Facilities Review Outcomes published

by SANDI MILLER
11th June 2026

MANNINGHAM Council says it will continue to work with Warrandyte Scouts on options to keep them in their hall, following strong feedback on the draft Warrandyte Community Facilities Review.
Valuable community input has directly shaped this outcome and other focus areas outlined in the Consultation Outcomes Report, presented at the Council meeting on Tuesday, May 26.
Yarra Ward Councillor Carli Lange spoke to the motion to note the report at the Council meeting, acknowledging that the feedback received was “critical” of the review.

“It was also thoughtful, detailed, and deeply invested in the future of Warrandyte facilities.
“The level of engagement was high, and it showed how much our residents really value the community infrastructure that they pay for.”

Manningham Mayor Jim Grivas said Council would now continue to partner with the community on agreed focus areas rather than proceeding with the report as a single overarching plan.

“We received 38 detailed submissions during the consultation process, as well as a petition of 1,611 signatures regarding the Warrandyte Scout Hall.”

Community groups that made submissions include:

• Warrandyte Scouts
• Warrandyte Men’s Shed
• Warrandyte Neighbourhood House Board
• Warrandyte Historical Society
• The Rotary Club of Warrandyte
• The Rotary Club of Warrandyte, on behalf of 14 community organisations
• Warrandyte Community Association
• Warrandyte Tennis Club
• Warrandyte Childcare and Preschool Cooperative
• Now and Not Yet Café
• Warrandyte Basketball Association
• Warrandyte Toy Library
• Warrandyte Seniors
• Warrandyte Sporting Group
• Warrandyte Tennis Club
• No Lights No Lycra
• Warrandyte Mechanics’ Institute and Arts Association

The report noted several common themes that emerged from the feedback.

Historical Museum: Support for the Museum to remain in its current location (12 respondents) due to the profile and significance of the existing building, and for Council to work with the Warrandyte Historical Society to enhance the existing facility.
In response to the feedback, Council acknowledged the “deep connection” to the old post office.
It says it will work with the Historical Society to retain the existing building and explore opportunities to progressively upgrade the building to meet the needs of the Historical Society within the constraints of the site and budget availability.

Early Years Infrastructure: There was mixed feedback about relocating Warrandyte Kindergarten to a local school site (six respondents opposed and three supportive) and general support for relocating the childcare service to a new site, due to the limitations associated with the existing facility and site (five respondents in support).
Council acknowledged the constraints of the current facilities and the need to provide further clarity on existing and proposed facilities, stating in the report:
“We will continue discussions with early years services, local schools, and the State Government, to further explore all available options.
Engagement with families and the broader community will also be undertaken prior to any major works being undertaken.”

Scouts Hall: Support for the Warrandyte Scout Group remaining in their current location (seven of nine respondents), and questions raised about upgrading the existing Scout Hall.
Council said it is supportive of the Warrandyte Scouts’ preference to remain in their current Hall and will work with stakeholders to re-examine opportunities to upgrade the existing facility within planning constraints and investigate options to address long-term needs.

Men’s Shed: Support for a dedicated Men’s Shed space in Warrandyte due to the significant benefits they provide to the community (eight respondents).
Council responded to say it will continue to work collaboratively with the Warrandyte Men’s Shed to investigate suitable facility options.
Pending further discussions, Council proposed to explore the feasibility of expanding the Warrandyte Community Hall and re-examining other previously discounted Council-owned sites.

Sporting Facilities: General support for continued growth and enhancement of sport and recreation activities, without overdeveloping sites or co-locating non-compatible groups.
More information sought on proposed improvements and capital projects.
Council noted that challenges exist in relation to planning controls, specifically relating to flood inundation around the tennis facility.
This constrains the ability to expand the tennis pavilion; however, Council says it is committed to re-examining potential improvements to the facility and advocating for viable solutions in collaboration with the club.

Colman Park: More direction and detail sought on the future of specific facilities and services at Colman Park, including proposed capital improvements.
Council said any proposed facility upgrades or works at the Reserve will involve further consultation with relevant stakeholders and users.

Community Centre: Respondents value the centre’s flexibility, functionality, and identity, whilst noting the potential for some improvements, including access and wayfinding.
The suggested “improvement” to the physical connection between the Community Centre and Warrandyte Mechanics’ Institute & Arts Association is seen as unnecessary and unjustified.

Consultation process: Community concerns raised about the consultation process included a lack of detail in the draft report, a lack of consideration of previous consultation findings, and that information provided by community representatives and some groups was excluded or not referenced, particularly noted was the lack of consideration for older residents.
Respondents also noted that the community consultation process failed to meaningfully consider input from Warrandyte organisations and their valuable role within the community.
Outcomes failed to reflect the complexity and significance of service and facility needs, and disregarded previous plans and other genuine opportunities.

Draft report and Review process: Respondents felt that the report and review process lacked transparency, and some felt that plans for Warrandyte community facilities had already been decided.
Council said the draft Review report was intended as a high-level report summarising the key outcomes of the Review and proposed opportunities for further exploration and consultation.

Warrandyte’s unique character: Warrandyte’s historical significance and unique character were not adequately reflected in the draft report, nor were the community and tourism benefits generated by existing community facilities and their surrounds.
Council said it “acknowledged and appreciated” the significant level of feedback received in relation to Warrandyte’s history, including reference to the Warrandyte Township Heritage Guidelines, which will be considered in any future facility planning and specific upgrade proposals.

Broader planning context: Issues regarding traffic and parking were mentioned several times, particularly congestion issues during major events.
Flood risk and inundation levels were also questioned.
Council said it is required to comply with planning overlays and requirements imposed by regulatory authorities, but it will continue to engage and advocate where possible.

Feedback appreciated

“We appreciate this feedback, which has been summarised in the Outcomes Report, and which will guide our ongoing work to improve Warrandyte’s community facilities,” said Cr Grivas.
When addressing the Council meeting, Cr Lange said she was very pleased to say Council is now moving towards a more targeted, practical action.

“For the Scouts, it means holding meetings with their project group within Scouts Victoria, focusing on exploring their future ambitions for refurbishment or expansion, and looking at their practical needs of storage, as well as an essential need for amenities and access.
“Working with the Men’s Shed group, who are looking at moving forward in a feasibility study to see how our Warrandyte Reserve community facilities can be activated for them, looking at access to parking and traffic, and engaging with the community, ready for state government advocacy.
“It is also working with the Historical Society on a collaborative approach to look at their existing facility and how to maintain that for longevity and community safety.
“And then it’s our early years services that operate out of our community facilities and working with the department of education and local providers — we acknowledge there is uncertainty in this area, particularly with childcare services that operate out of local government facilities — we are committed to working with these providers so we can have facilities that are used for all our residents now and in the future and for our needs.
“I am really pleased to say that this demonstrates a clear shift from moving away from assumptions and having actual collaborations,”

Improvements to other local facilities, such as sporting facilities at Warrandyte Reserve and Colman Park, will be undertaken progressively in consultation with user groups and the community, guided by Council plans, policies, and the Capital Works Program.
Cr Grivas said Council appreciates the feedback and positive discussions it has had with community groups, facility users, and key stakeholders that has helped Council determine the next steps.

“This process has helped us to better understand what matters most to the Warrandyte community.
“We’re committed to working together to progressively improve facilities to meet local needs.”

A feasibility study will include further consultation and detailed site planning.
The full Consultation Outcomes Report is now available to view at Your Say Manningham, yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/warrandyte-community-facilities-review.

WAVA meets with Council

REPRESENTATIVES from the Warrandyte Volunteer Alliance (WAVA) met with Manningham Council on May 13 to discuss feedback from the community and next steps in relation to the Warrandyte Community Facilities Review.
WAVA has told the Diary that issues discussed included the future of the Warrandyte Scout Hall, Warrandyte Historical Society Museum, and the site of a permanent Men’s Shed.
They also discussed Early Years Services, where the long-term goal is to locate childcare services on State School sites.
This would require support from the State Government.
WAVA and Council also discussed the Taroona Avenue Cricket Nets project, which is funded by the State Government — following a 2022 election promise — but managed by Manningham.
The project has stalled due to push back from Yarra Valley Water, a major stakeholder, who will not approve the works due to a main sewerage drain running under the cricket nets.
The project, in its current form, can only go ahead if the drain is relocated, and Council is currently investigating whether the scope can be modified to enable the project to move forward.
WAVA expressed its hope for continued engagement with Council, grounded in a mutual understanding of the actions needed to ensure Warrandyte’s community facilities are fit for purpose.
It was agreed that ongoing meetings would be held quarterly.

Scout Hall maintenance responsibility queried

THERE HAS been ongoing discussion around the responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the Warrandyte Scout Hall.
The Scouts have long asserted that there was a maintenance agreement with Council to undertake ongoing maintenance in exchange for Scouts Victoria handing over several scout halls in a reconciliation of Scout facilities in 2005.
Council, however take a different view, as noted in the recently published Community Facilities Review Consultation Outcomes Report, which states:

“The Scout Hall is owned by Scouts Victoria who are responsible for building maintenance and improvements under current tenure arrangements.”

An old article recently discovered in the Warrandyte Diary archives now support the view put forward by Warrandyte Scouts.
This article has been printed below:

Scouts’ buildings due for council assistance (August 2005, Page 10)

Scout troops across Manningham will enjoy improved facilities following negotiations between council and the Scouts working party, addressing maintenance and management responsibilities.
“Extensive consultation over the last few years has resulted in the Scouts agreeing in principle to the implementation of lease and service agreements that outline guidelines for amenity use,” a council spokesperson told the Diary.
“The service and lease agreements mean we now have clear guidelines to ensure that facilities are well kept, safe and pleasurable to use,” the spokesperson said.
“The Scouts are integral to the makeup of our community, and it is important that we continue to work together to continually improve services.”
The negotiations covered the financial viability of maintaining halls; maximising use of Scout halls; justification for renovation and repair of halls; possible closure, change of use or demolition or removal of some halls; establishment of new lease arrangements, and development of service agreements.
Negotiations also dealt with the development of a “work program” for the maintenance of Scout Hall buildings and surrounds, and the ongoing maintenance of all facilities on council land.

The Diary reached out to Manningham Council for comment, who says the lease agreement for the Warrandyte Scout Hall, which has been in place since 2005, has not changed.

“Under the long-standing agreement, Scouts Victoria are responsible for building maintenance and repairs, while we maintain the external areas.
We are committed to supporting Manningham’s community groups so they can thrive and have assisted with a number of maintenance issues at the hall over the years.
Following recent conversations with Scouts Victoria and the Warrandyte Scouts, we’re addressing short-term maintenance priorities, and are establishing a working group to re-examine the site and explore the potential to upgrade the hall, within the planning constraints of the site.”