Local Area Information

Set in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Manningham is a unique balance of city and country. Serviced by a comprehensive transport network, Manningham is only 12 kilometres from the City of Melbourne, and adjoins the picturesque Yarra River and countryside. Manningham has 40,965 dwellings, and covers 113 square kilometres with natural boundaries including the Yarra River to the north and Koonung Creek in the south. A great place to live, work and enjoy, the municipality is made up of four wards – Mullum Mullum, Heide, Koonung and Ruffey which cover the suburbs of Bulleen, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Donvale, Lower Templestowe, Park Orchards, Templestowe, Warrandyte and Wonga Park.

Boasting an array of retail outlets and cuisine from all over the world, Manningham is home to a thriving retail and hospitality industry which ensures that the area is well serviced by a full complement of stores and eateries that cater to every taste.

There are more than 3o local shopping centres in the City of Manningham as well as nine larger neighbourhood centres and the two major centres of Stockland The Pines and the new enlarged and updated Westfield Doncaster formally known as Doncaster Shoppingtown.

The Manningham community is a culturally diverse one with a population of approximately 107,000 residents (2001 Census, Australian Bureau of Statistics).

Approximately one-third of Manningham residents were born outside of Australia (2001 Census, ABS) A large proportion of our population originated from Italy (4,279), the UK (3,779), Greece (3,626), China (3,473), Hong Kong (2,901) and Malaysia (2,194)

Our diversity makes Manningham an interesting and cosmopolitan place to live.

Our diverse cultural heritage is also evident in the large number of heritage buildings, trees and landscapes located throughout the city. The places are reminders of the city's past including its long habitation by indigenous people, the early gold mining settlements and the area's orcharding past.

While Manningham is essentially residential, retail and commercial services contribute greatly to the city prosperity. Doncaster Shoppingtown is the main shopping complex and is undergoing a massive redevelopment programme which will make it one of the largest shopping complexes in Melbourne and will be renamed Westfield Doncaster, smaller centres such as The Pines in Doncaster East, Tunstall Square in Donvale and West End in Warrandyte have strong retail following and contribute greatly to the sense of place and neighbourhood identity. Templestowe village shops being a small pocket of cosey restaurants and cafes and a few local 'boutique' style speciality shops. The city has three well-stocked libraries and residents have access to a mobile library service. Manningham's Virtual Library enables the delivery of library services to patrons without them physically visiting a library branch. Local residents are able to access library catalogues and other information from home, school or the office via the Internet at www.wev.vic.gov.au , or at Web Point Kiosks located at Warrandyte.

Manningham offers a wide range of sporting facilities, which include a state-of-the-art netball complex and the magnificent Aquarena swimming and fitness complex, regarded as one of the best aquatic centres in Melbourne. Residents of Manningham can enjoy bush walking, horse riding, and cycling on the many bike tracks around the city. With over 150 sporting clubs and associations, Manningham encompasses many sporting facilities including 32 football and cricket ovals, basketball stadiums, lacrosse, soccer and hockey fields, athletics track and horse riding arena's.