SAVE MANLY: STOP THE SEP. Objections close Sunday 22 November

The Manly SEP is on public exhibition and objections close at 11:59pm on Sunday 22 November. Thank you to the more than 1,000 of you who signed. Now we need your objection.

We are opposing the SEP itself, not just asking for lower noise limits. About 8,000 people live inside the proposed precinct.

Why: acoustic expert Steven Cooper found more than 50 issues in the sound framework, 14 of them critical. Proposed State planning changes, not yet final, could let shops and offices inside an SEP become entertainment venues without a DA or any say for neighbours.

Object. Email ManlySEP@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au with the subject “Formal Objection to the Manly Special Entertainment Precinct, PP-2026-1157”. Say you oppose the SEP and want it refused, then add two or three points in your own words. Every adult can send one. Pick from the 22 reasons below. The detailed version and a guide to Council’s form are on Facebook: search SAVE MANLY: STOP THE SEP.
Share this petition and the fundraiser with your neighbours, WhatsApp groups and strata building.
Fund the challenge. We’ve raised $24,795 of $45,000. Specialist legal advice is the top priority, then more town planner and acoustic hours. Strata owners: ask your committee to consider a motion for the owners corporation to contribute.
GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/cwqmd-challenge-manlys-entertainment-precinct-noise-plan
If Change.org asks you to “chip in”, that money does not come to us. Only the GoFundMe funds the campaign.

Your home. Your rights. Your Manly.

Manly Residents 

 
22 REASONS TO SAY NO

Planning control

It fails its own objective of protecting residents from unreasonable impacts.
Declaring an SEP hands planning control over Manly from Council to the State.
Proposed State rules would let shops, offices and carparks become entertainment spaces without a DA or notice to neighbours.
Council was consulted on those State proposals in 2025 and didn’t tell residents.
Residents’ rights
5. Complaints would face a higher threshold that has proven almost impossible to meet.
6. It wipes out the advantage of residents who were here before the venues changed.
7. Residents pay for acoustic glazing ($15,000–$25,000 a home). Venues pay nothing.
8. The section meant to protect existing residents (PMP 3.5.4) is missing.

No regulatory gap
9. The tools already exist: L&GNSW is pursuing LA10 noise conditions on Hotel Steyne now.
10. The SEP widens the gap it claims to fill.

Sound framework
11. Noise is measured at street level, not where people sleep. Testing found it 9 dB louder at Level 7.
12. The baseline was measured while venues were already in breach.
13. Venues that never had noise limits get a free pass.
14. Sound rules now cover all commercial premises, not just entertainment venues.
15. No assessment of noise from several venues at once.
16. No monitoring of whether venues comply.

Health
17. Bedroom noise could be 25–30 dB above WHO sleep guidelines.
18. No health assessment of longer trading hours and alcohol harm.
19. Vibrancy already works without an SEP: Rise Manly, New Brighton Hotel, and Byron Shire, which walked away from its SEP.

Process
20. 85% opposed the sound levels in consultation. The framework didn’t change.
21. It contradicts Council’s own strategic plans.
22. The Precinct Working Group was bypassed.