Manly Wharf 3 Upgrade

The old timber wharf at Manly is set for an upgrade before the end of this year following the most recent state budget. This project is part of the $205 million NSW Government funding for maritime infrastructure and safety upgrades. Community consultation on the project has concluded and the various investigations around the wharf area have also been completed.

The upgraded wharf will be designed to:

• Improve access for mobility impaired customers and customers with prams.
• Improve customer amenity such as protection from the wind, rain and sun, seating and waiting areas.
• Quicker and more efficient boarding and disembarking.
• Improve pedestrian access around the wharf.
• More efficient interchange with other modes of public and private transport.
• Consideration of Manly place making opportunities

Former Aquarium site

The State Budget also locked in $4.3million in funding to demolish the old Aquarium site and create new open space on our Harbour. Since the Aquarium was closed in 2018, it has remained vacant and been declared not fit for any reuse. The building is dilapidated, still housing the custom built tanks and enclosures, rapidly deteriorating not easily adapted to a future new use. It also blocks sight lines to the heritage buildings behind.

After extensive consultation the State Government has developed designs which create a new public space area for relaxing and recreation right on the Harbour. The proposal includes removing the aquarium building and extending the boardwalk with enough width for outdoor dining and a recreational edge with access to the water. This proposal would provide a safe, family friendly space which maintains and celebrates the local heritage of the area.

The NSW Government has concluded environmental investigations and is currently preparing the Environmental Impact Report required prior to the works commencing. Consultation on the final design will occur in the coming months, with demolition to be underway before the end of the year.

This design does not include a boardwalk from Manly Wharf to Federation Point proposed by a local Councillor and costed at $12million by the Northern Beaches Council.

North Head National Park

If it ever stops raining long enough the works at North Head will be completed soon, with new footpaths, lookouts and bus stops installed.

The upgrade was expected to be completed by June 2022, however the works include;

• the reconfiguration of car parks to provide more accessible parking spaces and overflow parking
• extending the open landscape by reducing carpark areas to provide a space for visitors to enjoy views across the harbour
• the installation of pedestrian crossings and a pedestrian path to improve safety, access and pedestrian circulation
• upgrades to the existing bus stop, including shelter and seating
• improvements to the entry of the Fairfax Walking Track.

Manly Village Public School

Our local Primary School, Manly Village, received more than $5 million in the State Budget to expand the teaching space for students at the School. This funding is being used to refurbish the former Manly Community Centre on Wentworth Street and will become a part of the School.

The repurposing of the former Manly Community Centre for the School is wonderful to see and a good use of the building which may have otherwise been sold or used for other purposes.

Photo credit: NSW government https://www.budget.nsw.gov.au/