Manly Wharf is set to have a $9 million facelift with the owner, Seagrass Capital, looking to add a second storey as well as upgrading the existing facilities Although many locals are concerned by the increased concentration of a large numbers of people at the wharf precinct, nonetheless the upgrade of existing facilities is considered overdue. It is believed that the group, run by property industry investor Robert Magid, now has a shortlist of construction firms. A hand-selected list of restaurateurs will be invited to submit expressions of interest to join the current tenants including Hugo's, Papi Chulo and the Bavarian restaurant. Two new restaurants, 563 square metres and 548 sqm in size, with floor to ceiling views and outdoor dining will be built above the existing Wharf Hotel and Papi Chulo establishments. The Manly Independent Assessment Panel approved the development plans for the second-storey restaurants, in October 2015 in accordance with the original conditions of consent as approved by the Land & Environment Court of NSW in July 2013. Additional modifications to the existing property include new passenger and operational lifts, joint lobby, extra storage and an additional private staircase. Background on Manly Wharf Built in 1855 as a passenger terminal, Manly Wharf has undergone many changes. The latest plan is the second transformation of the wharf by Mr Magid. In 2001, he got the green light to start a $12 million redevelopment of the wharf into an eating and shopping precinct. That plan, which also included a proposal for a 200-room, six-storey hotel, was knocked back by Manly Council. That revised plan led him to transform the site into an "emporium" of restaurants, cafes, shops and the current crop of bars.
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Designs for a new toilet block to replace the one washed away in the June '16 storms that all but destroyed Marine Parade walkway, are on public exhibition by the Northern Beaches Council. ,When we asked the community for comments on the Good For Manly Facebook page one of the main concerns seemed to be the proposed unisex toilets, rather than separate male and female facilities.
The addition of an outside shower was popular being close the the change rooms themselves, although we also want o keep the shower by the pool too! We also received feedback from a diver who reported that parts of the old toilet block are still clearly visible on the ocean floor. It is expected work will commence on the new facilities mid year. Good for Manly has made a submission to Council incorporating comments received. What do you think? It would have to be one of Manly's most popular gathering spots and yet years of neglect by the former Manly Council has turned East Esplanade into a sorry excuse for a park. Years of requests by the Little Manly Precinct and former Councillor Candy Bingham for a Masterplan for this harbourside jewel were all but ignored, with the former Council regularly topsoiling this area in an effort to keep it looking reasonable, only to have the soil washed away the first time it rained. Which created another issue - dirt being washed consistently onto the sand and into the harbour.
It now appears that a former resolution moved by Clr Bingham to have the toilet facilities replaced and increased, and for a Masterplan to be developed for the area, has been taken up by the new Northern Beaches Council administration, who are seriously looking into the issue. "The Council has also recognised that this area is in need of urgent maintenance, with major erosion causing the space to look more like an old war zone than a park" Good For Manly President Candy Bingham said. "East Esplanade has become the spot for locals and visitors alike to gather to enjoy a swim, picnic and watch the sunset. It has been literally loved to death", she added. The area has so many issues that need to be addressed including the storm water catchment, sewage odours, cigarette butts and bottle tops which are difficult to remove, and of course the lack of toilet facilities. What would you like to see improved at East Esplanade Reserve? |
AuthorCandy Bingham, Deputy Mayor & Manly Ward Councillor on Northern Beaches Council. Background in marketing, public relations and community engagement. Author of five business books. Former Lady Mayoress of Sydney. Aka Candy Tymson. ........................................
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