Push for Brookvale bus depot to become trendy shop top as part of new town centre
A developer is pushing to redevelop Brookvale bus depot, with pictures of what it could look like being made available for the first time.
Manly
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Pictures of what Brookvale bus depot could look like if it was redeveloped as part of future plans to create a new vibrant town centre with bustling cafes and bars, have been released for the first time.
Developer James Moses, who owns land behind the depot, had the artist impressions drawn up to give northern beaches residents a glimpse of how it could look if it was re-imagined with shops, offices and residential units above.
He said he was disappointed to see that there were no plans to redevelop the site in the draft plan released in September 2017.
So, Mr Moses decided to investigate the possibility and engineered himself a meeting with executives at Transport for NSW, where he says they were open to the idea.
He admits he has a vested interest in the matter as he would like to redevelop his land at the rear too, which would require a change of use from industrial to mixed use.
With the next draft masterplan for Brookvale now due next year, Mr Moses has made his proposal, which he submitted during the consultation period, available to the Manly Daily to let others see what could be done.
“I couldn’t understand how the second largest plot of land was left off the first plan,” he said.
“It should be earmarked for rejuvenation and could go up four or five storeys to make it a commercial and residential mixed use.
“Keep the bus depot there like at Bondi Junction.
“If it is not included in the redevelopment it is a huge missed opportunity.
“I’d like to know whether it is being included in the next draft.”
He said if the bus depot was given a facelift it would help connect the transport hub and Warringah Mall to Brookvale Oval via a series of retail, cafes, restaurants and bars.
However, Northern Beaches Council Mayor Michael Regan, said he was not a fan of developing the depot.
He said Brookvale Bus depot may need to expand in the future given there will be a new East West B-Line service and with the Beaches Link tunnel there will be an increased need for public transport.
He said it “would be crazy to redevelop that site for residential” so close to an industrial area with all the noise, cars, trucks and buses 24/7, or even for retail purposes, considering the mall was just opposite.
“There are better places to plan for residential other than right on top of a bus depot that should be expanding in the future,” he said.
He also said the Brookvale draft plan should not be rushed because of COVID.
“It’s too complicated and involves too many moving parts, i.e. transport info, various state government reports and more consultation,” he said.
“Brookvale is critical to the northern beaches’ future.
“We have to get it right.”
Northern Beaches Council’s CEO Ray Brownlee did not comment on whether any development of the bus depot would feature in the next draft plan.
But he said in relation to the finalisation of the Brookvale Structure Plan, the council will consider all land located within the Brookvale Investigation Area, which includes the bus depot.
A transport plan will be completed later this year, which will help form the Brookvale Structure Plan.
And, it is expected that the draft masterplan will be re-exhibited in early to mid-2021.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Transport for NSW would only say that there are currently no plans to redevelop the Brookvale depot.
Brookvale, a traditionally blue-collar industrial area has been tipped to be the new Zetland or Alexandria and with the right planning more jobs and housing could result in a bustling night-time economy of small bars and microbreweries to complement a town centre doubling in height.