Council’s $19 million Manly surf club plan sparks outrage over residents’ ocean views – realestate.com.au

OPINION

There are two groups of perceived ‘villains’ and one group of heroes in the case of the Manly Life Saving Club redevelopment plan.

The first ‘bad guy’ is the Northern Beaches Council, who want to spend over $19 million on a project that many people see as overkill… especially the part about adding an extra level.

The other “villains” are the residents who complain about their loss of views… from their multimillion-dollar homes in one of the wealthiest enclaves in the country.

So here we have a battle between not so likable fighters. It’s like watching a grand final when both teams are from out of town.

The case for the city council

First consider the plight of the council, which owns The Manly Life Saving Club. It has not been renovated since the 1980s and municipalities must keep their assets.

Most plans seem reasonable. There are much-needed upgrades to changing areas and additional toilet facilities, plus improved accessibility including a lift. The green roof with solar panels could improve energy efficiency.

The project would also seek to reduce pedestrian bottlenecks on the walkway to Shelly Beach, while the flooding from surf craft that have long occupied sidewalk space would be accommodated within the structure of the new building.

An artist’s impression of the proposed new clubhouse. Image: supplied

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The size and aesthetics of the proposed new surf club are the issues on most opponents’ minds. Even if more storage space is needed and the footprint increases by “about 10 percent,” why does it need to be moved up another floor?

And then there are the costs. Will taxpayers get $19 million?

The answer to that is no. The bulk of the costs would come from federal and state government grants. To date, the council has already raised $11 million, including $5 million from the Federal Government and $1 million from the NSW Government.

Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins has said that “an approved DA provides many more opportunities to secure additional (state and federal government) grant funding to complete the project.”

The residents’ point of view

As a long-time resident of the Northern Beaches, I was confused when I first heard people complaining that their opinions were being influenced. I couldn’t figure out which residents those would be.

The club is built into the side of a cliff so that the only buildings behind it are above it, at the top of the cliff. These are already higher than where a proposed additional floor would reach.

There are apartments across the road but these face the ocean and the clubhouse does not obstruct that view in any way. That will not happen with an extra floor.

There are also apartments in the adjacent Ashburner St around the corner. But their balconies face north, along the beach. Like the east-facing apartments, the surf club is in the corner of their eye, instead of right in front of the door.

You’ve heard about NIMBYs, well I’m going to call these people NIMFOVs… ‘Not In My Field Of Vision’.

Residents in this block hang protest signs, except for those on the top two floors. Photo: Diana Jenkins

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How can anything be built, improved, upgraded or expanded if the residents rail against absolutely everything?

And at one time, when those apartment blocks were built, the single-storey houses in the blocks between Manly Beach and the harbor would have completely blocked their own views.

It seems like the problem is that everyone is a NIMBY if he or she is affected by change.

Ask the residents of Western Sydney, whose councils are tasked with all the heavy lifting when it comes to adding new housing or infrastructure, if they feel sorry for a slightly inconvenienced person who is lucky enough to live on the beach in one of the rarest and most expensive locations in not just Australia, but the world. I doubt there will be many tears shed.

Forgotten heroes

Australia’s rescuers are iconic. And what they do is in their name. They save thousands of lives every year. Some are paid, but many are volunteers.

The real heroes of this story. Photo: Joel Carrett

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They need and deserve modern facilities equipped to provide what they need.

I agree with the comment on social media that read: “My vote goes to the people who protect lives, rather than the people who protect views.”

“I know a new clubhouse is desperately needed as the current one is too small and too old. The clubhouse is for surf club members, who patrol our beaches as volunteers, to change clothes, store gear, get training and meet socially to promote a cohesive lifesaving community,” said another.

“Shall we get rid of those run-down apartment buildings instead?” someone else commented.