Newsletter – July/August 2025

CONTENTS:

Photos courtesy of Leonor Gouldthorpe and Merinda Rose

NORTHERN BEACHES COUNCIL

NSW Government Filming Protocol

For the first time since 2009 the NSW Government has updated its filming protocol and as a result the Council will be updating its fees and charges. Unfortunately, it will not facilitate notably higher charges for filming in public spaces. However, one significant change is that fees can now be adjusted annually in line with CPI, a change long requested. One major area where we feel the fees are inadequate is the charge to Home and Away for what is a permanent film site though they are still operating under a temporary arrangement. We are advocating for a long term agreement with them which reflects the importance of the location and the impact on Governor Phillip Park.

Digital Parking Permits

In November 2025 the Council will move to an online system for payment of parking fees. Currently the Council issues over 250,000 permits across seven different permit schemes each year and, as we know, it has been possible for residents to sell these permits to those who are not entitled to receive them from the Council. In future, customers will no longer receive a physical permit but the digital parking permit will be linked to your nominated vehicles’ registration. Transition will start with the smaller Permit Schemes at the northern end of the LGA – the Western Foreshore, Church Point, Rowland Reserve and Iluka Reserve – in November 2025. The last physical beach parking permits were issued with the 2025/26 rates notices recently mailed out. Next year beach parking permits will be digital.

Memorials and Naming Honours Policy

The Council has adopted an updated Memorials and Naming Honours Policy that ensures a consistent and respectful approach to honouring significant community members and events. The new policy will still allow memorial benches where a seat is required but also supports the planting of memorial trees in suitable locations as part of a sustainable living memorial. Plaques can be added with approval. In addition, in line with the NSW Geographical Names Board, rather than using individuals’ names for areas like parks, the preference will be for community, cultural and environmental themes such as using Aboriginal words, local flora and fauna and geographical features. Community feedback has supported the focus on celebrating our natural environment and diverse heritage and the updated policy aims to reflect that by remembering loved ones and significant members of the community or events and providing places for reflection, healing and connection.

Community Participation Plan

As a result of the routine 3-year review of community participation in planning proposals and assessment of DAs we have made a submission suggesting various changes to improve residents’ ability to influence outcomes on planning applications. Our submission is on our website (Link) If accepted, our suggested changes would increase the number of people who receive notifications, extend the period open for submissions, give feedback to those who have made submissions and make more information available on the Council website. The Council draft of a new Plan does seek to raise the standard of disclosure but we would like it to go further.

Appointment of new Planning Director

Following the resignation of Louise Kerr to become General Manager of Lane Cove Council, Northern Beaches Council has appointed James Farrington as Director, Planning and Place with effect from 22 September 2025. Mr Farrington comes from Hornsby Council where he has worked for 13 years most recently as Group Manager for the Planning Division. He has described his role there as seeking to ‘strike a sustainable balance between meeting the needs of Hornsby Shire’s growing populations and protecting the natural environment’.

Expressions of Interest – Northern Beaches Business and Industry Stakeholder Committee

Council is looking for experienced and passionate business leaders ready to contribute their knowledge, represent their sector, and help ensure the Economic Development Strategies stay on track. The Northern Beaches Business and Industry Stakeholder Committee gives local businesses a strong voice in shaping our region’s economic future. As an advisory group, the Committee provides expert industry insight to guide Council’s work and monitor delivery of the 5-year action plan in the Economic Development Strategy Business on the Beaches and Destination Management Plan: Destination Northern Beaches. Now in its second year, the Committee helps drive meaningful projects, identify opportunities and respond to emerging challenges across the Northern Beaches economy. The Committee brings together a diverse mix of industries from small businesses to large organisations. It meets twice a year and is supported by two working groups (Small Business and Business) which meet as needed and report back on key issues and progress. Expressions of Interest Application Expressions of Interest close: Saturday 13 September 2025

Off-Leash Dog Trial

A 12-month trial for an off-leash dog area at the southern end of Mona Vale Beach will start on 14 October 2025 during specific times and days. Dogs can be off-leash from 5.30am-10am and again 5pm-9pm every day during the daylight saving period and from 6am-10am and 4pm-7pm every day at other times of the year. Dogs are not allowed on any other part of the beach at any time. Notices will be displayed. The off-leash dog trial on North Palm Beach cannot begin until there is a new Plan of Management for Governor Phillip Park which is due later this year.

North Palm Beach

North Palm Beach

Community Engagement Policy and Strategy 2024
This is your opportunity to help Council refine their approach to community engagement ensuring it remains transparent, inclusive and responsive to your needs. The Community Engagement Policy and Strategy documents explain how Council provides opportunities for you to share your views and see decisions that reflect your input. We are disappointed that the policy enshrines the principle that a submission reflecting the views of many residents (such as a PBWBA submission) will still only count as one submission. Submissions close 7 September 2025. Have Your Say https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/council/have-your-say/community-engagement-strategy

Whale Beach

WHALE BEACH

Whale Beach Ocean Pool

Following approval by NB Council the tender for remedial work on Whale Beach Pool has been awarded. Work is expected to start in the near future and be completed by November. It will include repairing concrete, installing new pool stairs and handrails, improving access, renewing sections of the concourse and coping, rebuilding scuppers and other general repairs. Modifications to the approaches (ramp) are not included in the current works package.
The Northern Beaches LGA hosts 15 ocean pools, 6 of which are in the Pittwater ward and many have origins dating back 50-100 years. Design work for improvements to the Palm Beach ocean pool is funded to commence this year and Council has agreed to consult on the work to be done.

The apartments at 231 Whale Beach Road have now been demolished to make way for a new block which will include a café/restaurant.

Demolition of 231 Whale Beach Road – Photograph courtesy Dr Paul Sanders

The restaurant at Whale Beach Surf Life Saving Club (formerly Moby Dicks) has been leased by the operators of the Dunes restaurant. It is being redeveloped and will open in October/November as a stand alone restaurant on Level 6 with an alfresco café on the front courtyard. There will be a private function space on Level 5.

PLANNING

Councillor Rowie Dillon tabled the following Notice of Motion at the last Council Meeting which has now been deferred to the next Council meeting in September. She would like Northern Beaches Council to submit it to the Local Government NSW Annual Conference 2025.

Notice of Motion

To: The Chief Executive Officer, Northern Beaches Council

In accordance with clauses 1.7 and 5.5 (1) of the Northern Beaches Council Code of Meeting Practice, please place the following motion on the business paper of the Council meeting held on 19 August 2025

MOTION – Legislative Reforms to Class 1 development appeals to the NSW Land and Environment Court

That Council:
Submit the following motion to the Local Government NSW 2025 Annual Conference:

That Local Government NSW advocates to the NSW Government to review and reform the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 and the Land and Environment Court Act 1979 to:

a. Reduce the number of ‘Class 1 development appeals’ and ‘Class 1 residential development appeals’ to the NSW Land and Environment Court (Court) on the basis of ‘deemed refusal’ (with consideration given to the scope and timing of such appeals);

b. Require applicants to, in good faith, meet with the consent authority to genuinely endeavour to resolve issues, prior to commencing appeals with the Court on the basis of ‘deemed refusal’; and

c. Enhance opportunities for meaningful public participation in ‘Class 1 development appeals’ and ‘Class 1 residential development appeals’.

Background

The current legislative framework allows applicants to commence Class 1 development appeals and Class 1 residential development appeals in the Land and Environment Court as early as 40 days after lodging a development application, even if a council is still actively assessing the proposal. This short timeframe places pressure on council resources and can undermine the ability of council staff to engage meaningfully with applicants to resolve issues through the assessment process.

The ease of initiating Class 1 proceedings often leads to the Court being used as a parallel assessment pathway, despite the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces’ expectation that councils determine development applications on average within 105 days (from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026). This can contribute to delays in the assessment of other development applications and reduce public confidence in the system.
Additionally, many Class 1 development appeals and Class 1 residential development appeals are resolved through negotiated outcomes in Court that might otherwise have been achieved earlier, through genuine engagement between applicants and councils during the assessment process, had sufficient time and collaboration been afforded.

There is also an increasing perception within the community that their views are not given sufficient weight in merit appeals, particularly where public objectors are excluded from ‘without prejudice’ conciliation conferences and have only limited rights to participate in proceedings.

A legislative review is needed to:

• rebalance the appeal framework to uphold the integrity of the development assessment process;
• enhance transparency and public trust in the planning system by strengthening the voice of the community in Class 1 development appeals’ and ‘Class 1 residential development appeals’.

Development Applications

1112-1116 Barrenjoey Road (former General Store)
Marketing of the new units has commenced to secure pre-sales – the penthouse and apartments are for sale with multi million dollar pricetags.

TRAFFIC

Speed Limit along Barrenjoey Road between Newport and Palm Beach

The speed limit on Barrenjoey Road between Beaconsfield Street, Newport and Etival Road, Palm Beach has been reduced to 50kph in the interests of safety and signage has been installed. This has been driven by business and community groups in the area and the Newport Road Safety Review identified 46 crashes in this stretch of road in the five years to June 2024. Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby has written to the Transport Minister asking for implementation to be paused to allow more consultation with the community. However, the speed limit was implemented from 28 August 2025. She will be requesting people to complete a survey detailing their views before making further representations.

Further information – Project Infoline 1800 568 981

SHARK NETS

Northern Beaches Council has recommended to the NSW Government that Palm Beach be selected for the trial for elimination of shark nets. A decision is now awaited.

NORTHERN BEACHES HOSPITAL

Northern Beaches Hospital

Termination of Contract

Since the announcement that the operator of Northern Beaches Hospital, Healthscope, was going into administration the future of the hospital and the termination of the contract with the NSW Government is being urgently discussed. The NSW Treasurer has conceded that Healthscope has made a significant investment in the construction of the hospital and needs to be compensated fairly when the NSW Government takes it over. However it should not receive windfall gains after the transfer. The State Government is in discussions with the receivers McGrathNicol.

NSW Health has now sent a transition team to the hospital.   They will spend four weeks there with the following remit:

• map how the hospital operates day-to-day
• review IT systems and digital health integration
• understand staffing, structures and skill mix
• align clinical governance and advise event reporting with NSW Health

The work is focused on systems and operations only so the hospital will function as normal.

Over-the-bed Critical Care Cameras

NSW Health Minister, Ryan Park, has announced the installation of the Critical Care Overbed Network (CCON) which is also known as Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS) cameras. Over-the-bed critical care cameras provide real-time images of seriously ill babies and children and the fact that they were not installed in Northern Beaches Hospital was highlighted in the independent inquiry by the Clinical Excellence Commission as a matter of concern. The Health Minister has confirmed that, following NSW Health’s work with Healthscope, cameras have been installed in the Emergency Department, Paediatric Ward and the Special Care Nursery and are now being tested. They will be formally switched on in the next few weeks. The cameras will enable clinicians, through NETS, to connect with specialists from the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network.

Pittwater MP, Jacqui Scruby, said she was relieved and encouraged that the cameras had been installed and thanked the Massa family for their tireless advocacy following the death of their son, Joe, which had helped to bring these improvements to fruition.

E-BIKES

The number of E-Bikes has dramatically increased and there are now at least 22,000 privately owned e-mobiity devices in NSW. Dangers associated with them are considerable particularly as they can easily, but illegally, be adjusted to allow speeds up to 50kph . Riders are frequently young and education is a priority with a growing number of accidents resulting in deaths and injuries not only to riders but passengers and pedestrians. On 21 August, our local MPs Dr Sophie Scamps and Jacqui Scruby hosted a community forum on E-bike safety and regulation. The panel included Northern Beaches Police Area Command representatives, trauma specialists, Transport for NSW representatives, advocacy groups and the Mayor Sue Heins.

Attendance was good showing residents’ concerns including worried parents who find the rules complex and difficult to understand. E-mobility devices currently do not require vehicle registration and therefore are not covered by Compulsory Third Party Insurance. The Government commits only “to exploring options for e-micromobility insurance, including potential settings, considering the need for people injured by devices to be effectively supported, affordability, existing insurance settings and viability of those arrangements”. Dr Scamps undertook to lead the way in Federal Parliament to legislate to stop importers and retailers from selling e-bikes that can be easily converted into mopeds. She would be introducing a Private Member’s Bill to lay down consistent national standards and restrictions on importers. Jacqui Scruby expressed her concern that the NSW Government was seeking to relax footpath laws. It was her understanding that Pittwater residents wanted restrictions limiting riding on footpaths to remain only for under 16 year olds and with a modest speed limit and the Government should consider licencing and registration. She had tabled a Notice in the NSW Parliament to move “That a bill be introduced for an Act to amend the Road Transport Act 2013, the Road Rules 2014 and other legislation to provide for the regulation of the sale, ownership and use of e-bikes and for related purposes” and was pressing for more information on injuries involving e-bikes including whether NSW Health and Transport for NSW collected such data and published it with a view to framing legislation.

VISIT NSW PARLIAMENT

Join our Pittwater MP, Jacqui Scruby, for a tour of NSW Parliamentt followed by a light afternoon tea. Hear how the historic building went from Rum Hospital to the Legislative Council and the Parliament we know today.

Speak to Jacqui about the issues that are really confronting Pittwater. It is free but you will need to book. Friday 26 September 10.45am to 3 pm events.humanitix.com/seniors-day-at-nsw-parliament/tickets

There is now also a separate invitation from Jacqui to visit Parliament House with others from Pittwater on 18 September (10.45 – 1.45pm) to hear Question Time, have a tour, to be followed by a light morning tea with Jacqui.  Numbers are limited so if you are interested in going please ring 9999 3599 as soon as possible.

COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Northern Beaches Council has partnered with the University of NSW Water Research Laboratory to review existing coastal hazard information for Pittwater and assess beach erosion and shoreline recession hazards. Sites in Pittwater to be included are Great Mackerel, Currawong, Snapperman, Station, Sandy Point and Paradise beaches. The Pittwater estuary is the centrepiece of recreation, tourism and local business. It also holds great significance for the traditional Aboriginal owners and custodians of this land and is an important environmental asset. As part of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system Council is working with local and State Government agencies to develop a coastal management program to support the co-ordinated management and sustainable development of the river system as a whole. If you have questions or want to learn more you can contact:

Environment Officer, Coast and Catchments Telephone 1300 434 434
Email council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Website http://hawkesburynepeancmp.org

DIFFICULT NIGHT RESCUE AT BARRENJOEY LIGHTHOUSE

Just after 5.45pm Saturday, 23 August, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW Avalon Station, and NSW Rural Fire Service crews from Terrey Hills and Ingleside, responded to a report of a woman collapsed at Barrenjoey Lighthouse. With the assistance of a Surf Life Saving NSW all-terrain vehicle (ATV), NSW Ambulance Special Operations Paramedics made their way to the lighthouse, finding a 19-year-old woman complaining of severe abdominal pain. She was brought back to the beach in the ATV and taken to Northern Beaches Hospital in a stable condition.

Read further details at the Northern Beaches Advocate article: Night Rescue The Lighthouse Aug 2025

Regular medical incidents at the Lighthouse involving tourists highlights the need for an ambulance that allows paramedics to treat a patient while in transport, which is not possible in the vehicles currently available. A new 4WD ambulance vehicle with patient transport capability has just been ordered for the Northern Beaches, it is expected that vehicle will be in service before summer.

PODCAST – HUMANS OF THE NORTHERN BEACHES

Humans of the Northern Beaches podcast is a foray into the diverse lives and voices of everyday locals, drawn to the Beaches from all corners of the globe. Its hosts Maria, Margaret and Nancy are participants in the We Belong Cultural Community, Leaders Programme which spawned the podcast. Together they invite guests to share their experiences of living locally and their journeys to get here. The result is an intimate and compelling window into what makes the Northern Beaches diverse, vibrant and unique.

You can access the podcast where you normally get your podcasts or on the Council website:
http://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/community/our-diverse-community/our-multicultural-community/we-belong-intercultural-projects/humans-northern-beaches

CHEMICAL CLEANOUT

Saturday and Sunday 6 and 7 September 9am to 3.30p at Warringah Aquatic Centre, 1 Aquatic Drive, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086 Safely dispose of your unwanted chemicals.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Next Coffee Morning – 10.30 am Monday 29 September at the Pacific Club. At the October Coffee Morning on Monday 27 October the Speaker will be from Avalon Computer Pals.

Next Committee Meeting – 7pm Monday 8 September at the Pacific Club
Please do not hesitate to contact PBWBA with any questions, concerns or thoughts.
Email: info@pbwba.org.au

Professor Richard West 0407 942 941