MANLY COMMUNITY FORUM. MINUTES OF MEETING Held at MANLY YACHT CLUB, Manly, N.S.W 2095 (7:05 pm 9:10 pm) Monday 19 March 2018

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1 MANLY COMMUNITY FORUM MINUTES OF MEETING Held at MANLY YACHT CLUB, Manly, N.S.W 2095 (7:05 pm 9:10 pm) Monday 19 March PRESENT: 66 residents (3 guests but all residents) 2 Apologies: Don & Vivienne Walker, Francie Rigg, Sarah Grattan 3 Confirmation of minutes: Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting of 19 February 2018 be confirmed and adopted. Moved Jeff Boyed Seconded Bill D Anthe 4 Announcements Manly Yacht Club Ball will be held on Friday 23 March All welcome to attend. Chairman announced that our current caterer (social convenor) is unable to continue the monthly meeting role. We are looking for someone to help with the catering for next meeting and two residents for the ongoing assistance. One volunteer offered ongoing assistance, Jeanette Priestly. We are looking for another regular organiser. Newsletter Delivery Co-ordinator Doug Carruthers is also keen to increase the delivers pool. Contact Doug on Special Request: A request was made by the Manly Daily through Pat Daley for a photograph to be taken during the meeting. A vote was taken and a substantial majority voted NO. Chairman also requested volunteers for a discussion with the MD reporter tomorrow morning. Chairman asked for volunteers to contact him before 9am Tuesday 20 th March. Action Minutes to be posted on website Chairman to liaise with volunteers and Manly Daily 5 Guests and Guest Speakers: 5.1 Guest Speaker James Griffin M P for Manly James Griffin James Griffin spoke on his achievements regarding Community Funding $700,000 for local community projects Health - $50 million investment in Community Health Centre Education Millions of dollars into public schools Transportation B-Line buses and Opal card expansion Environment $62 m for North Head Sewage Treatment Plant Social Events Surfing event resurrected in Manly Four tenants for the M.P. Humility Hard work Fairness 1

2 Optimism Mr Griffin took questions from the floor regarding: Western Harbour Tunnel Concerns about Cut and Cover method Reverse Vending machines Return and Earn Clearways along Military Road expected change Manly Hospital site need for working group and commitment from State gov t to use site for community health services Queenscliff Health Care Centre site for affordable housing Inadequate toilets in Manly commitment to upgrade Manly Wharf two new restaurants with toilet facilities Manly Police Police doing a good job. Need for more police officers Details of some of the responses follow: 1. Queenscliff Community Health Centre site Following the construction of the new $50 million Brookvale Community Health Centre, the former health centre site at North Manly (Queenscliff) will be deemed surplus to the needs of NSW Health requirements. The guiding principle for NSW Health s surplus property are that they transfer its properties at market value and sale proceeds are reinvested into the Health asset base. Sale proceeds, such as at North Manly (Queenscliff), are an important funding source for local health districts to carry out local capital initiatives that support the delivery of our public health service. The expected revenues from the North Manly property have been identified by the Northern Sydney Local Health District (LHD) or this purpose. Currently, the site will be referred by NSW Health to Property NSW for disposal. Preliminary discussions are ongoing between the Northern Beaches Council, NSW Health and Landcom on a proposed affordable housing model for the site, with parties testing feasibility of the proposed plan. 2. East Esplanade James has received a letter from the Council inviting him or his representative to sit on the NBC Community Safety Committee. We will of course be accepting this invitation. James keeps a close eye on issues of public safety, and meets with Dave Darcy regularly to discuss law and order across the entire electorate of Manly. The reinstatement of the night rangers should be a priority and Council should expedite the implementation of the East Esplanade Landscape Plan. 3. Beaches Link Tunnel By way of background, the leaked document referred to in the ABC/Fairfax press is over a year old. It does not represent the any of the work undertaken since the project was announced in May 2

3 2017, nor the significant community consultation that has taken place The Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link project team is continuing to develop the reference design and is on track to meet the NSW Government s commitment to release further information about the project by mid As part of the next stage of the project, a rigorous and comprehensive environmental assessment process will take place. The NSW Government has indicated that the environmental assessment process will take place in the second half of Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) will be placed on public exhibition and members of the community will be able to make submissions on all aspects of the project. Extensive community engagement will continue to take place across This will include community information sessions which will be held at key venues along the project alignment during the EIS display period. Information on dates, times and venues will be provided to the community when confirmed. Members of the community can continue to contact the project team at any time via telephone , whtbl@rms.nsw.gov.au or via mail, at: Roads and Maritime Services, Locked Bag 928, North Sydney NSW Otherwise my office and myself are always available on or at manly@parliament.nsw.gov.au If the ABC and Fairfax were indeed reporting in the public interest, why have they sat on this document for such a long period of time? Since this meeting and the preparation of these Minutes more information has surfaced that suggests that the NSW Government does not see the Beaches Link Tunnel as a priority project. This will be further investigated and a covering story prepared for the April newsletter. 4. Manly as a tourist destination This is a more complicated issue, as you are aware the responsibilities for many of the services are the responsibility of the Council. Other major tourist areas, including the City of Sydney, all manage to give their major tourist destinations the proper community infrastructure. The NSW Government is responsible for significant areas of the Manly precinct the maintenance and future costs of the Manly Wharf for example, as well as contributing to major events such as the Vissla Sydney Surf Pro. If the Forum believes there is an ongoing shortage of maintenance and upgrades of their local parks, they should first contact their Manly Ward Councillors. The Council has some outstanding works, including the East Esplanade Landscape Plan and the Ivanhoe Park Botanic Garden Landscape Masterplan, which should 3

4 alleviate the tired nature of some areas. Additionally by way of background the NSW Government contributed $15 million to Northern Beaches Council when they amalgamated to assist with maintenance, parks and other local projects. This was received as part of the Stronger Communities Fund how the Council has allocated this across the Peninsula is a matter for the Council and can be taken up through the Manly Ward Councillors. In October 2017, Cr Pat Daley proposed a strategy to transform the Manly precinct into a sophisticated, world-class destination. We will take the matter up directly with Councillor Daley. Also, through the Joint Community Forum Group discussions a meeting is planned with Council staff to overview the maintenance and general appearance issues residents have with the Manly CBD area. That meeting has been deferred by Council and is now planned for 13 th April. 5. Brookvale Oval Brookvale Oval is a Council-owned property. In August of 2017 the Council released their draft Structure Plan for Brookvale, which omitted the Brookvale Oval site. Reason why is a question for the Councillors and the Council staff. It is my understanding that the Council is exploring development opportunities for the site. The NSW Government has made a significant investment to the club, as well as other communities across NSW directly benefiting from the announcement of $50 million in funding allocated towards community facilities and Centres of Excellence for NSW NRL clubs. The NSW NRL Centres of Excellence Program was originally announced in April 2016 and supports local sporting stars and communities through the development of multi-purpose sports centres. The Sea Eagles were offered up to $10 million for a Centre of Excellence at Brookvale, and the funding reservation has been made whilst they further develop their Centre of Excellence proposals with the Office of Sport. This is an ongoing matter for the Club, in conjunction with the Office of Sport and Northern Beaches Council. MCF COMMENT We understand that the Council is exploring development opportunities for the oval site. Where are we on this issue? This matter will be directed through the Manly ward Councillors. Gocher Court, Cove Avenue Manly. A question was raised with our Local member on the availability at this site. One local resident has had ongoing frustrations in getting his application addressed by Community Housing NSW. Nearby 4

5 residents believe that there are many units in the complex unoccupied. We understand that the question has been posed to the appropriate Ministerial area of State Govt and we are waiting on a response. Meanwhile good applicants, as distinct from some of the unworthy tenants in the site, are relying upon charity and couch surfing for accommodation. Full details of Mr Griffin s report and answers to questions posed at the meeting and before will be published on our website. 5.2 Northern Beaches Councillors in attendance: Candy Bingham, Pat Daley, Stuart Sprott Councils addressed East Esplanade Reserve drinking issues. See Responses from Council to Questions for March 6.1 Rialto Lane Proposed changes Proposed changes to the loading zone in Rialto Lane to close access from 10:00am until 6:00am have been changed to cater to the needs of the businesses and residents in the lane. Changes will not take place. NBC Council, Manager Transport Network replied: The Rialto Lane project is to improve pedestrian safety and includes safe by design hostile vehicle mitigation works. There will be improvements to the pedestrian crossing between the Peninsula Plaza and The Corso which has been the site of numerous near miss incidents. And again: There will be no change to the access to the lane or the number of loading zone areas and definitely no impact on the access by residents to the Peninsula Building. I think there is a fair bit of miss information going around at the moment and we are currently revising the concept of the improvements and will be forwarding the updated concept out this week to the residents and adjoining commercial premises for comment. The new concept addresses the concerns raised previously with myself by the representatives of the Peninsula Building and local businesses. As soon as I receive the concept plan I will forward it out for comment. Resident and Member of the Peninsula Apartments Executive Committee, Brian Fitzgerald spoke to the meeting and advised that the Concept Plan had been received late that afternoon. The plan appears to address all issues, but still they question the relevance of the background that instigated the proposed changes, namely, many near misses and accidents at the entry/exit areas and whether the laneway is really suitable for the proposed development of cafes. The matter is now left with the Council and Peninsula Body Corporate Executives. 6.3 Public Toilets in the Manly area. What are the details of what is planned for the public conveniences in the Manly area? We have asked Sarah Grattan to provide an update, but would appreciate some detail on exactly what action is planned and has been taken, i.e., which toilets require a makeover, which 5

6 toilets have had work done and whether additional facilities are planned. Council has already done refurbishments to the Manly Library toilets and the toilets under the Pantry in the last 6 months. Additionally, the Marine Parade toilets (walk to Shelley Beach) have been fully replaced and were opened in October last year. It is also planned to renew the North Harbour Reserve Amenities in June this year. There are other amenities renewal occurring in the greater Northern Beaches area this financial year, but not in the former Manly area. In the plan for next financial year provisionally is the refurbishment of the Manly SLSC toilets and potentially the East Esplanade toilets (depending on timing and progression of the masterplan). We appreciate the Council response but express disappointment that other public toilets in the Manly area are not part of the immediate upgrade needs, namely, Whistler St carpark ( old, grotty, smelly and suggest a danger to use.) Rialto Square ;( in better condition but heavily utilised and often filthy) and the Manly Library toilet is not cleaned regularly enough given the heavy use by families. The East Esplanade toilets (2) unisex only; have been the subject of extensive media and public debate. The upgrade and extension of these toilets must be a priority issue. Also advice from Council was that the issue of toilets at Little Manly Point Park was to form part of the Plan of Management for the Beach and Point Reserve facilities. This is due mid year. 6.4 Manly Hospital Site post October 2018 ( please refer to further comments and responses in 7.2) Councillor Bingham has already committed to requesting Council to arrange an update from State Health Infrastructure. As well as the suggested presentation from State Health we also suggest that Council have a brief presentation from the community experts working with this Forum who have prepared what they believe is a workable plan to move this community and our Council into a better position to maintain this iconic site. Council response: There is a working group that includes Councillors and State MPs on the future of this site, but I do not believe there has been agreement on its future use at this time. Should part or all of this site be proposed to be transferred to Council s management, I believe that my area of Council would be involved in the impacts and requirements of this, and at this time we have not been asked to assess this. This request through our Minutes of February 2018 was intended to seek a confirmation of the requested meeting between Council and State Health authority ( refer Joint Forum Minutes and request to Councillor Bingham to arrange a commitment presentation to Council) The concern expressed in previous Joint Forum and Manly Community Forum meetings is that Council should be playing a leading role in the establishment of the previously guaranteed ( by consecutive State Premiers) future use of this site for public use and 6

7 the provision of health services. The second part is to provide Council with what has been achieved by community groups towards a suitable outcome. This may well offer other suitable suggestions that do not form part of the current NSW Health Infrastructure proposals. 6.5 Maintenance and Upgrade of the Manly CBD/Corso and surrounding areas. This issue was briefly discussed at our February meeting but given more prominence at the Joint Forum meeting and then through a suggested Motion to Council by Councillor Pat Daley. A preliminary meeting was planned for early March, delayed several times due to conflicting schedules and now listed for a walk-through of the areas of concern with senior Council staff and three representatives of community forums, namely Hudspith, Burns and Mathieson. Meeting is now scheduled for Friday 13 th April. We will report on the findings at our April MCF meeting. This meeting would include maintenance of all infrastructure, signage, general appearance of landscaping, trees and vegetation, with particular attention to the gateway areas of Manly. 7 Business Arising from Previous Meeting 7.1 East Esplanade Reserve Discussion took place regarding the pros and cons of extending the drinking hours at East Esplanade Reserve. Residents were again asked to vote on two options: Option 1: Make East Esplanade Reserve an Alcohol Prohibited Zone and limit drinking from 8:00am until 8:00pm. Option 2: Make East Esplanade Reserve an Alcohol Free Zone Residents voted 31 for Option 1 and 29 for Option 2. Councillors were asked to address the issue of drinking and curfew at East Esplanade Reserve and present their views regarding East Esplanade Reserve. Councillors have put forth two motions as above. This issue will be discussed and voted on at Council Meeting Tuesday 27 March Stuart Sprott and Pat Daley supported an Alcohol Free Zone, 24/7. Candy Bingham and Sarah Grattan supported extended drinking hours at the reserve but with police and/or ranger patrols. Residents also expressed a need for the reestablishment of the Safety committee in the Northern Beaches area particular Manly to stop binge drinking and poly drug use. A summary of works completed and update on expected start and completion dates for all works in East Esplanade Reserve and Marine Parade and Little Manly Beach/Point was provided by Manager Park Assets, as follows: The design for raising of the road kerb has been completed and procurement is underway. We anticipate work to commence in 6 weeks. The heritage exemption for adjusting the kerb has been received. This will include the construction of a new pit and pipe. 7

8 The design for the kerb along the sitting wall has been completed and we are procuring the materials at the moment. We anticipate that construction will start in approximately three to four weeks as resources are freed up from a seawall project in Avalon. East Esplanade stormwater outlet the concept design that was presented to you is now in a proof of concept stage, which means the engineers are testing the validity of the option to perform the intended purpose. It is anticipated that a more detailed design will be prepared over the next 12 months and works to follow after that based on priority with other stormwater projects. The restoration of the memorial will commence in late May 2018 The irrigation is currently fully functional per its design and is used three times a week coming on from 2.30am until 4am as is our standard practice for these type of reserves. Other works in East Esplanade will be undertaken next financial year. This will include design for the toilets and investigation of synthetic turf for the boat rigging area. South Steyne stormwater outlet the concept design for this critical outlet has progressed well and community engagement will commence in the next two months. Marine Pde tenders for the landscaping works have been received and are being assessed. It is anticipated that works on site will commence in early May. Little Manly Masterplan still commencing in May Key issues to address is pedestrian and vehicular safety around the boat ramp, connectivity, provision of facilities in Little Manly Point and planning the site to cope with existing and future uses as determined by the community. Ivanhoe Park design and priority actions to implement the Ivanhoe Park Masterplan will commence in July These updates are very much appreciated by the Forum and subsequently by all residents when communicated via our newsletter. Thank you Manager Park Assets. 7.2 Manly Hospital A Steering Committee has been established to undertake a Needs Analysis regarding the health care needs of the community. Big Bear Cottage is on the table. Initially, Mental Health services will be moved to Frenchs Forest and Brookvale. Chairman reported as follows: THE MANLY HOSPITAL SITE POST OCTOBER 2018 Project Steering Advisory Committee established with good community input from: Adele Heasman, Kathryn Ridge, Sue Sacker, Amanda Farrar, Michael Regan, David Kerr, Denise Keen & Myself. Darryl Dobe & Lubo Kelesiv were included in the initial discussions but the working groups were deemed not required for the next phase.( Consultants, Engineers, Architects and NSW Health and Health Infrastructure personnel mainly) 8

9 Next meeting in April 2018 will determine whether studies and plans are on track. Developments will include interactive website for community consultation and input. The Principles established by NSW Health are: 1. The community will have continuing access to the site for socialisation/recreational activities and use of the public and private services. 2. The rainforest area of the site will be permanently reserves and transferred to the Sydney Harbour National Park. 3. The services developed on the site will contribute to the health, wellbeing and care of the community. 4. The services provided from the site will address a defined community need for which there are tangible and ongoing social benefits. 5. A diverse range of services and partnerships will be pursued which leverage the greatest collective value for the community. 6. The services and infrastructure proposals for the site must demonstrate financial sustainability (demonstrate self-generation of funding.) 7.3 North Head Sewage Treatment Plant Chairman asked the question is anyone detecting odours? And what action do you wish the MCF to take on your behalf? Many residents are well ware of the truck odours, but few notice the drift of odours from the plant. Residents associated with the North Head Sanctuary Foundation and the school on the Artillery site know of the regular drift especially in low wind days and easterly and NEasterly breezes. There is also general concern with the amount of dividend extracted from Sydney Water without establishment of a reserve for secondary treatment at the plant and a growing concern with the damage to our oceans, whether the pollutants are carried away by the East Australian Current or not. They are polluting the ocean and all developed countries and our own States, have accepted that they cannot treat the ocean as a sewer dump, not the NSW Government. Their own scientific examination of the contaminants in the ocean suggests that the sewage is not damaging sea life/animals. However, they don t test for some contaminants, including micro plastics and POPs, with some control on PCBs. Fifteen years ago the State Government saw improved treatment as essential, now it has become too hard, too costly and until the voters are directly impacted by sewage ( remember the POO marches) then we can only rely upon our EPA, who do not see a need to upgrade the licensing conditions for Sydney Water and accept the scientific evidence currently available through SW s our scientific team. The NHSTP is providing some upgrade, mainly to improve process, but not reduce pollutants to the ocean to any degree. It will slightly improve odours at the plant. 7.4 Clean-Up Australia Day 100 people participated in the Clean- Up Australia Day. ¼ ton of garbage was collected from East Esplanade, Little Manly beach, Little 9

10 Manly reserve and Collins Flat beach 7.6 Speed Boats in Little Manly and Little Manly Cove Residents expressed concern with lack of restrictions on speedboats in Manly Cove and Little Manly Cove. MCF again asks that Council discuss the situation with RMS and determine whether a suitable exclusion zone can be established in both Little Manly and Manly Cove. The popularity of small to medium speed boats is growing substantially and many users do not understand the dangers they create from boats and propellers. 7.7 Boat Ramp and Pool at Little Manly The boat ramp at Little Manly has had some maintenance of the gabon baskets holding the supporting rocks, under the ramp. Not all work could be carried out because of the tides. Wire baskets will again provide a danger to ramp users and swimmers MCF asks that Council provide an update on uncompleted works. It is also evident that the pool fencing and bars are in need of maintenance. Broken bars, heavy oyster growth and a ladder that is a danger to swimmers. 8 New Business 8.1 Tattoo Parlour proposed to locate on Darley Road DA 2018/0284 Residents and Police have opposed the establishment of a tattoo parlour at 24A Darley Road Police have advised that they are completing a submission against the proposal and have serious concerns with public safety. This Forum also registered a submission and we await Council response. Public notice was only provided to immediate residents. All residents expressed concern, with the known notoriety of Tattoo Parlours and gang activity and the closeness to our main Public School and residential area. MCF awaits Council response. 9 Date of Next Meeting Monday 16 April Meeting Closed Meeting finished at 9:10 10