Following two years of unparalleled challenges faced by small business starting with a forced Christmas
lockdown in December 2020, the Manly Business Chamber (Chamber) is requesting a review of Northern
Beaches Council’s (Council) fees and charges.
The Chamber are requesting that the Outdoor Dining Fees scheduled to recommence 1st July 2022, are
delayed for a 3 month period before bringing back fees to the struggling hospitality businesses.
In 2019, Outdoor Dining Fees contributed $520k in revenue to Council from 42 businesses trading in a
strong economy. Of those 42, only 30 businesses are currently still trading having closed or relocated.
Today, with zero fees, 50 businesses in the Manly area are making use of Outdoor Dining in front of their
premises. This is an exciting number and one we do not want to see reduced – we want to see it grow.
Historically visitation to Manly drops during the winter period, in addition during this period ferry traffic
remains significantly down on pre-Covid numbers. It is the Chamber’s concern that with these
additional charges the successful outdoor dining footprint that has developed during the pandemic will
cease to exist.
Chamber President Charlotte Rimmer said “Manly’s outdoor dining fees of $1275 per square metre are
alarming, especially as they are significantly higher than what is paid in the CBD of Sydney – an
international city. We know outdoor dining adds to the atmosphere of the Manly village so when you
learn that a business paid $44k in 2019 in order to make use of the space in front of their premise it is
not surprising businesses are reluctant to add to Manly’s vibe.”
The Chamber’s aim is to grow outdoor dining revenue for Council, by increasing the number of
businesses participating to create a growing outdoor culture within the CBD. This aim is in line with the
Council’s Destination Marketing Plan, Chamber’s Manly Commercial Vision and supports the newly
formed not for profit, Experience Manly promoting Manly as an exciting entertaining destination.
The details:
What: Northern Beaches Council 2022/23 Fees and Charges
Where: Manly and Northern Beaches
When: 1 July 2022
Who: Chamber requesting waived fee extension
For more information please contact:
Chantelle Hoare, 0411771401 or chamber@manly.org.au