Sprinklers considered for Manly park to reduce anti-social behaviour

SPRINKLERS could be installed in a Manly park popular with partygoers in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour — and that’s not the only measure under consideration.

Greater Manly Community Forum head Ray Mathieson (seated), and other members Jude Lewiston, Don Walker and Vivienne Walker who are opposed to the partying on Manly’s East Esplanade. Picture: AAP Image / Julian Andrew

• Plan to halt anti-social behaviour in popular park
• Revamp for ‘the office’ part of plan for Manly ‘tourist mecca’

SECURITY cameras could be installed in a Manly park popular with partygoers in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour.

It is part of a string of measurements recommended for East Esplanade as a safety plan for the area is developed by Northern Beaches Council’s community safety committee.

Among the other suggestions was a four-week trial of turning the sprinklers on late at night to stop large crowds gathering.

East Esplanade in Manly. Picture: AAP Image / Julian Andrews

Extra signage advising people about noise issues were also suggested in the strategy, which was endorsed by councillors on Tuesday night.

The council has applied for a State Government grant to put two CCTV cameras the area ahead of summer, which are expected to be operational by October.

“The community safety committee, including the local area police command, council and other key stakeholders have applied for a grant to fund two CCTV cameras at East Esplanade,” the council’s acting chief executive officer Ben Taylor said.

Northern beaches CEO Ben Taylor. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily

It would “improve safety and security during the summer months as part of a broader range of measures being developed for the precinct over summer”.

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”.

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.

East Esplanade in Manly. Picture: (AAP Image / Julian Andrews).

Manly Community Forum chair, Ray Mathieson has been pushing or better anti-social measures.

While he welcomed the cameras he said they needed to be monitored frequently.

“The issue with the CCTV is it needs to be a monitored CCTV, I am not sure we are going to get that,” he said.

“We are just not getting the ranger monitoring and if they can’t get down there on a regular basis then I want someone to be monitoring through CCTV.

“Even if it is not monitored all the time at least they can go over that and see where there is a problem and if the problem.”

The council is also progressing with works for the area, which were announced in November last year.

The toilet block at East Esplanade. Picture: (AAP Image / Julian Andrews).

Urgent works planned included upgraded curbing to ease run off; new sandstone edging along the promenade to retain the grass area and raised walkways to protect exposed roots of two popular fig trees. Work would also be undertaken to enhance the Broken Column.

The project would include toilet upgrades, picnic areas, ramp access to the beach. It would also include upgraded seating and walkways.

“This work will improve the visitor experience and provide better environmental protections,” Mr Taylor said.

“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 run-off to the beach.

East Esplanade Reserve in Manly. Picture: (AAP Image / Julian Andrews).

“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.”

A number of residents pointed to a lack of toilet facilities as a major reason why their homes were being used to go to the toilet.

But Mr Taylor said it was “a longer term capital project and scheduled for the current financial year”.

“Planning and design work is progressing on schedule. It is anticipated works will commence after summer, so as to avoid any inconvenience during the busy summer months.

“Before construction work begins, the plan will be put to community consultation.”

East Esplanade in Manly. Picture: (AAP Image / Julian Andrews).

Mr Mathieson said the community wished it would have been a speedier process, particularly the ongoing work to have raised stonework to stop sediment flowing into Manly Cove,

“It has taken much longer than it was supposed to. It was going to happen in June, then July and August, then September,” he said.

“They are are encountering problems, but it could have been done a lot quicker, it is the gateway into Manly and I was hoping they would put all their effiort into getting it done in time for the summer season.

“There is a lot more to be done there… It is all the stonework around the edged of the walkeay which is what we really wanted done early, because all the dirt washes straight into Manly Cove, that is not on.”