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Wakerley Homeowners Face One of Brisbane’s Biggest Rate Rises Under New Budget

Wakerley residents are among the biggest losers in Brisbane City Council’s latest budget, with homeowners facing a 7.47 per cent rates increase — one of the highest rises recorded across the city this year.

The $3.9 billion budget includes major spending on roads, parks, community facilities and transport infrastructure, alongside residential rate increases that average 3.97 per cent across the city. For the typical owner-occupier, this amounts to about $63 a year, or roughly $1.22 a week.

While the citywide increase remains below 4 per cent, some suburbs are facing rises of more than 7 per cent, while others will see little change or even a slight reduction in their rates bill.

Brisbane rates remain among the region’s lowest

Brisbane City Council adopted its 2026-27 budget on 18 June, outlining spending plans for the year ahead as the city continues to deal with population growth, infrastructure demands and rising costs.

LM Adrian Schrinner said the budget was designed to balance investment in local services and infrastructure while keeping residential rates lower than many other councils in South East Queensland.

The budget retains the council’s $60 on-time payment discount for eligible ratepayers. Pensioners will also receive additional support, with the maximum pensioner rates rebate increasing to $1,350.

Council figures show the average owner-occupier rates increase across Brisbane will be 3.97 per cent.

Property values continue to influence rates outcomes

Although Brisbane City Council sets the overall rating structure, the amount paid by individual households can vary considerably between suburbs.

Differences in land valuations and rating categories can result in some areas experiencing larger increases than others. This year’s figures show a wide gap between the suburbs at the upper and lower ends of the scale.

Suburbs with more than 7% increase	Rate
Bulwer (Moreton Island)	7.50%
Cowan Cowan (Moreton Island)	7.50%
Lake Manchester	7.50%
Robertson	7.47%
Wakerley	7.47%
Runcorn	7.44%
Middle Park	7.43%
Mackenzie	7.42%
Algester	7.41%
Corinda	7.33%
Eight Mile Plains	7.32%
Sandgate	7.29%
Brighton	7.24%

Other areas such as Dutton Park, Fairfield and Enoggera Reservoir are expected to see slight reductions in rates, while suburbs including Kangaroo Point and Woolloongabba will experience increases of less than 1 per cent.

The variation means neighbouring suburbs can receive very different outcomes despite being part of the same council area.

What homeowners can expect next

Like councils across Australia, Brisbane is also facing higher construction and maintenance costs, as well as increased demand on local infrastructure as the city’s population continues to grow. These pressures have played a role in the council’s budget and rates decisions for the year ahead.

Updated rates notices will be issued to Brisbane property owners during the next billing cycle. Eligible owner-occupiers who pay on time will continue to receive the council’s $60 discount, while pensioners may qualify for the increased rebate support announced in the budget.

Residents seeking further information about how the changes affect their property can access detailed rates information and budget documents through Brisbane City Council.

2026-2027 BRISBANE BUDGET

Published 18-June-2026

Manly-Lota’s High Melanoma Burden Highlights Importance of New Research

Photo Credit: Wikimedia/reative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Residents in Manly and Lota are living in one of Queensland’s higher-risk areas for melanoma, with local diagnosis rates sitting 81 per cent above the Australian average, according to Australian Cancer Atlas data. The findings come as Brisbane researchers have completed the world’s largest genetic study of moles and melanoma, identifying dozens of previously unknown genetic regions that may help explain why some people are more likely to develop the disease.

Scientists from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Herston analysed genetic information from 85,965 people and discovered 24 new genetic regions linked to mole development. The study, published in Nature Communications, is expected to improve understanding of melanoma and may help shape future screening and treatment strategies.

Melanoma Rates Have Remained High Across Manly and Lota

Australian Cancer Atlas data shows invasive melanoma diagnosis rates in the Manly-Lota area are significantly higher than the national average.

The Atlas classifies the difference as likely to be a genuine variation rather than a statistical anomaly. Historical data also shows the area’s melanoma rate has remained consistently elevated for more than two decades, tracking well above the Australian average between 1996 and 2019.

The Atlas also found overall cancer diagnoses in Manly-Lota were 19 per cent above the national average.

While the Atlas does not identify specific causes for the higher melanoma rate, researchers have long recognised that melanoma risk is shaped by a combination of environmental exposure and inherited genetic factors.

Study Focuses on the Link Between Moles and Melanoma

The new study examined the genetics behind what researchers call nevus count, more commonly known as the number of moles a person develops.

Lead author Shanika Jayasinghe and senior author Associate Professor Matthew Law from QIMR Berghofer said understanding mole development is important because moles and melanomas begin in the same type of pigment-producing skin cell known as a melanocyte.

A mole forms when melanocytes multiply and then stop growing. Melanoma occurs when those cells continue growing and become cancerous.

Researchers identified 29 genetic regions associated with mole count, including 24 that had not previously been identified in studies focused solely on moles. More than 250 genes were also flagged for further investigation.

New Genetic Regions Offer Fresh Paths for Research

One of the newly identified genes, known as SIKE1, is involved in regulating immune responses.

Researchers believe the gene may influence the body’s ability to detect and control abnormal melanocyte growth. Further studies will be needed to determine whether this pathway could eventually become a target for future melanoma treatments.

The research also found links to biological pathways associated with several other cancers, including breast, prostate and brain cancers. Scientists say this suggests melanoma may share some underlying mechanisms with diseases that are not traditionally linked to skin pigmentation.

Future Screening Could Include Genetic Risk Scores

The team used the study findings to develop a Polygenic Risk Score designed to estimate a person’s inherited tendency to develop large numbers of moles.

While still in the research stage, the approach could eventually help doctors identify people who face a greater risk of melanoma and may benefit from closer monitoring.

The study also reinforced previous evidence that people with high mole counts face a greater likelihood of developing melanoma. Researchers found strong genetic overlap between the factors that influence mole numbers and those linked to melanoma risk.

Early Detection Remains Critical

Despite significant advances in treatment over the past decade, melanoma remains Australia’s deadliest form of skin cancer and claims around 1,400 lives nationally each year.

Researchers stress that genetic discoveries are not a substitute for established prevention measures. Regular skin checks, protective clothing, sunscreen use and limiting exposure to ultraviolet radiation remain important tools for reducing melanoma risk.

For communities such as Manly and Lota, where melanoma rates remain substantially higher than the national average, the latest research may help improve future screening programs and identify those most at risk before the disease develops.

Published 17-June-2026

Manly and Bayside Suburbs Among Big Winners in Brisbane’s Biggest-Ever Pothole Repair Push

Manly and its neighbouring suburbs each picked up a share of 246 pothole repairs during Brisbane’s biggest-ever repair blitz, completed across Bayside in just five days in May 2026.

Read: Bridge Business Case Funding Unlocks Next Step For Rickertt Road Upgrade

The citywide “Big Fill” campaign, run by Brisbane from May 19 to 23, saw crews tackle more than 1800 potholes across Brisbane following heavy rainfall on May 18 and 19 that opened up fresh damage across the city’s 5700-kilometre road network. The results were felt across a string of Bayside suburbs.

Wynnum West came out on top among Bayside suburbs, recording 84 pothole repairs during the blitz period. Gumdale followed with 67 fixes, and Murarrie notched up 32. Wakerley and Ransome each had 13 potholes filled, Chandler recorded 12, and Wynnum nine. Manly itself had five repairs completed, with Manly West accounting for four.

Photo credit: Instagram/BCC

The repair push was fuelled in part by residents picking up the phone and flagging problem spots. Across the Bayside area, 93 customer reports were lodged during the campaign. Murarrie generated the most contacts with 20 reports, followed by Tingalpa on 14, Hemmant on 10, and Wakerley on nine. Manly West submitted seven reports, Chandler and Wynnum each logged six, while Lytton and Manly both recorded four contacts each.

At its peak on May 21, crews across Brisbane filled a record 565 potholes in a single day, meaning a pothole was being patched roughly every two minutes. Around 100 tonnes of asphalt were used across the five-day operation. Before the blitz, the daily average sat at 157 repairs city-wide.

Cr Adrian Schrinner said the campaign demonstrated the city’s ability to respond quickly when wet weather hits. He said Brisbane residents became the city’s eyes on the road, with every report helping crews track down and fill damage faster. He added that when heavy rain punches holes in roads, the response is to get out there immediately rather than wait for dry conditions.

Read: Man Critical Following Motorcycle Collision On Old Cleveland Road

The blitz is part of a busy year of repairs already underway. By the end of April, Brisbane’s road crews had already filled 47,645 potholes across the network. More than 1134 potholes were reported by residents during the “Big Fill” campaign alone, helping crews respond faster to damaged roads.

Anyone who spots a pothole can call 3403 8888 or lodge a request through the Brisbane City website.

Published 10-June-2026

Manly Boathouse Lodges Plans for Major Waterfront Expansion

Photo credit: Manly Boathouse

A development application has been lodged to significantly expand the Manly Boathouse restaurant and function facility at Manly Marina.

Read: Fresh Catch: Manly Boathouse Launches New Seafood Market The Trawler

The application was submitted to Brisbane City in May 2026, seeking approval to extend the existing venue at 34 Fairlead Crescent into the vacant land sitting to its west.

Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A007024544

The proposal, designed by JA Design, calls for a two-storey building alongside a single-storey private dining area that would physically connect the new structure to the existing seafood restaurant. According to application documents lodged with Brisbane, the extension would cover a gross floor area of around 908 square metres, nearly doubling the venue’s existing floor area.

What the Expansion Includes

The new two-storey building would deliver a ground floor of 612 square metres and a mezzanine of 197 square metres, while a dedicated private dining area would add a further 99 square metres. The building would stand 8.868 metres tall, within the precinct’s three-storey allowance.

Manly Boathouse — Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A007024544

Alongside the new structure, the plans include additional kitchen space, a bar, staff room, toilets, indoor and outdoor dining areas, landscaping, and five new on-site car parking spaces including accessible parking, according to documents published on Brisbane City Council’s development portal.

The venue would operate under a dual-use model. From Thursday to Sunday, the extended spaces would function as a food and drink outlet, while Mondays to Wednesdays would be reserved for use as a function facility, targeting small-scale events such as weddings during periods of lower activity at the marina. The existing approved operating hours of 6am to midnight would remain in place, with noise management controls including music level restrictions and limited delivery hours between 7am and 6pm.

The proposal also relies partly on shared parking across the broader marina precinct rather than exclusively on-site spaces, a point addressed in the town planning report submitted with the application.

Read: Take A Look Inside The Newly Opened Manly Boathouse

A Site Ready for Its Next Chapter

Willowtree Planning, in documents included with the application, noted there is existing support from the Transport and Main Roads Department to see the undeveloped land to the west of the boathouse put to better use. The department, as the Manly Boat Harbour owner, has offered conditional consent to the application, though it noted it may require all or part of the works to be removed at the end of the boathouse’s current lease. That lease is set to expire in 2030, with options available to renew.

Planners added that the proposal is substantially compliant with the Brisbane City Planning Scheme 2014, sitting within the Wynnum-Manly Neighbourhood Plan and zoned as a Specialised Centre (Marina).

The application remains before Brisbane City for assessment.

Published 2-June-2026

Moreton Bay Colleges MTB Team Rides from Manly to First Overall

Mud, technical trails and a field of more than 360 competitors set the stage for a standout day for Manly’s Moreton Bay Colleges Mountain Bike Team, which finished first overall at the Rocky Trail Academy Brisbane Schools Competition.

Manly Riders Rise Through The Mud at Mt Cotton

For the Moreton Bay Colleges Mountain Bike Team, the Brisbane Schools Competition was not just a test of speed. It was a test of control, endurance and composure across muddy tracks and tough conditions at Mt Cotton Mountain Bike Trails.

The Manly team finished first overall with 166 points, securing the top result in a large schools field of more than 360 competitors. The event, held on Friday, 15 May 2026, formed part of the Rocky Trail Academy Brisbane Schools Comp and brought riders together for a demanding day of timed racing.

The format placed competitors across three timed sections designed to test endurance, speed and technical ability. Riders were able to complete multiple runs on each section, with their fastest times counting towards their individual results. Points were also earned for schools on each track, with bonus points awarded to the top finishers.

The overall win reflected more than one standout ride. It came from a wider team effort across the day, with riders managing difficult track conditions and contributing to the final school tally.

Category Results Strengthen The Team Performance

Several Moreton Bay Colleges riders delivered strong individual results across the girls’ divisions.

Millie F placed second in Girls Seniors, while Sophie G finished third in Girls Intermediates. Sophie P also placed fourth in Girls Intermediates, adding another strong result in the same category.

In Girls Juniors, Sophie H finished second and Pia C placed third, giving the Colleges further category success during the competition.

Together, those results helped shape the team’s overall performance and added weight to the Colleges’ first-place finish. In a competition where school points were earned across tracks, the final result reflected both individual placings and the broader strength of the riding group.

Support From The Sidelines

The team result was also backed by a wider school community effort at Mt Cotton.

The Moreton Bay Colleges MTB Parent Group ran a barbecue on site to raise funds for the school’s mountain bike program. Food, coffee, refreshments, first aid, bike support, timing, registration, music and live race updates were also part of the event hub during the day.

Coaches, staff, parents and supporters contributed to the team environment around the riders, adding to a day shaped by both racing and community support.

Toowoomba Next For The Manly Team

After finishing first overall at Mt Cotton, the Moreton Bay Colleges Mountain Bike Team is now looking ahead to its next race in Toowoomba.

The Brisbane result gives the Manly school community a strong achievement to carry forward: first overall, 166 points, several category standouts and a group of riders who pushed through difficult conditions against one of the largest schools mountain biking fields in the country.

Published 21-May-2026

Fresh Picked, Locally Loved: The Jan Powers Farmers Markets at Manly

If your Saturday morning doesn’t already include a lap of the Jan Powers Farmers Markets at Manly, it might be time to set the alarm a little earlier. The market runs every first and third Saturday of the month, and if you haven’t made it down yet, now’s the time.

Read: Your Guide to Weekend Markets in Manly: Farm, Art, and Food

Held at the Manly Harbour Royal Esplanade, between Cambridge and Cardigan Parades, the next market is on Saturday 16 May, running from 6am to midday. It sits within the lush greenery of Little Bayside Park with the harbour as its backdrop, and on a clear Queensland morning, with the bay catching the light and a gentle breeze coming off the water, it doesn’t take much convincing to linger longer than planned.

More Than a Market: A Paddock-to-Plate Community

Photo credit: Google Maps/Jan Powers Farmers Markets Manly

What sets Jan Powers apart from a typical weekend market isn’t just the setting. The markets advocate for regional produce and provide a paddock-to-plate connection, a philosophy that has been at the heart of the operation since founder Jan Power launched what would become Brisbane’s first farmers market back in the 1990s.

More than three decades later, the markets champion farmers, growers and producers across multiple Brisbane locations. Each stallholder is personally involved in the product they sell. They grow it, bake it, make it or catch it themselves, then hand it directly to the customer. That direct relationship is something you can feel in the way stall operators talk about their products, readily offering expert advice, tips and the story behind what’s on the table.

At Manly, that means browsing alongside farm-fresh fruit and vegetables, still-warm bread and baked goods, fragrant spices, premium pantry staples, sustainable seafood and quality cuts of meat. Food trucks and mobile kitchens round out the spread, serving up snacks, meals, coffees and smoothies to regular customers and first-time visitors alike.

Photo credit: Google Maps/Jan Powers Farmers Markets Manly

Dogs are welcome too, so there’s really no excuse not to come.

The market draws visitors from right across South-East Queensland, attracted by the quality and consistency of its stalls as much as the gorgeous waterfront location. For newcomers, the best advice is simple: arrive early and bring a bag.

A Big Weekend for Jan Powers Across Brisbane

This Saturday is also a notable one for the broader Jan Powers network. The Powerhouse Farmers Markets at Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm runs every Saturday from 6am to 12pm, making it a same-day option for those keen to hit two markets in one weekend.

And for those looking ahead to Sunday, the Jan Powers Farmers Markets at Eagle Farm, which will open on 17 May, bringing the same commitment to fresh produce, local makers and community to Brisbane’s inner north.

Read: Manly Mourns the Passing of Jan Power, Iconic Farmers Market Founder

The Jan Powers Farmers Markets Manly are held on the first and third Saturday of each month, 6am to 12pm, at Manly Harbour Royal Esplanade, between Cambridge and Cardigan Parades. For more information, visit janpowersfarmersmarkets.com.au.

Published 13-May-2026

Bridge Business Case Funding Unlocks Next Step For Rickertt Road Upgrade

The Tingalpa Creek Bridge on Rickertt Road has long been one of the Redlands’ most notorious bottlenecks. Now, with $500,000 in State funding locked in for a formal business case, the project is finally moving forward.

Read: Rickertt Road And Tingalpa Creek Bridge Study Progresses Near Manly

Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg has confirmed the funding, which will be used to commission a business case led by Redland City Council. The study will explore options to upgrade the existing bridge, assess the project’s complexities and scale, and guide future investment decisions. It is expected to be delivered by mid-2027.

The existing bridge sits on the boundary between Redland and Brisbane local government areas and is a notorious bottleneck for commuters travelling in and out of the Redlands.

Minister Mickelberg said the funding agreement was a critical first step on a project he described as long overdue.

“We’re acting to reduce congestion on Rickertt Road, and this business case is a critical first step for a project that has been long overdue,” he said.

“The Tingalpa Creek Bridge is a key connector for the region and a notorious bottleneck for commuters in the Redlands. We are working with Council, and together we will continue working to deliver for the local community.”

Member for Capalaba Russell Field said the funding would deliver a practical path forward for residents and businesses that rely on the connection every day.

“Congestion at the Tingalpa Creek Bridge impacts anyone travelling in and out of the Redlands, and this planning work is making sure infrastructure keeps up with our growing community,” Mr Field said.

Member for Oodgeroo Amanda Stoker said the funding was about ensuring the groundwork was done properly before seeking the larger investment the project will require.

“Redlands residents have waited long enough for action on this bridge. It is one of the most frustrating pinch points for anyone travelling in and out of our community,” Mrs Stoker said.

“This funding means we can now get the groundwork done properly, so we can build the case for the significant State and Federal investment this project will need.”

Read: Local Community Mourns After Fatal Workplace Incident in Tingalpa

Redland City Council Mayor Jos Mitchell confirmed the business case will examine both duplication and full replacement options, with single-lane approaches on either side of the bridge also in scope.

“These important works will determine the cost-benefit analysis of either replacing or duplicating the existing bridge and upgrading the single-lane sections on both the southern side in Redlands and the northern side in Brisbane,” Mayor Mitchell said.

Published 11-May-2026

Queensland Rail Industrial Dispute Triggers Mass Service Cuts Across Network Including Cleveland Line

Commuters in Manly and Lota who rely on the Cleveland Line will face significantly reduced train services from Tuesday, May 5, after Queensland Rail announced it would remove 273 services from its timetable amid an ongoing industrial dispute.

Read: Only 16 extra drivers working since Queensland’s ‘rail fail’

The Cleveland Line is among those affected, with peak-hour services reduced to every 15 minutes, and off-peak services running every 30 minutes. Queensland Rail says the network will revert to a timetable similar to a Saturday schedule, with some additional services during morning and afternoon peaks.

TransLink has advised commuters directly via its official Facebook page: “On weekdays until further notice, services on all lines will operate to a modified schedule, similar to a Saturday timetable, with extra services during the morning and afternoon peaks to support weekday travel. Your journey may take longer than usual, so please plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and consider travelling earlier or later, or taking alternative transport options.”

The reduction follows rolling industrial action by three unions: the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU). Queensland Rail is currently in a wage deal standoff with seven transport unions, with thousands of members participating in industrial action.

Queensland Rail has confirmed that 42 three-car sets are currently offline awaiting repairs, representing approximately 20 per cent of the fleet. Signalling problems, door faults and electrical issues are among the defects listed. The operator reduced train capacity from six cars to three last week before announcing the broader timetable cuts.

Queensland Rail head of corporate affairs Nev Conway said the operator did not have enough trains available to run the full timetable, attributing the situation to workers not performing their maintenance duties during strike action.

Queensland Rail has also issued 471 return-to-work notices to maintenance staff. The operator advised that 490 workers would not be paid if they continued to participate in strike action. Previously, those employees had been attending work and completing limited duties, but Queensland Rail ended that arrangement last week.

Dispute over cause of service cuts

Cleveland Line at Lota Station (Photo credit: Google Maps/Andrew Foley)

Queensland Rail and the unions have each offered differing accounts of what triggered the timetable reduction. Queensland Rail maintains the maintenance backlog is a direct result of strike action, while the unions argue the situation was avoidable.

The AMWU said the timetable change was unnecessary and that the dispute could be resolved if agreement were reached on two classification-based claims. The union said Queensland Rail had failed to plan adequately for the consequences of the prolonged bargaining process.

The ETU argued that Queensland Rail’s decision to stop maintenance workers from performing partial duties was the direct cause of the timetable reduction, rather than the industrial action itself. The ETU has also called for electrical workers at Queensland Rail to be covered by a separate enterprise agreement, a request Queensland Rail has declined.

Read: Going Car-Free in Brisbane? UQ Study Says the City Just Won’t Let You

Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said 880 notices of industrial action had been lodged against Queensland Rail. He confirmed the reduced timetable would remain in place for the foreseeable future and flagged that further cuts were possible if the maintenance backlog continued to grow. The Minister said negotiations were a matter for Queensland Rail and indicated he did not intend to meet directly with the unions.

The reduced services are also expected to affect NRL Magic Round in three weeks, with around 150,000 ticket holders expected in Brisbane over the three-day event. Queensland Rail said it was working on contingency plans including replacement buses and privately hired train services through Stadiums Queensland.

Commuters are advised to check the TransLink journey planner at translink.com.au for live updates before travelling.

Published 4-May-2026

Recycled Shells To Help Restore Oyster Reefs Across Moreton Bay

Photo Credit: OzFish Unlimited/Facebook

A Moreton Bay shellfish reef restoration project will use recycled shells and oyster baskets to support marine habitat and water quality, with the work carrying wider relevance for bayside communities including Manly.

Recycled Shells Given A New Role In Moreton Bay

Shellfish reefs in Moreton Bay are set to be restored through a $1.5 million project using recycled shell material collected from seafood businesses and restaurants across Brisbane.

The project will support OzFish in creating and deploying 10,000 Robust Oyster Baskets over two years at three confirmed locations: the Port of Brisbane, Peel Island and Fisher’s Lease.

The work is aimed at restoring shellfish reefs that have been lost through historical harvesting, coastal development, disease and declining water quality.

Oyster Baskets To Support Reef Habitat

The recycled shells will be cleaned and cured to meet biosecurity requirements before being used to create the Robust Oyster Baskets.

Volunteers will help prepare the baskets, giving the project a community-based element while supporting practical restoration work in the bay.

A single Robust Oyster Basket can provide shelter for more than 10,000 baby oysters. Once deployed, the baskets are intended to help rebuild shellfish reef habitat and support marine life.

Shellfish reefs provide important habitat for fish and crustaceans. Their restoration is expected to improve biodiversity across the selected Moreton Bay locations.

Manly oyster baskets — *Photo Credit: OzFish Unlimited/Facebook*

Water Quality Benefits Across The Bay

Oysters play a natural filtering role in the marine environment by trapping microscopic algae and other particles, helping improve water quality as reef systems develop.

One oyster can filter more than 100 litres of water a day, making shellfish reefs a valuable part of Moreton Bay’s marine ecosystem.

While the confirmed deployment sites are not in Manly, the project’s focus on water quality, marine habitat and biodiversity carries wider relevance for communities connected to the bay.

recycled shells — *Photo Credit: KaraCookMP/Facebook*

Two-Year Restoration Effort

Over the next two years, OzFish will deploy 10,000 oyster baskets across the Port of Brisbane, Peel Island and Fisher’s Lease.

The project is expected to support marine habitat, improve water quality, enhance biodiversity and encourage community engagement.

As the baskets are deployed, the work is expected to contribute to the gradual recovery of shellfish reefs across selected parts of Moreton Bay, using recycled shell material and volunteer effort to support restoration in the marine environment.

Published 27-Apr-2026

Concerns Raised Over Parking and Scale in Manly State Boat Harbour Plans

DA A006949411

The development application for the Manly State Boat Harbour redevelopment has moved into a detailed information request phase, with planning assessors identifying ten areas requiring further information or revised plans before assessment can progress.

The information request, issued on 6 March 2026, is a standard and necessary step in the assessment process. It does not signal a refusal. The applicant, MA Marina Fund TT Pty Ltd acting through Willowtree Planning, has until approximately 6 June 2026 to respond before the assessment clock resumes.

Ten Questions Assessors Need Answered

The most pointed questions go to the scale of the proposed upper-floor bistro. Assessors flagged that it is substantial in both floor area and expected patron numbers, and that the application does not sufficiently demonstrate how it remains subordinate to and directly associated with the ground-floor club use rather than operating as a standalone restaurant.

Manly State Boat Harbour — *Photo Credit: Google Maps screengrab*

The applicant must either prove that link with specific details on intended operators, expected patronage and access restrictions, or seek a separate development permit for the bistro in its own right.

The five proposed retail tenancies raised a similar flag, with assessors requiring the applicant to show the shops would be associated with marina activities and would not undermine the viability of the nearby Manly Harbour Village centre.

On parking, assessors found the proposed reduction from 148 to 118 spaces insufficiently justified. The applicant must now conduct a peak hour traffic survey establishing existing trip generation, produce a net increase table showing the additional burden on the local road network, and clarify how many berths and facilities currently depend on the existing parking areas.

Other information requests cover noise and air quality from marine industry workshops, given the site sits within 100 metres of sensitive residential zoning across Royal Esplanade. The applicant must detail all industrial activities proposed including fibreglassing, grinding, spray painting and engine repair, and clarify the intended hours of operation for all uses.

Stormwater management, refuse vehicle access, landscaping, pedestrian connectivity to the streetscape and the existing Environmentally Relevant Activity approval on the site were also flagged as requiring further detail.

Energex Cleared the Application

One referral agency response has already come back positively. Energex assessed the application on 4 March 2026 and approved it in full, subject to conditions. The electrical network referral was triggered because the site sits within 100 metres of a supply infrastructure easement.

Energex confirmed the proposed works do not adversely affect the safe or efficient operation of the electricity network, with conditions requiring that no buildings or structures be placed within two existing underground cable easements on the site.

Residents Raise Concerns

Both public submissions received, lodged on 20 February 2026, home in on the same issue: parking.

Manly resident Andrew Wernbacher supports the development in principle but is firm on one point: the existing parking is already overwhelmed on weekends and holidays, with overflow regularly spilling onto local streets and into the nearby public boat ramp facility.

“I’m concerned that the reduction in proposed on-site parking will add excessive strain on the already overloaded local streets and adjoining public boat ramp facility,” Wernbacher wrote. “On-site parking needs to be increased, not decreased.”

The second submission, lodged with personal details removed at the submitter’s request, is an outright objection on the same grounds: “I oppose the proposed development solely on the grounds that this facility needs more parking not less. I will oppose the development unless the parking supply is increased and not decreased.”

The assessor’s requirement for a peak hour traffic survey and net increase analysis will now put hard data behind what both submitters are describing from lived experience.

What Happens Next

Once the applicant responds to the information request, assessment continues toward a formal decision by BCC. Residents can track the DA’s progress, view all documents and lodge a submission by clicking here.

Published 25-April-2026