As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on this year which has been marked by strong attendance numbers, even through the winter months, at our monthly meetings at the Manly Yacht Club. Whilst the time and day doesn’t suit everyone, we have continued to deliver the newsletter, and many have written to us about various issues. Thanks to all the volunteers who have helped keep the wheels turning.

The year started with the Councillors agreeing to seek a rate rise. This was controversial and the MCF, collaborating with other community groups and the Manly Business Chamber, made submissions not supporting the proposed increase. In June IPART agreed to allow NBC to increase their rates but only by half of what the Council asked for.

Early in the year we heard from Sydney Water and their plans to ‘desilt’ the 28km NSOOS tunnel that takes around 25% of Sydney’s sewage to North Head where it is processed and sent out the Deep Ocean outfalls 2.5km off North Head. This project is ongoing and we can expect more activity as the project in the tunnel progresses towards North Head. Sydney Water currently has two access points, one on North Head and one at the top of Darley Rd, both 80m down to the sewer tunnel. They continue to work on plans for additional access to the tunnel at the bottom of Darley Rd and we can anticipate something there in 2026. Community members will continue to attend the Reference Group meetings in 2026.

INSW Property announced that AVEO had been selected as their partner to redevelop the former Manly Hospital Site. They have been working away quietly completing all the necessary reports. A DA for the site will likely be submitted for consideration at the end of the first quarter in 2026. Progress on this can be followed on their website.

In the middle of the year Council began working on the Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) in accordance with the NSW State Government new Vibrancy Laws. Council has conducted four Working Groups meetings which has included all the large venue owners and managers as well as community representatives. They are now ready to submit the Planning Proposal for public exhibition early in 2026.

Throughout the MCF has been persistent in its whingeing about the state of Marine Parade and Bower Lane, particularly after the utilities finished their digging and NBC promised to ‘make good’ the footpath. Funding is available but we will have to be a little more patient while Council consolidates several projects into one and starts work early next year.

After a long wait since the announcement of the NSW State Government grant and approval for the pedestrian bridge over Manly Lagoon at Pittwater Rd we can see that Council has started work on this project.

National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Catholic church still haven’t agreed on the remediation of the heritage stone wall that marks their boundary at Collins Flat.