Northern Beaches Council launch Manly Dam heritage bid

The council is attempting to gain heritage status for the Manly Warringah War Memorial Park which would place it alongside the likes of the Great Ocean Road and Sydney Opera House.

WWII Veteran Ray Cox with Vice Chair of Manly Dam Catchment Committee Malcolm Fisher at Manly Dam. (AAP IMAGE / MARK SCOTT)

• Arrest after man’s ear cut in fight in Manly’s Daniel San bar
• Dylan Walker’s AVO withdrawn but police continue acquittal appeal

The council is attempting to gain heritage status for the Manly Warringah War Memorial Park which would place it alongside the likes of the Great Ocean Road and Sydney Opera House.

The site, otherwise known as Manly Dam, was on a previous heritage list but has not been transferred to the prestigious National Heritage List which features just 116 sites across the country.

World War Two veteran Ray Cox (pictured) backed the push to get heritage status, adding that it was important to preserve the site for the future.

He said it is believed to be the only “living natural war memorial” in the country.

“It’s a special place,” the RSL Merchant Navy Sub Branch member said.

WWII Veteran Ray Cox at Manly Dam. (AAP IMAGE / MARK SCOTT)

“It is a place to come and reflect and to remember all those who have served.

“It is also a place to come and remember all those who have aspired for world peace.

“It is a rare and beautiful place.”

Mr Cox, from Curl Curl, said he has been visiting the site since he was a boy and continues to visit to this day to reflect and remember his fallen mates.

Malcolm Fisher, vice chair of the Manly Dam Catchment Committee, said the location was also a special natural and environmental site.

He said it is often referred to as “Sydney’s Kakadu” and is the only freshwater swimming spot in the city.

He also said it is home to many species of animal including the incredible climbing galaxias fish

The area around Manly Dam also features significant Aboriginal heritage. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

“It breathes through its skin and climbs up the sheer waterfalls and rocks with its fins … and it has been in those creeks for 60 million years.”

To gain the prestigious heritage status the council must convince that it meets strict criteria. This includes arguing it is important to Australia’s natural or cultural history and contains uncommon, rare or endangered aspect of Australia’s natural or cultural history.

“It is a very exclusive list to potentially be a part of, joining the likes of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and North Head,’’ Mayor Michael Regan said.

“Manly Dam is an institution on the northern beaches, is popular with the local community and remains an important site for veterans.

“It also boasts rich indigenous history and is the home of threatened plant and animal species.”

The council will now prepare an application for the National Heritage List.