I write in regard to the future of the Manly Council Chambers building. I strongly suggest that the NBC undertake a search to locate the significant report and supporting documents prepared for Manly Council by Professor Lawrence Nield during my time at Manly Council (DTC, Town Clerk and General manager). This report, drawings and early considerations and recommendations seem to have been lost but it may possibly be located in the State Government Repository in western Sydney.

Lawrence Nield was commissioned to assess and report on all council owned assets in and around the Manly business area Some of his ideas are reflected in the location of the Manly Library, the Wentworth Street redevelopment including Rialto lane/s.

Lawrence Nield's recommendations for the existing buildings of the Council chambers, the Whistler Street car park and the then ground level parking surrounding two sides of the now library building were:
1. A two-stage development of the then Whistler Street car park upgrading the multi-level car park and constructing new modern buildings surrounding the multi-storey structure.
2. Stage 1 - upgrade the Whistler Street multi-level car park and construct a new Library on the eastern end open land area.
3. Stage 2 - Construct a new Council Administration building on the southern open land area of the car park being integrated with the new library and various levels of the car park.
Stage 4 - conversion of the existing council chambers building (a bit similar to what Mosman Council has done with its former Council chambers building) with small shops opening onto both Belgrave Street and to Whistler Street; with the front portion of the building being retained for public use.

In the early stage of Lawrence Nield's considerations an idea was also canvased for the possible development of Manly Oval for a car park etc but was soon wisely dismissed for the very same reasons that the later manly Council proposal collapsed..

In my opinion, these ideas remain practical and well based.

I hope that you will consider it appropriate to initiate a Council search for this report and the discussion papers leading up to that final report, drawings and sketch details. At the very least I recommend these ideas be fully investigated.

Regards,
Wayne Collins 3/6/2019