With Mayoral elections happening at the start of November, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow Councillors and the Manningham community for your support over the past year. It’s been a year like no other and I’m proud of the way we have faced challenges head on and pulled together as a community.

As we start to look towards the end of 2021 and anticipate some relaxing of restrictions so we can share some special time with loved ones, I urge you to also take this time to make sure you are prepared for an emergency over summer.

This year has thrown us extra challenges in the way of severe storms and an earthquake on top of the pandemic and it’s a timely reminder that being prepared can help us make sure ourselves, our families and our properties are as well protected as we can make them. Find out more about how you can prepare for an emergency.

To better help us understand how prepared you are for an emergency, we’re again conducting our Emergency Aware survey. Your feedback will help grow the Emergency Aware program that shares local knowledge and preparedness experience alongside expert advice.

In November and December, we will be running our rescheduled Garden Waste Disposal Days – if you’re cleaning up your property over the next few months this is a great opportunity to dispose of extra garden waste. Find out if you’re eligible and what can be disposed of on our website. 

We’re celebrating seniors this month, with the Manningham Seniors Festival going online. There’s still plenty you can get involved in from home, including entertainment, dancing, exercise, guest speakers and webinars. Supported by the Victorian Government, the festival is an annual event.

It’s great to see our rates of vaccination continue to climb and vaccinations now being available to everyone 12 years and older. It’s an important step on the way to our lives returning to normal and I encourage you to get vaccinated if you haven’t already. You can find more information and make a booking through the Coronavirus website.

While we take the slow steps towards Covid normal, please continue to follow restrictions when you’re out and about. Masks will be here to stay for a while longer and keeping our distance from each other in social situations helps keep us on the right track.

Until next time,

Cr Andrew Conlon

Mayor