A quick look at the Fees and Charges pages on the NBC website reveals that Council gets substantial revenue from various commercial activities happening on Manly and Shelly Beaches. Outlined in the Fees and Charges pages the fees vary according to whether the activities are considered Minor, Medium or High Impact and also take into account seasonal fluctuation.

The Surf Schools, Diving companies, Snorkel tour groups, Surf safety and education groups, the Volley ball association, Exercise groups, and the Beach Equipment hire company each pay a significant fee. One organisation pays an annual fee of $25,000, while another pays a monthly fee of $6000 and yet others pay for a one off licence or permit fee of $2,600.

There is also a separate fee structure for minor, medium and major events held on the beachfront ranging from $1,000 to $28,500.

Even the advertising on the Flags at the end of the Corso attracts a fee is $2,200 for six weeks. These fees add up to substantial revenue for the Council over the year. Perhaps some of these funds could be put aside to improve and update the beachfront promenade and implement the landscape plan for Shelly (especially since the new amenities block had a big budget blowout).

Certainly most would agree the bins could be collected more frequently on busy sunny days, but the garden beds along South Steyne and elsewhere could use some TLC, the showers could be fixed, even some new showers could installed, and the memorial plaques around the Norfolk Pine trees could be cleaned up and better maintained.

And the diving platforms and surrounding soft fall at Shelly could definitely do with replacement and upgrade since they were installed 20 years ago.