Manly Council will seek to install noise analysing black boxes in Manly Cove resident’s living rooms to investigate what’s been described as “boom boom” music coming from Manly Wharf. This comes in response to ongoing complaints from residents who live across from the wharf. Manly Cove resident Roger James said he and fellow locals formed the Manly Cove Alliance and had received written complaints from 34 people on the issue. “We have a lot of problems with noise late at night, more specifically the music with its constant base beat,” he said. According to Cr Cathy Griffin part of the problem is that the cove acts as an amplifier. “It’s unique in its location because it juts out into the water,” she said. “It exacerbates the problem as the sound from the wharf refracts off the water and actually intensifies". Council general manager Henry Wong said noise analysers generally remained in a home for more than 21 days and measured standard background noise as well as determining how many decibels above the norm an incident was. Meantime, Mr Wong said residents should call council’s Night Owl Rangers to ask them to make a record of the noise from their homes. Obviously the summer period when crowds at the Wharf's various restaurants are larger, and venues are busier more nights of the week, is the time when the noise issue can be greater. Site lessees of Manly Wharf, TMG Developments property manager Chris Coore , said he took noise complaints seriously. Residents are awaiting advice from the Council when the noise analysing boxes will be installed.
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A simple survey undertaken by the Good For Manly group clearly shows that locals don’t want a car park built under Manly Oval. Circulated widely, including by the Chamber of Commerce who support the Oval car park, the survey asked four simple questions. So far 754 people have responded with a clear message: No Oval Car Park 75.20%, Keep Whistler Street Car Park 71.58%, Revitalise the laneways in Manly 92.30%, Have a referendum to decide 81.00%. Strong opposition is building against Manly Council’s 2015 Plan that has at its core the demolition of the centrally located Whistler Street car park and the building of a $34million new car park under Manly Oval. This week former Mayors of Manly, Sue Sacker and Peter Macdonald, publicly came out against the project. “The community are angry. They don’t believe they have been listened to by Manly Council. Despite hundreds of letters against the Oval car park project, a public meeting attended by 400 people, 8 out of the 9 active resident precinct groups voting strongly against the car park and complaints lodged with Mike Baird’s office, the Liberal majority on the Council seem hell-bent on pushing this through”, claimed Independent Councillor, Candy Bingham. The four independent Councillors, Clrs Barbara Aird, Candy Bingham, Hugh Burns and Cathy Griffin, submitted independent expert reports to the Office of Local Government raising serious questions about the viability of the Manly 2015 Plan. “We have come to the conclusion that Manly Council is under estimating the financial cost, construction risk, and community opinion, and over estimating its own ability.” Clr Bingham said. A final assessment on the Oval Car Park project is expected to be received from the Office of Local Government shortly.
Councillor Candy Bingham has admitted to making an error of judgement when voting for the rezoning of 38 Stuart Street Little Manly from Open Space to Residential at a Council meeting in December 2013. "I don't know what I was thinking and now deeply regret supporting the rezoning", Clr Bingham said recently. The Manly Mayor, Jean Hay and her Liberal Party colleagues (Steve Pickering, James Griffin, Alan Le Surf and Adele Heasman) and the Independent Councillor Candy Bingham, passed a resolution to spot rezone 38 Stuart St from Open Space to Residential (E4) at the Manly Council meeting of December 2013. Photo shows: 34&36 Stuart St in red, 38 predominately grey The Independent Councillors Hugh Burns and Barbara Aird and the Green Councillor Cathy Griffin, opposed the spot rezoning. Since 1948, The County of Cumberland Planning Scheme, and each succeeding Manly Council has maintained the Open Space Zoning on all the properties behind Little Manly Beach. At this time, Manly Council owns three of the four properties behind Little Manly beach, 34, 36 and 40 Stuart St. Only 38 Stuart St is privately owned and has recently had a major new residential dwelling built on it. Tireless campaigners to maintain the Open Space Zoning, The Save Little Manly Foreshore Group, maintained the Open Space zoning on 38 was important, because it signals that at some future time Manly Council intends to purchase this property as well, but if the property is spot rezoned Residential E4, then the value of the property is substantially increased, making it less likely Council will be able to afford to do so. There is another concerning aspect to the spot rezoning of 38 Stuart St from Open Space to Residential. This rezoning was not formally requested by the owners of the property, and therefore could be a gift of a substantial rise in the value of the property to the owners of 38 Stuart Street. The Manly ratepayers will also bear the costs of the spot rezoning, with NO benefit to the Manly ratepayers at all.
It is interesting to note that the Chamber of Commerce has changed their position, now publicly suggesting members 'ignore the negative campaign' against the project. Nonetheless we wish to acknowledge and thank the President, Mark Stanley, who organised a Meeting of Stakeholders with Council's experts to address unanswered questions. Good for Manly had two representatives present. (See minutes below for more detail.) The majority of Manly Resident Precinct Groups however still seem firmly against the Oval car park (although like most they support the regeneration of the laneways.) A number of precincts believe the Oval car park project should be the subject of a referendum at the next Council election. Manly's four independent Councillors remain concerned about the viability and impact of the proposed car park project which includes the demolition of the well-used Whistler Street car park. Councillors Aird, Bingham, Burns and Griffin have this week forwarded a final response to the Office of Local Government , who are reviewing the capital expenditure. A detailed submission, including advice from independent experts, has also been submitted. See copies below:
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Take Action .... Yes, we know you have probably already attended a public meeting; sent an email; signed a petition; written to the editor of the Manly Daily and Mike Baird ...BUT - It isn't over yet!
PLEASE EMAIL TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS: records@manly.nsw.gov.au - attn Mayor & Councillors EMAIL MIKE BAIRD, Premier & Local Member: manly@parliament.nsw.gov.au Write to the Manly Daily: letters@manlydaily.com.au |
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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