The future plans for this entire site are closer to finalisation.

The State Government, which owns the former hospital site, has applied to Northern Beaches Council to expand the site’s zoning “to allow a range of additional permitted uses … to facilitate the delivery of a health and well-being precinct”. There is general acceptance of the plan except for the inclusion of ‘seniors’ living’ in the permitted uses.

Our concern here was that this could overtake all other aspects of services we believe are required, especially as there has been such a reduction in general aged-care services in the Manly area. In the needs analysis prepared last year, the State Government had accepted that the following was a clear community and stakeholder need and that it would work towards this aim when preparing for the expression of interest to be circulated in 2021: “Valued community connection to the natural and built heritage of the site, including support for adaptive re-use of some buildings and showcasing the views and natural landscape of the site. Resistance to the use of the site for private and long-term residential uses, and strong community views that the site should not be sold to private developers, who will not necessarily deliver strong community benefits.”

Please read the detail on the Council website here and provide your comments directly to the NSW Government with any necessary follow up to us.