UPDATE: DA to expand Clontarf Marina was approved by the Joint Regional Planning Panel, with some conditions in June. 

The majority of the panel formed the view that the proposal would not have a negative impact on Clontarf Bay and its surround foreshore despite major opposition.
See full report & background information below.

Background to Development Application
Clontarf Marina plans a major redevelopment that will transform the look of Sandy Bay. Their original plans have been modified and they are asking for comments on the newly revised plan. A Modified Proposal has been lodged with Manly Council, for consideration by the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP).

The new plans are to remove a total of 41 swing moorings and replace the existing 21 vessel birth marina with a new marina containing 64 vessel births, above ground fuel tanks and alterations and additions to the  boatshed.  18 existing swing moorings will also remain.

General Manager of the Marina, Steve Jeffress, has issued a notice to residents, in which he states that:

• The original footprint has been reduced
• Environmental improvements have been made
• Disabled access enabled, with a berth for water taxis and for private individuals

The Clontarf Precinct Committee comments that the previous proposal would not have passed the MIAP Committee assessment and most of the same issues apply to this DA, although it is a modest improvement on the former proposal.  The Precinct states:

• While there is a reduction in the overall footprint with an increase in open water area compared to the former proposal this DA still has two long finger wharves extending a long way out into Sandy Bay. There will be walls of boats blocking views from the iconic foreshore walk.   

  • If this DA goes ahead it will be supporting a small minority of large boat owners and depriving residents and visitors of the use of this wonderful public harbourside waterway.

• Some residents fear that it will cause an increase in sound and light disturbance for those living on the slopes above.

You can view the proposal at Manly Council or go online to their website under Development Applications and view number: 183/2012, Sandy Bay Road.

LATEST UPDATE - 26/9/13.  Justice Biscoe of the NSW Land & Environment Court has reserved judgment to consider arguments from the Save Little Manly Beach Foreshore group and Manly Council before making a ruling in this matter.

Thanks goes to  the efforts of  barristers Ingrid King and Justin Doyle and solicitor Bruce Woolf in representing the local residents to ensure that this vital matter of public interest was heard by the court.  Also to the Save Little Manly Beach Foreshore group who have been fighting this issue tirelessly since Mayor Jean Hay's decision to sell in December 2012.
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It all started in December 2012 when the Mayor, Jean Hay, moved a Mayoral Minute that the Council-owned foreshore land at Little Manly Beach, 34 & 36 Stuart Street be sold to cover the cost of buying No 40 Stuart Street.

The land to be sold has been owned by Council by more than 40 years, and zoned 'open space'. It forms part of the public space at Little Manly Beach and No 34 in particular, is used extensively as dingy and boat storage.

A group of residents have got together to challenge the Council's sale of this land claiming it is 'community' land and can not be sold without consultation.  The case is listed for 24 & 25th September 2013 in the Land & Environment Court.  For a brief understanding of what the case is about - view the short video below.

Great coverage on Channel 10 news on September 19, 2013 about the issue.

Manly is home to a variety of beautiful marine life- but damage caused by high boat usage at Manly Cove West and Quarantine Beach could be putting our marine nurseries at risk. An Issues Paper placed on the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) website was developed after community concerns were raised about damage caused by high boat usage.

Seagrass meadows in the North Harbour area, including populations of the recently listed endangered strapweed, Posidonia australis, are being denuded by boats, which not only damages the plants- it removes the safe environment they create for Manly’s native fish. The Issues Paper proposes several changes to the current anchoring restrictions to protect these populations. The paper also addresses concerns for the endangered Little Penguin population of North Harbour.

If this is an issue you would like to see addressed, you can read the Issues Paper here :http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/info/seagrass

What do you think? Should there be boating restrictions in these areas?