Manly Marlins want answers over ‘confusing’ development plans for Manly Oval

THE Manly Marlins have ramped up their campaign to save Manly Oval, saying there is confusion with two plans for the controversial development at the ground .

Solicitor Lorne Havenstein and Marlins vice-president Anthony Bergelin at Manly Council. Picture: Martin Lange.

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THE Manly Marlins have ramped up their campaign to save Manly Oval, saying there is confusion with two plans for the controversial development at the ground which has been their spiritual home for 133 years.

Marlins vice president Anthony Bergelin said the development plan that has been lodged has a reduction in the size of the ground by 3.5m.

“And as it stands we can’t accept that because it is going to affect the playing area,” Bergelin said.

He said he was also shown a plan with no reduction in the size of the ground’s boundary in a face-to-face meeting with former Manly Council general manager Henry Wong last month but that hasn’t haven’t been listed publicly.

The Manly Marlins in action ar Manly Oval. Picture: Braden Fastier

Bergelin instructed the Marlin’s solicitor Lorne Havenstein to write to the Northern Beaches Council administrator Dick Persson and “point out the confusion which reigns over the development application to construct a 500 car carpark under the Manly Oval, more particularly relating to the ground dimensions”.

”Lorne has now presented to the administrator two plans,” Bergelin said.

The Marlins pointed out both former Manly mayor Jean Hay and former deputy mayor Steve Pickering assured Manly Daily readers in a letter on June 17 that there would be no reduction in the playing area at Manly Oval.

“We would never have supported any project that jeopardised the proud history of the Manly Rugby Club,” the letter said.

Anthony Bergelin and Lorne Havenstein ar Manly Oval.

Mr Havenstein has asked Mr Persson to look at whether the council members were aware when they approved the contract to proceed with the development that the proposed development would significantly reduce the size of the ground.

The Marlins today set up a petition on their website www.manlyrugby.com.au which calls upon the administrator of the Northern Beaches Council to “Give Us Back Manly Oval.”

“Our intention is to meet with the administrator and his review team to present the petition and to outline some very concerning aspects of the development process,” he said.