Manly town centre: Plan to change the look of the CBD has $17m funding shortfall
A $17m funding shortfall is set to delay a detailed plan to revitalise the Manly town centre in an effort to attract more visitors and make it more liveable for locals.
Manly
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A funding shortfall is set to delay the proposed $26 million revitalisation of the Manly town centre, it has been revealed.
Northern Beaches Council will be told that it is more than $17m short of cash to press ahead with detailed plans to attract more visitors to the popular tourist hub.
The council is expected to vote at Tuesday night’s monthly meeting to implement its “My Place: Manly” plan which is also designed the make the seaside suburb more liveable for locals.
But in a report from council officers, the council will be advised that of the estimated $25.9m million required for the public improvements, “there is a shortfall of $17.6m”.
The council will have to find “additional funding sources to deliver all actions in the plan,” the report states.
“The delivery time frame has been increased to 15 years, from 10 years, reflecting council’s ability to deliver the actions within its current forward program of works and the ability to secure funding.”
Staff advised that $6.8m could be allocated from the Draft Northern Beaches Section 7.12 Contributions Plan 2024 over the next 10 years and that $1.5 million was forecast through the Manly Special Rate funded Manly Laneways program.
“(But) there is a funding gap of $17.6 million,” the report stated.
“Council has not adopted a 4-year Delivery Program or a Long-Term Financial Plan that provides general revenue (rates) funding for new assets such as those proposed in this Plan.”
As part of the plan, “key” locations including The Corso, would be updated and redesigned.
It will focus on enhancing the “night-time economy” in the wake of Covid, making the most of the Manly CBD’s historic laneways and arcades as well as creating special “gateway” areas for visitors.
It suggested that a trial of late trading hours, from 10pm to 6am, be allowed for some restaurants and bars, but not include Manly’s pubs.
Four “key places” identified in the document are The Corso, Sydney Rd, Pittwater Rd and the Laneways — Market Place, Rialto Lane, Henrietta Lane, Central Ave and Short St.
In the foreword to the plan, Mayor Sue Heins wrote that it aimed to “capture the things people love and value most about the area”.
It was drawn up after consultation with the Manly Business Chamber, Youth Advisory Group, resident associations, businesses and Manly Ward councillors.
Public feedback showed “strong support” for improved event and cultural events and outdoor dining, improved streetscapes, increased green spaces and tree canopy.
Details of the plan included allowing outdoor dining on The Corso along with more trees to provide shade and an all-weather performance space at its eastern end.
The western end of the The Corso, around Manly Town Hall, would become “Manly’s cultural home where visitors can … rush to theatres, cinemas and music venues”.
An “eat street character” would be created around the intersection of Sydney Rd and Belgrave St.
A redesign of a section of Pittwater Rd would encourage more outdoor dining and could include a reduced speed limit, safer pedestrian crossings, more trees and the planting of “raingardens”.
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