Plans to turn Manly Town Hall into a venue for birthday parties, concerts and more
Both short-term and long-term plans have been put forward to allow people to hire out the iconic Manly Town Hall, which was formerly used for council meetings. Suggested uses range from birthday parties to a major concert venue.
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Manly could soon be home to a major concert venue hosting classical and popular music stars.
The music venue proposal is just one of a number being explored for Manly Town Hall.
The former home of Manly Council could also become a cinema, theatre, recording studio, art gallery or even a museum.
The long-term future of the civic landmark was discussed at last month’s Northern Beaches Council meeting.
Built in 1937, it had been the heart of Manly Council up until the administration’s amalgamation and the formation of Northern Beaches Council in 2016.
Since then the former Warringah Council chambers in Dee Why has become the new home of Northern Beaches Council.
Some smaller meetings and services are still held at Manly but that is expected to change over the next few years.
Councillor Candy Bingham, who has been the driving force behind the transformation of use of the Town Hall, said there were some “really exciting ideas” about its future use.
“These include an art gallery, museum, cinema, performance space, function rooms to name just a few,” she said.
Manly MP James Griffin added that the historic building could even act as a satellite to the City Recital Hall in Sydney — thus becoming a major classical music venue.
“It could change the gravity of Manly and the northern beaches to give a greater experience in arts, culture and sport,” he said.
“It will give people more reason to be able to enjoy living here and not have to go into the city to get this sort of experience.
“It’s also about future proofing our local economy and making sure it is not seasonal.”
He also suggested it could have a separate daytime function, such as a recording studio, to ensure it is well used.
Cr Bingham also intends to make use of the venue in the short-term and she asked council officers to draw up a plan for rooms to be made available for community hire.
The proposal, which will soon be out on public consultation, would see the main Council Chambers, the Cove Room and Councillors Room, available for birthdays, meetings, conferences, retirement parties and more.
Room hire starts from as little as $4.80 an hour. However, those hiring the rooms will also need to pay for two security guards at a rate of $65 each an hour or $100 each on public holidays.
Cr Bingham said officers must look at the security fees to make the rooms more affordable for community hire.
Cr David Walton raised concerns about the Town Hall’s numerous precious pieces of art and historical artefacts.
Council staff said security would be responsible for protecting the items.
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“I trust the community will use it with respect and care in relation to the wonderful asset that it is,” Cr Sarah Grattan said.
Council will be giving it a test run as a music venue this Friday (September 13) with the inaugural Stix and Stones acoustic night.
It has been organised by a group of Year 11 entertainment students from Cromer Secondary Campus.
Tickets are $10 with the music starting at 7pm.
To have your say on the proposal visit yoursay.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au.