Manly Health and Wellbeing Precinct

About the project

Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) is collaborating with community and government stakeholders to develop a master plan to facilitate the redevelopment of the former Manly Hospital as a future health and wellbeing precinct to support the Northern Beaches and broader NSW community.

The master plan will focus on delivering health and wellbeing-related uses, a mix of open and community spaces, neighbourhood-scale shops, food and drink offerings, and developing an adaptive re-use strategy for the existing heritage buildings.

Project objective

Vision statement

“A vibrant health and wellbeing sanctuary which welcomes and supports the needs of the local and wider community – achieved through innovation and balance”.

Guiding principles

1. The community will have continued access to the site for social/recreation activities and use of public/private services.
2. The rainforest area will be permanently reserved.
3. The services developed on the site will contribute to the health, wellbeing and care of the community.
4. The services provided from the site’s uses will address a defined community need for which there are tangible and ongoing benefits.
5. A diverse range of services and partnerships will be pursued which leverage the greatest collective value for the community.
6. The services and infrastructure proposals for the site must demonstrate financial sustainability.

Planning proposal

In August 2023, PDNSW submitted an amended planning proposal with the Northern Beaches Council for the site to help realise the community's vision for the health and wellbeing precinct. The proposal seeks to expand the range of health, wellbeing and related uses permitted on the site under the existing health services facility zoning.

In February 2024, the council referred the amended planning proposal to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) for review and assessment.

Next steps

While the planning proposal progresses, a formal master planning process will be undertaken with the successful project partner at the completion of the Request for Detailed Proposal process.

The master plan will include controls which manage height, bulk, and scale, as well as requirements relating to environmental and heritage matters.

The community will have the opportunity to provide further formal feedback during this process.

Background

In October 2018, Manly Hospital was closed. All patients and services were relocated to the new Northern Beaches Hospital (NBH).

In November 2018, the NSW Government announced that the Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice (AYAH) would be located on a portion of the site. The AYAH opened its services to the community in March 2023.

Community consultation

Community consultation undertaken in August and September 2019 identified key themes to inform the concept master plan for the creation of a health and wellbeing precinct on the remainder of the former hospital site.

Cox Architecture was appointed as the lead consultant to assist PDNSW with the development of a future uses concept master plan in accordance with the agreed guiding principles and the vision statement, both developed in consultation with key stakeholders and the community.

During July and September 2020, further community feedback was sought on the draft concept master plan prior to the lodgement of the planning proposal.

Expressions of Interest and Request for Detailed Proposal campaign

An Expression of Interest (EOI) campaign was launched in late 2021 to identify a project delivery partner to help transform the site into a vibrant health and wellbeing precinct.

The delivery partner will work with government and the community to develop a master plan to meet the needs of the people of the Northern Beaches and the greater Sydney metropolitan area.

Following the EOI, PDNSW undertook a Request for Detailed Proposal (RFDP) with shortlisted respondents, which closed in May 2022.

Evaluation of the RFDP is ongoing.

It is anticipated the project will be delivered via a long-term leasehold agreement, ensuring the site is retained in government ownership.