Northern Beaches Council considers other plans if it can’t purchase Pasadena site
Located on a prime piece of real estate in Sydney’s northern beaches, council had grand plans to acquire the iconic Pasadena site — but here’s why they are now having to look at alternatives for a public park.
Manly
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A CONTINGENCY plan is being developed by Northern Beaches Council in case it is unable to acquire the Pasadena site in Church Point.
A grant for an undisclosed sum of money was handed to the council by Pittwater state MP Rob Stokes to buy the land but negotiations have broken down.
In August last year then-administrator Dick Persson set out to acquire the prime waterfront property to make way for a public park and a carpark. The Pasadena, an almost 90-year-old site, was a popular wedding venue, motel and function centre.
At the time it had been vacant since 2009.
But not long after Mr Persson called for it to be acquired — by compulsory means if necessary — the site’s owner Paul Peterkin started redevelopment which would put the expected cost up.
At the last council meeting, Cr Rory Amon pushed for a contingency to be put in place.
“I think it is fair to say the circumstances have dramatically changed since the administrator made the decision,” Cr Amon said. “Derelict buildings are cheaper than buildings which aren’t derelict.”
The money was a tied grant (meaning it was tied solely to the acquisition of Pasadena), which was made available through funds set aside to assist with forced council mergers which were abandoned.
“If we don’t use it to buy Pasadena, we lose it,” Cr Amon said. “If we are not going to buy Pasadena we need to get our ducks in a row for possible contingencies.
“It comes down to dollars and cents, if we can’t afford it we can’t afford it, I don’t know if we can afford it or not.”
One option could be to buy other land to create open space, or much needed parking spaces.
The council’s staff will compile a list of possible uses of the money and take it to Mr Stokes for approval.
Mayor Michael Regan said council was still committed to the site’s purchase.
“We are obligated to carry out the resolution and should there be any changes the community will be notified,” he said. “Building works commenced immediately to get it to where it is now and council still has an obligation to go through a process to get a valuation.
“We will present that to the owner and see if there is a mutually-agreeable position.”
The council compiled a wish list for Mr Stokes at the time funding was given for Pasadena and other projects.
“They haven’t approached me in relation to redirecting any money,” Mr Stokes said.
“The council has a resolution, as I understand the resolution still stands.
“If they change the resolution we would be happy to have a subsequent chat about the other projects identified by council at the same time as the Pasadena purchase.”
