What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Manningham's direction is set by its Community Vision and the Council Plan 2025–2029, adopted on 30 June 2025, which also serves as the council's Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. A deliberative panel of 37 residents made recommendations that shaped the Plan. Each year it is carried out through the budget; 2026–27 is its second year.
The Council Plan has five themes and ten strategic objectives: Safe and Healthy Community (a safe, connected, inclusive, active and healthy community); Liveable Places and Spaces (a city designed for safety and sustainable growth, with well-maintained infrastructure); Resilient Environment (protected natural ecosystems and environmental stewardship); Thriving Economy (jobs, investment and support for local businesses and community groups); and Well Governed and Innovative Council (an effective, efficient, financially responsible and innovative council).
The 2026–27 budget, endorsed on 30 June 2026, has a $164 million operating budget and a $69 million capital works program. By theme, it allocates $38.8 million to a resilient environment, $34.8 million to a well governed and innovative council, $26.2 million to liveable places and spaces, $24.4 million to a safe and healthy community and $3.7 million to a thriving economy. Key projects include the Aquarena outdoor redevelopment, the Anderson Park synthetic pitch and floodlights, and road upgrades including Jumping Creek Road, the Templestowe Route and Holloway Road.
Underway now
Aquarena outdoor redevelopment
Construction expected from April 2026Councillors endorsed the project on 24 February 2026: a new 50-metre outdoor pool with a ramp and moveable swim wall, new change rooms, tiered seating, a café, and a family zone with a toddler pool and water play. The indoor centre stays open during construction; the outdoor facilities close. The 2026–27 budget allocates $19.57 million.
Source: Manningham Council — Aquarena Outdoor Redevelopment moves ahead (13 Mar 2026)
Planned / committed
Jumping Creek Road upgrade
$4.0 million in 2026–27The 2026–27 budget allocates $4.0 million to Jumping Creek Road, one of the largest items in the capital works program, alongside $1.7 million for the Fitzsimons Lane and Main Road corridor (Templestowe Route).
Anderson Park synthetic pitch and floodlights
$3.55 million in 2026–27A synthetic pitch with floodlights at Anderson Park #1, listed by the council as a key project of the 2026–27 budget.
Park Orchards Community House and Learning Centre
Design funded in 2026–27The budget funds design work ($595,000) for a redeveloped Park Orchards Community House and Learning Centre. The council says it will keep advocating for funding to build it.