‘Pop up pub’ at Manly’s East Esplanade to get more toilets

FOUR extra toilets would be added to the amenities block at East Esplanade Reserve as part of an ongoing strategy to reduce anti-social behaviour in and around the park.

Manly residents have complained about the partying on Manly's East Esplanade taken, and people using their houses due to a lack of toilets. Picture: Julian Andrews.

• ‘The Office’ to get a multimillion-dollar facelift
• Sprinklers to be used to battle anti-social behaviour
• Night rangers to be considered for pop-up pub

FOUR extra toilets would be added to the amenities block at East Esplanade Reserve as part of an ongoing strategy to reduce anti-social behaviour in and around the park.

Earlier this year residents near the reserve — known as “The Office — raised concerns that it was becoming a haven for late night drinkers using it as a “pop up pub”.

The proposed amenities building at East Esplanade.

There were also complaints lodged with the council and police about people using nearby homes as toilets.

It led the council to put in a string of measures, including changes to the alcohol-free zone times, adding extra night rangers and considering paying police officers overtime to patrol the park.

In plans publicly exhibited, the council’s website says: “In response to the adopted East Esplanade Landscape Masterplan and the East Esplanade Reserve Community Safety Management Plan and feedback from users, we’ve prepared a concept for the extension of the existing public amenities at East Esplanade.”

East Esplanade Reserve in Manly has been used as a party pad for backpacker. Picture: Julian Andrews.

The changes would make a total of six toilets on site, a change room equipped with baby changing facilities and outdoor showers.

The landscape masterplan, adopted by the council in December 2017. At that time, Mayor Michael Regan said “potentially millions of dollars” could be pumped into the area.

Emergency works, which are being undertaken due to wear and tear and storm damage were expected to cost $200,000.

A picture taken last week of the works on East Esplanade Reserve in Manly.

The raised sandstone kerb along the road at East Esplanade is complete and a further sandstone edge is being installed adjacent to the pathway to improve amenity and reduce sediment runoff to the beach.

The works program is continuing with timber decking to be constructed under one of the fig trees to provide additional seating, and returfing of the open area which are scheduled to be complete before summer.