If you are experiencing genuine financial hardship you can apply for a special payment arrangement with us for your Rates.

How can I apply?

• Online – Complete an online application form and submit your supporting documentation.
• Mail – If you do not have access to a computer please phone us and we will mail out an application form to you. Once complete, please post the completed form, along with supporting documentation to Manningham Council, PO Box 1, Doncaster VIC 3108.

What do I need to apply?

You’ll need information about:

• Your property ID (can be found on your Rate/Instalment Notice)
• Your fortnightly income and expenses
• Your total assets and liabilities
• Reason for hardship
• Supporting documentation (e.g. Centrelink letter, latest payslip or medical note).

How long will you take to process my application?

Once received we will process your application within ten business days.

We are here to help If you have any questions or need assistance completing this application please contact us.

• Phone: 9840 9333
• Email: manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au

What is an accessible parking permit?

Formerly called a disabled parking permit, an Accessible Parking Permit (APP) is for drivers or passengers with a disability. It's also for organisations helping transport people with disabilities.

The Victorian Government introduced the Accessible Parking Permit Scheme to help make a simpler and more consistent process.

All councils across the state will use the same application process. This aligns with the Australian Disability Parking Permit Scheme.
 

Which types of permits can you apply for? 

There are two types of permits available:

• Australian disability parking permit (ADP) - allows you to park in:

  • an accessible parking bay for the specified time limit. 

  • a standard parking bay for twice the time limit specified.

• Victorian double time accessible parking permit – allows you to park in:

  • a standard parking bay for twice the time limit specified.  

A GP or occupational therapist functional assessment will decide on whether to issue a permit and the permit type.

What if you have an existing permit?

All existing permits that are not a part of the current Accessible Parking Permit scheme will remain valid until their expiry date or until 30 June 2023, whichever date occurs first.

Related links

• VicRoads Accessible Parking Permits FAQ
• APP help centre

You can use this permit to apply for:

• skip bins
• shipping containers

on council-owned land. 
 

How to apply

Download and complete the application form:

and then:

• email manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au or
• post to Approvals and Compliance Unit, Manningham Council, PO Box 1, Doncaster, Victoria 3108

You can request to install private memorial plaques in Council reserves when the plaque is associated with Council-approved park furniture or tree.

How to apply

Complete the online application or download and complete the Request for Memorial Plaque and Donation of Park Furniture or Tree.

Read the Memorial plaques and public donation of park furniture or trees policy before you apply.

What happens next?

• Once we have received your application we will contact you to advise if it has been approved. We will also need to approve the wording of the plaque.
• We will provide you with specifications for your plaque. The text should fit within the plaque dimensions (100mm x 50mm).
• If your application is approved you will be invoiced for the cost of the furniture or tree.
• We will place an order once we receive full payment from you. Orders cannot be placed without full payment.
• Furniture delivery and installation can take up to three months.
• Tree planting will be subject to availability and suitable seasonal conditions.
• The applicant is responsible for the purchase of the plaque and delivery to council. 

How much does it cost?

The applicant is responsible for the cost and ordering of the approved plaque.

Prices include GST.

• Timber Park Seat $3300
• Timber Picnic Table $5500
• Tree $450

Each year we offer a series of land management grants that support the preservation of Manningham’s natural bushland and the productivity of rural land.

These grants are designed to help property owners with land care education, land stewardship, pest and animal control and ecological improvement works.

To apply for assistance to preserve your bushland read the land management grant criteria below. If you meet any of these criteria, complete the online form using the button above or download the application form in the Related downloads section.

Local Environment Assistance Fund (LEAF) 

Depending on where your property is located, you may be eligible for a LEAF grant to match your spending dollar for dollar on approved works, up to a certain limit. 

Resourcing Extra Local Environmental Assistance Fund (RELEAF)

RELEAF grants offer extra financial assistance to landholders that have large areas of remnant vegetation and are looking to manage their properties for biodiversity improvement, protection and conservation.

Successful RELEAF grants recipients will receive two thirds of the total cost to conduct approved works, to a maximum of $4,000 (i.e. maximum rebate of $4,000 possible where total cost is $6,000). Applications will be assessed on:

• Biodiversity merit
• The size of the habitat zone, minimum 5,000m2 (0.5ha)
• The priority of the works
• The property owners ability to manage a habitat zone into the future, including a voluntary 3 year action plan agreement
• Property eligibility.

Approved works for LEAF and RELEAF grants

Please see the list below for eligible works and their priority level. Applications will be assessed based on the priority of works.

High priority works:

• Integrated rabbit control that includes warren destruction
• Integrated environmental weed control
• Integrated pest animal control
• Revegetation to an appropriate standard for:
  • enhancing identified habitat corridors or significant locations
  • enhancing identified strategic ‘gaps’ in corridors or other strategic locations
  • conservation of threatened species
  • preventing and/or rehabilitating soil erosion.
• Fencing of core and buffer habitat, high priority revegetation, or waterways and dams to prevent stock access/grazing
• Other ‘significant’ habitat improvements on a case by case basis including ecological burns
• Wetland enhancement
• Earthworks for erosion control/prevention
• Works for threatened species conservation.

Other works

• Integrated rabbit control including at least two of the following methods:
  • baiting using a licensed contractor
  • harbour reduction and warren collapse.
• fumigating:
  • ferreting
  • long-netting
  • monitoring.
• Seed collection, propagation, and/or planting of indigenous species
• Pasture management improvements including:
  • integrated weed management
  • contour fencing
  • fencing and revegetation of gullies and building stock crossings
  • manure management including harrowing, collection and composting
  • building of sacrifice yards
  • reseeding with local native grass species
  • management to enhance native pastures.

Pest animal control grants

If your property is not eligible for LEAF or RELEAF, you can still claim funding for fox, rabbit and deer control.

Fox and rabbit control grants

If you are working with a Rabbit Action Group, funding of up to $500 per annum is available on a dollar for dollar basis.

Deer control grants

Each year, eligible residents can access funding for up to two-thirds of the total cost of deer control, to a maximum amount of $2,000.  

This grant is available in addition to LEAF and RELEAF grants. The control must be carried out under the Wildlife Act 1975 and the LEAF checklist requirements. 

You can apply online for a deer control grant or download and complete the Land Management Grants application form.

Related downloads

Subscribe to our Environment Newsletter

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

Subscribe now

If you would like to do business with us, there’s a few things to understand about the local government procurement process.

Keep in mind that you’re dealing with ratepayers, not shareholders. Tenders also involve:

• public money
• legal and value for money basis for decisions
• audits and reviews.

Learn more on how to create a tender.

Related links

Procurement Policy

How to guides and support for businesses

You may need to apply for a planning permit and application before you start a new development or commence a new land use. A planning permit gives you permission to use and/or develop land in a certain way when there’s a requirement for a permit. After granting a planning permit, you may also need other approvals from building, health, local laws and engineering.

Talk to us before you apply for a planning permit

You can organise a pre-application meeting. This gives planning officers the chance to provide feedback before you submit a formal planning permit application in relation to:

• draft proposals
• concepts
• plans.

You can organise a face-to-face meeting or receive a written response. This is an optional service and there will be a pre-application fee.

We can advise you on:

• if you need a permit for your proposal
• information requirements for your application
• the application process.

How much does it cost?

View our full list of fees

Small Grants is a category under the Community Grant Program. This grant supports not-for-profit groups and organisations to deliver one-off, innovative activities that strengthen our community and boost the quality of life of our residents.

What the grant hopes to achieve

The aim of the grant is to:

• respond to community needs
• assist with community participation in local activities and improve access for individuals and groups with having high needs
• grow local network development and partnerships
• provide opportunities for growing new skills for members of our community.

When does the funding round begin

Applications will remain open all year until we allocate all funds. We review submitted applications three to four times a year after the below dates. 

How the grant will allocate funds

• Community Strengthening category: Funding up to $3,000
• Equipment Purchase category: Funding up to $1,500 as a 50 per cent co-contribution of the total cost of equipment

Not-for-profit groups and organisations can receive one Small Grant per financial year.

The total estimated allocation for the Small Grants category is $80,000 per annum.

Join our mailing list and find out when grants are available

Subscribe to the Community Grants Program mailing list and keep informed of upcoming grants and community training sessions.

Smartygrants Login

Already familiar with applying for a grant process? 
Login to smartygrants.

Grant Finder

Grant Finder brings together grants from national, state, and local government along with opportunities from corporate organisations and foundations.

This service is open to all local businesses, community groups, not-for-profits, and individuals. 

Register online to receive email alerts about upcoming funding opportunities.

What is a VicSmart application?

VicSmart is a fast track process for straightforward planning applications compared to the standard planning permit process.

These applications are not advertised to nearby properties and generally decided within 10 business days. Some types of applications have a reduced fee.

What types of applications qualify as VicSmart?

There are a few things to consider to see if your application can follow the VicSmart process. 

1. What planning controls affect your property. To view planning controls, you can: 

• Generate a property report
• View the Manningham Planning Scheme

2. What type of application you are applying for. The following may be assessable as a VicSmart application:

• Realigning the common boundary between two lots.
• Some classes of subdivision in accordance with an approved development.
• Construction of a front fence in a residential zone.
• Alterations and additions to a single dwelling.
• Buildings and works for carports, garages, pergolas, verandahs, decks, sheds or similar structures.
• Removal, destruction or lopping of one (1) tree.
• Some buildings and works, and erection and display of signage in a commercial area or activity centre.
• Reduction or waiver of parking space requirements (by a maximum of 10 parking spaces).

How much does it cost?

View full list of fees

How to prepare for your application:

Before you apply, review the following documents to ensure you have prepared all the prescribed information:

• VicSmart applicant's guide and
• your relevant application checklist.

How to apply

To apply, select the application type below to start:

Amend a VicSmart application

If you wish to make changes to the plans or conditions of an approved VicSmart Permit, select the application type below to start:

Not all residents are entitled to Parking Permits.

In 2019 Council reviewed its parking permit policy. This policy clarifies who can obtain a permit to park within a residential parking zone.

Residential Parking Permits are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. 

Residential parking permits will only be issued where the property is the applicant’s primary place of residence and not property owners (landlords) who lease their property out.

Residential Parking Permits will not be issued to properties not used for residential purposes (ie used solely for commercial or another non-residential purposes).

Permits are not transferrable between residents of different addresses.

Check your eligibility

To check if your property is entitled to a Residential Parking Permit enter your residential street address in the 'Apply now' link.

Where Residential Parking zones are located in the street, properties meeting the criteria contained within the table.

How to apply

Apply online, post or in person.

Apply now

Lost or stolen parking permits

If you have lost or had your permit stolen you will need to provide a Statutory Declaration and pay a fee.

You can apply for a new one online.

Some Council managed carparks have limited trader parking available.

Permits will be issued for areas where trader parking restrictions apply and that we monitor.

We may not issue a permit to businesses that have access to off street parking for their business.

If you require a replacement Trader Permit for a lost or stolen permit you must provide a Statutory Declaration and pay a fee. 

How to apply

Apply online, by post or in person.

Apply now

Lost or stolen parking permits

If you have lost or had your permit stolen (except the accessible parking permit), you can apply for a new one online.

We issue tradesperson permits for building works within an existing residential development.

The number of permits available is limited to a maximum of four permits at any one time.

A permit can only be issued for a period of up to 12 weeks and generally will not be renewed.

The tradesperson's vehicle permit will enable a vehicle to park in a residential parking zone between Monday and Friday 7.00am to 5.00pm (each day). Outside of these hours any existing parking controls will apply.

Permits are only valid when being used to complete on-site works at the property to which they are issued. They are not for private/personal use at any time.

Where construction works are to take longer than 12 weeks, an application for the installation of a Work Zone should be applied for.

How to apply

Apply online, by post or in person.

Apply now

Lost or stolen parking permits

If you have lost or had your permit stolen (except the accessible parking permit), you can apply for a new one online.

We issue carer permits to a person or an organisation that provides care service.

Carer Permits are issued to an individual employed in the delivery of a care service or to an organisation that provides a care service between 6 and 12 months based on need of the recipient of the care service. 

Individual carers

If you are employed by a care service or organisation and wish to apply for a permit.

Apply now

Organisation carers

If you are an individual applying on behalf of a care service or organisation. 

Apply now 

Lost or stolen parking permits

If you have lost or had your permit stolen (except the accessible parking permit), you can apply for a new one online.

In Victoria, you need to register these activities with your local council:

• any home or commercial business selling food or drink
• any place where food is prepared, sold, or provided as part of a service.

We check that your business meets the Food Act 1984 and Food Safety Standards so the food you sell is safe to eat.

What is a food business?

Any home or commercial business that includes these services is considered a food business:

• cafes
• restaurants
• home business kitchens
• mobile food vehicles
• catering
• food stalls
• grocers
• supermarkets
• child care centres
• aged care facilities
• any businesses that offers or distributes food for sale

What risk rating is my business activity?

Your food safety risk is set by your food handling activities at the premises.

Classes 1, 2, 3 and 3A must register, Class 4 must notify your local council.

For more information on your risk rating visit the Department of Health website.

How much does it cost?

View full list of fees

​​​​​​Can you get a refund?

You can get a refund if you request to cancel your registration.

The amount refunded depends on your closure date.

• before 1 April - we refund 50 per cent of the paid registration fee
• before 1 July - we refund 25 per cent of the paid registration fee
• after 1 July - no refund given.  

Why do you need to register your business?

In Victoria, you need to register any accommodation business with your local council.

We check that your business aligns with the Public Health and Wellbeing (Prescribed Accommodation) Regulations 2020 and any other standards to ensure that you:

• meet hygiene, maintenance and other standards and requirements
• minimise public health risks from the shared use of facilities, high turnover of occupants and/or overcrowding.

What is an accommodation business?

Any home based or commercial business that includes these services is considered an accommodation business:

• hotels and motels
• hostels
• student dormitories
• holiday camps
• caravan parks
• bed and breakfast accommodation
• rooming houses
• residential accommodation

How much does it cost?

View full list of fees

What happens next?

• We will issue contact you and issue an invoice once we receive your application.
• Once you have been registered, we will conduct an annual inspection to ensure your business meets the requirements under Public health and wellbeing regulations. We will also offer ongoing advice and education.
• If you change your business activity, contact us as this may affect your risk rating.

How to cancel your registration?

To cancel your registration, email your closure advice to manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au. Include in the email:

• the proprietors name
• the proprietors address and
• if you can get a refund, the bank account details (BSB and account name).

Can you get a refund?

You can get a refund if your business is closing permanently. We do not issue refund for the transfer of a 'Registered Premises' to a new operator. 

The amount of the refund depends on when we receive your closure advice email.

• before 1 April - we refund 50% of the paid registration fee
• before 1 July - we refund 25% of the paid registration fee
• after 1 July - no refund available. 

Related links

• Public Health and Wellbeing (Prescribed Accommodation) Regulations 2020 (Department of Health)

Pensioner rate rebate

You could be eligible for a rebate if you live at the property shown on your rate notice and hold:

• a current pensioner card
• a DVA Gold Card with war widow or TPI classification.

You’ll also be eligible for a $50 rebate on your Fire Services Property Levy.

How to apply

To apply, download the municipal rates concession application form and send to us with a copy of your eligible concession card:

If you want further info on concessions for council rates and charges, visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.

Low Income Health Care Card rate rebate

You could be eligible for a $150 rebate on the current rates and charges if you live at the property shown on your rate notice and hold:

• A Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card showing ‘LI’

Applications for a rebate will only apply to the current year of an application. Please check your Rate Notice to see if you have already received the rebate for this year. 

How to apply

To apply online, select 'Apply now'. 

Apply now

Or if you need a paper copy, contact us.

What happens next?

After submitting your application, we’ll respond within 10 working days. We’ll let you know by email if we need more info from you.

What is a section 50 amendment?

A section 50 amendment is when you want to amend an application prior to public notification.

Who can apply?

You, your agent or the current owner can make an amendment if:

• there’s a planning permit application in progress
• the permit application hasn’t been through public notification
• we haven’t yet made a decision on the application.

When can you make a section 50 amendment application?

If you want to make changes before public notification of an application, you can do so if it relates to:

• changes to the plans in response to initial concerns in a request for information (RFI) letter
• changes you would like to make
• the reason for an application is a change in the permit preamble such as constructing a two or three storey dwelling
• land relating to the application such as expanding the development to include adjoining property.

How to prepare your application

Download and complete a section 50 amendment form:

We will then use an RFI and ask for amended plans and documents. We usually receive section 50 forms and amendments all at once.

What happens next?

Once we have received your application, a planner will make an assessment on whether we will require an RFI or not.

We will send a letter if there is an RFI requirement.

If there is no RFI requirement, the planner will determine whether there is a need for advertising.

Related links

Apply for a section 57a Amendment

Request further information

What is a section 57a amendment?

A section 57a amendment is a request to make changes to an application after giving notice of the application, but before the making of a decision on the application.

When can you make a section 57a amendment application?

You can make an amendment application if:

• there is a planning permit application in progress
• the permit application has been through public notification
• we have not made a decision on the application yet
• you have paid the application fee.

Section 57a amendments are common in situations where:

• you have changed your mind about part of an application and want to make changes before the planning officer makes a final decision
• your changes are in response to objector concerns.

For applications that don’t require advertising, use a section 50 amendment instead.

Applying to amend your application or plans during the application process

During the application process, you can apply to amend either your application, plans or both. Amendments can include the following:

• A change or addition to the land use that the application is seeking.
• A change to the property address to which the application applies.
• A change to the plans, other documents or both.

How to apply

Download and complete the section 57a amendment form:

and submit via the planning applications portal.

What happens next?

The planning officer will assess the amended application and may request further information.

After a section 57a amendment, a further public notification period may be necessary.