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Project update - August 2024

Ivanhoe Park, with its rich cultural heritage and sporting history, serves as a vital open space for the residents of Manly and surrounding areas. We have collaborated closely with our community and the Design Working Group to develop a strategic vision for the future of this iconic location.

Following the adoption of the Landscape Masterplan and Plan of Management, we have successfully completed the demolition of the vacant childcare centre building. This project was made possible through funding from the NSW Government's Local Small Commitments Allocation (LSCA) grant program, in partnership with Council.


What's next?

Landscape work of an interim nature will be completed as part of the project. We plan to proceed with further detailed design now that the childcare centre building has been removed. This detailed design will include enhancements to the central lawn area to create a space for community gatherings and events, which will feature community facilities, new seating, and play elements.

We will put forward a business case to include detailed design of the new grandstand and pavilion in a future delivery program. The final design will be sympathetic to the landscape character of Ivanhoe Park and the historic nature and heritage significance of Manly Oval as a traditional village green and sporting venue.

Construction of the proposed grandstand and pavilion can only proceed with funding from the federal or state government.


Background

On 23 August 2019, Ivanhoe Park (including Manly Oval) was listed on the State Heritage Register for its cultural landscape heritage. Following this, we decided to create a Conservation Management Plan (CMP), a revised Plan of Management (PoM), and a landscape masterplan. To aid in this complex planning process, the Council engaged specialised consultants: GML Heritage for the CMP, NBRS for the landscape masterplan and architectural concepts, and Parkland Planners for the PoM.

At the meeting on Tuesday 26 October 2021, Council resolved to adopt the Landscape Masterplan and Plan of Management for Ivanhoe Park, Manly.

Council also resolved to categorise the land around the Scout Hall as General Community Use.

View the Council minutes (Item 13.6) and the Council report (Item 13.6).

Following adoption of the Plan of Management, the document was sent to the Department of Planning and Environment for approval. Consent was provided by the Minister for Lands and Water on 17 October 2022.

The Landscape Masterplan outlines a range of improvements to enhance the park’s overall appearance and presentation, improve connections, increase safety and accessibility, provide better recreational facilities, and enhance the heritage values of the park.

The Plan of Management (PoM) sets out how this public land is intended to be used, managed, maintained and enhanced in the future.

The Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for Ivanhoe Park, Manly contains policies that will assist in preserving the park's heritage and sets a planning framework for any future development that may take place within the park.

Engagement outcomes

Between 6 August 2021 and 19 September 2021, we sought feedback on a draft landscape masterplan and Plan of Management (PoM) for Ivanhoe Park (including Manly Oval) and received 139 submissions. We also held an online information session on Thursday, 2 September 2021 to provide you with an opportunity to hear from the project team and ask questions.

The consultation process revealed Ivanhoe Park’s significant value to the local community. There was broad support for the draft landscape masterplan and Plan of Management, with feedback indicating that the proposals effectively balance necessary upgrades with heritage preservation.

While most respondents wanted to maintain the park’s character, they strongly advocated for improved safety, accessibility, and maintenance. The community also highlighted the need for better connectivity to adjacent open spaces and Manly town center, providing valuable suggestions for the detailed design phases.

Feedback on the draft architectural designs for a new grandstand and pavilion was generally positive; however, concerns about cost, heritage compatibility, and potential over-development were raised. The community emphasised the need for multifunctional facilities and greater awareness of the park’s State Heritage Listing.

As a result of this engagement, revisions were made to both the draft masterplan and the draft Plan of Management.

Read the Stage 2 Community Engagement Report open in new window

Flythrough of the proposed pavilion and grandstand area

One of the main proposals for Ivanhoe Park was the re-development of the Alan Roper Pavilion and Tony Miller Stand to provide equitable and fit for purpose sporting facilities.

The video below was used during the public exhibition of the draft documents and shows of a visual flythrough of the area and preliminary architectural concept design.

History

Click the headings below for information on the project's history.

In November 2020, we called for expressions of interest and formed the Ivanhoe Park Masterplan and Plan of Management Design Working Group. The group is made up of local residents (including a local youth), representatives of targeted stakeholder groups, Council staff and the appointed consultants on the project (including design, heritage and planning consultants).

During the first meeting on 27 November 2020, we introduced the project team, discussed the vision for the Masterplan and identified key aspirations and issues for Ivanhoe Park.

The group met for a second time on 17 March 2021 to discuss the outcomes of the community survey and discuss initial concepts and opportunities for the draft Ivanhoe Park Masterplan.

On 27 July 2021, Council staff updated the working group on the upcoming public exhibition of the draft Masterplan and Plan of Management. Further feedback was gathered, including about the upcoming consultation process.

We want to extend a big thank you to everyone in the group for the ongoing and collaborative effort and generous sharing of experiences and insights.

We reviewed feedback from the design working group and community survey and developed the draft documents for the project.

Initial advice was also sought from Crown Lands and their input was incorporated into the draft Plan of Management.

A report was presented at the meeting on Tuesday 25 May 2021 and the following recommendations were endorsed by Council.

That:

  • Council notify the Minister of Planning, Industry and Environment – Crown Lands (Minister) that Council has prepared a draft Plan of Management over Crown Land, being Ivanhoe Park, Manly (Park) and seek permission to put it on public exhibition.
  • Council seek permission from the Minister to alter the categorisation of the land on which the scout hall is located to General Community Use.
  • Subject to receipt of the Minister’s written consent to publicly exhibit the draft Plan of Management and inclusion of any provisions required by the Minister in the draft Plan of Management, Council give public notice of the draft Plan of Management by placing it on public exhibition for a period of 42 days with the draft Plan of Management (Lot 7379 DP 1164856 and Lot 2502 DP1143032), Conservation Management Plan and Masterplan for Ivanhoe Park, Manly, and hold a public hearing on the proposed re-categorisation of scout hall land as General Community Use.
  • A report be provided to Council on the outcomes of the public exhibition of the draft Plan of Management and associated documents and the public hearing.

In June 2021 and as per the above Council resolution, the Minister of Planning, Industry and Environment provided consent for the draft Plan of Management to be publicly exhibited. We were also advised that a public hearing was not required.

View the Council minutes (Item 13.1)

View the full Council Report (Item 13.1) and Attachment Booklet 4.

We undertook a robust and wide-ranging initial consultation process focusing on individual and group values, perceptions, concerns and aspirations for Ivanhoe Park as well as specific requirements for existing users of the park.

Community feedback was gathered via an online survey on Your Say from 7 December 2020 to 17 January 2021. Stakeholder engagement took place between November and March 2021 via the Design Working Group (made up of representatives of stakeholder groups and community members) as well as targeted interviews and site inspections with key stakeholders.

Analysis of the survey and stakeholder feedback helped reaffirm what is special about the park and why it needs to be preserved. The park is most valued for its peaceful nature, vegetation, sporting facilities, heritage, open space and multiple passive and active recreation uses. We also identified a number of key issues including lack of connectivity, park identity, accessibility, pedestrian safety, passive surveillance and maintenance. We heard that improvements were needed to existing facilities to make them better fit-for-purpose, cater for current and future generations of park users and multi-use.

This feedback has been considered and informed the preparation of the planning documents for this project.

View the stage one community engagement report

To help us develop the Masterplan, Plan of Management and Conservation Management Plan for the whole of Ivanhoe Park (including Manly Oval), we asked the community about your relationship with the Park.

This includes how you use Ivanhoe Park, what you like about it and suggestions for improvements.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback via our online community survey between 7 December 2020 and 17 January 2021. 317 surveys were completed.

We also met with representatives of diverse user groups of Ivanhoe Park.

In developing the plans for Ivanhoe Park, we wanted to consider and balance the needs of all park users while ensuring we are respectful of the park's heritage.

In August 2017, Council adopted the Ivanhoe Park Botanic Garden Landscape Masterplan.

On 23 August 2019, Ivanhoe Park (including Manly Oval) cultural landscape was listed as a heritage item on the State Heritage Register.

Following this heritage listing, Council resolved to prepare a Masterplan, a Conservation Management Plan and a Plan of Management for the whole of Ivanhoe Park.

Ivanhoe Park is formed by two parts:

  • the area known as ‘Ivanhoe Park Botanic Gardens’ incorporating the Scout Hall, and
  • the sporting precinct incorporating Manly Oval. The Bowling Club and Tennis Club are also included but not directly managed by Council.