The Manly Chamber does much work behind the scenes that many of our members and the community at large don’t know anything about.
This is our chance to tell you how we are working within Manly to make it a great place to do business.
Some of the big wins we have achieved recently include:
The Corso Upgrade
Completed in two stages taking a total of 12 months and incurring a spend of over $9 million , the Corso upgrade has seen a marked improvement of the Manly precinct when travelling from the Wharf to the beachfront and back.
Initiated by the Chamber, who lobbied Council and secured the spend with involvement from the Manly Centre Manager, this has served to increase the value of the business precinct and all businesses within it.
The North Steyne footpath extension
To be completed in October 2009, this project will see the North Steyne pavement extend a further two metres into the street and be freshly renovated to mirror the pavement enjoyed at South Steyne.
Initiated by the Chamber, who lobbied Council and secured the spend, with involvement from the Manly Centre Manager, this will see the Manly beachfront present a renovated and balanced face, lifting the value of the whole area.
In response to this upgrade the Steyne Hotel is in the process of applying to Council to place outdoor seating in this area and new businesses, like the high class resturant China Doll, are taking up leasing opportunities to enter the precinct.
Changes to the 2009 Food and Wine Festival
The Chamber suggested to Council the following event inclusions which contributed to the success of the 2009 event:
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The celebrity chef demonstration and cook off concept held in the Grand Marquee to great success. This also included a book signing element.
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A total of 12 local retailers were excited to participate in the suggested Designers Market opportunity and reported good trade.
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It was also suggested that local catering companies should be given the opportunity to participate. One local caterer did participate which is a good start however next year we will work with Council to ensure this is offered to all next year for a wider and better result.
These added elements, blessed by the perfect weather, created a second dimension to the entire festival, which successfully offered attendees entertainment beyond just drinking and eating.
We are already thinking about next year and:
- the Chamber feels that the coffee and chocolate corner which was not considered could be considered again next year;
- we would like to suggest next year, that all Manly cafes, restaurants and bars be given the opportunity to participate, with Council vetting the applicants based on previous participation, variety of food and compliance with the Manly Councils terms and conditions. The Mainstreet office is willing to help with distribution, as it seems to have the most current database of operators.
Dressing of the Sydney Water works on Darley Road
Sydney Water are undertaking major works to the sewer that runs underneath the north bound lane of Darley Road between Ashburner Street and Wentworth Street in October. This work will take approximately nine months, with a 7 month period between Victoria Parade and Wentworth Street followed by a two month period between Victoria Parade and Ashbuner Street.
This work is classed as necessary and must take place. However, it will cause disruption to the Manly CBD and to those businesses on Darley Road in particular.
With this in mind, the Chamber contacted Sydney Water and successfully negotiated a solution to visually improve the area to provide some recompense for the affected businesses.
This involved erecting a timber hording around the site dressed with vinyl signage skins of the shop fronts obstructed by the Sydney Water worksite and a business directory listing on each end of the hording as well as lighting and tree scaping on the interior.
All businesses were consulted throughout this process. This solution provided a better athethetic and noise solution for the nine month period and Sydney Water over $60,000. An spend the Chamber positioned with Sydney Water as an investment back into the businesses whom they were disrupting.
Chamber also succesfully lobied Council for the waiver of outsdise dining fees for the affected businesses during this time.
