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Locals are alarmed by an Expression of Interest from Woolworths to turn the historic Oval into a shopping centre with two levels of parking above ground and the playing fields on top.  Ground floor plan showing car parking and shops on existing oval. Supermarket in basement level. The previously rumoured proposal by Woolworths has now emerged. Their ambitious left-field submission is for a shopping centre similar in size to Stocklands Balgowlah including a supermarket, specialty shops, a stadium/clubhouse and a 1000-space above ground car park.
The sports oval, tennis courts and bowling club will be reinstated seven metres - that's two and a half stories - above ground level. “You would think we were in Singapore not Manly. Why would we even consider building a shopping centre on this site?” she exclaimed. "Not only will we lose the whole of Ivanhoe Park including Manly's beautiful heritage oval, which is crown land, but the new development will gut retail in Manly's existing village centre and destroy Manly's most precious asset - its seaside village feel." Clr Bingham added “One has to question the connections between Woolworths, the Mounties and Manly Rugby Club. And why do the Liberal councillors seem so determined to push through a car park on the oval site despite major public opposition”, Clr Bingham said. Since the Manly2015 Plan was first released in 2011, Clr Bingham and many independent experts have questioned the financial validity of the oval car park project stating that the numbers just did not add up. Other EOI submissions received, which only focused on an underground car park, will no doubt confirm the long-held view that Council has completely under-estimated the cost of building a two level 760 space underground car park for the $34m budget allocated. Clr Bingham claims that the existing budget will only provide a smaller car park which will, in effect, just replace existing car parking spaces that will be lost due to the demolition of the Whistler Street car park and removal of parking from the streets. “It’s time this council either scrapped the oval car park plan altogether or shelved it until the next election. As for the Woolworths proposal, it’s an insult and should be immediately discarded”, Clr Bingham concluded. Expressions of Interest can be viewed here Woolworth’s proposal is A-4. Twelve EOIs were received for the construction of a car park on the Manly Oval site. They were: AW Edwards; Abergelidie, Built Athas, Cockram Pty Ltd, FDC Pty Ltd, Haslin, Hindmarsh Pty Ltd, Hutchinson Builders, Kane, Michael Campareale (Campareale Holdings Pty Ltd) Richard Crookes Pty Ltd, Woolworths. Three EOIs were received for the redevelopment of the Whistler Street site on a 99 year lease. They were: Built Athas, Grengate, Grocon.
14 Comments
Andrew Hill
17/7/2015 08:46:58 am
I was assuming this was an April fools joke except we're in
Candy Bingham
23/7/2015 06:27:59 am
Thanks for your comment Andrew which is very valid. The Mayor has subsequently stated in the Manly Daily that she does not support the Woolworths proposal as has a number of other Liberal Councillors. So at least it would seem this one if off the table.
Fenny Louwe
17/7/2015 09:08:10 am
Please leave the Oval alone, and please leave
Roberyt & Diana Jones
17/7/2015 10:26:45 am
As a retired builder and resident of Manly I have thought the present Councilers in favour
Lede Murrell.
17/7/2015 01:16:00 pm
Just cannot believe what I have just read. Hope it's a joke in poor taste.
Linda Monty
17/7/2015 02:15:47 pm
I do not know whether to laugh or cry. Just when you thought the Liberal Councillors couldnt get any more ridiculous they have gone and outdone themselves. Candy, you and the independent councillors really must be commended for your tenacity and commonsense and desire to "do the right thing" for the Manly residents. Thank you and best of luck with the dictatorship you are up against! It is so sad that the council that the residents voted into power are so hellbent on disregarding entirely the needs and wants of those same residents. I wonder if any of the tenderers are Liberal Party donors.
John Cowper
18/7/2015 02:42:07 am
I have watched this saga grow and grow and grow. Now the Woolworths proposal is really unbelievable and should be dismissed out of hand. Mind you, this is what you get when you try to push the envelope. Manly Council, lock stock and barrel should hang their heads in shame that the oval carpark debate on this matter has come to this. What is driving our elected representatives ... is it that they must leave a memorial of some kind, a reminder over the years ahead of their utter foolishness? Manly has a unique feel and ambience, Fiddle with it and you have destroyed Manly. Remember words of the the song "Big Yellow taxi"? by Joni Mitchell "And put up a parking lot. With a pink hotel, a boutique. And a swinging hot spot. Don't it always seem to go. That you don't know what you've got. Till it's gone?"
Jo
18/7/2015 04:56:43 am
Time for all of us to start voting people out - people who do not understand the area of manly, it's beauty, it's history , our Privledge to live in a small community and enjoy that privilege with its water, bush , family friendly access, such as walk to tennis courts , Saturday arvo footy and cricket to watch , and yes ( movies - another loss) . So if you don't get it - if you don't get that all around the world people are trying to create communities like Manly, and our councillors are trying to destroy communities , spaces and places like Manly - if you don't get it , it's time to get out . Get out of the positions that are intended to represent the people and do the best for the community . If you can't do this councillors , stand down and hand the reigns over to people who do get it . Or if you can't do that, you need to listen and to act in the interests of the community - mmmm correct me if I am wrong but the 'fresh food people' and others with proposals like that are absolutely, categorically ,NOT community . We are community , and we don't want it . No matter how you gift wrap it - jobs, economy etc etc - sorry we don't buy it ! sure put woollies underground - fine - put the entire shopping mall underground - they do this in Canada - woollies can have their supermarket and we can have our historic park and oval - left intact thank you very much !
Bruce Webb
18/7/2015 07:24:07 am
Woolworths have got to be kidding. They are losing market share to Coles at present and it really makes me wonder how they can justify expenditure like this when you consider they are already situated at The Mall and up the road in Balgowlah.
Anna Stackpool
18/7/2015 10:32:25 am
Does any local rate paying resident want any of this?
Jim
21/7/2015 06:48:23 am
Hi Candy
Jim
21/7/2015 10:46:57 am
Hi Candy
Bruce O'Toole
25/7/2015 05:15:21 am
Another ridiculous EOI buy a Corporate Retail thug.
Kate
22/7/2015 04:42:52 am
Woolworths going in to the oval site is in my opinion just ridiculous. This whole thing started with the lack of good parking solutions. The existing carpark in Whistler Street is a dinosaur and inadequate for manly's current needs. It is also a poor use of space. The expensive pool complex being built is also providing very little parking to my understanding. Leave a Reply. |
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. Categories
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