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Public Question Time at Manningham Council’s July meeting was extended beyond its usual 30-minute limit as nine residents raised concerns about a proposed Public Acquisition Overlay, street sweeping and drainage maintenance, ethical procurement and tree canopy protection. The most debated issue was proposed Planning Scheme Amendment C141mann, affecting seven privately owned properties in Doncaster East, Doncaster and Bulleen.
Council officers stressed that a Public Acquisition Overlay (PAO) would not automatically apply to the affected properties. The process would generally take 12 to 24 months and include public exhibition, community submissions, possible consideration by an independent panel and further decisions by Council and the Minister. The proposed PAO was intended to support a new public reserve in Doncaster East and expansions of Hanke Reserve in Doncaster and Grant Olson Reserve in Bulleen. Officers said it was based on the Manningham Open Space Strategy 2014, which aims to ensure all residents are located within 400 metres of suitable public open space exceeding 2,000 square metres.
Most questions focused on 48 and 48A Franklin Road and 47 Beverley Street, Doncaster East. Together with Council owned land at 50 Franklin Road, the properties could form a reserve south of Devon Plaza. Residents questioned why particular homes had been selected, what recent assessments or gap analyses supported the choices, and whether alternative sites had been properly considered.
Director City Planning and Liveability Andrew McMaster said the primary purpose was to facilitate the creation of a new local reserve, address a deficiency in open space provision and improve access to open space for nearby residents. He noted the section of Franklin Road between Blackburn Road and Devon Drive as being outside the preferred 400-metre walking distance to a local park exceeding 2,000 square metres. Moreover, the Boronia precinct is evolving over time with an increasing proportion of higher density housing typologies. This increase in density will impact the demand for public open space.
Residents asked why 52 and 54 Franklin Road had not been acquired. Council noted that the permit for the development at 52-54 Franklin Road was issued in April 2022, prior to Council's acquisition of 50 Franklin Road, and that the adjoining properties at 52-54 Franklin Road were subsequently not identified for future acquisition.
The privately owned Devon Plaza car park was also suggested. Council said it supported local businesses and was unlikely to deliver a reserve exceeding 2,000 square metres through redevelopment. Council did not own land within Devon Plaza, and no redevelopment proposal was currently before it.
Council said all seven properties were grouped in one amendment because they arose from the same Open Space Strategy. In Doncaster, acquiring 11 and 13 Hanke Road would expand Hanke Reserve beyond 2,000 square metres, following Council’s earlier purchase of 17 Hanke Road. In Bulleen, acquiring 1 and 2 Virginia Court would expand Grant Olson Reserve, currently about 1,102 square metres opposite Bulleen Plaza.
A Bulleen resident raised concerns about community support, noise and safety. Council said these matters would be considered during future planning, and that public open spaces are expected to incorporate active frontages and clear interfaces with surrounding streets to support accessibility and passive surveillance.
Residents also questioned whether Council could fund all seven acquisitions. Council said purchases would be funded through the Resort and Recreation Reserve Fund, which is funded by developer open space contributions collected under the Subdivision Act 1988. The fund held just over $8 million at the end of 2024–25. Long-term forecasts supported acquiring approximately one property per year, with flexibility to respond to market opportunities and owner circumstances.
Despite officers recommending that Council seek Ministerial authorisation, councillors did not begin the amendment process. Council referred this matter to the 27 October 2026 Council meeting to enable further review of the properties identified for the potential application of a PAO under Planning Scheme Amendment C141mann.
Street sweeping and drainage maintenance were also raised. A resident cited information previously published on Council’s website and questioned whether the stated street sweeping and drainage maintenance measures had been properly implemented. Director City Services Lachlan Johnson advised that Council had recently undertaken a review of its street sweeping service and had allocated additional funding for street sweeping in the most recent budget. He also noted that a report on the service would be presented to Council in the coming months.
Ethical procurement was another major issue. Residents asked how Council assessed suppliers linked to human rights abuses, unfair labour practices or breaches of international law, and called for publication of evaluation criteria and a supplier register. Director Experience and Capability Kerryn Paterson responded that Council has a Procurement Policy, which was recently updated and endorsed by Council on 30 June 2026 and will take effect in October 2026. She noted that it strengthened social and ethical requirements throughout planning, evaluation and contract management. Human rights, fair labour, legal compliance, cost, quality and risk would be considered, with due diligence undertaken before contracts were signed. Council already publishes contracts valued above $1 million and the suppliers involved. Ms Paterson said suggestions for greater transparency would be considered.
Tree canopy protection was the final issue. A resident urged Council to improve reporting on canopy loss, raise community awareness and recognise trees, gardens and green space as essential infrastructure. Chief Executive Officer Andrew Day responded that Council regularly considers the issue and recognises it as a significant challenge within Manningham, including on both public and private land. Mr Day also acknowledged the resident’s suggestions and advised that Council has strategies in development that will consider a range of matters relating to tree canopy.
Mayor Jim Grivas congratulated Elie Yim on being awarded School Crossings Victoria Supervisor of the Year for Region 3. Elie has worked for 15 years at Manningham Road and Williamsons Road, Doncaster, helping children and families cross safely. Council acknowledged her professionalism, reliability and community connection, and thanked her for her dedicated service.
Other business included petitions requesting an immediate road-safety assessment of the Wetherby Road and Jising Court T-junction and an Ethical Procurement and Responsible Investment Policy. Both were referred to officers.
Council has formally adopted the 2026‑2030 Disability Access and Inclusion Framework. Shaped by community consultation with disabled residents, carers and service providers, the framework guides accessibility improvements for workplaces, services and infrastructure and supports the 2025‑2029 Council Plan.
Council also paid tribute to former Mayor and Councillor Julie Eisenbise, who recently passed away, acknowledging her outstanding contributions to Manningham, Victorian local government and the education sector. Councillors extended their sincere condolences to her family.
