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Manly Corso Property Listed for Guzman y Gomez Development Proposal

Photo Credit: DA2026/0741

A prominent Manly Corso property could be fitted out for Guzman y Gomez under a development application now under assessment for the ground-floor tenancy at 1/21-23 The Corso.

The application, DA2026/0741, was submitted on 10 June 2026 and is on exhibition from 24 June 2026 to 8 July 2026. The proposed works have an estimated value of $521,510.

The proposal seeks approval for use of the premises as a business premises, with the tenancy proposed to operate as a Guzman y Gomez takeaway food and drink premises. The works would include internal alterations, shopfront changes, signage and new mechanical plant.

Manly Corso property frontage — *Photo Credit: DA2026/0741*

Fitout Planned for Manly Corso Tenancy

The proposed fitout would cover 186 square metres of ground-floor space.

Plans for the customer area include service counters, a bin location, a salsa station and 15 internal seats. Back-of-house areas would include a kitchen, wash-up area, office, storage spaces, waste storage, dry store, freezer and coolroom.

The application also lists a cooking area and associated equipment, including a cook line, café station, fries station and mechanical ventilation.

Proposed Guzman y Gomez tenancy — *Photo Credit: DA2026/0741*

Shopfront Changes Proposed on the Corso

The development would alter the ground-floor frontage of the Manly Corso property, with walnut-coloured cladding, new fixed and sliding glazing, and a range of illuminated signs.

The signage package includes Guzman y Gomez branding on the awning fascia and window, a Cape Hola wall sign, an app and delivery pick-up sign, two under-awning signs and branded graphic treatments, including mural-style glazing decals.

New mechanical plant and ducting are also proposed as part of the works.

Ground-floor shopfront on The Corso — *Photo Credit: DA2026/0741*

Daily Trading Listed From 6am to 3am

The premises is proposed to trade from 6am to 3am, seven days a week.

The application also includes alcohol sales, which would be handled through a separate on-premises liquor licence process. Any restrictions on alcohol sales would be managed through that process.

Goods deliveries and waste collection would take place from Market Lane at the rear of the site. No off-street parking is proposed, and the existing loading arrangements would remain unchanged.

Heritage Setting Retained Above Ground Level

The property forms part of a shop-top housing development, with retail space at ground level and residential units above.

The site is identified as a local heritage item, listed as a group of commercial buildings, and sits within the Town Centre Conservation Area. The building is described in the application material as a stripped Art Deco commercial building from the early twentieth century.

The ground-floor shopfront has been extensively altered over time, with no original shopfront fabric remaining. The proposed works would not increase the building height or floor space ratio, and the finished floor level would not change.

A noise assessment lodged with the proposal predicts operational noise would comply with relevant criteria for nearby residential and non-residential receivers during daytime, evening and night periods.

DA2026/0741 remains under assessment.

Published 26-June-2026

Northern Beaches Authorities Back Faster Removal Of Unsafe LimeBikes

Photo Credit: Pexels

Manly LimeBikes could face tighter local management after NBC backed calls for stronger powers to remove unsafe or dumped share bikes from footpaths, roads, driveways and other public spaces.

Manly LimeBikes Face Push For Faster Removal Powers

NBC has backed a move to strengthen how unsafe or dumped LimeBikes are managed across the area, following concerns about bikes obstructing footpaths, cycleways and community spaces.

At its 16 June 2026 meeting, authorities considered a motion on managing the impacts of dumped LimeBikes. The motion sought action on public safety and amenity concerns, including bikes left across footpaths, roads, driveways, cycleways and other shared areas.

The motion also called for the finalisation of the Road Transport and Other Legislation Amendment (Micromobility Vehicles and Smartcards) Bill 2025 and supporting regulations. The proposed framework would provide a clearer process for managing shared micromobility schemes, including where vehicles can operate and where they can be parked.

Authorities also supported seeking appropriate fees for operators using public land, along with recovery of costs linked to managing micromobility vehicles.

Current Rules Require Three Hours’ Notice

Authorities already have powers under the Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021 to collect bikes in certain circumstances, including when they are blocking a footpath, road or entry.

However, the current process requires at least three hours’ notice to be given to the operator before authorities can act.

The motion sought stronger powers to manage and impound micromobility vehicles such as LimeBikes, including the ability to remove unsafe items immediately where there is an imminent risk to public safety or the environment.

Authorities also moved to begin compliance action within their existing regulatory powers to address LimeBikes obstructing public places across the Northern Beaches local government area.

Rollout Reaches Beyond Manly

Lime launched LimeBikes in Manly in April 2026 before extending distribution to nearby suburbs including Balgowlah, Dee Why and Brookvale. Bikes have also appeared around other parts of the Northern Beaches, with the rollout occurring without the need for approval under the current rules.

The arrival of the bikes has provided another option for short local trips, but the service should not come at the cost of local amenity or the safety of people using public spaces.

The NBC was told there were about 500 to 600 LimeBike journeys on the Northern Beaches each day.

Rangers have also increased monitoring of bikes left in unsafe locations and bikes being ridden in exclusion zones, including along The Corso. Lime had been issued six notices to remove bikes.

Lime Says Parking Checks Are In Place

Lime says it has measures to reduce poor parking and safety hazards across its share bike network.

The company requires riders to park vehicles appropriately and away from pedestrian paths. Riders must also submit a photo of the parked bike at the end of a trip, with an AI-enabled tool used to check whether the vehicle has been left correctly before the ride can be completed.

Lime says it also has on-street operations teams to collect misparked vehicles.

Riders who repeatedly park bikes incorrectly can face penalties, including fines, suspension and removal from the platform.

The motion was carried, leaving the next step focused on stronger rules for managing shared bikes where they obstruct public spaces or create safety concerns.

Published 18-June-2026

Quick-Thinking Council Worker Saves Injured Rottweiler Dumped in Manly Public Bin

A routine rubbish collection in Manly turned into a lifesaving rescue mission when a local council worker discovered a severely wounded Rottweiler discarded inside a public wheelie bin like common trash.

The alarming find occurred just after 4 a.m. on June 11 at Keirle Park, when Northern Beaches Council Litter Bin Officer Glenn Ballard was emptying the public bins. Ballard noted that one particular bin felt unusually heavy and strange, prompting him to pull it out of the dark and into the light. Upon flipping the lid, he saw the young male dog staring back at him in complete silence, showing absolutely no signs of panic despite his terrifying ordeal.

Recognising the high risk of handling a potentially traumatised and abused animal, the council worker acted cautiously to secure the dog. Ballard used food to gently coax the timid Rottweiler out of the dirty container and safely into a towel.

The sanitary worker explained that his deep fondness for dogs, particularly Rottweilers, compelled him to step up in a dangerous situation, expressing his belief that anyone else in the neighbourhood would have done exactly the same thing.

The dog was urgently transported to the SASH 24/7 veterinary clinic in Balgowlah for immediate medical assessment. Clinic staff confirmed the animal was in a very poor physical state, suffering from malnourishment and severely overgrown nails.

Veterinarian Tim Hopkins noted that the situation was horrific and highly unusual for the area, pointing out that the docile pup was covered in both fresh wounds and older, unhealed injuries, which included a deep gash on the right side of its body.

Animal welfare inspectors from RSPCA NSW have since taken official custody of the Rottweiler, confirming the animal is now in a stable condition while receiving ongoing veterinary treatment. The organisation has launched a formal animal cruelty investigation to figure out exactly how the dog ended up abandoned in the park. Investigators are urging members of the public to come forward with any relevant information, particularly anyone who might have neighbourhood security footage that could lead to answers.

Published Date 16-June-2026

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Manly Included in Growing Concerns Over Eggs Thrown at Cars Across Northern Beaches

A community report alleging a group of boys on bikes were carrying eggs near Coles on Wentworth Street has added Manly to growing concerns about dangerous behaviour targeting motorists across the Northern Beaches. The report surfaced days before Northern Beaches Police publicly warned that throwing eggs, rocks and water balloons at moving vehicles could lead to serious consequences.

Police Respond to Reports Across the Northern Beaches

Local police are cracking down on a dangerous trend of youths throwing eggs, rocks, and water balloons at moving vehicles, warning that the behavior is a serious crime, not a harmless prank.

The warning follows months of growing community concern regarding large groups of teenagers gathering around skate parks, shopping precincts, and popular local hangouts during evening hours.

Northern Beaches Police Area Command Superintendent John Duncan stated that officers are currently investigating multiple reports, with a heavy focus on community awareness and prevention.

The Real Danger: Crashes and Confrontations

Police emphasise that the risk extends far beyond minor property damage. The primary danger is the unpredictable reaction of a startled driver. A sudden swerve, harsh braking, or temporary loss of concentration can easily trigger a serious crash involving other motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians.

Furthermore, authorities reported several volatile incidents where drivers stopped their cars after being hit, leading to direct confrontations between motorists and groups of young people.

A Call to Parents and Witnesses

With investigations ongoing, Northern Beaches Police are urging parents to step in and have serious conversations with their children about the severe legal penalties and physical consequences of these actions.

Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Police Command/Facebook

Can you help? Police are asking anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of these incidents to contact local authorities immediately.

Published 15-June-2026

A Manly Icon Moves On: The Pantry Set to Relocate as Beachfront Site Gets New Lease of Life

One of Manly Beach’s most recognisable dining landmarks is preparing to close its doors on the beachfront, with The Pantry Manly set to relocate elsewhere in the suburb as its long-held site lease passes to new operators.

Read: Shelly Beach Residents Take on The Boathouse Over Licence Shake-Up

Owners Sean and Zeynep Blasdall confirmed the move, saying they are in the process of securing a new Manly location and are excited to share more details soon. In a reassuring sign for loyal regulars, the couple say their full team will be making the move with them.

The beachfront site itself, a heritage building dating to 1919 that has served the Manly community as a tea house, change rooms, information kiosk and, since 1997, a restaurant, will not be sitting idle for long. Northern Beaches hospitality duo Shahid Rahman and Anna Walker have been announced as the successful tenderers for a new long-term lease on the property.

The pair, who met while working at the Sebel Manly and have since built a reputation on the Northern Beaches, will rebrand the venue as The Beach House Manly, reviving its former identity as Manly Ocean Beach House. Their new lease, running on a 10-plus-five-year term, kicks off on 1 October 2026, at which point renovation works are slated to begin with the goal of opening in time for the summer season.

For Rahman, the project carries a personal significance that goes well beyond business. He was part of the original launch team when The Pantry opened in November 2010, working alongside founder Hasan Erman for over a decade across what was, for a time, one of the largest hospitality operations in Manly. Rahman has described the opportunity as a chance to bring the venue full circle, crediting Erman’s mentorship as foundational to his career in hospitality.

Walker, speaking about the vision for the new venue, said the pair see the site as one of the finest dining locations in the country, and are focused on making it feel genuinely welcoming and accessible to the local community. Their concept is designed to span the full day — from early morning trade through to late-evening happy hours, and is described as an elevated version of their current operation, offering full table service and a smart dining experience.

From Curl Curl to Manly: A Beachfront Portfolio Takes Shape

Photo credit: Google Maps/Lucy Quartermain

That current operation is The Beach Eatery at South Curl Curl, which the pair launched after selling their Balgowlah restaurant Fish Face in 2024. The Beach Eatery has found strong footing with the local community, and Walker has cited its warm reception as a key factor in giving the pair the confidence to take on a second beachfront venue.

To support both locations, Rahman and Walker have secured a prep kitchen and storage space on Howard Avenue in Dee Why, in the former Olive and Peel site, with a small bakehouse also being considered as a longer-term possibility at that address.

The new venue will also look to expand its footprint, with the operators flagging plans to open a kiosk on the opposite side of the lifeguard facilities attached to the building. The building itself sits above public amenities that are managed separately and not part of the incoming lease.

Read: Lost in a Storm, Found on Manly Beach: The Extraordinary Tale of the Vincennes

The Pantry has been a fixture on the Manly beachfront since its opening in 2010. The business changed ownership at the end of 2016, with the Blasdalls among those who have continued its reputation as a go-to for locals and visitors. While no firm details have been announced yet about where The Pantry will reopen, the Blasdalls have confirmed they are committed to staying in Manly and retaining their staff.

Published 12-June-2026

High-Density Living Waves into Manly Beach with 37-Apartment Renewal Project

Developer Lindsay Bennelong plans to demolish a cluster of older properties near the southern end of Manly Beach to build a massive $71.6 million apartment complex that utilises state planning incentives to exceed standard local height limits by including dedicated homes for frontline workers.

Transforming the Neighbourhood Footprint

apartment — *Photo Credit:* *DA2026/0523*

The proposed development, located at 17 to 25 Ashburner Street, sits snugly between the southern end of Manly Beach and East Manly Cove. The project involves knocking down four existing houses and 10 older apartments to make way for a much larger, high-density residential space.

This complete redesign will significantly increase the housing capacity of the specific site, jumping from just 25 existing bedrooms up to 94 bedrooms. These will be spread across 37 new apartments, offering a mixture of one, two, and three-bedroom layouts to suit different types of households.

Utilising Incentives for Affordable Housing

Because the location is exactly within a 400-metre walking distance of the Manly town centre, it falls under specific state planning rules for low to mid-rise housing zones. The standard height limit for this area is usually restricted to 22 metres. However, the developer has qualified for a 30% height increase. They secured this bonus by reserving nine of the new apartments strictly as affordable housing.

This extra allowance pushes the maximum allowable building height to 28.6 metres, a limit the eight-storey design uses completely to maximise the number of homes on the block.

Dedicated Homes for Frontline Workers

The nine affordable units are specifically aimed at supporting frontline workers, making it easier for essential staff to live close to their workplaces. The developer is currently collaborating with a local community housing provider to ensure the rental prices for these specific apartments are heavily reduced. Usually, affordable housing requires rents to be capped at 20% below the regular market rate, but the team behind this project aims to push the cost well below that standard benchmark.

Coastal Design and Modern Additions

Platform Architects designed the new complex to blend nicely with the local environment, featuring a wave-like indentation along the building’s facade to mirror the nearby ocean. People living in the building will share a dedicated wellness facility equipped with a sauna and a gym, alongside generous private outdoor spaces.

The property will also feature a full-time building manager’s office and two levels of underground basement parking with room for 76 cars, which includes nine parking spaces set aside specifically for visitors. The formal development application is currently waiting for its public exhibition period to be determined, with the entire project estimated to finish in early 2031.

Published Date 12-June-2026

A Ferris Wheel Is Coming to Manly Beach for the First Time

@manlyaustralia/Instagram

A 25-metre Ferris wheel is coming to Manly Beach as the headline attraction of this year’s Rise Manly winter festival, marking the first time a Ferris wheel has appeared on the suburb’s ocean beachfront.

The wheel will operate from 19 to 28 June opposite the Corso, giving riders panoramic views across the Pacific Ocean. Tickets cost $10 per person or $35 for a family of four, with no booking required.

The Ferris wheel, owned and operated by DM Entertainment, opens daily and runs until 28 June. Sunday to Thursday sessions run from 10am to 9.30pm, while Friday and Saturday sessions extend to 10pm.

Manly has had a Ferris wheel before — just not here

The ocean beachfront distinction matters. Manly’s last Ferris wheel stood on the other side of the peninsula entirely.

*Photo Credit: @manlyaustralia/Instagram*

The Manly Fun Pier, built at Manly Wharf on the harbour side, operated from around 1931 and became a landmark that defined the cove’s skyline for more than half a century.

Its Ferris wheel, skating rink, carnival rides and amusement attractions drew generations of visitors arriving by ferry, and the pier’s outline became as familiar to Manly residents as the beach itself. The Fun Pier closed and was demolished in 1989 following years of decline.

*Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Council Library*

The beachfront wheel arriving this June is not a replacement in any formal sense. But for a suburb where amusement attractions once defined how visitors experienced arrival, having a Ferris wheel visible from the sand and the Corso connects the present to a chapter of Manly history that has been absent for nearly four decades.

The rest of Rise Manly

The beachfront Ferris wheel headlines this year’s Rise Manly, running for 10 days alongside the festival’s wider winter program. Live street performances, light installations, a silent disco tour and ski-themed parties are scheduled throughout the run.

A projection installation will light up the facade of the historic Manly Town Hall, while the surface of the Corso transforms into a light canvas after dark, with a nod to Vivid’s influence on Sydney’s winter events calendar.

Food and drink experiences include a fondue and wine event at Henry G’s and winter-themed menus across participating restaurants and cafes. The Ice Cold Classic, a one-kilometre ocean swim from Manly to Shelly Beach marking the winter solstice, also runs during the festival as a fundraiser for people in need.

Local shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, and fitness and wellness businesses are participating with their own events and specials throughout the festival.

Getting there and tickets

The Ferris wheel is on the Manly Beachfront, opposite the Corso. Manly is accessible by ferry from Circular Quay, by bus, or on foot from Manly Wharf. Tickets are $10 per person or $35 for a family of four. No booking required — purchase onsite. Group and event packages are available on request.

Full Rise Manly program details can be viewed here.

Published 10-June-2026

Manly’s Parking Permits Have Gone Digital — and Not Everyone Is Happy About What Changed

Hello Manly

The Manly Parking Permit Scheme shifted online in March 2026, ditching physical window stickers for digital permits linked straight to vehicle regos. But while updating standard residential permits has been relatively straightforward, a major shake-up to multi-use permits has caught plenty of local households completely off guard.

The residential permit change itself is relatively straightforward for most households: two permits per property, linked to specific vehicles, managed online through a vPermit account. The permits are valid for 365 days from the date of application, and existing permit holders are being given advance notice as their current physical permits expire before transitioning to digital.

The friction point is the multi-use permit, which works very differently now from how it used to.

The permit that changed most

Previously, the multi-use permit came in a removable sleeve that could be transferred between any vehicle at any time for any duration, with no registration attached. That flexibility made it a practical solution for households with more than two cars, or for anyone who regularly had tradespeople, carers or visitors parking on the street.

Under the digital system, each session requires the resident to register the specific vehicle online, choose a start date and time, and activate a session that expires after 24 hours. Sessions can be booked up to seven days in advance.

The first 40 sessions annually are free, with additional sessions proposed at $5 per day from 1 July 2026, subject to the annual fees and charges process.

For households where cars come and go at short notice — a son or daughter arriving unexpectedly, a last-minute tradesperson booking, a carer changing vehicles — the requirement to log in and register a plate before every session is the sticking point.

Residents have described the booking system as unworkable in practice for busy households. A parked car without a valid active session risks a fine of around $120.

What the system was designed to do

NBC has been clear about the intent behind the digital shift. The multi-use permit was never designed as a de facto third permit for a third car. It was intended to provide parking options for visitors, tradespeople and carers, and the 40-session cap reflects that intended use rather than long-term residential parking.

The move to digital also addresses a practical problem at the beachside end of the Northern Beaches permit system: a secondary market for physical beach parking stickers, sometimes advertised online as a “pen” on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, in which residents with surplus stickers sold them on. Digital permits tied to specific registrations make that kind of resale impossible.

The broader digital rollout is hitting the area in stages. While the vPermit system was announced back in 2025, it only recently went live in parts of Manly.

Meanwhile, the general 2026 Beach Parking Permits are still arriving in letterboxes as physical stickers, meaning the secondary black market for them won’t be completely wiped out until those schemes transition later down the track.

Options for households with three vehicles

The standard Manly scheme limits each property to two site-specific residential permits. The first costs $55 annually and the second $121. Households with a genuine need for a third permit do have an avenue, though it is not straightforward.

It has been confirmed that extenuating circumstances will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis. “This may include larger households where planning controls restrict the provision of off-street parking,” a spokesperson said.

A third residential parking permit in such circumstances costs $306 annually. Special issue permits remain available upon request for charities, schools, volunteers and not-for-profit organisations.

Residents with questions about the digital permit transition can call NBC’s customer service team on 1300 434 434, visit the Manly Customer Service Centre at Manly Town Hall, 1 Belgrave Street, or access the vPermit system here.

Published 7-June-2026

Jake Trbojevic Re-Signs with Manly After Weighing Up Retirement

Manly Sea Eagles

Manly Sea Eagles icon Jake Trbojevic has officially shut down any retirement talk, locking in a contract extension that keeps him at Brookvale Oval through the end of the 2027 NRL season.

The dramatic turnaround in form and mood follows a sensational mid-season revival under club legend Kieran Foran, who recently shed his interim tag to sign a permanent three-year head coaching deal.

The 32-year-old lock forward, who recently crossed the historic 250-game milestone for Manly after debuting back in 2013, admitted he seriously weighed up his future earlier in the year. Facing a heavy barrage of media criticism and recovering from a series of concussions that cut his 2025 campaign short, Trbojevic openly worried about overstaying his welcome.

“I just wanted to make a good decision for both me and the club. I didn’t want to be a burden,” Trbojevic said before putting pen to paper. “But the past few weeks have been really enjoyable, and our turnaround in form has been great for the whole club. I love playing under Foz and with this amazing group of players. I’m really happy to confirm that I’m locked in for next year.”

The Fozball Revolution

Trbojevic’s career extension caps off a remarkable structural shift on the Northern Beaches. Manly began their 2026 campaign in absolute chaos, sacking Anthony Seibold after an 0-3 start. The board turned to Foran in Round 4, thrusting the former Kiwi international into the top job just months after he retired from professional playing duties at the end of 2025.

The rookie coach sparked an immediate cultural reset, implementing a high-octane style of play that fans have affectionately dubbed “Fozball.” Under his guidance, the Sea Eagles completely transformed their season, orchestrating an elite run of form that briefly saw them outscore and out-defend every team in the competition over an eight-game window.

“Having Foz take over has been a breath of fresh air,” Trbojevic noted. “The month of footy we’ve put together makes life a lot easier.”

Foran was equally thrilled to secure his stand-in captain’s signature for 2027, praising Trbojevic’s leadership on and off the field.

“Jake is everything that is good about this club; he is Manly through and through,” Foran said. “He’s playing some really good footy, and the boys love playing with him, so this is great news for the club.”

Trench warrior and family legacy

Born and raised in Mona Vale, Trbojevic represents a rare breed of local loyalty in the modern game. His 250th match, celebrated in a packed home game against the Brisbane Broncos, highlighted a deep family legacy. All three Trbojevic brothers — Jake, club captain Tom, and younger brother Ben — spearhead the Sea Eagles line-up.

While Tom and the glamour backline usually capture the headlines, Jake remains the engine room. His relentless work ethic, increased run meters, and characteristically massive tackle counts have formed the bedrock of Manly’s resurgence.

Even when Tom faced an extended sideline stint due to injury, Jake filled the captaincy void seamlessly. His brother Tom fiercely defended him against early-season critics.

“I thought everyone copped a bit of criticism at the start of the year, but I don’t think he was playing as badly as everyone was saying,” Tom said. “We know what he’s capable of, and it’s great that he’s showing everyone that.”

Now sitting comfortably in the top eight and ready to launch a genuine premiership assault, Manly has transformed from an early-season basket case into a tightly wound title threat—with their spiritual leader officially secured for the long haul.

Published 3-June-2026

Iconic Tyre Man Could Return to Manly Streets After Years in Storage

Few landmarks on the Northern Beaches were as recognisable as the Tyre Man, a top-hatted, cigar-toting figure who stood sentinel over the western approaches to Manly for more than eight decades. Now, after years in storage, he could be heading back, thanks to a campaign by businessman Keith Tucker.

Read: $79M Plan To Replace Ageing Manly Flats With Nine-Storey Apartment Building

Mr Tucker, owner of Autotune Freshwater, has kicked off a community campaign to find the beloved figurine a permanent home in Manly, calling on businesses with a 2095 postcode to put their hand up and offer him a spot out front.

Mr Tucker rescued the Tyre Man from storage at the former Manly Council’s works depot on Roseberry Street, Balgowlah, back in 2013, after the figure had been deemed a safety risk and removed from his pole the previous year. Since then, the iconic landmark has been sitting in pieces in a shed on Mr Tucker’s property near Mt Panorama, outside Bathurst, with no permanent home yet secured.

A Northern Beaches Icon: The Story Behind the Tyre Man

The Man on the Tyres, with cigar and top hat, 1987 (Photo credit: Manly Library Local Studies)

The Tyre Man’s story begins in 1933, when young William Edward Sinden, a Goodyear tyre dealer, was looking for an advertisement that would capture the public’s interest. His idea was deceptively simple: stack roughly 100 tyres on a pole at a prominent spot along Sydney Road, right where the road sweeps down toward Manly, and crown it with a life-size dressed figure.

By Mr Sinden’s own account, it worked. Motorists would pull over to debate whether the man up there was real or a dummy. Photos appeared in newspapers and magazines across Australia and around the world, and the landmark even featured in a Goodyear promotional film, “Goodyear on the March.”

The figurine’s aluminium face was said to have been modelled on George Surgeoner, a local pilot who went on to fly bombers in England during World War II. The Tyre Man received a new suit every year, working through ordinary clothing, leather, and eventually more weatherproof materials, to deal with the punishing combination of Sydney sun, rain, and southerlies. His hat was crafted from copper, his shoes were military boots.

Sinden’s, post-WWII (Photo credit: Manly Library Local Studies)

Mr Sinden himself once noted that wherever he travelled, whether in New Zealand, New Guinea, or elsewhere in Australia, the mere mention of his name would prompt someone to bring up the man on the pole. A new figure was installed on 18 April 1963, courtesy of Mackellar County Council.

After the original Sinden’s Tyre and Rubber Co. at 100 Sydney Road was demolished and replaced by apartments, the Tyre Man stayed on at the same site on a much lower pole, though he gradually disappeared behind overgrown trees. By 2012, his deteriorating condition had made him a liability, and he was taken down and put into council storage.

Mr Tucker’s son Jake, then 15, and a group of mates tackled the restoration of the Tyre Man’s head at St Paul’s Catholic College in Manly with the help of visual arts co-ordinator Christopher Boylan. The project took three months to complete.

Read: Lost in a Storm, Found on Manly Beach: The Extraordinary Tale of the Vincennes

Mr Tucker had previously considered putting the Tyre Man on display outside the former Ultratune service centre in Manly, but when he sold that business, the Tyre Man was shipped to his property near Mt Panorama. Now Mr Tucker is ready to act. He plans to restore the figure, fit him with a new uniform, and get him ready for his new home.

All he needs is a business willing to take him in. Anyone interested in giving the Tyre Man a new home can contact Mr Tucker at info@autotune.com.au.

Published 30-May-2026