Manly Oval carpark likely to go ahead, but process surrounding its approval to be reviewed

AN INTERNAL review into the approval of a controversial carpark underneath Manly Oval will be conducted by the new Northern Beaches Council.

Opponents of an idea of building a carpark under Manly Oval marching around Manly protesting against it. Picture: Elenor Tedenborg.

• Cops blitz Steggles drivers over horror truck crash that killed mum
• ‘Fix killer intersection,’ demand sons of Brookvale crash victim
• Fighting fund made to save Manly Oval from Car Park

AN INTERNAL review into the processes surrounding the approval of an underground carpark at Manly Oval and the sale of Whistler St carpark will be conducted by Northern Beaches Council.

Administrator Dick Persson told the Manly Daily he would order a review of the process — which saw a number of residents locked out of a meeting to debate the decision — after receiving a number of complaints.

Mr Persson, who took over as administrator when Manly, Warringah and Pittwater councils were merged indicated residents had lodged submissions to the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Local Government Department. He said he had seen a letter from the commission which indicated there was “nothing for them”.

“I am still to have a detailed­ brief on the issue, my preliminary understanding is that a contract has been let,” he said. When asked if the application was past the point of no return, Mr Persson said: “That is my understanding”.

New Northern Beaches administrator Dick Persson. Picture: Annika Enderborg.

“I am not interested in exposing­ the council to a large litigation or compensation, and I need advice on what the situation is there,” he said. “In relation to the process I understand people have concerns and I have referred the matter to the councils internal auditor to do a review of the process and report to me as soon as possible.”

Save Manly Oval Alliance president Jack Steggall welcomed the review but said while they had “some hope, our hopes never seem to come to fruition”.

“We are working on the basis that no matter what the administrator says, we have to be ready to fight this,” he said.

Jack Steggall, President of the Save Manly Oval Alliance has started a "fighting fund" to help save it from a car park development. Picture: Troy Snook

The alliance started a fighting fund which so far has about $20,000 to cover legal costs and provide expert­ submissions when the plans go before the Joint Regional Planning Panel.

The JRPP is yet to set down a date, but submissions are due to Northern Beaches Council by June 17.

Mr Steggall called for a staffer from either the former Warringah or Pittwater councils to undertake the review of process, arguing that former Manly staffers should not be reviewing their own process.

Mr Persson stressed that he had no opinion on whether an error had been made, but rather was conducting the review as a result of public feedback.