Did you know that Manly Council played a pivotal role in shaping Sydney’s Northern Beaches? Manly Council was more than just a local government body. It was an integral part of the community for nearly 140 years.
Manly’s story began on January 6 1877. It was officially incorporated as the Municipal District of Manly. The first council meeting occurred on February 15 1877. Thomas Rowe was elected as the first mayor.
Initially, Manly Council met in temporary locations. These included the Ivanhoe Hotel in Ivanhoe Park. In 1909, the council moved to Llangollen. This was William Howard Rolfe’s former mansion. It sat at the end of the Corso.
The council wasn’t always divided into wards. In October 1890, they petitioned for a division. Three wards were proclaimed in December 1890. These were the Steyne Ward, Fairlight Ward, and Wentworth Ward.
Manly was the sole local government authority on the Northern Beaches until 1906. That year, Warringah Shire was proclaimed. Burnt Bridge Creek formed the boundary between Manly and Warringah. From 1906, the council became the Municipality of Manly.
In 1918, a scandal rocked the council. Seven aldermen accepted free ferry passes from the Port Jackson and Manly Steamship Company. They were charged with contravening the Local Government Act. Though initially found guilty, the convictions were later overturned on appeal.
Alderman Alfred Reid proposed upgrading Manly to city status in April 1927. However, the NSW Government rejected this petition in May 1938. Minister for Local Government Eric Spooner cited Manly’s failure to meet the requirements.
Despite this setback, Manly continued to push for recognition. Mayor Aubrey Hanson-Norman argued for city status. He pointed to the population and substantial revenue. He emphasized Manly’s geographical separation from the metropolitan area.
After much debate, a new Town Hall was constructed. The old one was demolished in February 1937. Samuel Reginald Maisey designed the Neo-Georgian revival Town Hall. It served as the council’s seat until 2016.
From 1951 to 1980, the Mackellar County Council operated on the Northern Beaches. It supplied electricity and gas. This was a joint effort by Manly Municipal Council and Warringah Shire Council.
Manly Council officially adopted its current name on July 1 1993. This followed the enactment of the Local Government Act, 1993. The Act also replaced the terms “Town Clerk” with “General Manager” and “Alderman” with “Councillor”.
In 2016, the NSW Government reviewed local government boundaries. This led to a proposal to merge Manly Council with adjoining councils. The Northern Beaches Council was proclaimed on May 12 2016. It merged Pittwater, Manly, and Warringah councils.
The final mayor of Manly Council was Cr Jean Hay AM. She was a member of the Liberal Party. The council seal tells a story. It depicts Indigenous men watching the arrival of the first Europeans. This image references Governor Arthur Phillip’s naming of Manly Cove in 1788. He was impressed by the “manly behaviour” of the Aboriginal people.
Though Manly Council no longer exists as an independent entity, its legacy lives on. It shaped the character of Manly and the Northern Beaches. The spirit of Manly endures in the Northern Beaches Council. It continues to serve the community.