The new high-rise development in Whistler St is 4.71 metres higher than the max height of 25m permitted in the 2013 Manly Local Environment Plan (MLEP). This height increase was initially not supported by the local Planning panel but subsequently approved by the L&E Court. This 7-storey new development is across the way from the 19 storey Manly National Building which was initially built as a hotel, later reverting to an apartment block which represented the beginning of the former Manly Council adopting the current building height restriction of 25m in the CBD. As the land values increase and ownership of the various buildings change, we can expect more DAs in the future that will challenge the heights of these buildings currently designated AT 25M in the 2013 Manly Local Environment Plan. There are a number of DAs currently in the system for the CBD, in particular a DA(s) for consideration for the Steyne Hotel as well as the Royal Far West site further down the Steyne, both challenging the height restrictions. The NBC is now actively considering a new Local Environment Plan as part of its ‘harmonising’ process that may remove these restrictions and change the look of Manly and immediately provide a substantial uplift in value for all the CBD properties.