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Manly 2015 – Councillors working towards a Compromise

31/10/2014

Could new car park complex be future for Whistler Street?

As recently reported in the Manly Daily, Manly Councillors are working towards a compromise following their most recent workshop on the future of the Oval car park and Manly 2015 Plan.

The focus has shifted to the Whistler Street car park site, with discussions being held whether it should be retro-fitted (renovated) or pulled down and a replaced with a new car park complex.

Recent figures released by Council shows that the existing car park currently generates around $1m in revenue. Good for Manly has been pushing for the renovation option using examples from other car parks of a similar vintage which have been successfully retro-fitted. However, the size of the car parking spaces would need to remain as they are, due to structural constraints.

Redeveloping the site as a new parking station complex would also retain the site in Council ownership, with ideas such as including shops on the ground floor level and other commercial space on the top levels being explored.

All Councillors are in agreement that an important part of the Manly 2015 Plan is the revitalisation of the laneways, but the division has been over the building of a big car park under Manly Oval.

It is expected that a number of further workshops will be held over the coming months to explore options for the Whistler Street car park site.

What would you like to see there?

13 Comments

Ian Thomson

13/11/2014 11:42:38 pm

I feel refurbishment of Whistler street car park the preferred option.
Most definitely against oval as previously stated.
Suggestions re Keirle park area for a carpark is possible for special events, with shuttle buses running?

Colin Black

14/11/2014 12:17:03 am

Replacing Whistler Street carpark is a sensible compromise.

Street level retail as part of the redevlopment would add to the ongoing revitalisation of Market lane

I suggest as part of the redevelopment take the opportunity to re-route Whistler Street underground from to join Darley Road just past the Corso. Entrances/Exits to the carpark to be underground. Add extra parking levels underground (Wentworth St carpark has 2 floors underground).

Suggest rather than kierle park a car park area be situated over near Kenneth St/Pittwater road area, that way it could be used for park and ride city bus commuter services Mon-Fri (and service the proposed high speed Northern beaches bus services - State funding ?) and then serve as a shuttle location for weekend events and activities.

linda hart

14/11/2014 12:19:24 am

I also endorse a park and ride option at any number of parks surrounding Manly. This concept has been used extensively in the U.K. to effectively remove congestion from urban centres. It would be a perfect solution for visitors to the area, and for locals who live further out from the Manly CBD. It could also be expanded as a transport hub for commuters. This combined with the refurbishment of the Whistler Street carpark would be a much preferred solution to the carpark under Manly oval.

Henry

14/11/2014 12:23:28 am

I think it is a good idea to put shops or something down the bottom and redo the back area.
The car park is ugly! Something we can all agree on.

Eve Abbey

14/11/2014 01:02:30 am

Good idea to replace the Whistler Street carpark - especially including retail. It is not a nice building while the Library is a good building. Excellent idea to have some sort of parking along Kenneth Road/Pittwater Road useful for park and ride and for users of LMGraham Reserve and the Swimming Pool.
Eve Abbey

Jim

14/11/2014 01:22:23 am

The shame of this entire debate is that we are arguing about cars and an extra 200 car spaces (or there abouts). Over a day that is the equivalent of less than 1 ferry worth of commuters.
With the weekend gridlock on Military Rd, the development of medium density residential in Freshy and Dee Why driving cars will increasingly become difficult.
Mid week the carparks are not full and this is when the parking is used by locals. We should not be encouraging cars to manly.
Finally the carpark debate has completely eclipsed the discussion on laneways. Where is the strategy for laneway activation? How are deliveries and servicing vehicles being managed? What changes will be included in Councils DCPs encouraging development in the laneways.
There are many opportunities to improve the amenity of Manly. The "plans" that have been considered to date require a critical rethink in view of strategies and planned outcomes. This is the chance to position Manly for the next 50 years and the solution is not cars.

Linda Monty

14/11/2014 01:42:27 am

THANK GOD. Candy I cannot believe the Liberal council has finally come to their senses on this..and I wont believe it until I see it. Thank you so so much for your determination and diligence on this debacle which, sadly, shouldnt have gotten this far in the first place. Has anyone looked at the two vacant blocks of land fronting Eustace Street as a possibility for a few more car spaces? Thank you so much once again, I still cant believe they have finally pulled their heads out of the sand!

14/11/2014 05:51:11 am

I hope that Manly Council see sense, by saying NO to the Oval car-park I am not saying no to refreshing the Manly Laneways etc. The park and go concept in the UK is a great idea. The cost and risk of building the car-park under the oval is not something that should be considered!!!!

We should at least wait until the next Local Election before this is decided so the next council will not inherit a huge problem and debt!!!!

Don Walker

14/11/2014 08:07:13 am

At last some common sense, just how much has the Liberal councillors and the staff under Mr Wong's guideance cost the rate payers through pursuing the oval car park when a less costly more central solution in rebuilding the Whistler Street car park the obvious solution to all of the aims of Manly 2015. Thank you Candy Bingam for your hard work in getting, we all hope, a cost effective solution to the alleged requirement for more car spaces. We may now have enough for the council to consider Candy Bingams vision for the rebuilding of the harbour side pool between the wharf and sea world. Lets hope the voters remember who saved the rate payers millions when the next council elections come around.

Stephen

14/11/2014 03:23:36 pm

It is wrong to encourage more cars into the manly CBD - the idea of a car park under the oval is a good one.

Whistler St should be totally redeveloped in conjunction with a new multi-use centre including a (smaller) library. There will probably be residential to offset the debt which is fine in my view. Create a new piazza - link lane ways - invest in a future for Manly that reinforces it's truly unique character as a special place in the world. Lane ways, art, music, beach, restaurants, bars, coffees, surfing and close to the city. It's magical and needs investment and good planning. Manly 2015 is a good step in the right direction.

RuthB

16/11/2014 01:00:55 pm

Delighted the oval car park not going ahead. What a out turning Whistler St car park into a gorgeous vertical garden as per the photos on website attached? Would provide natural shade and cool interior, be beautiful to look at and a talking point. Great for the environment too.
htt://www.buzzfeed.com/marcelle/39-insanely-cool-vertical-gardens?

Roger Dawson

17/11/2014 06:24:18 am

Thank you Candy for your calm and considered leadership regarding this issue. I think most residents thought that the 'Oval Car Park Plan' was so ridiculous that it wouldn't go through. Why should we take on such massive debt for little gain? All other options should be considered to free up the centre of Manly from increasing traffic congestion.

Geoff

17/11/2014 03:22:05 pm

i am pleased that the Council may for to the idea of the under oval car park and refurbish the existing Whistler St car park as part of the process of revitalizing the Manly laneways I agree with Londa Harts comment above about a park and ride scheme which would reduce the need for parking spaces in Manly central and reduce traffic congestion overall As she says this system works successfully in many overseas cities

Manly 2015 – Councillors working towards a Compromise

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