The Manly Place Plan Working Group, set up to discuss and consult on a new plan for central Manly (CBD) area, has met twice online and established objectives and a timeline for the planning work which is likely to conclude by mid 2022.

Fortunately for the Forum we have a number of local residents participating among the approximately 20 residents and senior Council staff and Councillors.

The objectives include:

• To work with the community to create a vision and subsequent plan for the Manly Town Centre.

• To align changes to ensure Manly Town Centre is vibrant, safe, inclusive and sustainable now and into the future

• To respond to the actions and recommendations of existing strategic documents of Council and the State Government.

• To deliver a Night Time Economy Study for Manly and principles to adopt across the local government area

Some of the early input covers:

• parking
• access to the CBD area for residents
• the implications of establishing and supporting a night time economy including safety at night, lighting in and around the CBD area and traffic flow (including taxis, Ubers, buses, bikes as well as private cars)

Discussions have been lively around the use of the Corso area and whether outdoor dining and more live music outdoors and in venues should be considered along with better placement of public furniture and signage.

Council staff and elected representatives are also involved in separate consultations.

Most of the representatives on this Community Working Group attend our Forum monthly meetings and welcome your thoughts and ideas.