Back in January I put a post up on the NSW Windsurfing Forum about Manly Council's decision to sell off public open space at Little Manly beach for development. It appears the Council is looking at a bit more than that. As far back as April 2012 their Harbour Foreshores and Coastline Management Committee were discussing the closure of the Craig Avenue boat ramp. Curiously the meeting minutes suggest considering an alternative at the end of Stuart Street. I say curiously because the Southern end of Stuart street is a cliff (in fact it's Manly's jump rock) and the northern end is the 16ft Skiff club and a rock ledge, so not sure exactly how that would work.

Also, the Council is pressing on with the rezoning and sale of the properties at Little Manly, adjacent the boat ramp, so even if the ramp stays the lawn area for hose-down, meeting, rigging, etc is going. These properties have been zoned as public open space since 1940s and the intention for the last 70 years has been to acquire them to create a public reserve. Currently Manly Council owns all but one, however rather than acquire the final property some of the Councillors have decided they can make a quick buck by selling them off (as we have too much public open space in Manly??). Exhibition of this proposal finishes today. I've made a submission against the proposal (along with a few others), so at least they might have to consider a public consultation.

Anyway, if you are a user of the boatramp or Little Manly beach, you may want to say something to Manly Council. Or you can go to: savelittlemanlybeach.com

The link to my original post is: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/New-South-Wales/No-Privatisation-of-Little-Manly-Beach/

Happy boating!

David Howe
AUS-688

gee... Manly sure has it all going for it....what are they all drinking over there....