Advocates of carpark under Manly Oval say it will ease traffic congestion
THOSE in favour of plans to build a car park under Manly Oval have disputed claims it will “choke traffic”.
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ADVOCATES for a carpark under Manly Oval have disputed claims it would create traffic woes on Sydney Rd, but rather ease congestion.
Former Manly mayor Jean Hay, the chamber of commerce’s Daniel Robertson and Tracey Mietzke from the company redeveloping the Whistler St carpark tried to quash concerns ahead of a public rally to be held on Sunday.
But Save Manly Oval Alliance indicated the meeting would go ahead at 2pm at St Mary’s Parish Hall.
Built Development Group and Athas Holdings, won a tender to demolish the Whistler St carpark and library as part of a $37.5 million, 99-year lease which would fund oval carpark.
A total of 66 units, a new library, cinemas and parking would replace them.
Mrs Hay said arguments Manly Oval carpark would “choke traffic” were wrong.
“It’s always been a dream of Manly Council going into the 1970s to have a ring road around the CBD … Manly Oval is the final piece of that,” she said.
Mr Robertson, who is also on the Manly Chamber of Commerce said it was time for an upgrade.
“The carparks were implemented by special levies on the asset owners, so we are quite keen to see the carparks developed and working for businesses,” he said.
Mrs Mietzke started in her role consulting the community about the Whistler St carpark a fortnight ago.
She argued that concerns raised about funding of the oval were invalid, because her company’s lease payment “more than covers” the $28.7 million fixed cost.
Mr Steggall countered Ms Hay’s arguments that a ring road would resolve traffic.
He agreed there would be a ring road, “that would never get people to Manly”.
“People will turn off at Condamine St and not come down,” he said.
Mr Steggall said he would trust the council’s figures of $28.7 million if he was able to see the contract.
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