Manningham Council is seeking feedback on its draft masterplan for one of Manningham’s most loved recreational areas, the Waldau Precinct in the Doncaster area

The precinct includes a number of attractions such as Rieschiecks Reserve, including the Schramm’s Cottage Museum Complex, and part of Ruffey Lake Park. The draft masterplan proposes a series of improvements to better integrate the attractions in this local area.

Some of the features proposed include:

• a new visitor centre next to the Schramm’s Cottage Museum Complex for heritage displays, to host meetings, do research, store archives and more
• upgraded playspace elements and a new café at the popular Ruffey Lake Park playground on Victoria Street
• better pedestrian links and car parking access as well as new signage showcasing the area’s heritage.

An upgrade of the sports pavilion at Rieschiecks Reserve is also planned to improve the facilities, change rooms and public toilets.

Manningham Mayor, Cr Paula Piccinini, said the area is one of Manningham’s most loved recreational areas and includes some wonderful hidden gems.

“Featuring Ruffey Lake Park’s Victoria Street Playground, the historic Schramm’s Cottage and Rieschiecks Reserve, including the cricket ground, the Waldau Precinct is a popular area of Manningham. We want to improve the experience for residents and visitors.

“I encourage everyone to have their say on the draft masterplan and the key features that are proposed,” Cr Piccinini said.

Have your say

To have your say on the Draft Waldau Precinct Masterplan, visit yoursaymanningham.com.au/waldau-precinct

To discuss what’s proposed with Council officers, come along to one of the following sessions at the Ruffey Lake Park Victoria Street Playground:

• Thursday 14 February, 3.30pm to 5.30pm
• Saturday 23 February, 10.30am to 12noon

Consultation closes on Monday 4 March 2019.

UPDATED: 16 February 2023

Community Calendars are now only available at the Manningham Civic Centre. Numbers are limited so get in quick.

PUBLISHED: 1 December 2022

You can now pick up your 2023 Community Calendar from collection points across Manningham:

• Manningham Civic Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster
• Doncaster Library, MC Square, 687 Doncaster Road, Doncaster
• Bulleen Library, Bulleen Plaza, 79/109 Manningham Road, Bulleen
• The Pines Library, Corner of Reynolds and Blackburn roads, East Doncaster
• Warrandyte Library, 168 Yarra Street, Warrandyte

We are committed to being a financially and environmentally sustainable council. This year we’ll only be mailing community calendars to residents experiencing circumstances preventing them from travelling to one of the above locations.

If you are unable to collect a calendar, please complete the form below.

Nine Councillors were officially sworn in at Manningham Council last night, with Currawong Ward Councillor Andrew Conlon elected as Mayor and Waldau Ward Councillor Anna Chen elected as Deputy Mayor.

It was a historic moment in Manningham’s history. With Council moving to a new single Councillor Ward structure, each elected Councillor now represents one ward. During the swearing in ceremony Councillors noted the historic moment while declaring their commitment to working for the betterment of all of Manningham.

The recent election saw 86% voter turnout up from 77% at the last election, showing democracy is alive and well in Manningham.

Mayor Cr Andrew Conlon said it was an honour to be elected as the first Mayor of this Council’s four year term.

“We have a significant opportunity to develop a four year Council plan that reflects our community’s aspirations. As a group of Councillors, we are committed to ensuring we have the right information, support and time to both develop and deliver on this for Manningham.

“We will represent all the people of Manningham. Public value will be at the heart of our decisions and we will work together to deliver the very best outcomes for our community.

“The current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone in our community and we look forward to working together to develop and implement plans to support our community’s COVID-19 recovery.

“I thank my fellow Councillors for entrusting me with the role of Mayor over the next 12 months,” Cr Conlon said.

The Councillors were sworn in at the Annual Meeting of Council on Tuesday 10 November. At the meeting, the incoming Councillors thanked the previous Councillors for their commitment to the community over the past four years.

The following Councillors representing nine new wards were sworn in at the Annual Meeting of Council:

• Currawong Ward – Cr Andrew Conlon
• Waldau Ward – Cr Anna Chen
• Bolin Ward – Cr Geoff Gough
• Manna Ward – Cr Tomas Lightbody
• Ruffey Ward – Cr Stephen Mayne
• Schramm Ward – Cr Laura Mayne
• Tullamore Ward – Cr Deirdre Diamante
• Westerfolds Ward – Cr Michelle Kleinert
• Yarra Ward – Cr Carli Lange

For more information and to view the livestream of the Annual Meeting of Manningham Council, visit manningham.vic.gov.au/annual-council-meeting-10-november-2020

Manningham Council and Places Victoria have agreed to mutually terminate the Project Development Agreement (PDA) governing the proposed redevelopment of 2-10 Montgomery Street, Doncaster East.

Manningham Council Chief Executive, Joe Carbone and Places Victoria Chief Executive Gregory Anderson have agreed that despite the best efforts of both parties, they are unfortunately unable to deliver on the outcomes agreed upon in the PDA.

Mr Carbone said that unfortunately over time circumstances have changed which has left us with no alternative but to mutually terminate the agreement.

“It is disappointing that the project will not go ahead, but Council understands that there have been significant challenges and difficulties in navigating the approvals process for the Business Case.”

“The Montgomery Street site has wonderful potential and Council will now consider further options in regards to the future use of the site,” he said.

This Sunday is Open Mosque Day and The Islamic Council of Victoria is inviting you to attend one of the many mosques taking part in the annual state-wide mosque open day this year.

There are two participating mosques in Manningham and they are at the UMMA Centre and Benevolence Australia, both located in Doncaster East.

Mosques commonly serve as locations for prayer, Ramadan vigils, funeral services, Sufi ceremonies, marriage and business agreements, alms collection and distribution, as well as homeless shelters. They are places which are essential to the life of the Muslim community.

Victorian Mosque Open Day 2021 is to be held this Sunday 14 March between 10.00am to 4.00pm at various participating mosques around the state, as part of Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Day.

Cultural Diversity Week (21 March to 28 March) and Harmony Day (21 March) are Victoria’s largest multicultural celebrations, featuring week-long programs of festivals and events in metropolitan and regional areas.

The UMMA Centre is located at 72 George St, Doncaster East and Benevolence Australia can be found at 125 George St, Doncaster East.

Find out more about Victorian Open Mosque Day by visiting the website.

Part of the building accommodating the Scouts at Rieschiecks Reserve has become vacant.  This presents an exciting opportunity for incorporated not for profit organisations to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the space comprising an area of approx. 147.5m2 including shared common areas (kitchen, male and female toilets and a passageway).

It is envisioned that the space will accommodate a use or uses providing programs or activities which either complement existing services or which recognise a service gap in response to community needs in Manningham.

Viewing the facility

Interested parties will have the opportunity to inspect the space between 3.00pm to 3.45pm on Wednesday, 21 June 2023.

How to apply

Applications can be submitted by:

Post 
Attention: Chief Legal and Governance Officer 
Expression of Interest - Part 125-149 George Street, Doncaster East 
Manningham City Council 
P.O. Box 1 
Doncaster VIC 3108

Email 
Email propertyservices@manningham.vic.gov.au

Include ‘Expression of Interest - Part 125-149 George Street, Doncaster East in the subject.

Team sports can play a valuable role in the development of children. They help keep children active, promote agility and fitness and help build friendships with other children their own age.

However, such opportunities are not always available for all children, especially those with developmental, physical or learning limitations.

Macedon Blues Soccer Club is helping to change this by offering an all abilities non-competitive weekly training program for children and young adults aged 6 to 18 years old with additional needs or special needs. The sessions focus on learning how to play soccer in an inclusive, safe, supportive and friendly environment, and welcome all genders and skill levels.

All equipment is provided, including balls, bibs, cones and goals.

Term 2 of the program runs from Saturday 24 April to Saturday 19 June. Sessions will be held on Saturday mornings from 10:30am to 11:15am at the synthetic outdoor soccer pitch at East Doncaster Secondary College, located at 20 George Street, East Doncaster. 

The program is $100 per term, which includes insurance, although a free trial session is available and encouraged. Please note, it is important that interested parents complete the Expression of Interest form on the club’s website prior to attending.

This program was made possible with the assistance of a Community Development Grant.

For more information about the program visit Macedon Blues Soccer Club.