business - 2026-05-20

Manly Community Forum flags 2026 milestones for rates, sewer tunnel works and Manly Hospital redevelopment

Source: www.manlycommunityforum.com

The Manly Community Forum (MCF) says a string of projects affecting the Manly area are set to progress in 2026, including more activity linked to Sydney Water works near North Head, a development application for the former Manly Hospital site, and a public exhibition for Northern Beaches Council’s Special Entertainment Precinct planning proposal. In a year-end reflection, the forum said its monthly meetings at the Manly Yacht Club drew strong attendance, including through winter. While the time and day does not suit everyone, the group said it continued producing its newsletter and received written feedback from residents on a range of issues. MCF also thanked volunteers for supporting its work through the year. One of the first major issues in 2025 was Northern Beaches Council’s move to seek a rate rise. MCF described the proposal as controversial and said it worked with other community groups and the Manly Business Chamber to make submissions opposing the proposed increase. In June, IPART agreed to allow Northern Beaches Council to increase rates, but only by half of what the council asked for. The forum also flagged ongoing Sydney Water work to ‘desilt’ the 28-kilometre NSOOS...