A sinkhole appeared in Central Manly on Friday night, 19 August, as a section of The Corso close to the seafront collapsed. The affected area was contained in safety fencing to enable contractors to conduct emergency repairs.
Northern Beaches Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham brought it to the public’s attention when she posted on social media on Friday , “Emergency work is underway in the Corso following the discovery of a major sink hole, outside the Hotel Steyne, caused by a leak in the stormwater drainage pipe. It is expected the pipe, which runs the entire length of the Corso will need to be replaced.”
A spokesperson for Council confirmed the problem and told Manly Observer, “A small section of stormwater pipe located under the Corso has collapsed and produced a sinkhole on the pavement above outside The Steyne Hotel. Emergency repairs are about to get underway to restore the section of pipe and fill the sinkhole.
“Approximately 8 metres of collapsed pipe will be removed and two new stormwater pipes installed to allow connection with the existing infrastructure. Unfortunately a couple of existing palm trees have had to be removed. They are being looked after offsite but their poor condition means they are unlikely to survive. New palms will be installed once the pipes have been replaced.
“The works are expected to be complete in time for the start of the Manly Jazz Festival in late September.”
The repair work is being undertaken by contractors for Council, not Sydney Water, which manage infrastructure and piping for wastewater, not stormwater.
