FAQ's

As at 28 February 2014

WHAT IS MANLY2015?

Manly2015 is focused on creating a Village Centre with vibrant public spaces that support community building and village life.

The three key components of the 2015 Masterplan include:

  • the replacement of Whistler Street carpark with an 760 space carpark below Manly Oval,
  • the revitalisation of the streets and laneways outside of the Corso, (including Short Street, Henrietta Lane, Raglan Street and Sydney Road) and;
  • a new multi-purpose Village Centre site development providing community and expanded library facilities, mixed retail and residential.

The full potential of the Manly2015 Masterplan cannot be realised without relocating the Whistler Street Carpark to the Oval. By moving the carpark we will create a pedestrian friendly village centre for locals and visitors.

IS MANLY2015 FINANCIALY VIABLE?

  • The Oval carpark will be paid for from the sale of the existing Whistler Street Carpark and from parking revenue.
  • Independent Global Consultants, KPMG have concluded that the Oval Carpark is affordable and have indicated they stand by their report.
  • As recommended by KMPG, the sale of the Whistler Car Park site will achieve revenues to enable Council to substantially reduce its borrowing liabilities.
  • Manly Council will not be introducing any new special levies to pay for Manly2015.
  • The public domain improvements for streetscapes in Manly2015 will be paid for and funded over a period of years from existing Town Centre Improvement Local Rate.
  • The proposed stormwater detention facility next to the Manly Oval Car Park will be financed from the existing stormwater levy.
  • Council has lodged a Capital Expenditure Review submission to the Division of Local Government for its review which includes a further independent assessment of Councils financials.

WILL WE LOSE TWO HOURS FREE PARKING?

  • No - Council has made repeated statements in workshops and in the Manly Daily that it is committed to continuing to provide free 2 hour parking at all Council parking stations into the future.

WHY IS MANLY 2015 GOOD FOR BUSINESSES AND THE LOCAL ECONOMY?

 A number of economic benefits have been identified as being likely to result from the implementation of the Manly2015 Masterplan.

  • A report undertaken by HILL PDA concluded that the net increase in car parking spaces could attract an additional $15m of retail expenditure per annum to the Manly Town Centre to the benefit of existing businesses.
  • Over a 20 year period this could lead to an increase of close to $300m in 2013 dollars.
  • The Hill PDA report It further identified that the redevelopment of the Whistler Street car park and other sites in the vicinity (which can only be achieved if the Manly Oval carpark is completed) has the potential to generate the following benefits for Manly:
    • There could be more than 50 new residential dwellings (on this site) for locals generating an additional $1.6m in retail expenditure per annum;
    • Close to $15m of construction works leading to the generation of 42 jobs years and an increase in demand for local goods (in the order of $120,000 per annum) from construction workers alone;
    • The provision of additional ground floor retail (on whistler Street on the site of the current Whistler Street Car Park) would also provide opportunities for new businesses and a complementary mix of food retailers and services for locals;
    •  Once fully developed, these retail and commercial facilities could generate in the order of 100 operational jobs that in turn would generate an additional $290,000 annually in retail  expenditure; and
    • The mixed use redevelopment of key sites within Whistler Street could generate approximately $15m in additional investment to the economy and an additional $34m in production and consumption induced multipliers.

HOW DOES IMPROVING STREETSCAPES IMPROVE MY BUSINESS?

According to a report undertaken by Hill PDA:

  • Improvements to the public domain can boost pedestrian footfall and trading by up to 40%, and 98% during weekday evenings;
  • Investing in better streets and public places which, in turn,  improves walking and cycling accessibility, can increase retail sales by 30%;
  • Good quality urban design is likely to increase the value of land within the nominated area by well in excess of the amount initially invested.

WHY DO WE NEED A NEW LARGER CAR PARK AND WHY CAN’T WE JUST UPDATE THE CURRENT CAR PARK IN WHISTLER STREET?

  • Manly 2015 aims to future proof Manly for the decades to come and provide a car park which will cater for projected parking demand up to and beyond 2033.
  • The location of the Car Park under Manly Oval aims to capture the majority of vehicular traffic coming into Manly preventing these vehicles congesting the CBD area itself making the CBD more pedestrian, bike and shopper friendly.
  • Council has options to relocate current permanent Parking from its other Car Parks in the CBD to the new Car Manly Oval Car Park and will prioritise street parking for local residents. This will be advantageous for local shoppers.