The Doncaster Rail Advocacy Steering Committee (DRASC) has been recognised for its efforts in public transport advocacy in support of Doncaster Rail, by winning the 2015 Paul Mees award.

The Paul Mees Award was inaugurated in 2013 by the Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) to commemorate the outstanding work of the late Paul Mees as an advocate for public transport and a world-renowned transport academic.

Manningham Council Mayor, Cr Jennifer Yang thanked the PTUA on behalf of Manningham Council and the Doncaster Rail Advocacy Steering Committee.

“The award recognises the efforts and contribution of the committee regarding their advocacy in support of rail to Doncaster. We are honoured to receive this award from the PTUA in recognition of the efforts and achievements that DRASC have accomplished over the past three years.”

“Our community members represented on the committee have all been very enthusiastic and instrumental in their advocacy efforts to encourage support from both the community and State Government for a heavy rail line to Doncaster.”

“The committee regularly attended local markets and festivals to promote the importance of public transport, and have since collected more than  5,000 petition signatures supporting Doncaster Rail.”

“Furthermore, DRASC have managed to establish a successful online media and community presence through the successful ‘Yes to Doncaster Rail’ campaign, and most recently, supported the Manningham Leader’s ‘Get Manningham Moving’ campaign.”

Cr Yang said that although Council has decided to merge the activities of DRASC with our new Integrated Transport Advocacy Committee (ITAC) from 2016, Council will not be abandoning its advocacy on Doncaster Rail.

“We will continue to strongly advocate for the State Government to deliver rail to Doncaster by 2029, in line with Public Transport Victoria’s objective.

“In the short term, we will continue to advocate for Phase Two of the feasibility study to be completed and ensure that the Eastern Freeway corridor is preserved for the purpose of rail and perhaps a Bus Rapid Transit system in the interim.”

“Council look forward to continuing the legacy of DRASC through the new Integrated Transport Advisory Committee, which will be established in early 2016,” she said.

Council will advertise in the local media from February 2016 seeking community representatives to form this new committee.

Council continues to advocate for the best possible outcomes to protect and enhance Manningham’s environment, industrial business precinct, recreational facilities and amenity.

Manningham NEL Community Information Session

Council held a community information session on Wednesday 29 May, 2019 to provide an update on the impacts for Manningham and share the draft EES submission. Residents also had the opportunity to find out more about preparing and finalising their own EES responses.

View Council’s submission to North East Link Environment Effects Statement (EES) in the Council Agenda - Special Council Meeting 4 June 2019

Environment Effects Statement Submission

Council has prepared a submission in response to the EES and residents are encouraged to make a submission to ensure their voice is heard. View Council’s submission to North East Link Environment Effects Statement (EES) in the Council Agenda - Special Council Meeting 4 June 2019

Yarra River Corridor Concept Plan

In addition, Council endorsed the Yarra River Corridor Concept Plan in February 2019. The plan presents a vision for the open space and recreational facilities along the North East Link Corridor. This plan has been presented to North East Link and various State Government Departments.  

North East Link Issues and Opportunities paper

In 2018 Council endorsed the North East Link Issues and Opportunities paper. 

The Council report was submitted to NELP to consider as part of the projects planning and design phase. The report provides 19 recommendations which focus on achieving a net benefit to our community.  

The identified opportunities relate to transport improvements including:

• road infrastructure,
• public transport (including BRT),
• walking and
• cycling.

It also identifies opportunities to support:

• recreation,
• open space,
• public art and community facilities, and
• considers amenity issues such as noise, water, air and
• environmental impacts.

Key to this, is to enhance key areas along the NEL alignment including:

• the Koonung Creek Linear Park / Eastern Freeway corridor,
• Yarra River,
• Bulleen Park,
• Bulleen Road corridor and the
• Bulleen industrial precinct at Manningham Road.

Initial submission to NELA – Corridor options (Sept 2017)

A community forum was held by Council in September 2017 to inform its initial North East Link Manningham Council Submission. Based on this submission, Council passed a resolution on the North East Link at its Council meeting on 26 September.

Bulleen Industrial Precinct

• One of the most devastating impacts of the North East Link project is the proposed loss of the Bulleen Industrial Precinct (BIP).  
• Over 80 businesses in the BIP will have their land acquired, some of these businesses have been serving our local community for over 40 years. 
• At least 1,200 people stand to lose their jobs as a consequence of business closures. The scale of this impact is larger than the closure of Ford's manufacturing operations. 
• The project’s Environmental Performance Requirements (EPR’s) are not robust enough to adequately protect or support impacted business and their employees.  

What Council is advocating for:

• Redesign the Manningham Road Interchange
  Manningham Council strongly recommends that the North East Link Project should redesign the Manningham Road interchange to reduce the project’s footprint and impact on local businesses and other surrounding land uses. The North East Link Project is yet to justify the substantial amount of land required for the planned construction compound, to be located where the BIP exists today.  
   
• Fair outcomes and certainty for business owners
  Manningham Council calls on the Andrews Government to ensure all impacted businesses are treated fairly and with respect. The process of any land acquisition and compensation must be conducted with ample notice to give businesses the certainty they need to plan for the future. Council is calling on the state government to develop an Environmental Performance Requirement (EPR) that guarantees impacted businesses will be given genuine assistance transitioning to alternate premises.  
   
• Guaranteed support and compensation for impacted employees
  Up to 1,200 employees stand to lose their jobs because of the North East Link project, yet the project’s original EPR for the BIP did not include compensation for impacted workers. Council has strongly advocated that this EPR be amended to ensure impacted workers are included in fair compensation and offered tailored transition plans.  

“The original EPR for the Bulleen Industrial Precinct hadn’t even taken into consideration compensation for impacted workers. Manningham Council has strongly advocated that the EPR’s must be robust enough to ensure impacted workers are guaranteed fair compensation and offered tailored transition plans to find reemployment. 
 
“Over 1,200 people are set to lose their jobs because of this project. Ensuring these people are taken care of is fundamental. It is astounding that the project missed its obligation to address an impact of this magnitude,” said Manningham Mayor, Cr Paula Piccinini said. 

• Social support for impacted business owners, employees and families of the Bulleen Industrial Precinct
  Council is particularly concerned about the social impact of the closure of the BIP. Expert evidence shows that a large number of workers in this precinct are in a vulnerable position when it comes to re-employment opportunities and have experienced extended periods of unemployment in the past. Many businesses in the precinct are family owned and operated and in many cases the impact of the project has taken a toll on whole families. Council wants to see NELP offer genuine social support services to impacted business owners, employees and their families.
  
  “During the panel hearings we heard from business owners who said their staff are constantly concerned about their employment future, their children are upset at school and often business owners break down emotionally. This project has taken a devastating toll on this community and we want to see NELP offer genuine support for those who are impacted,” Manningham Mayor, Paula Piccinini said.  
   
• Fast track development at Websters Road
  In order to assist in maximising the scope for successful relocation of businesses, Manningham supports the rezoning of council owned land at Websters Road, Templestowe, for its redevelopment for employment use. Manningham Council is calling on the Minister for Planning to intervene and speed up any land rezoning or potential adjustments to the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). 
   
• Additional EPR to support the relocation of all BIP impacted businesses
  Manningham Council is supportive that an additional EPR must be developed, requiring the preparation of a business relocation plan which seeks to facilitate the relocation of as many businesses as possible from the BIP. The need for this EPR is supported by two independent expert witnesses. 

Bulleen Park belongs to the Community

• The design of the project at Bulleen Park has impacts on the park land and nearby land uses. Several options have been put forward by the North East Link project to reconfigure the area and accommodate its users.  
• Manningham Council tabled a closing submission regarding land use at Bulleen Park. The submission outlined Council’s primary position that the design of the project at Bulleen Road needs to be reconsidered with an objective of avoiding impacts on Bulleen Park and other nearby land uses. 
• If impacts on Bulleen Park are unavoidable, it is Council’s recommendation that the project adopts Option 4 as identified in Technical Report I – Social Appendices, Appendix 2: Bulleen Park Area Sports and Recreation Options Assessment. 
• Manningham Council is committed to ensuring that Bulleen Park’s aero modelling and archery clubs are not displaced as a result of the expansion of a golf course. The nearest alternative aero modelling club is located 23 kilometres away from Bulleen Park and the closest archery club offers inferior facilities that only operate on weekends, as opposed to clubs current operations at seven days a week.  
• Council is also committed to preserving and protecting community parkland so it remains freely accessible and available for the enjoyment of future generations. Any expansion of a golf course into Bulleen Park would see the community locked out from their own park for the sake of a limited fee-paying sport. 
• “Option 4 accommodates all users of Bulleen Park and importantly it protects valuable community open space and parkland from becoming exclusive to a golf course. Bulleen Park belongs to Manningham and we will fight hard to save it for our community. 
• "Leaving aside the possibility of joining a member’s only golf club, there are at least five other publicly accessible 18-hole golf courses within 10km of Bulleen Park” said Manningham Mayor, Cr Paula Piccinini.

Local Sporting communities to suffer through construction   

• Construction of the North East Link project will cause significant disruption to the local sporting clubs who call Bulleen Park home.   
• Manningham Council has advised the NEL Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) that any sporting facilities that are displaced must be fully replaced with permanent, enhanced facilities and at suitable sites within Manningham.  
• During construction, all displaced sporting clubs must be re-accommodated so programmed activities can continue uninterrupted. 
• Council has been working with NELP to investigate relocation options for the sporting and recreation groups who currently use facilities at Bulleen Park. To date no formal agreements have been secured and significant further work is required to ensure suitable outcomes for all involved.  
• Going forward, it is vital that the project engages in ongoing consultation with Council and impacted sporting clubs, and that all necessary relocations, including all upgrades required in order to give effect to the relocations, occur prior to the commencement of construction impacting the existing sports grounds. 
• Strong EPRs are critical to ensure that Bulleen Park sporting facilities remain viable and that facilities are not unreasonably impacted during the construction period. 

Eastern Freeway Widening Impacts 

•  The Eastern Freeway will be widened up to 20 lanes. Widening of the Eastern Freeway impacts many Manningham residents who live along the Eastern Freeway corridor.  
•  The Manningham community must be protected from a loss of open space, reduced access to recreational amenity and increased noise pollution.  
•  No encroachment beyond the freeway reserve Manningham Council does not support any freeway widening design that encroaches on land past the existing VicRoads freeway road reserve boundaries onto land that is currently used as public open space. 
•  Increased noise pollution from up to 20 freeway lanes This project is designed to funnel freight traffic onto the Eastern Freeway, which is particularly noisy. High quality and aesthetically suitable noise barriers must be installed before any construction begins.  
•  Outdated Traffic Noise Reduction Policy must be reviewed The project is relying on the 2005 VicRoads Traffic Noise Reduction Policy to guide the projects noise mitigation practices. This policy is 14 years old, outdated and in need of a critical review before any project works commence. Any noise guidelines must ensure residents are adequately protected from increased noise pollution. 
•  Residents to live against giant concrete sound walls Residents in Estelle Street, Bulleen could lose the grassland reserve in front of their homes, to be replaced with a 10 metre high concrete sound wall. Current views of trees and parkland will be lost forever.  • The North East Link Project Environment Effects Statement states the ‘10 metre noise wall would dominate the view’ and that any landscaping work done to alleviate the visual impact ‘would be insignificant’ in its effect.  
•  Manningham Council does not support the construction of the freeway noise wall so close to resident’s homes and asks the project to redesign the widening of the freeway at this point and reduce this impact.   
•  4.5 hectares of parkland will be wiped out by the freeway expansion The popular Koonung Creek Trail, community parkland and reserves along the Eastern Freeway will be wiped out by the expansion of the Eastern Freeway. This will have a significant impact on our community’s ability to access recreational amenity. 
•  Redesign of the Eastern Freeway Council is calling on the North East Link Project to go back to the drawing board and come up with a better design for the Eastern Freeway that will reduce a myriad of impacts on the community, environment and home owners living alongside the Eastern Freeway.

Visual impact and urban design

• Inserting such a substantial project into an established urban environment and valued landscape gives rise to significant urban design and visual impact concerns. 
• Council’s Urban Design Expert Witness, Craig Czarny, said the project is land hungry and has the capacity to have serious negative impacts on the existing environments, neighbourhoods and activity precincts.  
• NELP’s own Urban Design Expert Witness, Kevin Begg, said the Reference Design was a ‘functional’ design only which had not been informed by any consideration of urban design, landscape design or architectural design.  
• Council is committed to ensuring a high quality urban design outcome and to ensure that adverse visual impacts are avoided or minimised. 
• Council has advised the IAC panel that the Reference Design requires substantial modification to meet the ambitions of the projects Urban Design Strategy. 

Environmental Impacts 

Destruction of Koonung Creek

• The project states that 1.6 kilometres of the Koonung Creek is going to be diverted into underground drains.
• Undergrounding of the Koonung Creek will cause significant environmental destruction.
• Manningham Council wants to see the proposed widening of the Eastern Freeway redesigned to avoid the need to underground the Koonung Creek entirely.
• Council would also like to see an investment from the NELP to fund a regeneration project for the Koonung Creek as a part of this project.  

Nearly 26,000 trees at risk of removal

• A total of 25,947 trees are either planned for removal or potentially impacted within the project boundary.
• Manningham Council is calling on the IAC panel to recommend that the species, condition and quality of any replacement tree planting in Manningham should be to the satisfaction of Council, and Council should not be excluded from these decisions or offset processes.
• Furthermore, Council is calling on NELP to be the responsible body ensuring satisfactory tree offsets are achieved, not the successful project contractor, and to ensure an Urban Tree Canopy Replacement Plan is successfully implemented at an agreed future date.

Bolin Bolin Billabong

• Council is resolute that there must be no impact to the Bolin Bolin Billabong as a result of the NEL project, this includes direct and indirect impacts such as affecting the water flows into the Billabong.
• Council has concerns that tunnelling activities near the Bolin Bolin Billabong may have harmful impacts on the water level in the billabong.
• Council has advised the IAC that NELP should gather more ground water data to refine their modelling and provide a more accurate estimate of impacts.  

Bulleen’s iconic 300 year old River Red Gum

• The River Red Gum located at 39 Bridge Street is culturally and environmentally significant to Manningham.
• The tree is over 300 years old, pre-dates European settlement in Manningham and is an important example of our environmental heritage.
• The River Red Gum has been protected with a heritage overlay, is registered as a significant tree in the National Trust and won the National Trust’s 2019 Victorian Tree of the Year award.
• Manningham Council supports that the Manningham Road interchange design be reconsidered to facilitate retention of the Bulleen’s iconic 300 year old River Red Gum. 

Loss of open space  

• Manningham is set to lose 36 hectares of open space during the construction of the North East Link Project and 7 hectares permanently.
• Significant areas of public open space will be occupied by the project for up to seven years; and significant areas of public open space will be permanently acquired to accommodate the project. 

Impact to community 

• A generation of children will commence and conclude their primary schooling during construction of the North East Link. If the whole or even part of their local park is used for a construction compound for years on end, this should not be lightly dismissed on the basis that is only a “temporary” impact. 

EES understates the true loss of open space

• The public open space that will be either temporarily or permanently lost adjacent to the Eastern Freeway is likely to have been understated by NELP.  
• The EES open space calculation proceeds on the assumption that land zoned for road purposes (such as along the Eastern Freeway corridor) ought not to be counted as open space. This is despite acknowledging that such land forms part of the current ‘open space’ network along the Eastern Freeway and is seen as such by local residents because it is not currently used for road purposes 
• Any assertion that the extensive tract of Road Zone land along the Eastern Freeway should not be considered as public open space is disingenuous. The land in question has formed part of the Koonung Creek Linear Park since its transfer from VicRoads as “surplus” land to Boroondara, Whitehorse and Manningham City Councils following the extension of the Eastern Freeway.
• In this regard, Council seeks the recalculation in any supplementary EES, of the amount of public open space permanently lost (including road zoned land used for public open space) and demonstrate that there is no net loss of public open space because of the project. 

Open space compensation  

• To compensate (to some extent) the permanent loss of public open space, Council seeks a range of works to be undertaken by NELP to improve public open space areas, to provide additional walking and cycling connectivity and to generally restore the quality of life of residents of the municipalities that suffer the burden of the project.  
•  Additionally, Manningham City Council calls on the State Government to bring forward realisation of the State Government’s strategic vision for additional public open space along the Yarra River corridor to achieve what Council has identified in its Yarra River Corridor Concept Plan

Public Transport

Doncaster Rail

The proposed Doncaster Busway should be designed to safeguard the opportunity to provide heavy rail to Doncaster in the future by:  

• Ensuring the busway can be transitioned to heavy rail in the future.
• Maintaining adequate grades and curvatures, and sufficient overhead clearance (including for electricity cables) at all overpasses and bridges to enable future heavy rail.
• Design and preserve adequate land to provide for the development of future railway stations at Chandler Highway, Burke Road, the proposed Bulleen Park & Ride site and Doncaster Park & Ride.

Proposed Busway

• Manningham Council is calling on the Andrews Government to extend the dedicated busway into the heart of the CBD, so Manningham Commuters can experience genuine journey time savings.
• Manningham Council is calling on the Andrews Government to deliver the Doncaster Busway as a part of a complete Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) upgrade from the CBD to Mitcham. 

Local bus network improvements

• Manningham Council is calling on the project to provide a number of opportunities to provide improvements to the local bus network to support public transport connections, in particular between Manningham and the La Trobe National Employment and Innovation Cluster. 

Complimentary projects

Council has advocated for a series of complimentary projects to be incorporated and funded and as part of the North East Link project including:

• An upgrade to Templestowe Road, making the road safer for motorists and pedestrians
• More active transport walking and cycling options, including a new shared path bridge connection between Banksia Park in Bulleen and the Main Yarra Trail in Heidelberg among other options
• A full scale upgrade to Koonung Creek Linear Park and other reserves along the Eastern Freeway corridor • Improved access to Heide Museum of Modern Art enhancing its exposure and accessibility from Manningham Road and the proposed NELP freeway.
• The inclusion of place specific design opportunities as identified in Urban Design Strategy within Manningham. 

Manningham Council is calling on federal election candidates to upgrade our roads.

Increased population, major road works and congestion are changing the way we move around our city.

“As key routes are restricted arterial roads are reaching capacity,” said Mayor Cr Michelle Kleinert.

“State and Federal government have an important role to play in the upgrade of infrastructure to meet current and future needs. We are advocating for funding to complete necessary infrastructure to support our community.”  

We are calling for federal funding of:

• $55 million for Templestowe Road duplication.
• Up to $10 million towards improvements for 5-ways intersection.
• $7 million for upgrade and improvements to Jumping Creek Road.

Roads and transport are a priority for our community under our Council Plan theme Liveable Places and Spaces. Our community has asked us to advocate for key transport infrastructure and improvements.

“The federal election is an opportunity for our community to let candidates know what concerns them. I am encouraging all members of our community to contact your local candidate and tell them what Manningham needs,” said Cr Kleinert.

We firmly believe that #localsknowwhatlocalsneed so #dontleavelocalcommunitybehind.

To see the full list of advocacy projects visit, manningham.vic.gov.au/advocacy

Members of the Doncaster Rail Advocacy Steering Committee are taking their advocacy campaign for rail to Doncaster to the steps of Victorian Parliament in a bid to highlight 134 years of broken promises.

Doncaster Rail Advocacy Steering Committee Member James Adams said that as community demand for public transport continues to grow, there is an ever increasing pressure on both the road network and bus system and the City of Manningham remains the only municipality in Melbourne without either train or tram services.

“The provision of rail between Doncaster and the inner city would provide a quick, efficient and very viable alternative mode of public transport that would remove thousands of cars from the Eastern Freeway and local roads during the morning and afternoon peaks, and relieve pressure on the bus network that competes for road space with private commuter vehicles.”

“The Doncaster Rail project has been ignored by successive governments. Manningham residents still rely on buses as the sole form of public transport and there is a heavy dependence on private vehicles.”

“The time is right for both sides of Parliament to acknowledge the need for rail to Doncaster and fast track its delivery. We are calling for bipartisan support for the project to be delivered within the next fifteen years.”

“Parliament won’t come to us, so we decided to bring the Doncaster Rail issue directly to them and we are presenting a petition signed by more than 4,000* residents who want change and believe it is time to deliver a rail line to Doncaster. Now is the time for the community’s voice to be heard,” Mr Adams said.

WHERE:        Front steps of Parliament House

                        Spring St, Melbourne

WHEN:          12 noon, Wednesday 15 October, 2014

*Note to editors:

3418 signatures on the hard copy petition

817 online petition signatures at change.org as at 9.00 am on 14/10/14

Manningham Council is calling on federal election candidates to support better public transport in Manningham.

Manningham remains the only metro council without fixed rail. Our public transport system is inadequate and forces our community to be reliant on cars for transport.

“Many of our most disadvantaged communities are impacted by the current state of public transport in Manningham,” said Mayor Cr Michelle Kleinert.

“We are calling on all candidates to support initiatives for a better public transport network in Manningham.”

Our community has a clear vision for what they need. We are calling for funding to deliver the Doncaster Busway as part of a network-wide Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system. The Busway should be designed so it can transition to heavy rail.

Roads and transport are a priority for our community under our Council Plan theme Liveable Places and Spaces. Our community has asked us to advocate for key transport infrastructure and improvements.

“The federal election is an opportunity for our community to let candidates know what concerns them. I am encouraging all members of our community to contact your local candidate and tell them what Manningham needs,” said Cr Kleinert.

We firmly believe that #localsknowwhatlocalsneed so #dontleavelocalcommunitybehind.

To see the full list of advocacy projects visit, manningham.vic.gov.au/advocacy.

Manningham Council is calling on the candidates in the upcoming Federal election to support and commit to solutions for better affordable housing outcomes.

As a signatory to the Regional Local Government Homelessness and Social Housing Charter, we have joined 12 other councils from Melbourne’s east and south in a unified voice, calling for urgent action for more social housing to end homelessness.

“Providing a safe home is the best way to stem the increase in homelessness,” said Mayor Cr Michelle Kleinert.

“Homelessness is more likely to affect those most vulnerable in our society. This includes women and children fleeing family violence, people with a disability, people living with a mental health condition, people living in poverty and marginalised groups.”

The last census showed that in Manningham an estimated 3,390 households were in rental stress, social housing or homelessness during 2016. The pandemic is expected to have increased this over the last two years.

We are calling on additional Commonwealth stimulus funding to registered housing services to work in partnerships with council to support vulnerable residents—particularly those with a disability.

“The federal election is an opportunity for our community to let candidates know what concerns them. I am encouraging all members of our community to contact your local candidate and tell them what Manningham needs,” said Cr Kleinert.

We firmly believe that #localsknowwhatlocalsneed so #dontleavelocalcommunitybehind.

To see the full list of advocacy projects visit, manningham.vic.gov.au/advocacy

Join us in calling for a local headspace in Manningham.

We’re asking young people and their parents to get involved by raising awareness of the mental health crisis that our youth are facing. 

The need for youth mental health services is not going away. Suicide is the leading cause of death for our 15 to 24 year olds, so the cost of not responding to this crisis in our community is potentially catastrophic.

We welcome the recent Commonwealth Government commitment of $1 million a year for a headspace service in the Menzies/Chisholm area.

We want this service to be based here in Manningham.

“Having a headspace in Manningham will ensure our young people can access mental health services without transport barriers,” said Mayor Cr Michelle Kleinert.

 

“The voices of our young people need to be heard and it’s our responsibility to amplify them. That’s why it’s so important that you add your voice to our campaign.”

What action are we taking?

Over the next three months, we will deliver a range of activities to raise awareness of the issue and advocate for a local headspace service including:

• An online hub where Manningham residents can share their ideas and stories.
• A survey targeting Manningham youth.
• Meetings with the Manningham Youth Advisory Committee.
• Print and digital newsletters and social media content.
• Locally distributed posters and flyers.

We want to hear from young people and their parents as we work with local youth, the Manningham Youth Advisory Committee, schools, sporting clubs and community organisations to develop and deliver a range of advocacy activities.

How can you get involved?

Tell us how you would like us to advocate for young people and where you would like to see a headspace in Manningham.

To have your say, visit yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/youth-mental-health.

Contributions for this campaign close on Friday 1 July 2022.

Manningham seniors say feeling safe, remaining connected and opportunities to be socially active are fundamental components of an age-friendly community.  

On Wednesday 24 May, Manningham City Council became the 37th local government in Victoria to sign the Age-Friendly Declaration, a pledge to focus on planning and delivering age-friendly communities within Manningham. 

Manningham City Council Mayor Cr Michelle Kleinert said this was significant date in Manningham’s history. 

“With close to one in three residents aged over 60, there is a need for Council to respond and better support people as they age,” she said. 

“This figure will continue to rise with people living longer thanks to better health care support and community services.”

Council’s Ageing Well in Manningham Strategy 2012-2018, highlights an ongoing commitment to provide age-friendly communities, where everyone regardless of age, can maximise their potential and actively contribute to all aspects of community life.    

Guest speaker Barbara Mountjouris from the Department of Health and Human Services said local government played a key role in planning and establishing age-friendly communities. 

The signing was witnessed by representatives from the Department of Health, Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria, Community Chef, Doncare, Doncaster Library, Carers Victoria, Access Health and Community, Manningham Senior Citizens Reference Groups and volunteers and residents of Manningham. 

The vibrancy of Manningham’s seniors was highlighted with a special uplifting, three-song performance by members of the Manningham Social Support Choir. 

Our seniors made the following video describing what an age-friendly Manningham meant to them. 

Manningham residents can now recycle more household products, following the installation of recycling stations around the municipality.

Items that can be safely recycled include:

• Household batteries
• Fluoro tubes and fluoro globes
• Printer cartridges
• Small e-waste items like mobile phones, cameras and accessories
• DVDs and CDs
• X-rays

The new recycling stations can be found at:

• Warrandyte Library - 168 Yarra Street, Warrandyte
• Doncaster Library - 687 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster 
• Manningham Council Depot - 620-628 Blackburn Rd, Doncaster East

Mayor, Cr Michelle Kleinert is pleased that the recycling stations will make recycling easier in Manningham.

“Batteries and small e-waste items can contain hazardous materials like lead and mercury. These items need to be recycled by special processors.”

 

“95-98% of the materials accepted at the recycling stations can be recycled and reused if disposed of correctly. The stations offer an easy way to protect our environment and recover more precious resources.”

The Victorian Government banned e-waste from going to landfill in 2019, because of the environmental damage that it can cause. Most e-waste contains valuable materials which can be recycled. E-waste contains hazardous materials, such as heavy metals like lead, mercury and cadmium, which should be kept out of landfill.

Larger e-waste items can be disposed of by booking a hard waste collection if you have a Council residential waste service or by dropping off the items at your closest recycling centre in Bellfield, Plenty, Vermont South and Wantirna South.

Find more information about the best way to recycle at Manningham

Manningham Council is joining the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation to raise awareness about the importance of gambling responsibly.

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, from 17 to 23 October, is an opportunity for the community to talk about what it means to gamble responsibly and to let those who might be experiencing issues know that help is available.

Manningham Council Chief Executive, Warwick Winn, said gambling is an issue that can affect anyone in our community.

“Responsible Gambling Awareness Week encourage friends, family members, parents, teachers, sporting coaches and everyone in the community to have a conversation about ways to reduce the potential for harm from gambling.

“Gambling is visible in our community. If people are planning to gamble, we want them to be informed about the practical ways to gamble without harm.”

Manningham Council supports responsible gambling. Only recently, Council provided community grant funding to the Chinese Health Foundation and EACH to help encourage local restaurant shift workers to get involved in healthy recreational and social activities instead of gambling during their split shift breaks.

“This community project is an example of how Council partners with local community organisations to combat problem gambling.” 

“Council is pleased to support worthwhile targeted initiatives like this through our community grants program. It is an important part of making Manningham a stronger and healthier community,” Mr Winn said.

Managed by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Responsible Gambling Awareness Week is a unique partnership between the foundation and local government, the gaming industry and community groups.

Some of the themes of Responsible Gambling Awareness Week include:

• Knowing how to set time and money limits when betting
• Keeping track of the money you spend betting
• Taking regular breaks when betting
• Never putting off your friends for a flutter.

Certified by Chief Executive, Warwick Winn, in accordance with Section 55D of the Local Government Act 1989.

The City of Manningham has teamed up with the independent energy experts at Positive Charge to assist residents make the switch to solar power.

More than one million Australians have already installed solar power, and now is the chance for more Manningham residents to join them.

Positive Charge is a not for profit organisation that is backed by local Councils and run by sustainability experts.

Positive Charge has helped Manningham Council select a reputable solar supplier to make converting to solar as simple and affordable as possible.

The solar systems will not only offer significant electricity cost savings, but also come with a ten year warranty on the panels, inverter and installation.

Manningham Mayor, Cr Paul McLeish, said this is an opportunity for residents to contribute to a sustainable future for our City.

“I believe that solar power offers a great opportunity for households to save on their energy bills while doing the right thing by the environment.”

To register your interest to receive a no obligation quote, please call Positive Charge on 9385 8555.

This special program ends 30 June, 2015.

Manningham Council is calling on the newly elected State Government to honour plans made by its predecessor to reduce travel times on buses between Doncaster and the city.

The former State Government committed $10.6 million in the 2014-2015 State Budget to the Doncaster Area Rapid Transit (DART) Service, which included plans for a new dedicated bus lane on the outbound approach of Victoria Parade and Hoddle Street from the CBD towards the Eastern Freeway.

Manningham Mayor, Cr Paul McLeish, said the additional bus lane would cut travel times by 10–15 minutes in peak traffic and benefit nine regular bus services, including DART. On an average weekday, 464 buses travel along the outbound lanes of Hoddle Street.

“Hoddle Street serves as a major arterial gateway for travel between the CBD and Manningham, and improved access along this route is critical for our 12,000 daily DART users. Hoddle Street plays a significant role for commuters, as public transport represents 36 per cent of all vehicle traffic on this road.” 

The Coalition Government’s funding commitment came after an analysis by VicRoads and engineering consultants Aurecon in 2012, which calculated a benefit-cost ratio of between 8.8 and 11.1 for each dollar spent by putting bus-only lanes on Victoria Parade and Hoddle Street.

Cr McLeish said it makes financial and common sense for the Victoria Parade and Hoddle Street bus upgrade project to proceed without delay.

“The City of Manningham remains the only municipality in Melbourne without either train or tram services, so we are solely reliant on a reliable, direct and frequent bus service to encourage our residents to use public transport.”

Manningham is a vibrant and diverse community with people of all cultures and backgrounds. We have a proud history of a multicultural community living, working and celebrating together. We want to showcase and celebrate this community spirit.

In this series of videos, we have asked some community members to share their experiences and get to see their passion for our community in Manningham.

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