Newsletter – June 2019

HERITAGE BUS SHELTER

Work has started on the reconstruction of the heritage bus shelter opposite Surf Road in Barrenjoey Road.

MONA VALE HOSPITAL

Work has commenced on the new inpatient building to house a specialist 10-bed inpatient geriatric medical unit and a dedicated 10-bed inpatient palliative care unit, the first of its type on the Northern Beaches. The estimated completion date is mid-2020. The Urgent Care Centre is also being renovated and the hospital’s first permanent Ambulance Station will be installed. Construction of a new 10-bed inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre is also planned.

BARRENJOEY LIGHTHOUSE SEWER CONNECTION WORKS

National Parks & Wildlife Service have advised that they will be commencing work to connect water and sewer from Barrenjoey Lighthouse to the mains in Governor Phillip Park, expecting pipe laying to commence on 10 June (perhaps 17 June depending on contractor logistics). Notices will be displayed to advise the public of this work. The purpose is for the provision of toilets and water at the Lighthouse. More than 250 000 people visited the Lighthouse precinct in 2018.

LITTLE PENGUINS ON LION ISLAND

Courtesy of the ABC

Sydney has only two remaining colonies of Little Penguins. One of them is on Lion Island but last year’s bush fire destroyed 85 per cent of their habitat. Now the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service have installed 20 concrete burrows on the island which will protect the penguins from foxes and goannas. Now is the time they are looking for places to mate and lay their eggs so it is hoped that they will occupy these burrows which were made by a women’s shed group known as the Fix-It Sisters.

Read the article

LOCAL HOUSING STRATEGY

The Mayor has confirmed that the Northern Beaches Council has applied for a deferral for 6 to 12 months of the NSW Government’s Medium Density Housing Code to enable the Council to complete its Local Housing Strategy which will be an essential part of the new Local Environmental Plan. The State Government has set housing targets but within these targets there could be greater housing diversity. Rob Stokes, who is now Planning and Public Spaces Minister, is in favour of providing more choice of housing which could include redeveloping individual homes into two or three terraced houses and thus create lower-density attached housing which is not possible at the moment. The new Local Environmental Plans are due for completion by 2021.

SEISMIC TESTING IN THE SYDNEY BASIN

Asset Energy, which is the title holder of Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP 11) has previously conducted seismic testing in the offshore Sydney basin and has identified two areas for further investigation 30 km off the coast at Newcastle. Jason Falinski, our Federal Member, has confirmed that NOPSEMA (The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority) needs to assess and accept a detailed environmental plan before any further exploration activity can take place. Asset Energy are making an application for 3D testing following the 2D testing already carried out although there is considerable opposition from Northern Beaches Council, James Griffin and Jason Falinski who are requesting the federal government to suspend seismic testing while environmental impacts are fully examined.

STATION BEACH

Improvements are being made to Station Beach near The Boathouse to provide safer access to the beach particularly after two accidents in the area and also to counter erosion of the seawall.

ILLEGAL DUMPING IN PALM BEACH

Watch out for illegal dumping in the Palm Beach and Whale Beach areas. Recently one of our sharp-eyed members spotted not one but two instances of illegal dumping in Palm Beach. One was in bushland off Bynya Road and the other was at the edge of McKay Reserve at the corner of Cynthea and Ebor Roads. Fortunately he was able to note details of the person and the truck involved. He reported the issue using the on-line form provided on the Council website. Council’s response was prompt. Both instances involved asbestos dust and associated debris. The areas were secured with tarpaulins and warning signs erected to prevent harm to the public. After several days a specialist team removed all of the dumped material.

To maintain the natural beauty of our area and keep us all safe please be vigilant about such offences. If safe to do so, take photographs of the offender(s) and their vehicle. Failing that, provide a description of those involved and the number plate of their vehicle. If you consider the matter to be urgent or it presents a danger to the public NBC rangers may be contacted by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 1300 434 434.

REPORTING OF LOCAL CRIME

There have been several instances of theft from parked cars in the last two weeks, including five cars in Avalon, four at Newport and two at Clareville last weekend. Not all the cars were locked and thieves were able to steal laptop computers, tools, cash, sunglasses etc. There have also been reports of theft/break-ins in vehicles in Barrenjoey Road, Cynthea Rd, Bynya Rd, Palm Beach Rd and Pacific Rd as well as three of our local shops. There also seem to be more thefts from cars overall but the latest figures for the 12 months to March 2019 show there has actually been a decrease on the year before, 917 down to 758. However, the police emphasise that they would like to hear directly of damage to property, car break-ins, graffiti or general hooliganism. Many people are posting information on social media rather than informing them directly but they need to have as much intelligence as possible to establish patterns and gather evidence for a successful court case. They make the point that much of this crime is committed by a small number of people. Please report any crimes to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 as well as posting on social media.

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS

Congratulations to Heidi Middleton who was awarded an AM, Member in the General Division of The Order of Australia, for significant services to the fashion industry and various charities.

SUBMISSION/FEEDBACK DATES

NSW PARLIAMENT: Inquiry into the Operation & Management of the Northern Beaches Hospital Submissions from the Community are welcome .
Please email portfoliocommittee2@parliament.nsw.gov.au by 28 July 2019.
or phone 9230 3586

NBC Tourism – Destination Management Plan by 7 July 2019
The draft key directions set out the destination statement and experience themes that will shape the Council’s DMP. These have emerged through industry consultation (including the Northern Beaches Industry Tourism Summit) annual visitor surveys as well analysis of global and domestic trends and recent visitation data. Please provide your thoughts directly on the document in “Have Your Say” on the Council website and/or complete the survey available on page 3 of the document. Alternatively you can provide feedback in writing: Northern Beaches Council, PO Box 82 Manly NSW 1655, marked ‘Destination Management Plan – draft key directions’.

NBC Proposed Station Beach Off Leash Dog Trial by 3 pm 12 July 2019
Council commissioned Cardno (NSW/ACT) to prepare a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the proposed dog off-leash area trial at Station Beach. The REF has been completed and assesses the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed trial. Comment Online “Have Your Say” Council Website or in writing marked ‘Station Beach Dog Off Leash Area – Proposed Trial’ to Northern Beaches Council, PO Box 82 Manly NSW 1655. If you would like more information please contact the Parks & Recreation Team on 1300 434 434