Mayor's Weekly Message

BUPA Aged Care Facility approved for Seaforth

8 Aug 2014

The Joint Regional Planning Panel’s approval for BUPA to adaptively redevelop the former Seaforth TAFE buildings for a 76 bed aged cared facility will revitalize and benefit the local economy while removing the threat of over development that once divided the Seaforth community. It also means a return to the area of some of the 100 plus age care beds that were lost over the past 10 years.

Since purchasing the abandoned site to remove the threat of over development, Council has spent close to a year cleaning up the vandalized buildings for adaptive reuse that is sympathetic to the area. Council also created a new Piazza on Sydney Road to complement the historic Seaforth Library and to activate a public space that integrates with the Seaforth town centre.

Once the renovation of the building is completed, the community will gain a valuable asset that includes meeting rooms, dedicated space for innovation and collaboration, a new reading room to complement the Seaforth Library, and a café. Within its allocated space on the site BUPA plans to provide specialist, ancillary and allied health services that are also accessible for the whole community.

This is truly a win-win for everyone; the Community will gain a wonderful asset at minimum cost and a much needed age care facility will be returned to the local area, while removing the threat of over development from the site. 

Friendships bloom on the Sister Cities Exchange Program

Nineteen students from local high schools participated in the Manly Council Sister Cities Odawara Exchange this year.  The program now in its 24th year strengthens the ties between our Friendship City in Odawara and Manly.

Manly students travelled to Japan and spent 10 days with their host families experiencing both fun and educational activities including a visit to Tokyo Disneyland and partaking in calligraphy lessons, experiencing Kimono attire and experiencing first hand Japanese home life.

Over the past 10 days it has given me great pleasure to see the bonds and friendships strengthen during the 10 days the Japanese students spent on their reciprocal visit in Manly.  The group spent time enjoying our Australian life style and local culture.  They were also able to see the sights of our great City with beautiful weather throughout their stay.

I know from watching these students that many memorable friendships have been formed and they will continue to keep in touch and visit each other in the future.

Jean Hay AM

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