Date

MANLY COMMUNITY FORUM NEWSLETTERDECEMBER 2019

The next Manly Community Forum meeting will take place on MONDAY 16th December at 7 pm, Manly Yacht Club, East Esplanade.

AGENDACABBAGE TREE BAY POLLUTION

UPDATE: Cabbage Tree Bay and Shelly Beach have been closed? for 4 days at time of writing (7/12), presumably due to sewage overflow. This is completely unacceptable in a marine sanctuary and a popular swimming spot. There has been no rain so in this instance stormwater is not to blame. Sydney Water must address this issue.

We have also had a number of concerns raised about the runoff of storm water into the bay. The issue is being addressed by Council and at our February meeting Council will provide an update of the work plans for this area. We don?t expect any action until then. The storm run-off is a problem in all areas, however, the pristine nature of this aquatic reserve requires special attention and Council has committed budget to 2020 improvements.

We have addressed this issue before. Residents report that the Wharf Hotel's new management is working with nearby residents and noise has been controlled. However there is a growing trend to bring amplified music into East Esplanade park. Rangers and police do not appear to have the necessary control laws to stop this. The matter is being addressed by Council. The ridiculous expansion development application (DA) for the roof top at the Manly Wharf is currently being addressed by Council. No support has been received for the major outside expansion and residents are unanimous in their opposition, along with the Business Chamber and all nearby venues, at least those not controlled by the group submitting the DA. This ongoing pollution control will require constant action directed at the Environment Protection Agency as well as local authorities.

INVITATION TO THE CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Manly Community Forum Christmas party is always fun and a great way to catch up with neighbours and meet new friends. There will be a short meeting followed by the celebrations. We will provide food and drinks, sweets and a barbeque. Your $5 donation is appreciated.

COME AND JOIN US

Monday 16t h Decem ber at 7 pm

Opening address - welcome & housekeeping for the evening.

East Esplanade park - Northern Beaches Council (NBC) Manager Park Assets Jeremy Smith will present Stage 2 of the park?s redevelopment plan. A brief overview of East Esplanade security arrangements for this summer will also be presented.

Lit t le Manly k iosk - NBC Executive Manager Property Campbell Pfeiffer will provide an explanation and understanding of the decision to award the tender for the Little Manly Kiosk to the Ripples restaurant chain.

Lit t le Manly beach cafe - Lease, licence & fit-out

Lit t le Manly Reserves Landscape Mast erplan - Final result after public exhibition & Council adoption of plan.

Manly West Esplanade Her it age Act ivat ion Plan - Final result after public exhibition & council adoption of plan.

Poor l ight ing East Esplanade - Ausgrid light out on East Esplanade ramp walkway raises safety concerns.

St orm wat er & sewage pollut ion Cabbage Tree Bay - Fairy Bower

Com plaint s/Developm ent s - Orientation of bright beach lights at Little Manly Beach.

Beaches Link - State MP James Griffin has provided an update on Western Harbour Tunnel & Beaches Link Project.

Noise pollut ion - Amplified music East Esplanade Reserve.

Nor t h Head sewage plant - Community Consultation Group new developments.

MANLY COVE NOISE POLLUTION

western end of the beach, and relocating the disabled toilet from outside the heritage amenities block and reinstating the heritage façade of the building.

A decision on reinstating the boardwalk was deferred until the future of the aquarium site is decided by its owner, Roads and Maritime Services. Council staff estimate the cost to reinstate the boardwalk at around $14 million. Unsurprisingly, we are hearing this is unlikely to be supported by Council. There is also litt le support for a rebuild/renovation of the aquarium site and litt le Council support for any major entertainment complex on the site.

There is strong support for the demolition of the aquarium area and conversion to public space. We are also advised that Council will bring the West Esplanade park up to speed with a similar improvement as to the East Esplanade park - new tables, seating and landscape improvements.

As you know Manly Community Forum (MCF) has been instrumental in the formation of a community consultative group to monitor performance and developments at the North Head Sewage Treatment Plant (NHSTP) and to provide a community understanding of what we are dealing with when there is such a substantial Sydney-wide sewage treatment plant on our doorstep. .

We have raised numerous issues over the years including: establishing an ocean outfall to protect the beaches; sewage overflows in and around Manly; ability of NHSTP to manage the level of sewage that is directed to NHSTP (40% of Sydney); odour management from the plant; raw sewage discharges from the cliffs at Vaucluse and Diamond Bay; excessive truck movements from the plant; odour from those trucks; perceived lack of further treatment (currently primary only) at the plant; and no extraction of plastics/microplastics.

At the recent meeting NHSTP Management provided answers on many of the issues raised. A copy of their response will be available on our website from mid December.

DECEMBER 2019 PAGE 2

EAST ESPLANADE PARK UPGRADE STAGE 2 WEST ESPLANADE PLAN CONTINUED...

NBC Manager Park Assets Jeremy Smith will present the plan for the south end of East Esplanade park and answer questions.

Stage 2 work will start late next February after the summer holidays. It will involve leveling and renewal of grass areas to the south-east of the park; a new toilet block and support facilit ies (details available at the meeting); improved pathway/steps from East Esplanade to junction of Osborne and East Esplanade; timber platform and improved garden area around heritage fig; relocation of the commemorative ?broken? column; new seats and tables; new lighting on ramp to club area; sandstone edging around grass areas to the eastern corner; improved shower and drainage (to remove the odour problem); new CCTV from the new toilet block, upgraded beach access; renewed community notice board. Safety measures and ranger and police arrangements over the coming months will also be discussed. Behaviour at the park has improved since the Council CEO implemented the new monitor procedures and installed the new multifocus CCTV camera, and most residents and park visitors are pleased with the situation. There is a minor ongoing issue with noise levels that is being addressed.

The Heritage Activation Plan for West Esplanade has been finalised and adopted by Council.

Changes will include interpretive signage, landscaping including possible timber deck platforms around trees and low sandstone retaining walls as on East Esplanade, an accessible ramp at the

WEST ESPLANADE HERITAGE ACTIVATION PLAN

SYDNEY WATER/NHSTP

DECEMBER 2019 PAGE 3

. New pedestrian pathway from Stuart Street to the beach via Craig Avenue (using land from No. 34 Stuart Street).

. No. 34 Stuart Street property to be used as a community facility. Some expansion of the dinghy and kayak storage area on the Council-owned land at 36 Stuart Street.

. Traffic calming measures in Stuart Street to slow vehicles.

. Complete rebuild of Little Manly harbour tidal pool, which will start next May or June (details in our newsletter October 2019).

. New toilet block in the carpark, redevelopment of the children?s playground, and upgrade of tables and chairs at Little Manly Point.

. Landscaping improvements throughout the park (some are already underway).

The café has changed hands, and it 's goodbye to Carly and Phil, and the long history with Stuart Sprott seems such a long time ago. This café is a focal point of community activity. MCF expressed concern with what was developing as something more than a beachside kiosk. Councillors were presented with only two recommendations by Council staff, so maybe there is good reason why a majority of Councillors voted for an organisation like the Ripples restaurant chain (referred to as the Prophetable Hospitality Group) but it does envisage something more than what we need. They do have an interest in a kiosk/café-style business as well as high-end restaurants, however, we have concerns that they have committed to a major infrastructure spend of $500K. The new operators have advised that they are looking to commence trading at Little Manly on 7th December with a limited offering (coffee, ice-cream etc). This is subject to sourcing the necessary equipment to be ready to trade. We were assured by Council Executive Management that we would have a kiosk facility at Little Manly within a week of closure of the current operation.

The landscape Master Plan for Little Manly beachfront and Little Manly Point park has been finalised and adopted by Council. A late change is the decision to knock down the house at No. 40 Stuart Street and add the land to the beachfront reserve next door. It?s a significant gain, as noted on Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham?s Good for Manly website. ?The parkland at Little Manly beach will increase in size, after NBC agreed to demolish the house at No. 40 Stuart Street and add the land to the beachfront reserve next door. While the demolition work will not begin until 2022/23, a process to reclassify the block as 'community land', will begin right away. This will safeguard the block as open space, putting an end to years of community angst that the property would be sold off. The extra land opens up exciting possibilit ies for the popular park, including relocating the access ramp, which would free up more space again. The proposal, which was passed by the Council last month, was put forward by Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham.?

Other components of the Little Manly Master Plan include:

. The upgrade of the kiosk/café facility including additional storage facilit ies and improved seating and preparation areas. The approved applicants have committed to spend $500K on kiosk improvements.

. Re-routing of the access pathway around the kiosk so that walkers are not directed through the kiosk area.

. Timber platform area around the beautiful Norfolk Pine beside the kiosk.

. Improved landscaping on the bank adjacent to Stuart Street.

. Wide steps/seating area down to the beach, rather than the narrow current access.

LITTLE MANLY RESERVE LITTLE MANLY RESERVE CONTINUED...

LITTLE MANLY BEACH CAFE

DECEMBER 2019 PAGE 4

Recently our Local Member James Griffin wrote to interested parties providing an update on the final design of the project as it impacts locals. He said:

At Balgow lah , 90% of the open space used during construction will be returned back to the community for new open space, sporting and recreational facilit ies:

· The community will have their say on the final layout of the sporting and recreational facilit ies, which is expected to be led by NBC.

· There will be no impact to Balgowlah Oval or the scout hall during construction.

· A new access road will connect Sydney Road, the new recreational and sporting precinct, and Beaches Link.

At Seafor t h , following engagement with the local community:

· The Option B temporary tunnelling site will be used on the eastern side of Wakehurst Parkway, behind Bantry Bay reservoir to the north of Kirkwood Street.

· Construction vehicles will access the site directly from Wakehurst Parkway to the north of Kirkwood Street to reduce impact on local roads during construction.

· There will be no impact to Seaforth Oval, the oval's car park, Bantry Bay Oval, or Seaforth Bowling Club.

Project benef it s

· Beaches Link will save commuters nearly 27 minutes in travel

Email all correspondence to secretary@manlycommunityforum.com & mathose@bigpond.net.au

Minutes of the Monthly Meet ing are posted on our website manlycommunityforum.com

Online Communicat ions: If you?d like to receive this newsletter and other Manly Community Forum correspondence by email,

please email secretary@manlycommunityforum.com or follow the Manly Community Forum facebook page.

UPDATE ON WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL & BEACHES LINK

MANLY COMMUNITY FORUM CONTACT DETAILS

time from Brookvale to the CBD, and 32 minutes from Manly to Macquarie Park.

· Provide direct express bus connections to the new Sydney Metro station at North Sydney.

· Bypass 19 sets of traffic lights through Mosman, Neutral Bay and Cremorne.

· Expand and improve the express bus network from Manly and surrounding suburbs to the CBD, North Sydney and Macquarie Park.

Next st age

· The Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway upgrade components of the project will be released for public exhibition in early December.

· Following design changes to Beaches Link, the project team will complete the necessary investigations and assessment work before the Environmental Impact Statement is placed on exhibition.

The Beaches Link Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be available for public exhibition from mid-2020.

If you have further questions, I encourage you to contact the project team directly on

Tel: 1800 931 189 Email: whtbl@rms.nsw.gov.au

Further information on the project can be found on the project website at www.rms.nsw.gov.au/whtbl