Famous Walkway Annihilated By Storm

Huge waves battered the Manly to Shelly Beach Walkway over the weekend leaving  serious damage in its wake.

The walkway was left badly damaged with concrete paving slabs uplifted and displaced, and the iconic twin ladies sculpture at the Fairy Bower pool badly damaged. The force of the water was so great that the toilet block  was completely demolished and dumped in shattered pieces on Shelly Beach.

The Bower Restaurant and nearby shops were also  severely damaged.

Local member and Premier Mike Baird was quick to respond, pledging funds for public infrastructure storm-damage repair.  The important walkway , which is used by thousands of locals and tourists a week,  is expected be be repaired within three weeks.

The Bower Restaurant already had a development application underway although it is not know what impact the storm damage will have on the current DA.

In the longer-term, the Manly to Shelly Beach walkway is due for a major upgrade and funds have already been granted for a masterplan to be prepared.  That task will now be taken on by the new Northern Beaches Council.

(Storm photographs taken by Elaine de Jager)