Shortened boundaries for car park could put rugby future in jeopardy at Manly Oval

THE Manly Marlins rugby club home ground could be shortened as part of a plans to build a carpark under Manly Oval.

Jack Steggall and Candy Bingham believe Manly Oval could be shortened by as much as three metres as part of the DA for the new car park. Picture: Adam Ward.

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THE Manly Marlins rugby club home ground could be shortened as part of a plans to build a carpark under Manly Oval.

Planning documents show the picket fence at Manly Oval could be moved about 3m from its current location, on the Sydney Rd end. And danger concerns mean it could put its future in jeopardy.

Manly Marlins vice-president Anthony Bergelin stressed the council had been supportive of the club to date. However, he was concerned about getting an insurance policy to cover them if the boundary was shrunk.

Jack Steggall and Candy Bingham believe Manly Oval could be shortened by as much as three metres as part of the DA for the new car park. Photo: Adam Ward

“There is obviously a criteria we need to appease in regards to the Sydney rugby comp,” he said.

“The first grade isn’t a mickey mouse competition and we don’t want a mickey mouse ground. We would be expecting everything be up to standards for … safety.”

A council spokesman said the “playing surfaces and other boundaries of the Manly Oval will be re-established as they are at the completion of the project”.

But Jack Steggall, president of the Save Manly Oval Alliance took a tape measure to the grounds and said the council’s sums don’t add up. If it was to be shortened, as the plans show, the dead ball line would be about three metres from a picket fence with a cement base.

“If you are coming in at pace you will be into the fence,” he said.

Former Manly Councillor Candy Bingham also queried the pledge.

“Council has made assurances on other projects that haven’t come through. I have concerns we are going to have it again,” she said.