PRESERVE

The amenity of our suburbs through:

• Enhanced planning controls to prevent inappropriate development.
• Introduction of an independent panel to assess controversial development proposals. This is recommended by ICAC and
  an early task of the new Council will be to set rules for referrals.
• Ensuring community input into what they want for their suburb.
• Enabling owners to improve their premises in a manner that is in keeping with the nature of their suburb. Getting the right balance between heritage protection and reasonable owner expectations.
• Enabling the elderly and young families to walk safely in their suburb through improved stroller/wheelchair friendly footpaths.
• Working with the police and Liquor Accord to reduce late night violence and vandalism.
• Maintaining and improving our limited open spaces and sporting facilities.
• Fighting to keep icons such as North Head (and our little penguin colony) protected.

PROTECT

Our suburbs from:

• A state government intent on taking away planning powers from councils and introducing “one size fits all” controls.
  We fight to "Keep It Local" when it comes to planning for our suburbs.
• Pubs and hotels that use Manly for massive profits but leave other businesses and residents to carry the cost of cleaning up after them. Introduction of a levy on large licenced premises will ensure pubs and hotels finally contribute more than a token offering for their use of our suburbs.
• Destruction of our natural environment by overdevelopment and climate change. By implementing plans that identify areas of risk and action plans that will save Manly’s unique environment.
• Losing rate payer money through inappropriate investments by establishing an independent body to sign off on council investment strategies.
• Big developers who use political donations to get what they want on building developments.

PROMOTE

• Sustainable living, by reducing or eliminating council fees for people who want to make their homes and offices into sustainable dwellings.
• Initiatives to reduce energy use and increase the use of renewable energy. This is a win/win – contributes to carbon reduction while saving money - renewable energy will more than pay back initial costs as energy prices rise.
• Other ways to make Manly more livable, sustainable & accessible by non car transport. Press STA to maintain and improve bus services and create more bus interchanges.
• Efficient local government; starting with a reduction in the number of councillors at the earliest opportunity.
• Open local government by webcasting council meetings so more people can see and hear what is going on with their elected officials.
• Accessible local councillors by holding every second ordinary council meeting at a venue in the Seaforth area.
• Enhanced community consultation by reviewing the existing committee system and looking for ways to improve it.
• An all area approach to local government. The Manly Local Government Area does not stop at The Corso.
• Strengthening the precinct system via increased funding and logistical support.