Manly Place Plan now in effect: Manly Business Chamber calls for Special Levy paid to be utilised as planned
The numerous actions listed in My Place: Manly Place Plan, including future public domain improvements, are costed to be approximately $25.9m over a 15-year period.
The plan was passed at a Meeting held on August 6 to clear some of the Items that had been held over to future Council Meetings - this one from the June 25 2024 Meeting.
The Council has stated:
''Council will consider the requirements of the My Place Manly Plan in future financial and asset planning and actively seek funding, including through grant applications and other means, in order to fully realise the actions listed in the plan into the future. ''
However, the Manly Business Chamber, in addressing the Item on the Manly Place Plan at the June 25 2024 Meeting stated:
''Currently, a Special Levy paid by property owners and local businesses contributes $1.4 million per year, yet we have not seen these funds, intended specifically for improving infrastructure on The Corso and CBD, being utilised as planned. We are requesting that the Council allocate these funds solely for their original purpose, rather than on items that should be covered by the higher rates property owners already pay in the Manly CBD.''
Council states its place-based planning approach focuses on activating The Corso, the CBD laneways, Pittwater Road and Sydney Road, and aims to create a vibrant, safe and inclusive commercial centre.
Key actions include encouraging outdoor dining, trialling late night trading, developing a program of events, lighting installations, increasing tree and vegetation plantings, encouraging walking and cycling, reviewing parking requirements and developing a public art installation program.
''My Place: Manly was developed over an 18-month period in collaboration with Council, it’s consultants and the Manly Project Working Group, which included representatives from the Manly Business Chamber, Youth Advisory Group, local resident associations, businesses and other special interest groups.'' Council says in an issued statement
''The draft plan was publicly exhibited from 9 October to 3 December 2023, with 125 written submissions and 505 survey responses received.
Community feedback showed strong support for outdoor dining, broadening evening activities with better event and cultural offerings in Manly, along with improvements to streetscapes, green spaces and tree canopy. The bike hub was also supported.''
The plan has been updated to take into account recent legislative reforms by the NSW Government, including the NSW Vibrancy reform package, and the review of short-term rental accommodation.
The plan also takes into account feedback from residents regarding night-time economy impacts, car accessibility and parking.
My Place: Manly replaces the Manly 2015 Masterplan.
In her role as Manly Business Chamber Vice President, Tracey Mietzke represented the Chamber at the Manly Place Plan Project Working Group. MBC gave the following update after the June 25 2024 Council Meeting:.
Gone are the days when The Corso merely served as a thoroughfare; it’s time to reactivate it as a public space that everyone can enjoy.
This statement was the starting point for the report titled “Manly Commercial Vision,” commissioned by the Manly Business Chamber back in 2019 and submitted to Northern Beaches. It identified key strengths and weaknesses of Manly’s CBD and provided recommendations to support a sustainable, vibrant and celebrated CBD in Manly. The report specifically highlighted The Corso as being in dire need of attention from the Council, which would also benefit the laneways and streets that connect to it.
When Council sought feedback from various stakeholders, including the Manly Business Chamber, to contribute to the current Manly Place Plan, we provided substantial commentary and included the Manly Commercial Vision report. However, much of this feedback appears to be missing from the final Manly Place Plan document addressed at last night’s Council meeting. (25 June 2024).
For instance, although the Manly Commercial Vision document was referenced during the initial work on the Place Plan, it is scarcely mentioned in the final version. Furthermore, a submission from the Chamber, in collaboration with the esteemed local firm McGregor+Coxall, who are celebrated landscape architects and consultants, also seems underrepresented.
Therefore, at last nights Council meeting, Chamber Committee member Tracey Mietzke sought a further review of the Manly Place Plan and integration of the McGregor+Coxall report (which was generously offered pro-bono). This report provided an alternative concept design that highlighted opportunities for The Corso and surrounding areas, creating a welcoming heart and soul for Manly. This design skillfully leverages the natural beauty of Manly while being commercially viable, with concepts deliverable in stages to accommodate budget constraints.
In the short term, within the next 12 months, the Chamber has requested:
- Wayfinding signage
- Comfortable and attractive street furniture
- An integrated approach to loading zones
- Extended free parking
- Additional green spaces
- And importantly, outdoor dining opportunities
For the longer term, we proposed:
Addressing The Corso with a consolidated plan to increase dwell time, outdoor dining, and entertainment opportunities, making it a destination that encourages both local and tourist visitation
Supporting the local economy by increasing building heights in the CBD in a sympathetic and holistic manner for commercial office use. Utilising the CBD as a prime commercial area supports local businesses during the day, fostering a sustainable and vibrant environment for both locals and tourists both inside and outside of the usual business ‘body clock’.
While the Chamber acknowledges the extensive work the Council has done towards creating the Manly Place Plan, it’s time for the local and wider community to see tangible action. Currently, a Special Levy paid by property owners and local businesses contributes $1.4 million per year, yet we have not seen these funds, intended specifically for improving infrastructure on The Corso and CBD, being utilised as planned. We are requesting that the Council allocate these funds solely for their original purpose, rather than on items that should be covered by the higher rates property owners already pay in the Manly CBD.
At the end of the day, it’s clear that change needs to occur. The Manly Place Plan is a good start, but we need to see strong short-term wins while we wait for the longer-term actions and are grateful a decision on this current Place Plan has been deferred for another month.
We all want a vibrant, welcoming CBD that attracts both locals and tourists, supporting a sustainable economy for future generations.
Council states on its My Place: Manly Place Plan webpage; 'We're preparing design options to trial temporary street furniture'.
And:
'The temporary furniture is to include seating/chairs, tables, and small shade structures.
Council staff will;
'Consult with The Manly Ward Councillors during the design phase, with installation to be completed by end of 2024.
'Consider as part of the September Quarterly review bringing forward funds from the Manly Special Rate Reserve to fund the temporary street furniture installation.'
