Hundreds unite to round out call to stop Manly Oval plan
HUNDREDS gathered at Manly Oval on Sunday to protest against Manly2015, the plan to demolish the Whistler St carpark and build a carpark under Manly Oval.
Nth Beaches
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HUNDREDS of people gathered at Manly Oval on Sunday to protest against Manly2015, Manly Council’s plan to demolish the Whistler St carpark and build a carpark under Manly Oval.
Organiser and Manly councillor Candy Bingham said opposition to Manly2015 among the hundreds of attendees was unanimous and that former union and environmental activist Jack Mundey said he would call for a green ban to prevent the plan proceeding.
She also said it was time that Manly MP and State Premier Mike Baird intervened and called a moratorium on all major new council projects ahead of council amalgamations to be announced later this year.
Cr Bingham said there were far cheaper alternatives to the Manly2015 plan.
“We can beautify Whistler St carpark with green walls, murals, or at least a coat of paint,” she said.
“We can open up the parking area out the front and link it to the Market Plaza and library, then we get rid of the ugly fire escape in front of the library, and connect up the whole are in a big plaza.
“It would cost about $5 million, it wouldn’t destroy anything and it would keep customers and car parking in the right place for local businesses.”
Manly Chamber of Commerce president Mark Stanley said the chamber supported Manly2015 because “it provides a vision for the next 50 years”.
“The whole purpose of this plan is to improve Manly for everyone – residents, businesses and visitors,” he said.
“Renowned global consulting firm KPMG has already determined that the Manly Oval carpark is financially viable.
“The council has estimated that the oval carpark can be funded largely through the demolition and lease of the currently noncompliant Whistler St carpark and the out-of-pocket expense will be significantly less than the $10 million cost of renovating Whistler St to partially fix basic compliance issues.
“Anyone saying Manly2015 will cause massive debt is either grossly misinformed or has another agenda.”
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