Newsletter – November 2025

A/PROFESSOR RICHARD WEST AM BS(SYD) FRCS(ENG) FRACS

Professor Richard West

Our President Professor Richard West, will be stepping down as President at the end of this year after ten significant years during which there have been many successes. Never forgetting the Association’s main objective to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area and protect its residential amenity, Professor West has worked tirelessly representing the Association across all levels of government. He has focused on achieving the most important safeguards and directed the Association’s efforts in the most practical ways.

With the drive to build more houses we now see a willingness to increase density without regard for historical significance or suitability of site. A major achievement has been to ensure that the majority of properties in Palm Beach and Whale Beach have retained their conservation zone status where the effects of the planning reforms will not be felt as they will be in other areas.

From the early months of his presidency Professor West campaigned to preserve the Rendezvous Tea Rooms c.1923 (now The Corner) at the junction of Barrenjoey Road and Beach Road from being developed as two town houses, always mindful of protecting our local heritage. Each year he has backed numerous submissions concerning inappropriate residential and commercial developments made to Northern Beaches Council, the Local Planning Panel and the Land & Environment Court. He has also worked to ensure that Avalon Beach and Newport were not included in the State Government’s Transport Oriented Development Plan (TOD) which would have had the effect of changing the nature of our local villages.

Since the early years of the 20th century Governor Phillip Park has been threatened by development which would have transformed the Park and removed it as a community recreation area. This threat returned in recent years in a different form with the proposal that the Lighthouse buildings be converted to short term accommodation. After an active campaign by PBWBA, spearheaded by the President, with the help of local residents and culminating in a lively demonstration in the Park, Penny Sharpe, Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Heritage and the Environment gave an undertaking in person that Barrenjoey Headland and the heritage Lighthouse buildings would not be commercialised. Professor West has never let up on his efforts to upgrade the maintenance of the Park and make improvements there. With a new Plan of Management prepared and funding at last earmarked for these improvements there has recently been considerable progress.

Professor West has had a distinguished career as a teacher and surgeon at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and at the University of Sydney. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services in the field of infection control and medical education. In particular he was a pioneer in infection control in clinical surgery. The Australian Guidelines for Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare are based on his work. He was Censor in Chief of the College of Surgeons of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and had over 40 years’ experience as a colo-rectal and breast surgeon. Indeed he was a founding member of the Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation, Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee and a driving force behind Australia’s national screening program for breast cancer. With this background he was able to make the strongest case for an end to the Public/Private Partnership at Northern Beaches Hospital, appearing at the NSW Parliament Upper House Inquiry into the hospital and arguing for it to be upgraded to a Level 6 hospital and to retain private services. This fight is continuing.

Installation of the Walkway from Palm Beach Wharf to Governor Phillip Park has been another huge success and Professor West has also continued to press for the Manly to Palm Beach Coastal Walkway to be completed.

Conscious of the importance of the ocean pools to residents and visitors, he has been a strong advocate for their maintenance and upgrading and also the monitoring of pollution at Kiddies‘ Corner, an area providing immense enjoyment to many children. He has also lobbied tirelessly for landscaping and a pathway along the beachfront at Palm Beach with eventual success.

Parking has always been a matter of great concern. However, The Pittwater Park Parking Demand Study resulted in vastly improved parking for residents and visitors and the implementation of the 40km High Pedestrian Activity Zone in front of Pittwater Park has improved the safety of the area.

Professor Richard West & Anne West

The monthly Coffee Morning Meetings under his chairmanship have been an important way of strengthening community engagement, hearing members’ concerns and solving innumerable smaller problems in a comparatively short time thanks to the co-operation we get from Northern Beaches Council. The speakers have been entertaining and the morning meetings very enjoyable. They are now an important part of the life of the association.
Despite an extraordinary life of service, we know from his family that Professor West also made the time to be a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.

In short, Professor West has left an incredible legacy as he leaves the Presidency. He has been at the forefront of many campaigns, taken part in some robust debates and been a tenacious leader. He has the great respect of the community for his energy, hard work and commitment. We would also like to pay tribute to his wife, Anne West, for her warmth and generosity and unfailing support to members, particularly the Committee.

Richard West will remain a member of the Committee where his considerable experience will continue to be valued. We thank him for his enormous contribution.

CONTENTS

COUNCIL

NSW PLANNING REFORMS 2025

At the Council meeting on 18 November, Councillors discussed the impacts of the new planning reforms on the community particularly since they centralise planning powers and reduce the role of councils and the community. A motion was passed that the Council write to the Premier, senior Ministers, the opposition and local MPs expressing concern that significant planning powers now resided in the two new authorities, the Development Control Authority and Housing Delivery Authority, whose membership is restricted to the NSW Planning Secretary and 2 members appointed by him. This undermines safeguards recommended by the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

A new streamlined assessment pathway, Targeted Assessment Development, had been introduced which expressly prohibits consideration of the impact of a development, suitability of the site and public interest. Consultation on the environment, heritage, bushfire risk and other impacts of a development will be reduced and community participation will be restricted. Variations to complying developments will need to be assessed by Councils within 10 days and, beyond this time, deemed to be approved. Councils have not been consulted on these new reforms nor has the community been given any opportunity to comment.

SENIORS’ HOUSING AT 156 OCEAN STREET, NARRABEEN

Proposed seniors’ development ‘Indigo’ by Moran, which has applied for status as a State Significant Development to be built on the site of Wesley Taylor Village, a 10,000 square metre site at 156 Ocean Street, Narrabeen which closed in 2022

 

 

The now empty Wesley Taylor Village

Councillors also passed a motion objecting to the proposed State Significant Development for seniors’ housing at 156 Ocean Street, Narrabeen. Council has raised serious concerns about the development which is considerably outside the local planning controls as follows:

• Excessive height and bulk
• Streetscape incompatibility
• Overshadowing, loss of views and privacy implications
• Non-compliant setbacks
• Deep excavation in a coastal hazard zone
• Traffic implications understated and no parking study
• Inadequate landscaping as required by the LEP and DCP
• Non-compliance with Seniors Housing Design Guidelines

However, the developers made no changes to their development application.

There were several hundred local objections in spite of the fact that only 14 days were allowed for submissions and a petition signed by more than 2,000 people. Councillors believed the development should be referred to the Independent Planning Commission or an independent review panel and a public hearing should be held. Council agreed to write to local MPs seeking their support.

Jacqui Scruby recently joined with local residents in a protest rally. The development is 5-6 storeys high which is 71% over planning controls and will considerably change the landscape in Ocean Street and the character of Narrabeen.

Artist’s impression of the development which gives an idea of its size

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY – UPDATED

Have Your Say is one way by which residents can get involved in decisions which affect their neighbourhoods and in 2024/25 the Have Your Say page had 356,000 views and received 15,500 submissions on 60 projects. The Community Engagement Strategy has now been updated, inspired by what the community has said matters most: the need for greater clarity and accountability, ensuring that decisions are informed, balanced and equitable, using simpler language and providing more clarity on how community feedback is used.

More information on the updated strategy is available on: yoursay.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Development in Florida Road

COFFEE MORNING MEETING WITH JAMES FARRINGTON

The new Planning Reforms are complex and we were pleased to welcome the new Director of Planning & Place for Northern Beaches Council, James Farrington, to our Coffee Morning Meeting on 24 November to talk to us about the detail of these reforms. He transferred from Hornsby Council two months ago and, as he said, ‘there is a lot going on in Planning at the moment’ which is probably an understatement. Hornby is a much smaller LGA than Northern Beaches of course (about 151,000 residents for Hornsby compared with 271,00 for Northern Beaches in 2018) and he also takes on the responsibility of ‘Place’ in his title which is to encourage ‘vibrancy’ in our town centres and villages (members will recall the ‘Place Plans’ which have been slow to implement essential improvements, certainly in Avalon).

He emphasised that the State Government’s absolute priority is to increase the number of dwellings being built. The National Housing Accord provides targets:

• 1.2m. homes to be built in Australia over the next five years
• 314,000 homes to be built in NSW with a ‘stretch’ goal of 377,000 over five years
• 5,900 homes to be built on the Northern Beaches over five years

These are difficult targets affected by increased costs, interest rates proving hard to lower, and labour shortages. There is also resistance from residents and buyers as they feel there needs to be more investment in infrastructure before undertaking large scale development. Developers are not seeing a reasonable profit so are not going ahead with developments.

On the Northern Beaches the average price for a house is $2.6/$2.7m. which is well above other areas of Sydney and out of the reach of most young people.

James Farrington confirmed that Northern Beaches Council had developed a housing strategy and had identified capacity to meet the target. The State Government believed that the Stage 1 Low to Mid Rise Housing Reforms would deliver approximately 112,00 of the 377,000 target for the State. This is dual occupancy housing which is allowed in all R2 zones. Stage 2 which applies to nominated town centres (only Mona Vale in Pittwater) would allow buildings of 6 storeys (21m high) within 400m of the town centre and 4 storeys (16m high) up to 800m from the town centre. In addition developers are allowed an extra storey if they include affordable housing.

Now embedded in the new legislation are the Housing Development Authority with statutory powers to rezone land to facilitate housing delivery quickly and the Development Control Authority which provides a single co-ordinated State Government response for all government agencies again to speed up the process. There will be no transparency about how differences between them are resolved and how priorities are determined.

The Regional Planning Panels which previously dealt with developments over $20m. have been removed but Local Planning Panels remain and will have a greater role.

There are two development application pathways which the State Government hope will speed development:

• Complying
• Targeted Assessment

In complying development specific criteria are met and they can go to a private certifier without the need for a DA. Variations will go to Council and need to be determined in 10 days. Targeted Assessment assumes that many of the strategic or design controls have already been assessed. Pattern books are available to streamline the process further and these designs are available on the State Government Planning website. The time limit for appeals to the Land & Environment Court has been removed and an appeal to the Court can be made at any time in the review process. Amendments to the Bill have reinstated the requirement to consider bush fire risk.

Currently there have been 30-50 appeals to the Land & Environment Court a year on the northern beaches. The NSW Government hopes that the new planning system will reduce this number state wide. Councils were not consulted about the framework of the Bill and their power has been limited by it. There will now be a statewide Community Participation Plan and this will lower the bar in comparison with the Plan devised by the Council. Northern Beaches Council has made a submission to the State Government on the process.

The President commented that there were approximately 1500 dwellings in Palm Beach and Whale Beach, the majority being conservation zones but with some E1 commercial areas and some R2 zones where dual occupancy is allowed. We have been disturbed by some of the decisions by the Land & Environment Court. Nearly all appeals to the Court were upheld despite overwhelming evidence that some were well outside planning controls and opposed by the Council and the Local Planning Panel.

James Farrington agreed with the suggestion that it was important that the LGA retained its industrial land and said it was part of the Council Local Strategy but he felt that pressure would come from the State Government to increase the housing stock there. Affordable housing was particularly difficult to achieve in our expensive area. Even when it could be achieved with the bonuses allowed it only remained for 15 years and then reverted to normal market conditions. The requirement in Frenchs Forest that 10% of new stock was designated as affordable housing had been found extremely difficult to implement. Approvals had not been acted on by developers. There is now the possibility that the requirement will be reduced to 3% (or its equivalent) but to last in perpetuity.

The new LEP and DCP will be available for consultation next year and James Farrington offered to have further discussions with us at that time.

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

1112-1116 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach (former General Store)
Construction works commenced on Monday 24 November.

General works to commence include:

• Excavation works
• Installation of retaining structures
• Followed by all remaining works associated with DA2023/1289
• Estimated construction duration 2 years

The bus stop has been moved from the General Store site to the former Fish & Chip shop site. The bus shelter has disappeared after being damaged.
Click here for more information

E-BIKES

E-Bike

E-Bikes, while growing in popularity can be dangerous. Their design includes an overall speed limit but with some tampering the control is bypassed and they become motorbikes in effect.

At the Federal level, Mackellar MP, Dr. Sophie Scamps is putting pressure on the Australian Government to introduce strict new importation and anti-tampering laws. There have been many accidents both to riders and pedestrians and these are often severe such as spinal injuries, fractures and head injuries. At the moment in NSW E-bikes can be ridden legally on roads or, by under 16 year olds, on footpaths as long as they are pedal assisted and the speed does not exceed 25kph.

On the Northern Beaches the use of E-Bikes is especially high and Dr Scamps is calling for a widespread community response to increase their safe use. She is also advocating much greater investment in dedicated cycle lanes.

Northern Beaches Council is attempting to improve e-bike safety. It has a simple code for bike riders:

• Slow down
• Ring your bell
• Be ready for sudden changes

and is collaborating with NSW Police, Bicycle NSW, bike shops and local schools to educate e-bike riders. It provides information on its website and social media on current rules which include a motor which cuts out at 25 kph, having a bell, keeping to the left on the road and the rider wearing a helmet.

The recent NSW State Government Inquiry report set out 34 measures to improve pedestrian and rider safety. These include a speed limit of 15kph for bikes on footpaths, introducing compulsory insurance, updating the Road Rules and Driver Knowledge Test and implementing a campaign to target young riders. On 1 February 2026 the State Government will be implementing new safety laws covering the full range of micromobility vehicles, including e-bikes, and fines for infringements will be steep – up to $825,000. Under these new rules, e-bikes and the lithium batteries which power them must be tested, certified and marked before they can be sold to consumers in NSW and safety tests must be carried out at an accredited testing laboratory which will produce a report demonstrating adherence to the new standards. Manufacturers and suppliers must present this report in order to obtain a NSW Fair Trading Certificate of Approval. Lithium-ion batteries have caused fires in several states, some resulting in loss of life and they need to be manufactured to strict safety standards and handled correctly.

TRANSPORT

Sydney Harbour Bridge Tolls to Double

The Premier, Chris Minns, has announced that two-way tolling on the Harbour Bridge will be introduced.

The extra cost for travellers to and from the northern areas of Sydney will be used to fund the $60 toll cap for Western Sydney which started on 1 January 2024 on a temporary basis. Rather than finishing at the end of this year, it will now become permanent, at a cost of $200m a year. Calls are now being made by Northern Beaches MPs for the Beaches Link to be revived.

COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Erosion in Ocean Road, Palm Beach

The Coastal Management Program has been developed to manage the pressures of climate change, development and population growth on the natural environment of our incredible coastline. It identifies coastal management issues and provides actions, timeframes, costs and funding mechanisms required to address them. Council has prepared a Scoping Study as the first stage of the program and invites feedback with Frequently Asked Questions and contact with the Project Team. Details can be found on: https://yoursay.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/opencoastandlagoonscoastalmanagementprogram

Submissions close Sunday 14 December 2025

THE DEEP NORTH (FRI 5 – SUN 7 DECEMBER)

Click images to view

The first weekend in December is the 3-day festival of The Deep North in Avalon and district which will transform into a vibrant coastal hub of creativity, culture and connection. This three day celebration pinpoints Sydney’s Northern Beaches as a sophisticated cultural destination, drawing locals, tastemakers, curious Sydneysiders and interstate visitors. This is more than a festival. It’s where culture meets the coastline. A shared moment where music, art, food and community converge to create something unforgettable.

Get your tickets for the most amazing line-up in Avalon and district on the weekend of 5/6/7 December and support your local businesses.

The full stupendous programme is on:
deepnorth.au

SYDNEY WATER – RENEWAL OF WATER MAIN IN AVALON

Work has continued on the renewal work this month but by Saturday 29 November the temporary storage areas on Avalon Parade and Old Barrenjoey Road next to Dunbar Park will be removed. All parking spaces will be returned to the community. Work will then cease until March.

NEW BUDGET HOTEL IN FRENCHS FOREST

A new 146-bed budget hotel in Frenchs Forest has been given the go-ahead. It will be located near the hospital and will be the area’s first major accommodation development although there are several sites which have been earmarked for housing developments. Apparently, developers cannot see an attractive profit margin so are not willing to go ahead with other developments. Approvals already granted have not been taken up.

GOVERNOR PHILLIP PARK KIOSK/RESTAURANT – NEW LEASE

Dunes Restaurant

Northern Beaches Council gives notice of its proposal to grant a lease for the operation of the kiosk/café and restaurant located in Governor Phillip Park, currently operating as Dunes. It is required to give notice of this proposal in accordance with Section 3.22 of the Crown Land Management Act 2016 and Section 47 of the Local Government Act 1993. A tender will be released shortly to source an experienced operator. The lease is intended to be granted to the successful tenderer for 10 years, with an additional 5-year option. The premises forms part of Governor Phillip Park. Northern Beaches Council is the appointed Crown Land Manager. Submissions may be made by emailing: council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

WHALE BEACH POOL

Whale Beach Pool is ready for swimming again.

BARRENJOEY LIGHTHOUSE TOURS

Barrenjoey Lighthouse

Enjoy a Barrenjoey*Lighthouse tour any Sunday afternoon. It stands at Sydney’s northern-most point. The views of Broken Bay, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the mighty Pacific are unforgettable.

Bookings are required. Phone 1300 072 757 or book online. $10 adult
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/barrenjoey-lighthouse-tour
Meeting point: Barrenjoey Lighthouse. Give yourself at least 40 mins to walk from the carpark to the lighthouse before your tour departs.

*(Note – The early spelling was Barranjoey but this has gradually become Barrenjoey. ‘Tales from Barranjoey’ by Jervis Sparks was first published in 1992. It is now out of print but we hope that it will be available on line in the near future. It is a fascinating book)

PALM BEACH MARKET

FESTIVE FUN WORKSHOP

Join the FREE festive fun workshop to create sustainable Christmas decorations using natural materials at the Coastal Environment Centre, Pelican Path Lake Park Road, North Narrabeen 2101 on Saturday 6 December 9am to 1pm. Create sustainable alternatives for festive traditions.

Coastal Environment Centre 1300 000 232 or cec@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

TOBACCO SALES – CLOSURE OF STORES

Following this, the convenience store in Newport (Newport Mini Market at 315a Barrenjoey Road) has been issued with a short term closure order (90 days) with effect from 13 November with similar orders being applied to stores in Seaforth and Collaroy. The sale of illicit tobacco and vapes has aroused considerable concern because of its increasing scale and the involvement of organised crime.

CHRISTMAS AT ST. DAVID’S, PALM BEACH

St. Davids Palm Beach will host Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight at 8 pm and a Christmas Day Celebration at 8 am.

CHRISTMAS ON THE BEACHES

From the Northern Beaches Council website

CELEBRATE THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS AT NB COUNCIL’S FREE EVENTS

See the exciting lineup of Christmas events that will enchant and delight residents and visitors alike: Click here for more information

Carols on the Green

Local Whale Beach landmark this spring

A SEASON TO BE JOYFUL

Christmas is coming, and with it an array of expectations of gatherings with family and friends and sharing of good times. The summertime weather helps to make everything brighter and encourages many exciting outdoor activities in the beautiful environment we are lucky to enjoy.

It’s also a time to remember that there are amongst us those who will find Christmas a challenging time, as their personal circumstances don’t allow them to participate in the joyful atmosphere. There are also cultural sensitivities to consider, as this is a Christian celebration and people of other beliefs, may not feel part of it.

Christmas on the Beaches – as shown on the Northern Beaches Council website.Above all, Christmas is a time to be kind, not only to family and friends who are close to us, but also to newcomers to the area, those isolated by physical or mental illness, or those with limited economic resources. Beyond Blue, an association specializing in Mental health issues explains in their website how persistent loneliness and isolation can impact people’s mental health and has many resources to help those affected.

Telephone counsellors can be accessed on 1300224636 . In their website there is also comprehensive information on burnout and Festive stress that can also be experienced by many towards the end of the year. See beyondblue.org.au

The following information about Youth mental health services is available on this site and is an important resource during the holyday period.

• Kids Helpline – 24/7 counselling for kids, teens and young adults aged between 5 and 25.
  headspace – mental health support for young people. Offering phone, chat and online community support.
• ReachOut – mental health service for young people and their parents. Offering self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools.
  Merry Christmas to you all. Leonor Gouldthorpe

VALE JOHN JENKINS

We are very sad to announce the death of one of our very popular members and a regular participant in the Coffee Morning Meetings. John Jenkins became the largest private landholder in Palm Beach and Whale Beach but this was not his aim – he just wanted to protect his views and the trees around him. He first bought a run-down cottage in Whale Beach in 1976 for $48,000 but was gradually able to buy three other blocks amounting to more than a hectare of land extending from Whale Beach Road, over the hill and down to Barrenjoey Road in Palm Beach. This was the Carramar Estate. John was a flight attendant, spending many nights away from home and relishing the privacy and peace when he returned. He loved the area with a passion but as he aged he made the hard decision to sell. He was at our Coffee Meeting two months ago where he handed out chocolates as he often did. We will miss him and his unique points of view – not just for the chocolates!

CHRISTMAS PARTY

We are looking forward to seeing members at our annual Christmas Party (hope you have bought your tickets). This is your chance to farewell Professor Richard West as President – although he will still be on the Committee so it is not goodbye.

OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Next Committee Meeting – Monday 8 December – 7 pm at the Pacific Club

Next Coffee Morning – Tuesday 3 February 2026 – 10.30am at the Pacific Club

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, concerns and thoughts.

Email: info@pbwba.org.au or the
President, Professor Richard West
0407 942 941