View the updated concept plan
West Esplanade is located within the western section of Manly Cove; stretching from Manly Wharf, west to the Manly Pavilion and includes land managed by Northern Beaches Council, Crown Lands (managed by Northern Beaches Council) and Roads and Maritime Services (The Manly Pavilion, former Aquarium and Ferry Wharf).
We received a heritage grant and developed a Heritage Activation Plan for Manly West Esplanade to:
- highlight the history of the area pre and post European settlement
- identify ways to help the community appreciate, interact with and enjoy the heritage of the area
- explore the nostalgia of West Esplanade including the art gallery facade and boardwalk.
Project update - Dec 2021
We are progressing with the implementation of the West Esplanade Activation Plan and have developed a detailed concept plan for the Park and Promenade area based on recommendations from the Activation Plan. The concept plan includes an accessible ramp in the Beach and Cove area.
Initial works will focus on:
- improving accessibility and safety
- improving landscaping, furniture and fixtures
- improving the user experience.
Detailed design of the accessible ramp and landscaping works are expected to start in early 2022.
Plan adopted - Nov 2019
At a meeting on 26 November 2019, Council resolved to adopt the Manly West Esplanade Heritage Activation Plan, including the following changes:
- Amenities – relocate the disabled toilet from outside the heritage amenities block, and
reinstate the heritage façade of the building where the disabled toilet was located. - Boardwalk reinstatement concept – wait for the determination on Aquarium site prior to
commencing the detailed feasibility work for the boardwalk/harbour pool reinstatement concept.
Thank you to those who provided feedback on the draft Manly West Esplanade Heritage Activation Plan. A total of 64 submissions were received during the exhibition period between 31 August and 29 September 2019.
Key themes identified in the submissions included:
| Theme | Indicative comments |
| Public art | Request that public art does not dominate the space. |
| Indigenous heritage | Support for highlighting the indigenous heritage of the area. |
| Former aquarium building | Support for demolition of the existing building and creating public space. |
| Boardwalk reinstatement | Some nostalgic support for the former boardwalk, however, a number of concerns where also raised on the potential negative impacts of reinstating the boardwalk. |
| Shared pedestrian and bicycle path | Improvements to the safety of the path should be explored. |
| Landscaping and street furniture improvements | Improvements to landscaping and street furniture would enhance the space. |
| Manly Art Gallery and Museum | Support for design elements, such as façade changes, to help highlight the Manly Art Gallery and Museum |
