting native trees and vegetation to help protect the park's natural environment.
Our team will be on hand to help and provide advice on planting for the local habitat.
What to bring
We'll provide all the tools, equipment, and plants. All you need to bring is a personal water bottle and any snacks.
Where to meet
The planting site will be at Ruffey Lake Park. along the creek at the bottom of Church Road entrance. Parking available Victoria Street entrance.
Keep up to date with our latest environment and sustainability events by subscribing to our Environment Newsletter.
Related events
iNaturalist - City Nature Challenge - 28 April to 1 May
Eight Eastern Metro Melbourne councils join forces in 2023 to compete against cities from around the world in the annual City Nature Challenge. During the four day observation period, residents are invited to find, photograph and document the native wildlife that lives and grows in our neighbourhoods. Working together to find and document nature in our area helps scientists and land managers study and protect these species.
Join the Melbourne City Nature Challenge 2023: Greater Melbourne Project.
You can practice observing local flora, fauna and fungi by downloading the iNaturalist app on iPhone or Android.
View our introduction to iNaturalist webinar.
Birds in Manningham
Birds are an important part of our local ecosystem. They pollinate our plants and spread seeds across the landscape. Some birds help to keep our insect, rodent and spider populations low, and others fish in our creeks and the Yarra River.
You might notice that birds enjoy coming to your backyard or local park to feed. It's important that we provide habitats for these birds, so that they can continue to be a part of our ecosystem and keep these birds healthy.
Our local species
You can learn more about which birds call Manningham home in our Backyard Diversity video series. There's videos on the Southern Boobook Owl, Tawny Frogmouth, Laughing Kookaburra, Gang Gang Cockatoo & Barn Owl.
Check out our 2020 Birds of Manningham webinar
Aussie Backyard Bird Count
Birdlife Australia run an annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count, you can join in on the fun and contribute with any birds you spot in Manningham by visiting their website
Waterwatch program
Waterwatch is a citizen science program for monitoring waterway health.
Waterwatch volunteers get involved in exploring and protecting their local waterways by collecting water quality data that contributes to scientific research, management planning and on ground actions that improve the health of our waterways.
Manningham volunteers have been collecting and undertaking surveys and observations for over 10 years. The information collected has been helping improve local waterway health. In addition to water quality monitoring, many volunteers are affiliated with local action groups including Landcare and ‘friends of’ groups which undertake stream rehabilitation programs that contribute to catchment and waterway health.
You can join this movement by taking part in programs like Waterwatch. Let us know you're interested by emailing environment@manningham.vic.gov.au.
Download the latest Waterwatch report.
Frogs in Manningham
Manningham is home to a variety of frog species, living in our rivers and creeks, ponds and even in our backyards. With good land management practices and reduction of pollution in our waterways, we can ensure our frog species continue to enjoy Manningham as a vital part of our local ecosystem.
View our Frog Friendly Garden webinar.
Melbourne Water Frog Census
Get involved in local citizen science by recording frog species in Manningham with the Melbourne Water Frog Census App.
An easy to use app to record audio and identify frog species by their call in local waterways, parks, and on your own property.
Available for both iPhone and Android.
More information, including activities for schools, is available at the Melbourne Water website.
KoalaSpot
Get involved in spotting Koalas in Manningham!
Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are an icon species in Manningham, living up in our tall Eucalyptus trees, but they're listed as vulnerable by the IUCN and their population is on the decline! We need your help to keep track of them along our rivers and creeks, with our KoalaSpot program, you can get involved in finding Koalas across Manningham.
Koalas are arboreal marsupials, meaning that they live up in the treetops and they bear live young in a pouch. They are herbivores and love to munch on Eucalyptus leaves, which are full of water, especially leaves from River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), which are found across Manningham. Their closest living relatives are Wombats and they are a species endemic to Australia, meaning that they're only found here.
For thousands of years, Koalas were utilized by Indigenous Australians in Victoria. These beautiful creatures are threatened by development, resource harvesting and climate change (through bushfires and drought). This program will help us to understand how their population is changing, and where in Manningham they're inhabiting.
Want to learn more about Koalas in Manningham? Check out Manningham's Backyard Diversity.
Record a Koala observation through iNaturalist
iNaturalist Observations from Manningham's Green Wedge
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Our presenter, Ian Moxon, is a seasoned sustainability consultant with over 15 years of experience in Electric vehicles. He’ll share his extensive knowledge and valuable industry insights into the benefits of electric vehicles.
The information session will cover:
- charging systems, charging times and expanding infrastructure
- distances that Australians usually travel and how the perceived barrier to EVs is dissolving
- battery technologies - innovation is driving higher capacity, less weight, longer life spans, better safety and end of life recycling
- the cost to travel using electricity as a fuel and the impact of a growing electric fleet for our electricity grid
- the various models that are available now, and the many more that will arrive with policy changes and surging demand.
This event is part of our Inspired Living Series. This series showcases an exciting range of fun and sustainable activities and events for all ages, supporting sustainability at home, in the community and at work.
Want tips on how to be your most stylish self in the most sustainable way? Award-winning eco stylist and educator, Nina Gbor of Eco Styles will share her restyling tips.
Learn how to stylishly (re)use the items in your closet to look and feel amazing with any size and on any budget, while reducing your carbon footprint and textile waste.
Nina will also talk about:
- how to find your personal style
- how to find preloved treasures in op shops and online
About Nina Gbor
As the founder of Eco Styles, Nina Gbor is an award-winning sustainability advocate, ethical fashion speaker, climate activist, writer and educator.
Nina has a master’s degree in International Development and is a former sustainable fashion tutor in short courses at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. She coined the phrase ‘get off the fashion trendmill’ which means individuality and self-knowledge should be the premise for consuming clothing, not fashion trends.
Follow Nina on Insta @eco.styles for inspiration on secondhand and sustainable style hacks.
Maroondah City Council is hosting this event in collaboration with Knox City Council, Whitehorse City Council, Yarra Ranges Council, and Manningham Council.