What a great 'Save the Ferries' spread in the Beaches' new monthly mag.  Have a read and you'll see why The Tawny Frogmouth is quickly making its mark. And as a bonus the witty, little magazine arrives free in your mailbox every month. 

Here's Tikky's latest video. It's clear we need to save all four of our beautiful big Manly Ferries.  
​Please sign the official Parliamentary petition here.  We need 20,000 signatures to get the petition tabled in State Parliament and a debate started on the ferries' future. 

Here's our latest Save the Ferry video.  Thanks to Tikky Hes and the team, and all the people at Manly Wharf who were delighted to speak up for the iconic boats. 

There are so many incredible photos of the beautiful big ferries. These pics are from the legendary Haig Gilchrist. He's a Manly Ferry Deckhand and photographer/videographer - which is clearly a wonderful combination.  

The first two pics are from an early morning in November, and the last one is rough weather up close. 

Our campaign is gaining momentum with huge community support. 

While State Transport MInister Andrew Constance initially said that only one ferry would be saved, now it's likely to be two. That's an improvement, but not enough.

Manly Liberal MP James Griffin has also joined the fight to save the iconic vessels, saying he wants to save two boats, and more if possible.

Here's an ongoing poll conducted by the Sydney Morning Herald which shows clearly that people want to keep the whole fleet. It's not a scientific study, but it's had over 1300 votes, and mirrors what we hear on the ground. 

Read the Herald article titled 'Second Freshwater Ferry could be saved by Christmas'.

People have reacted to the threat to our beautiful classic ferries with anger and disbelief.  And the media has jumped on board. 

The Daily Telegraph immediately started a campaign to keep our 'harbour queens' afloat.  The paper had big spreads on 24th and 25th November, as well as an editorial and lots of letters to the editor. 

And the Sydney Morning Herald, which broke the story in early October, had lots of follow-up articles with community leaders, union leaders, and stakeholders arguing the ferries should stay.

There has also been coverage on TV and radio, including the ABC, Channel 7, 2GB and more. 

You can help - sign the NSW Parliamentary petition here  

The future of Manly's iconic Freshwater-class 1100 passenger ferries is under threat with the NSW Government announcing that they will be replace by 400 passenger Emerald class catamarans early next year.
PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION TO THE NSW PARLIAMENT HERE

​Deputy Mayor & President of the Good for Manly Association, Candy Bingham, will move at next weeks Council meeting (27/10/20) that the Northern Beaches Council hold an urgent meetings with the Minister for Transport, Andrew Constance, over his recent announcement to scrap the large Manly ferries.
 
“The community is in shock.  The proposal by the Minister to ‘keep maybe one for two’ of the 1100 passenger large Freshwater-Class ferries, with the rest to be replaced by three 400 passenger Emerald class catamarans, just doesn’t make sense.  It appears that the focus is on commuters and that the  large passenger numbers during peak visitor periods have not been considered” Cr Bingham said.
 
“Last Australia Day we had 80,591 people visit Manly by Ferry; over the Easter 4-day weekend in 2019 there were 257,960 people; and on average 47,000 come to Manly by ferry each day of summer.” she added.
 
With 2.8m people coming by ferry in 2019, 1 million of them international tourists according to Destination NSW’s Manly Visitor Profile of the year ended December 2019, there is major concern that the NSW Government is just focusing on the use of the ferries by commuters, and has totally overlooked the tourist market.
 
“The large ferries are the life-blood of Manly.  Since 1850 they have serviced this popular tourist destination bringing millions to enjoy our seaside resort.  The Fast Ferries are used by commuters, the large ferries are used by day trippers and those who enjoy the experience of the leisurely 30-minute trip to Manly” Cr Bingham added.
 
President of the Manly Business Chamber, Charlotte Rimmer, said that the Chamber will be joining the Council’s push to have the Freshwater-class ferries retained.
 
“Our Executive met last week.  The economic value that the large ferries bring to Manly is enormous.  We are concerned that this decision has not considered the value of the tourist dollar that this internationally recognised attraction brings. 
 
“When you come to Sydney you come for the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and a ride on the Manly Ferry.  This decision is like removing the cable-cars in Sans Francisco.” Ms Rimmer said.
 
According to Paul Garrett, the Assistant Secretary of the Sydney Branch of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), the large ferries undergo a major service every 5 years.  The Freshwater is due for service in February next year, the Queenscliff in October, the Narrabeen in November and the Collaroy in October 2023. They are unlikely to returned to service.
 
“These ferries are only 40 years old and still have decades of service left in them.  For example the NSW Government is currently refurbishing the First Fleet class ferries, which are of the same age.
 
“Rather than see expenditure on maintenance and life-extension programs for these Freshwater ferries as a cost, the NSW Government should see it as an investment in an iconic tourist drawcard. The double-ended Manly ferries are an internationally recognised Australian Institution”, he added.
 
Cr Candy Bingham is mounting a community campaign to reverse the decision to allow time for a detailed business case to be undertaken to include the tourism and economic value that these ferries bring to Sydney.
 
In the meantime a Change.org petition Save Australia’s Manly Ferry is gaining major momentum with over 5,000 signatures and growing, and concerned citizens are being encouraged to send an email to:
Minister for Transport, Andrew Constance at: bega@parliament.nsw.gov.au,
Local Member, James Griffin at: manly@parliament.nsw.gov.au
and the Minister for Tourism, Stuart Ayres at: penrith@parliament.nsw.gov.au

THE HISTORY OF THE MANLY FERRIES has been provided by Richard Michell, President of the Manly, Warringah & Pittwater Historical Society, and is attached below.

It is perhaps not widely known that the original name for Manly Hospital - the one on Eastern Hill, not the earlier Cottage Hospital in Raglan Street - was the Manly Peace Memorial Hospital.

​At a public meeting in the Manly Town Hall in July 1919 it was resolved that a ‘Peace Memorial Hospital’ be built on the former quarantine land as ‘a permanent tribute to the men who went forward and fought in the Great War’.

​A committee was formed and fundraising commenced.

During the COVID lockdown, Manly Library was transformed into a brighter, more open community space. The old wall, children's area amphitheatre and service desk were removed so the whole ground floor area would benefit from the Market Place windows. 

The images below are different views across the new children's section. There's lots of space for prams, tables, craftwork etc, especially as the new book shelves are all on wheels and can be easily moved as required. Bright artworks will be hung on the long back wall in the middle pic. The bottom pic shows natural light coming in from a large window sky light. You can also see the entrance to the new Story Time/meeting room. 

The extra space means that the collection of children's non-fiction books can now be in the same area as kid's fiction and picture books. Non-fiction used to be upstairs but now that it's been moved, the books are being borrowed much more often. (60% more kid's non-fiction books borrowed in July, compared to usual monthly averages.) As well, there are cute "cubby seats" where parents and kids can sit together, and the new shelving means kid's books are pretty much now all at child-friendly heights.

​Story Time was incredibly popular in the old Amphitheatre and it will be back just as soon as pandemic restrictions are eased. In future, stories will be told in the former ground-floor meeting room, which has been soundproofed so kids can jump, dance, clap and sing without disturbing other library users. The room is linked through an internal door to the new children's area, and the council is exploring options such as glass doors to provide more natural light. 

The project's not finished yet. You can comment or make a suggestion here. 

The up-front cost is the same as last year. 

​FEES:
1st Residential or Multi-use Permit* - Free
2nd Residential or Multi-use Permit* - $42
3rd Residential or Multi-use Permit* - $110
(*only one Multi-use permit per household)
Business, Special Issue, Support Worker or Car Share Permits -  Free (for 2020/21)

But it's a different story if a permit is lost or stolen, with a replacement to cost $545.

Clearly the concern is with the Multi-use permit, which may be open to misuse, such as being sold on eBay, although with this permit linked to a specific property, tracing the permit will be easier.  A review of the Multi-use system will therefore take place in a year, with several audits carried out along the way. The risk is, that if the Multi-use system is abused, the Council may stop issuing this type of permit. Staff say there will always be some mechanism for visitors and tradies to park, but it may become more like the City of Sydney, where residents get a limited number of single-use, one-day 'scratchies'.

Go to the Council website here or call 1300 434 434 for more details.

31/7/2020   
During peak Coronavirus lockdown, Manly suddenly had plenty of street parking, showing what it's like when only locals are parking here. ​

Manly's new Parking Permit scheme, to be rolled out in the next few months, is designed to keep the balance strongly in favour of residents. It will work by linking all new parking permits to a specific vehicle or address, thereby stopping the on-selling of permits and limiting them to genuine local residents. 

There will also be a big reduction in the number of permits issued to businesses, and no permits for trailers or boats. 

And in great news in this financially uncertain time, there will be NO increase in permit fees, and the first permit will still be free. 

As well, an idea to limit parking permits to residents with insufficient off-street parking has been scrapped.

Specifically, each dwelling can apply for up to three permits, and a fourth under "extenuating circumstances"

* One permit per car can be purchased, which must be registered to the car's registration and applicant's home address.
* A multi-purchase permit can be purchased to be used by visitors, tradies etc. This permit must be linked to the home address of the applicant.

As well as residential and multi-use permits; business, car share, special issue and support worker permits will be available. ​
​
Fees:
1st Permit - Free
2nd Permit - $42
3rd Permit - $110

The new scheme will start on the following dates
Little Manly Zone     1 Oct 2020
Balgowlah                1 Oct 2020
Ethel St West           1 Nov 2020
Ocean Beach           1 Nov 2020
Isthmus                    1 Dec 2020
Fairy Bower             1 Dec 2020
Tower Hill +              1 Mar 2021
Ivanhoe Park +         1 Apr 2021
Permit applications will open one month before in each case.

Existing residential parking permits remain valid (despite having passed their 'expiry' dates) until the respective start date in each area, and must be displayed.  As a bonus, the permit validity extensions have given locals a permit fee holiday for at least six months.

You can view the Parking Scheme Framework below.

Old Manly Hospital site concept plans are now on public display. What's new is that the State Government, which owns the North Head site, wants to broaden options for businesses that can be considered for the new "health and wellbeing" precinct.

​The 6ha site, which will be anchored by the new Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice, could now include enterprises such as seniors housing, an educational establishment or function centre, plus a shop and cafe, although these new uses would depend on appropriate rezoning of the land by Northern Beaches Council.

There will also be parking, public access and open space and harbour views. 

​The current zoning of the site limits its use to a ‘health services facility’ which only permits; a hospital, medical centre, community health service facilities or consulting rooms.

​The concept plan calls for this to be broadened to include uses such as;
Restaurant or café
Neighbourhood shop
Seniors housing
Educational establishment
Community facility
Group homes
Function centre
Centre-based child care facility
Recreation facility (indoor)
​
The draft concept plan, shown in diagram form below, has been put together by site managers - The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (Planning NSW) - and lead consultants COX Architecture.  

The next step is to collect community and stakeholder feedback, and rezoning approval from the Council. Then Planning NSW will prepare a formal site master plan with a site-specific Development Control Plan. The DCP includes built form controls to manage height, bulk and scale, as well as environmental and heritage requirements for the site.

​On its website Planning NSW says; "The concept master plan focuses on developing an adaptive reuse strategy for the existing heritage buildings to deliver a mix of open and community space, health and wellbeing related uses, neighbourhood scale shops and a food and drink offering."

​They say the plan has been "informed by the guiding principles, outcomes of the community consultation (September 2019), environmental and specialist investigations and market sounding exercises". ​

The 'main block' and original 'Manly Peace Memorial Hospital' entrance will both be 'adaptively reused'

​Manly Hospital was closed in October 2018 after the new Northern Beaches Hospital was opened at Frenchs Forest.  Following community pressure to save the iconic site, the State Government promised not to sell it to developers but to keep it in public hands. 

The vision statement was for “a vibrant health and wellbeing sanctuary which welcomes and supports the needs of the local and wider community – achieved through innovation and balance”. 
​
A masterplan was created to develop a health and wellbeing precinct, while maintaining community access and preserving existing heritage buildings. Incoming businesses and services would need to provide health benefits to the Northern Beaches community, as well as being self funding. 

The location is not only spectacular, but complicated with many stakeholders, including Property NSW, NSW Health, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Northern Beaches Council and the local community.

​Last year prominent design firm COX Architecture was appointed lead consultant for the redevelopment process.

​More details and the chance to have your say here.

Little Manly Point is a popular spot, which iloved by picnickers, fishermen and young people in the evenings. There is also a children's playground, that is in line for a revamp.  

​At the moment the nearest toilets are the small block at Little Manly beach (circled on map). Volunteers at the Point on Clean Up Australia Day found out the hard way that some people don't bother to walk to the toilet block, but do it in the bush instead. 
 
The Council has now allocated $500,000 for work to be carried out in the 2021/22 financial year.  
 
Little Manly Point public amenities had initially been left off the budget plans, but  I was able to work with council staff to bring the funds forward.  
 
In exchange, the repositioning of the West Esplanade accessible toilet will be postponed until 2023/24 at the earliest.  This work will restore the graceful look of the historic West Esplanade amenities block, while still providing an accessible facility.  

In a big win for pedestrians and cyclists, Manly CBD and beachfronts have become a 30kph zone. 

The 'safe speed zone' which started in July, is a trial paid for by the State Government and co-ordinated by Transport for NSW. It's prompted by the increase in pedestrians and cyclists on local streets, caused by COVID-19 forcing people to work from home and avoid public transport. ​

Slowing cars down has been shown to reduce the likelihood and severity of accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles.  A pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 40kph has twice the chance of being killed, compared to someone hit by a car travelling at 30k. While this is obviously a desirable outcome in is own right, it's even more important in a time of Coronavirus when hospital beds are precious, particularly those in ICU. And there's no real downside, as a reduction in speed limits on city streets has been shown to have only a minimal impact on travel times. ​

​Council Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham said she fully supports the safe speed trial.  "It will make the streets so much safer for pedestrians and cyclists," Cr Bingham said. "And car travel will take 1 minute more at the most. One minute that could save a life! 

"There were 92 accidents reported to police in the trial zone over the last five years, with about a third of those involving pedestrians or cyclists."

The 30kph speed zone is outlined on the map.  It starts at  Ashburner St and covers the entire Manly CBD, including East Esplanade and South and North Steyne. The zone finishes at West Promenade and the southern part of Whistler St, apart from an extension heading north all the way along the ocean front, and a short extension along West Esplanade.

​Although Eustace St was not included in the State Government leaflets dropped in mailboxes last month, it should have been. It is part of the 30kph trial zone

​The zone includes three schools - Manly Village Public School, St Mary's Primary School and Royal Far West School; but not Stella Maris College. 

The trial started with new speed signs and road markings in early July. Car speeds and driver compliance will be monitored until October, with extra traffic calming measures, such as speed humps, installed at that point if needed. 

Northern Beaches Council, which has a long-term focus on increasing 'active travel' trips, worked with the State Government to roll out Manly's safe speed zone.  The Council has also applied for grants to construct new bikes lanes. ​

All planned projects in the Manly Ward will go ahead in the 20/21 budget including: a revamp of the North Steyne playground and planning for the new Manly Point playground; work on the Scenic Walkway, an all-abilities playground and a toilet block upgrade - all at Clontarf Reserve; upgrades to the Balgowlah Community Garden; major restoration work on Forty Baskets and Clontarf tidal pools; and much more.  See the lists below for your area.
As well, work will be completed on a historically-faithful rebuild of Little Manly tidal pool, with  the addition of beautiful seahorse-friendly blue netting.  And $500,000 has been brought forward to next year's budget for work to start on the much-needed toilets at Little Manly Point. Finally!

​The Northern Beaches Council is facing an estimated $21m loss in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Releasing their draft budget this week, Council has responded to those in need in our community by freezing for six months, any increases in rates, fees and charges. 

The due date for the first instalment of rates has also been delayed by one month to 30 September.​

Presented as a subsidy to ratepayers, the freezing of all rates, fees and charges will cost $5m in financial assistance to ratepayers.   Those in hardship can also apply for rate assistance.
​
A support package has also been provided to local businesses and community groups as well as  families with children via child care subsidiaries.

The overall pandemic support package is costing $6.588m.

However Councillors and staff have worked closely to ensure that essential services and capital works are not affected, although some projects will be delayed. The capital works budget is still substantial at $92m over the financial year 2020/21.

Projects in Manly
The Manly Ward will not be majorly affected, with most scheduled projects continuing including the Stage 11 of East Esplanade and the new toilet block, facility upgrades at LM Graham Reserve including the demolition of the old amenity block, ongoing works at Clontarf Reserve and the restoration of Little Manly and 40 Baskets Pools.

We await news from the State Government regarding their much needed $5m contribution in funding for the rebuild of Manly Surf Club, with funds already secured from Council and the Federal Government for this project.

Full details of the Northern Beaches 20/21 Draft Budget can be viewed here as well as the opportunity to submit your comments.

UPDATE:  The Plastic Hack Project is not going ahead. Sadly, it's an early Coronavirus casualty. The pandemic has created huge uncertainty around community activities and the Project’s financial partners, local business operations and school programming have all been affected. In the end, the Plastic Hack project wasn't able to get over the line. 

If there is a post Corona revival, Good For Manly will agin provide support. It would have been a fabulous project for the environment, and our Manly community as a whole. 

The project will be run by Surfrider Foundation Manly, which has received a $50,000 State Government grant.  Surfrider will use the funds to set up a community-based Ocean Recovery Hub, centred around a Shruder - a compact, industrial machine that shreds plastic. The grant will also cover a 3D printer and appropriate training. 

As well as recycling plastic waste, Surfrider aims to deliver

• Interactive waste education programs at school, community and corporate level, including mobile displays at community events
• Micro-business opportunities for manufacturers working with recycled plastic
• A platform for local businesses to offset their plastic use
• Diversion of plastic waste from landfill, and from inappropriate recycling streams.   ​

​Images: Shruder machine; plastic shreds

Items from this month's  Manly Community Forum newsletter. 

MANLY PROJECTS MOSTLY COVID-IMMUNE

Despite Coronavirus ripping a $21 million hole in the Council's budget,  most  projects in our area will still go ahead. These include:

Little Manly Pool  where major restoration work has just started. It includes restoration of the timber 'boardwalk' and beautiful new seahorse-friendly netting.  

The desperately-needed new toilet block at East Esplande Reserve will have more toilets, accessible facilities, showers and a baby change room. The whole area will get a revamp including landscaping, new sandstone edges on garden beds, new swings, fitness equipment, a picnic table and seating. Work has finally started  and it should all be finished by summer. 

Funding is also locked in for a revamp of Little Manly Reserve, although that work won't start until  2022/23. It will include landscaping, wide steps down to the beach and the demolition of  No 40 Stuart Street with the land added to the park, and the zig-zag access ramp straightened out. 
Funding is also secure for future work to rebuild the  playground at Little Manly Point, with Council teaming up with a consultation committee of parents and grandparents, including Forum member Cathy Griffin.  

The much-needed new toilet block at Little Manly Point is not yet funded, and we are concerned it will be delayed. There are no toilets in this park at all, despite it being extremely popular for fishing, picnics and late night parties.  This year Clean Up Australia Day volunteers were disgusted  when they found human waste in  Little Manly Point bushland. Manly Ward councillors must push this project forward, despite the Council's COVID economic hit.

Meanwhile, the  rebuild of Manly Life Saving Club  is in a holding pattern, awaiting  a $5 million contribution  from the State Government. Funds from  Council and the Federal  Government are already  locked in. 
And in a win for the Forum, the Council has now moved Manly Wharf's new double decker bike racks to a more suitable spot near the hotel games area. They had been placed too prominently near the wharf main entrance.

MANLY LODGE HOTEL DA DIFFICULTIES
Manly Lodge Hotel's proposed rebuild has hit a hurdle after the Council knocked back the $5 million proposal. The Victoria Pde hotel has the right to appeal, but it's good news for residents  concerned by the scale of the project. A new five-storey, 49-room hotel with a rooftop  open area was proposed. Hakan's cafe is safe for now. 


WIN FOR CABBAGE TREE BAY
Cabbage Tree Bay has another 5 years with all its aquatic reserve 'no take' protections in place. Despite all the kerfuffle, the State Government has maintained full protection for our precious marine sanctuary. 


DOGS ON THE ROCK PLATFORM
Many dogs are being let off the lead on Manly rock platforms and some swim in the water as well. It's now clear that the Council does have jurisdiction over the rock platform, as it is "wholly within Northern Beaches Council LGA". So dogs MUST be on the lead just like on Marine Pde and Council rangers are doing regular patrols. But whether dogs can, or should, be banned entirely from the rock platform will have to wait until the finalisation of the Council's Management of Dogs in Public Places policy. So no 'dog' signs on Marine Pde until then. 

Following extensive lobbying by the Clontarf Community Forum and Manly Ward Councillors, our much loved Clontarf Reserve is to have an extensive upgrade featuring a newly equipped playground, with construction scheduled from June- September 2020.

Playground 
A themed playground concept design has been developed that embraces the unique and diverse Middle Harbour aquatic environment – the seagrass/foreshore habitat, fish movement and fishing.

The concept plans were utilised in a funding application Council recently submitted (11 December 2019) in the Everyone Can Play (ECP) grant program through the NSW Government. An additional $200,000 has been sought to supplement the project budget. The outcome of that grant is expected by the end of February 2020.

Council is currently liaising with playground equipment suppliers on play equipment options for the key play activities areas in the design, and associated costs, and preliminary costing for the overall design is being prepared. Some items may require staging.

Timing:
March 2020                     Finalise Design Documentation
April 2020                       Procurement - Play equipment supply (pre-order to allow for
                                       18- 20 week lead-time)                    
May-June 2020               Procurement – Landscape Contract
June-September 2020    Construction
  
Second toilet block
Once the playground design is finalised Council will prepare to undertake community engagement on a proposed second toilet block

Car park works and dingy storage
Sydney Water has advised that any proposed watercraft storage and carpark works at the end of the car park adjacent to the boat ramp would be impacted by anticipated remediation works planned by Sydney Water to their infrastructure over the next few years. Coucil will work closely with Sydney Water on this.

Based on this update, relocating dinghy storage at Sandy Bay (if decided) would need to be postponed in the short term.
 
Sandstone Bleachers and seawall
The proposed sandstone log walling to the foreshore (approx. 170 lin.m using 500x500x2000 logs) will extend from the new bleachers / accessible ramp south down to the existing boat ramp.

Timing:
Late February 2020          Site Establishment
June 2020                         Completion
               
Other Works
Council recently completed minor landscape improvements to the front entry path to kiosk café prior to the café opening. Works included a new 1.5m wide pathway entry, garden modifications, replacement of koppers log barriers with sandstone logs;
synthetic grass area for casual seating; mulching under large fig tree and some returfing.

The newly renovated Clonnys Cafe looks fantastic and is well worth a visit.

More office space for Manly, and more funds for the country kids supported by childrens’ charity Royal Far West.

In a clever partnership,  Royal Far West is using its surplus buildings to raise funds to help kids in rural and remote Australia. Office space provider WOTSO is moving into the South Steyne buildings to provide co-working desks, office space & meeting rooms.  It’s a good fit, with the Northern Beaches home to a huge number of small businesses, including lots of small-scale, work from home arrangements.

​In the next few years  Royal Far West will develop its oceanfront buildings into something beautiful, that also provides a constant income for the charity.  But all that takes time, and the WOTSO partnership means the buildings are being maintained and put to good use in the meantime. 

FINAL OUTCOME:  January 2020

"It's a good outcome", that's the general view of residents regarding the updated Manly Resident Parking Scheme, aimed at providing parking for residents in their nearby streets, and preventing the illegal on-sale of permits for a profit.

While each dwelling will still be entitled to apply for up to three permits main changes are:
* Two permits must be registered to the car's registration and owner's home address.
* A multi-purchase permit can be used for visitors, tradies, carers etc and will also be linked the the home address of the applicant.

Fees are proposed follows*:
1st Permit - $47
2nd Permit - $121
3rd Permit - $210
*The fees are are public exhibition until February 12.
​You can make a submission here

The new scheme will be applicable as existing permits become due, as follows:
Little Manly Zone     1 February 2020**
Balgowlah                1 February 2020**
Isthmus                    1 March 2020
Ocean Beach           1 April 2020
Tower Hill +              1 May 2020
Ethel Street              1 June 2020
Fairy Bower              1 July 2020
Ivanhoe Park +         1 August 2020

** Until the fees have been finalised both Little Manly & Balgowlah existing permits will be extended beyond the February 2020.  Notification will be made via email when these permits are due for renewal.
​
The council is working towards introducing digital permits, which will also make the trade in permits even more difficult.
​=============================================================

UPDATE:  December 2019
​After extensive community consultation, the proposed Manly Resident Parking scheme has been rewritten, with many proposed parking permit restrictions scrapped.  Manly residents will now be able to apply for up to two parking permits (which will be linked to vehicle registration and address) whether they have off-street parking or not. And they will be able to apply for a third permit "in extenuating circumstances". The "visitor permit" has been re-instated: one will be available for each household and it will now be linked to that specific residence, but not to a specific car. Linking permits either to a car or a household has been introduced to stop on-selling of permits, which has been a major problem. ​

The updated framework is on display on the Council's Your Say web page, and is open for comments until 24th November. After that it will go to Council for ratification.  
​
You can download and view the proposed revised scheme below: ​

​19/4/2019 Post:
​Those residents living in areas with restricted parking are about to have their parking permits reviewed in an effort by the Northern Beaches Council to bring the long-running scheme in line with Roads & Maritime Services Parking Permit Mandatory Guidelines.

Currently there are less than 5000 on-street parking spaces, with over 10,000 permits issued.

The ten areas affected are Little Manly, Balgowlah, Tower Hill, Tower Hill Extension, Ocean Beach, The Isthmus (CBD), Fairy Bower, Ivanhoe Park, Ivanhoe Park Extension and Ethel Street.

The Guidelines state that only residents who have no off-street parking (or a residence that could not be reasonably modified to provide on-site parking space(s), are entitled to an on street permit - and only one.

Also, the number of permits are not to exceed the number of spaces available!

This will be a big task for council staff who will explore the issues residents face in finding parking, while also providing parking for tradies and visitors and regular carers of the elderly or young children.

The first step will be consulting with existing permit holders as well as undertaking an audit of off-street parking options.  Current permit holders will receive an email from Council in the coming weeks inviting their input, and face-to-face meetings will be available at the Manly Town Hall.

• Mon 17 Jun, 9 – 11am
• Tue 18 Jun, 3 – 5pm
• Wed 19 Jun, 5 – 7pm
• Thu 20 Jun, 12 – 2pm
• Sat 22 Jun, 9 – 11am 

A report is expected to come back to Coucil around August this year.
A copy of the RMS Guidelines are attached.
​

UPDATE:  In a big win for Little Manly,  Northern Beaches Council has accepted my motion to knock down the house at No 40 Stuart St and add the land to the beachfront park next door. Councillors also agreed to reclassify the block as 'Community Land', which safeguards it as open space.   

Demolition work  will not begin until 2022/23, but the reclassification process will start right away, putting an end to years of community angst that the property would be sold off. 

The extra land opens up exciting possibilities for the popular park, including relocating the access ramp, which frees up  more space again. As part of the  Little Manly Masterplan process a  draft plan has already been prepared by council staff (see below) with this possibility  in mind.  
​

This step is in line with a 40-year vision to return this part of the harbour foreshore to the public.  Thanks also to residents and groups Save Little Manly Foreshore & Manly Community Forum who have fought for years to keep the vision alive.

​No 40 was purchased by the former Manly Council in 2012 for $4.2M.  It has since been rented out for $100,000 a year to part way offset the debt. 

Potential  ‘adjustments’ include;

New toilet facilities at Little Manly Point park, located at the top near the carpark.  The end of the point, now used on both sides for fishing and barbeques, will be upgraded with landscaping, shade trees, sandstone wall seating – like East Esplanade, and viewing seats. The existing playground will get a revamp. 

At Little Manly beach itself, a new path will be built in front of the kiosk to fix the choke point caused by the accessible access path going right through the middle of the café.  There will also be more shade trees, but none blocking the Marshall St harbour sight lines, new decking around the Norfolk Island pine, and better access to the beach down the main steps. Repositioning the swings, and adding more seating, depends on community feedback. 

Images   clockwise from top left:  two views of Little Manly Point, space around this Norfolk Is pine to be enhanced by decking, Little Manly beach from Stuart St with clear harbour sight lines.

The unclear future of No 40 Stuart St – the council-owned block next to the open space – has generated community concern that it was about to be sold off. That won’t happen, according to Cr Candy Bingham with the Northern Beaches Council committed to protecting public open space. The situation will continue as it is – with No 40 rented out, and generating about $100,000 per annum, until the loan to purchase the property is substantially paid off.

The other council-owned house – No 34 Stuart St – is also up for review, with council canvassing ideas for community use of the property. Any new use would be limited to recreational or educational activities, with final selection to be made by a public tender process. Improvements are planned for the nearby kayak and boat storage areas to make better use of space.  

Other recommendations include widening a narrow section of the footpath on the beach side of Stuart St, and a possible new footpath through No 34 to move pedestrians away from busy Craig Ave. Parking in Stuart St may be reduced from eight hours to four and traffic calming put in place. In the water, powered boats may be kept out of swimming areas. 

Images: Boat ramp access to beach, narrow footpath on Craig Ave

​Northern Beaches Counillor Candy Bingham praised staff for listening to the community as they drew up the plan.

“Most people love this area as it is, so what they have done very effectively is that they haven’t changed things so much as enhanced things," Cr Bingham said.  “The opportunity of this round of consultation is that it will just tweak things and I’m sure the community will be absolutely delighted with the final outcome”. 

Council staff will now review submissions from the consultation process and complete the Masterplan accordingly. It will be presented to Council for adoption later this year. ​

The Northern Beaches needs more public halls. That's no surprise to most of us but now it's official, with a Council report finding a lack of community spaces for hire. As well some existing facilities are in poor condition, or away from central locations with poor public transport or parking.  ​

It turns out Manly Ward is worst affected, with relatively fewer community centres than anywhere else on the Peninsula. At the moment Manly has no real community space and Balgowlah doesn't have a single council-managed hall for hire.

The good news is that a major revamp of the old 'Fishos' site (pictured above), at the corner of Raglan and Kangaroo Streets  is already underway. The $1M refit will be finished next year and will create a new home for Community Northern Beaches (previously Manly Community Centre), when their existing home in Wentworth St returns to Manly Public School. A  new community hub fo local support services will also be created. 

As well, the Manly Youth Centre building next door, is under renovation. 

The council will also develop a masterplan to transform the Seaforth Community Centre into a multipurpose facility, and investigate whether Council-owned properties in Balgowlah town centre can be re-purposed for community space.

Good For Manly President Candy Bingham said Manly Town Hall also has a major role to play.  "My council initiative has now opened up the beautiful first-floor hall for public hire," Deputy Mayor Bingham said.  "And in the long-term I'm working to transform the space into a venue that Manly can be proud of.  A performance space, art gallery, museum or cinema are  all possibilities. It's very exciting."

Images:  Town Hall exterior; First floor former council chambers.

You can download the Council's Draft Community Centres Strategy (Oct 2019) here: 

UPDATE:   Pominent Australian architecture firm COX Architecture has been appointed lead consultant for the transformation of old Manly Hospital site. The firm, which won a competitive tender for the job, will be responsible for the masterplan and rezoning of the site to create a new 'health and wellbeing' precinct. The firm will work with Property NSW, NSW Health, National Parks & Wildlife Service and community representatives and is expected to deliver a masterplan to Northern Beaches Council next year. The plan will also be put on exhibition for public comment. COX Architecture is a multi-disciplinary firm which integrates architecture, planning, urban design and interior design. It has been involved in many large-scale projects, including the recently-released concept design for the passenger terminal at Western Sydney International Airport

Prof Flannery's talk on the State of the Climate, What next for us? was the first in our Manly Talks series. 
The talk, by Australia's leading climate scientist and former Australian of the Year, was a great way to kick off our new series. It sold out within hours, with about a hundred people joining us in the lobby of the stylish new Royal Far West building, 

Next year Good For Manly will continue to bring speakers to Manly, who present new ideas and spark community conversations. 

Images:  Candy Bingham introducing Prof Flannery in RFW lobby; Prof Flannery & Dep Mayor Bingham in front of RFW picture wall; RFW CEO Lindsay Crane thanks Prof Flannery.

Talk summary - State of the Climate, What next for us?:  
​ As early as 1859, scientist John Tyndall demonstrated that carbon dioxide (CO2)  in the atmosphere traps heat energy, thereby warming the earth, in a process now known as the “greenhouse effect”. All atmospheric measures since then have shown an increase in CO2 levels and in the last thirty years the human influence on this process has become clearer and more pronounced.

Our oceans, which are 500 times larger than the atmosphere, provide a huge reservoir to soak up CO2. Despite this, levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are rising steeply and are now higher than they have been at any time in the past 400,000 years. If we stay on our current trajectory we will be committed to the danger point of 2' C global warming in 15 years from now.

Ecosystems are suffering as land animals lose their habitats, while global fish stocks decline due to warmer oceans with lower oxygen levels. Human populations are being affected as well, including problems with food security due to loss of productive farming areas and increasing water shortages.

While not everyone is on board, the 2016 Paris Agreement has had a positive impact by galvanised economies and businesses at all levels to set science-based emission reduction targets, and to reduce emissions in their own operations and supply chains.

Images:  Forest in Gabon; Giant kelp
Proven ways to reduce Atmospheric CO2
Plant Trees
Trees grow through their leaves by taking in CO2 and storing it as fibre. Up to 50% of the dry mass of a tree is made up of carbon. However, to reduce atmospheric CO2 on a global scale, a massive tree planting exercise would have to take place.  To offset 10% of annual emissions of greenhouse gases, for example, an area covering four southern states of the USA would have to be planted with trees. Not only that, but trees are slow growing and hard to recycle without releasing the carbon. But planting trees on a local scale is still worthwhile, particularly as global tree coverage is falling rapidly.

Soil Carbon
Agricultural zones tend to be regions with high levels of carbon in the soil.  Improved farming techniques could reduce the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere.

Oceans
Our occeans make up 78% of the surface of the planet, and this is already where most atmospheric CO2 capture occurs. Ocean-growing plants, like seaweed and kelp, can potentially capture even more. Kelp can grow at an amazing 60 cm per day; take up C02 via photosynthesis, like a land plant; then die and sink to the bottom of the ocean sequestering the carbon away for centuries.  Experiments are underway around large kelp farms for this purpose.  Enormous areas are required - of the scale of four times the area of Australia - but that's not impossible.