Northern Beaches Council is investigating handing over use of Manly’s historic town hall building to the private sector in a bid to get theatre and exhibition space plans off the ground.
The 85-year-old building has been largely unused since Manly Council merged into Northern Beaches Council and plans to turn the space into a lively community hub were subsequently cancelled after a feasibility study found it too costly.
The partially redacted feasibility study – prepared in 2023 by Scott Carver Pty Ltd, Networked Urban Solutions and Hawkridge Entertainment Services – advised against activating the space as a multi-use performance and exhibition venue, citing it as a high-risk venture.
The proposal included a flexible 350-seat space, 100-seat theatre and 80-seat cinema.
The report states that demand for a theatrical venue of the size and programming envisioned for Manly Town Hall had not been “conclusively established” and alternative uses that would bring in more revenue should be considered.
Interestingly, the report suggests “repurposing the space into a live music venue” may be a more sustainable and economically viable solution, with two specific opportunities identified: converting the hall into a simpler live music hall or a smaller music hub and cinema, rather than the grander theatrical and exhibition offering. These are options Council hasn’t followed up on since the report came to Council in 2024.
But the original plans, based on significant community consultation and an active working group, were deemed not worth the risk. While Council bears the cost of several public venues for the arts, such as the Manly Art Gallery and Museum as well as Glen Street Theatre, the financial losses here could be significantly higher.
“It is evident that while it may be technically feasible to incorporate the community’s desired inclusions… the significant financial risks, operational challenges, and limited revenue prospects underscore the need for a thorough reassessment of the project’s scope and objectives,” the report concludes.
The issue has since sat dormant, as has most of the building, until it re-emerged recently at a meeting of the new Council with a view to engaging the private sector.
The Manly Hall theatre space concept has been the pet project of long-time Manly Councillor Candy Bingham, who brought the prospect of leasing the facility to the private sector up at the most recent Council meeting.
In June, Cr Bingham successfully called for the Council to prepare a report setting out options for inviting an Expression of Interest for the private sector to redevelop the Manly Town Hall for performance and entertainment purposes.
“The Manly Town Hall provides an opportunity to stage concerts, cabaret, bands, dances, theatre and all kinds of entertainment,” Cr Bingham said.
“Council simply doesn’t have the resources, or the expertise to turn this venue into an entertainment venue and run it. We are not in the entertainment business! The EOI will attract various offerings – obviously music is part of that.”
“It’s the next step to converting this beautiful building and giving it new life.”
The move has strong backing from the Manly Chamber, as well as local MPs.
Manly MP James Griffin described it as a “once in a generation opportunity”.
“Naturally, a project of this scale comes with challenges, but abandoning it off the back of one feasibility report would have been a missed opportunity. With the right partners and a flexible delivery model, we can create something truly unique that honours our heritage and sets Manly apart as a new cultural destination,” said Mr Griffin.
The new report is due back to Council by the end of 2025.
Zoe Hudson from Manly Theatre Group says Manly is in desperate need of a centrally-located performance space, but one that’s affordable and accessible to smaller outfits like theirs. This could be more difficult to achieve with a privatised model.
The group has a great relationship with the only Manly CBD theatre space provider, St Matthews Church, and now Stella Maris school has great facilities, but see Manly Town Hall as a natural fit for performances and events. It could also host growing events like the Manly Writers’ Festival – so long as Council could keep it accessible to community groups.
“From our perspective, being a non-profit charity, 80-85% of our budget goes on venue hire,” Ms Hudson said.
“It’s rising exponentially every year. So if Council was able to give us a venue space, we could be putting on more productions each year and keeping our prices low.
“The whole process of Manly Theatre Group is magical. We invite the community to come to our group writing and script reading sessions and experience it, and if you want, learn how to read a script. It’s fun. There’s so much for everyone.”
“Using Manly Town Hall for performance just makes sense,” added Group member Edith Hurt. “It is a magical place for locals but also people can cruise off the ferry and have dinner in Manly and enjoy a production.
“Manly Town Hall is naturally a place where people can congregate. I would love to see this happen.”
