Welcome back. Hope everyone had a great summer. Here on the Eastern Hill we shared our open spaces, parks and beaches, both ocean and harbourside with thousands of visitors despite the storms and wet weather. The ferries maintained their cracking timetable even introducing a new route from Watsons Bay. Manly Wharf has changed dramatically over the summer and the changes keep coming with the demo of the Bavarian. Every local kid got an ebike for Christmas and Council put up their ebike code signs in the hope that this would encourage more helmet and clothing wearing. But now there is huge demand for ebike parking at those renowned youth haunts such as jump rock, the Wharf, West Esplanade and all beaches.

At the Extraordinary Council meeting in January half the councillors supported the Staff recommendation to apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal for a Special Rate Variation above the normal annual allowable increase. This application will now progress through the Tribunal where there will be an opportunity for ratepayers and others to make a submission. Those calling for an Independent review have now got one.

Council completed their pedestrian and vehicle data collection for the Eastern Hill and provided a preliminary summary of findings and recommendations for reducing speeding on our roads by upgrading the street scape. The Community Forum sub committee will be meeting with the Council staff to discuss the progress and any proposals in February.

The Manly Community Forum Watchlist for 2025 also includes monitoring as well as advocating for action and implementation of the following ongoing projects.

• North Head Health and Wellbeing Precinct
• National Parks and Wildlife North Head Access Concept plan
• Repair of Heritage stone wall at Spring Cove by Catholic Church
• Eastern Hill streetscape upgrade and Darley Road speed reduction plan.
• Marine Parade improvements
• Shelly Beach landscaping and signs
• North Steyne area public access and amenity improvements
• West Esplanade former aquarium redevelopment
• e-bike management
• Summer crowd management in areas surrounding Manly Wharf
• Parking, Parking, Parking (all parking issues)
• Little Manly Master Plan - 34 Stuart St EOI and Tender