A BRIGHTER 2022... THE RESILIENCE OF THE NORTHERN BEACHES COMMUNITY HAS ONCE AGAIN BEEN ON DISPLAY. OUR ABILITY TO BOUNCE BACK FROM LOCKDOWNS, OUR ABILITY TO GET BACK TO NORMAL LIFE AND MORE RECENTLY OUR ABILITY TO HELP EACH OTHER IN THE FACE OF DEVASTATING FLOODS HAS REMINDED ALL OF US WHAT A FANTASTIC COMMUNITY WE ARE ALL PART OF. SEEING THE RESILIENCE OF OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES, SHOPS, CAFES AND RESTAURANTS HAS BEEN REMARKABLE. I continue to work closely with our local business community, and welcome the opening of international borders which will reunite family and friends and boost international tourism opportunities. Historically, only 4% of overnight visitors to Manly have been international tourists. This is something we need to do better at. Special mention to Charlotte Rimmer, President of the Manly Business Chamber whom I nominated and was recently awarded the Local Woman of the Year Award for all her hard work and dedication to helping businesses in the Manly electorate to thrive even during the difficult times!
BUILDING A BETTER TOURISM INDUSTRY FOR MANLY The Covid Recovery Taskforce I formed in late 2022 has developed into an exciting new entity called Experience Manly. Experience Manly is a not-for-profit organisation that will help secure funding for events and initiatives to showcase Manly and its surrounds to the world. This will help increase our tourism industry which has operated well below the average for nearly a decade. The key objectives are to reactivate the Manly CBD and
engage local businesses, improve destination awareness, increase visitation and spending, boost economic recovery and social connection. The first event will start mid-April. You can expect some exciting things like light art, projection mapping, oversized signage, street scrabble, a street maze, concerts, outdoor cinema and more!
FORMER MANLY HOSPITAL SITE UPDATE The old Manly Hospital site has been busy with construction activity over the past few months as Australia’s first hospice for young adults is built. The major concrete pour has occurred and the second floor of the facility is now visible. This marks a significant milestone in the development of the $19.5 million project, dedicated to caring for young people from across NSW with a lifelimiting illness. The facility will provide young people and their families with a tranquil, supportive environment at the most difficult of times by providing respite care, counselling, symptom management and end-of-life care. Construction of the facility is due for completion later this year. The remainder of the former hospital site will be converted into a community health and wellbeing precinct.
MANLY COVE UPGRADE I spoke recently in Parliament about the upgrade project for Manly Cove. Plans released in December show how Manly will benefit from $205 million in Maritime stimulus spending. The existing Wharf 3 wooden jetty will be upgraded with a new hydraulic platform with a waiting area that will have fixed seating and weather protection with proper accessible gangways.
James Griffin The project also includes enhancing the former sea life aquarium site by removing the aquarium building and reconnecting the Pavilion and heritage building with the promenade. There is also an opportunity to improve public waterfront access with the possibility of a small wharf for recreational vessels. Detailed environmental studies will form part of the environmental impact assessment for both projects to identify potential environmental impacts at an early stage in the project development. You can keep up-to-date and have a look at the interactive portal by visiting www.caportal.com.au/tfnsw/manly-cove
DELIVERING FOR OUR COMMUNITY Some news you might have missed: • The $3.89 million upgrade of North Head National Park scenic area is nearing completion • Harbord Kindergarten will get a new upgraded playground • Northern Beaches Secondary College will receive $31,790 for a new hightech plasma cutter so they can learn important future trade skills • Important work to rehabilitate Harbord and Curl Curl Lagoon will continue thanks to a $50,000 grant provided to the Northern Beaches Council Finally, I will continue to work hard to deliver for our community. If there is anything I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to contact my office. •
JAMES GRIFFIN, MP MEMBER FOR MANLY NSW MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND HERITAGE FB & INSTA @JAMESGRIFFINMP // www.jamesgrifnmp.com Social // 33
