The NSW Department of Planning has now made their Determination and approved the Northern Beaches Council Planning Proposal for the rezoning of the Former Manly Hospital site into a Health and Wellbeing precinct. Previously zoned for a hospital only, development of the site can now include:

• a Health and Wellbeing precinct facilitating the renewal of health care uses on the site and to provide additional uses such as group homes, seniors housing, community facilities, respite day care centre and education establishments, catering for a diverse community. (Note: Seniors housing is designed to meet the needs of seniors and people with disability and includes residential care facilities – sometimes also known as nursing homes or aged care homes where residents receive full-time care. It also includes Independent living units – apartments or villas for seniors and people with disability where residents can live independently or in hostels including single or shared residential accommodation staffed by support workers.)
• Protection and conservation of the site’s ecological and heritage values.
• Amendment to the Manly Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2013 and the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) (Precincts – Eastern Harbour City) 2021 to facilitate these changes.

Prior to the final exhibition Property NSW (the State Government) is required to update the Concept Master Plan to include indicative built form modelling, demonstrating the maximum building heights and gross floor areas of the proposed development on site.

The Concept Master Plan is required to demonstrate the land use mix including, that no single land use exceeds 50% of the Gross Floor Area of the overall development. The proposal ensures the preservation of significant bushland areas identified as endangered ecological communities in the adjoining National Park as well as adapting and reusing heritage items which enhances both built and environmental heritage.

The Department of Planning agreed that the proposal aligns with regional and district plans, as it supports infrastructure, liveability, productivity, and sustainability goals in the area by enhancing the utility of existing infrastructure, facilitating health and educational services.

The proposal underwent several rounds of submissions and revisions following feedback from the Department of Planning to get to this determination. Property NSW now has 12 months, with a completion date of 30 April 2025 to make the changes to the LEP and to update the Concept Master Plan.

Community consultation will continue to be a key part of the process to ensure the needs and concerns of residents are addressed.