Mayor's Weekly Message

Revitalising Manly will benefit Manly and (not cost) the ratepayer...

21 Apr 2016

The Manly2015 mixed-use redevelopment of the old, run-down Whistler Street carpark site and construction of a new underground car park will cost Manly ratepayers nothing.Library and Theatre complex and ground floor common piazza level looking towards Whistler Street

The Manly2015 urban renewal project is a completely self-funding project, and will even result in council having money to spare!

Contrary to the endless disinformation being fed to the community, no special rates will ever need to be raised to fund any part of the Manly2015 urban renewal project and no long-term loan financing will be required.

The tenders accepted by Council to complete the Manly2015 project will see the new carpark built by Albergeldie Complex Infrastructure for $27.8 million, an amount easily covered by an up-front cash payment by Built Development Group and Athas Holdings of $37.5 million for a 99-year lease on the Whistler Street carpark development site.

The scope of the mixed-use redevelopment of the Whistler Street site under the 99 year lease incorporates:

  • a magnificent new, state-of-the-art top floor Manly Library space complete with workrooms, meeting rooms, theatre and offices totalling 2,100 square metres,
  • 1,200 square metres of public multipurpose space,
  • a much-needed cinema, and
  • an additional 50 public parking spaces, including 15 disabled parking spaces.

The long-term 99-year leasing of the Whistler Street site for Built Development Group and Athas Holdings is ‘inter-generationally equitable’ because, while its value can be released by the up-front payment of rent, the entire site will remain in public ownership.

Moreover, the transformation of the Whistler Street site and the larger carpark under Manly Oval will deliver exponential economic gains to local retail, commercial and community stakeholders.

The Manly2015 Masterplan, by focusing on mixed-use redevelopment of the Whistler Street car park and associated sites, will not only address the growing demand for retail in Manly, but the new underground carpark that replaces the old Whistler Street carpark could attract up to $15 million of retail expenditure per year to the Manly CBD, or $300 million in 2013 dollars over 20 years.

The Manly2015 Masterplan is a win-win for Manly!

For full details, see Council’s website.

 Jean Hay AM

Back to listing