Contents
“PIX MAGAZINE – PALM BEACH EXPOSE” Guest speaker Margot Riley from the NSW State Library at the next Coffee Meeting.
NORTHERN BEACHES HOSPITAL
URGENT CARE CENTRE
DEVELOPMENT & PROPOSED WHARF BUS STOP RELOCATION
SYDNEY WATER
WATER TOWERS
PALM BEACH POOL
COUNCIL DRAFT DELIVERY PROGRAM 2025-2029 & DRAFT OPERATIONAL PLAN & BUDGET 2025/26
E-BIKES & E-SCOOTERS
SAFER NEIGHBOURHOODS STRATEGY – 30km/h ZONES
PUBLIC PATHWAYS
AVALON BEACH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
BATTERY & ELECTRIC TOOL RECYCLING
THANK YOU!
AGM
COFFEE MEETINGS
Palm Beach 6 Jan 1938 – the beach during the day and the carpark at night!
Photos courtesy of the State Library of NSW. Photographer Ray Olson
There has been a great deal of discussion at our recent informal Coffee Meetings and Committee Meetings about, amongst other things, the Northern Beaches Hospital, Council rates, Ebikes, Council’s Delivery Program, the Safer Neighbourhoods Local Roads Safety Program, the missing section of the Coast Walk between Norma Rd and Florida Rd, traffic and roads, cranes and development in general. At all times we are mindful of seeking to preserve the natural beauty and protect the residential amenity of our wonderful, unique area as we think about, comment on and navigate the policies and proposals presented by Northern Beaches Council and both the State and Federal Governments.
The informal coffee meetings held at 10.30am at the Pacific Club (usually on the last Monday of the month) are a great way to discuss your concerns, ask questions or find out information. The Council’s Community Liaison Coordinator Andrew Johnston, Cr Korzy and Cr Dillon and, when time permits, the Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby often join us. Every so often we have a guest speaker and topics have included local Indigenous History, Cyber Crimes & Scams, how to use a defibrillator and perform CPR, The Avalon Youth Hub and Barrenjoey Lighthouse.
The next Coffee Meeting should be fun and interesting! Make a diary note now for
Monday May 26th at 10.30 am at The Pacific Club
PIX MAGAZINE: PALM BEACH EXPOSE
Exposing the hedonistic lifestyle of Sydney socialites at Palm Beach in the 1930’s” presented by guest speaker Margot Riley, a cultural historian with a special interest in popular culture, photography and dress. Margot works on research, acquisitions and interpretation at the State Library of NSW.
PIX magazine introduced a bold new style of journalism to Australian audiences, using photographs to tell daring stories of modern life. With its eye-catching lipstick-red logo, PIX was always intended to shock, entertain, and inform. Launched in January 1938, its first lead feature was a locally produced photo story, crafted to titillate readers with sensationalist reporting. Exposing the hedonistic lifestyle of Sydney socialites at Palm Beach, it prompted an outraged reaction from pioneering resident and solicitor John Ralston, who lodged a formal complaint. The ensuing controversy undoubtedly played a role in the magazine’s runaway success, and PIX remained popular with readers for over 30 years.
Margot Riley is the curator of the exhibition ‘PIX: The Magazine that Changed Everything’ being held in the Photo Gallery at the State Library of NSW: 16 Dec 2024-24 Aug 2025.
Come along on Monday May 26th at 10.30am at The Pacific Club – support your favourite local cafe and bring a coffee and enjoy the photos and presentation.
NORTHERN BEACHES HOSPITAL (NBH)
NSW TREASURER AND HEALTH MINISTER TO ATTEND NORTHERN BEACHES HOSPITAL COMMUNITY FORUM
Jacqui Scruby and Michael Regan wish to advise that there will be an extra-ordinary Community Forum on 14 May with NSW Treasurer the Hon. Daniel Mookhey MLC and Health Minister the Hon. Ryan Park MP to discuss Northern Beaches Hospital (NBH).
The Forum will be held at Dee Why RSL at 7pm on Wednesday, May 14 to hear directly from the Treasurer and Health Minister. You must register to secure your seat. Register here
Healthscope has offered the public divisions of the hospital to go back into public hands.
Healthscope, the hospital operator, has proposed transferring public services back into public hands. This is a result of recent media coverage of tragedies, new legislation to ban future public-private partnerships (PPP) and Healthscope being under pressure.
The NSW Audit Office’s Report shows the community is not getting the healthcare the Community deserves.
The release of the report from the NSW Audit Office confirms what the Community has long feared – Healthscope is not delivering the high-quality, integrated care under its current PPP Deed. Read the report here.
However, the Audit Report also raises questions regarding why the NSW Government didn’t do more, such as establishing the Taskforce in 2023 when Healthscope first offered the hospital back.
Please read the report in detail which will be discussed at the forum with the Treasurer and Health Minister and submit your questions when registering for the Public Forum.
There is currently a Taskforce undertaking due diligence on returning the hospital to public hands
The NSW Government has established a Northern Beaches Hospital Taskforce which will examine the future of the disastrous privatisation deal, including, owner Healthscope’s compliance with its obligations under the contract.
Submissions can be sent to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry which is also underway, with submissions due by 20 May.
The NSW Parliamentary inquiry will examine the safety, quality, staffing, incident management, and escalation processes at Northern Beaches Hospital from 2018 to 2025. The inquiry will also assess the implementation of previous inquiry recommendations and findings from ongoing reviews, along with the audited financial statements and annual reporting of the Northern Sydney Local Health District and the NSW Ministry of Health. Your submission – whether positive or negative – is needed to ensure recommendations made by the Inquiry are evidenced based and set a positive future for Northern Beaches Hospital.
Parliamentary Committee Details here: The safety and quality of health services provided by Northern Beaches Hospital Submissions close May 20th.
PBWBA president Prof Richard West AM, with more than 40 years experience as a general and trauma surgeon at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital has, from the very beginning of the establishment of NB Hospital and the closure of Mona Vale Hospital, stated publicly at various meetings and at an Upper House Enquiry held in 2019 that the public/private model would not work. He believes the audit report is a very worthwhile report to read, that there are procedural matters of concern and that both the public and private components of the hospital must both be returned to the State Govt. He is very concerned that there is no fully functional stroke unit at NBH. They are unable to give “clot busting” treatment. This is only available at Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH). He advises that If you are experiencing stroke symptoms should call 000 for an ambulance or go straight to RNSH. He is also very concerned that there is no trauma centre at NBH and that Mental Health Services for adolescents and children are inadequate.
For further background please read this article: Pittwater Online News
URGENT CARE CENTRE
Federal Member for Mackellar, Dr Sophie Scamps MP, has welcomed the Government’s election commitment of a new Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) in Dee Why. Dr. Scamps states it will take pressure off the Northern Beaches Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED).
Announced on Sunday March 2nd, and among an additional 50 Urgent Care Clinics slated to be rolled out, the Dee Why UCC will provide bulk billed care for urgent non-life-threatening conditions, seven days a week, for extended hours, with no appointment needed.
The Dee Why UCC is in addition to the already established Mona Vale Urgent Care Centre at the Mona Vale Hospital campus.
The Mona Vale Urgent Care Centre is staffed by an experienced team of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.
Services available include:
- Pathology
- X-ray
- Plastering
- Suturing
The Urgent Care Centre is a free service for everyone with a Medicare Card.
DEVELOPMENT
1112-1116 BARRENJOEY RD – L&E Court decision
DA2023/1289 1112-1116 Barrenjoey Rd Palm Beach (The former General Store site)
This development application was determined on 6th March 2025 by the Land & Environment Court by the granting of consent subject to conditions.
The DA was supported by Council (prior to going to the LEC) despite numerous submissions from local residents and the PBWBA. Council appears not to have heeded community concerns but rather used unnamed ‘experts’ to work through issues of concern with the developers and their representatives, The DA involves the demolition of existing structures, construction of a shop top housing development comprising 5 x residential apartments over 2 ground floor retail tenancies including 1 level of basement parking, associated landscaping and site preparation works and re-location of the existing bus stop and shelter from the front of the site to outside 1102 Barrenjoey Rd (the former fish & chip shop site) – some 80 metres to the south.
Montage (Council website) : 1112-1116 Barrenjoey Rd – the access driveway to the underground carpark and Barrenjoey House are on the right, the existing pedestrian crossing leads to the planter box (approx) on the left.
The developer has, in liaison with TforNSW and its bus services contractor Keolis Downer, prepared a concept plan for the required work. While Barrenjoey Road is a State Road under the management of TforNSW and they would ultimately be responsible for approving any required changes to the signposted parking and Bus Zone restrictions, Council would like to provide an opportunity for the community to provide feedback on the proposed changes.
A concept plan can be found here: Bus Stop Location Concept Plan
A shop top housing development at 1102 Barrenjoey Rd was approved by the L&E Court in December 2024 and we understand construction will commence soon.
This bus stop/sign plan is indicative only and may be subject to change following consideration of feedback. Comments close on 4 May 2025.
Existing bus stop. The pedestrian crossing ls out of the frame to the left of the shelter and leads from the Wharf across Barrenjoey Rd to the bus stop.
We will lodge a submission raising our concerns including:
- moving the bus stop from one construction zone to another construction zone.
- issues of pedestrian safety and inconvenience particularly for mobility impaired and others with luggage, prams, toddlers etc.
- bus users will have to cross busy access driveways at 1112-1116 Barrenjoey Rd with 5 apartments and 2 retail, 3 residences at 1110 and in close proximity to the fish shop access driveway leading to 5 apartments and 3 retail.
- navigating BJH approved licensed outdoor dining area on footpath
- unacceptable proposed new position of loading zone – right outside the dining area of BJH.
- loss of 2 on street carparking spaces at “ground zero” of parking in Barrenjoey Rd/Wharf precinct.
We believe people will walk along the footpath on the eastern side of Pittwater Park to reach the bus stop as it will not be as congested as the footpath opposite will be and then they will cross at the “ghost” crossing (you can still see where it was originally but it was moved for safety reasons around 2017) at the southern end of the park to access the proposed new bus stop. Safety nightmare!
The original DA was approved in 2010 by the former Pittwater Council and the access driveway was located on the northern side – with the bus stop remaining in situ.
We believe the bus stop should stay where it is with the convenience and safety of bus patrons being of the utmost importance, not be relocated at the whim of a developer.
15 OCEAN RD – DA2023/1532 located next door to the building known as the Palladium.
This development application was refused by the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel in June 2024. Reasons for refusal included excessive height, overshadowing, not in character, bulk and scale and not in the public interest.
This decision has been appealed by the applicant so there will be a L&E Court s34 Conciliation hearing (no 2024/40088) to be held on-site Tuesday 13th May 2025 at 9.30am.
BJB Architects – amended plans 15/3/25 – from Council website
Residents and interested persons who made submissions in relation to the proposed development have the opportunity to inform the Court orally of their concerns.
Contact Chris Gough via secretary Therese Edwell | Storey & Gough Lawyers
Ph 9689 0700 email
231 WHALE BEACH RD MOD2024/0705 Shop top housing and retail mixed use development (The former Whale Beach Deli site).
A DA was approved for this project in 2021. A Modification Application was submitted in Jan 2025 and the Council ‘s Development Determination Panel approved the Modification Application on April 30th.
SYDNEY WATER – AVALON
Sydney Water is renewing a 500 metre section of the existing water main along Old Barrenjoey Road in Avalon Beach, between Barrenjoey Road and The Crescent.
Work started in March to avoid working over the peak summer season. Work is expected to finish by the end of October 2025, weather and ground conditions permitting.
Most of the work will be done at night to minimise impact on traffic and local businesses. Night work hours are 8 pm to 5 am, Monday nights to Friday mornings (four nights a week). There is no work Friday, Saturday or Sunday nights.’’
Details here: Sydney Water Talk
REPAIRS TO PALM BEACH POOL
Council recently finished some urgent repairs to the Palm Beach pool pump valve and cracks in the base of the pool.
Please see the information Council prepared for the community and pool users.
Click here: Repairs to Palm Beach Pool
WATER TOWERS – BOANBONG RD
Palm Beach and Whale Beach residents and businesses get our water from a large storage tank in McKay Reserve which feeds a gravity tower in Boanbong Rd.
Over recent years, local residents have been complaining to Sydney Water and the Northern Beaches Council about the state of the gravity tower. It is visibly rusty and in high winds, metal sheets have been blown onto nearby property.
Sydney Water is now conducting “investigations to renew the drinking water reservoir (tower) in Boanbong Rd, along with investigations into the McKay Reserve pumping station (storage tank)”. The principal aim is to replace the gravity tower’s roof to improve reliability and extend its lifespan.
They state there will be no impact on water services.
from March 10 to May 30. Work hours are 7am to 6pm (M to F) and 8am to 1pm (Sat). They state there will be an increase in truck movement along with “some noise from equipment and machinery”.
More information is available on 1800 943119 or confluence@sydneywater.com.au.
COUNCIL DRAFT DELIVERY PROGRAM 2025 – 2029 and DRAFT OPERATIONAL PLAN & BUDGET 2025/26
Draft Delivery Program 2025-2029 | Your Say Northern Beaches
Council’s draft Delivery Program sets out the work it will do over the next 4 years to address the community priorities as set out in the draft Community Strategic Plan (CSP).
The draft Operational Plan is the first year of the Delivery Program. This details the draft 2025/26 Budget for all services and infrastructure, ongoing maintenance and Council’s fees and charges.
Where relevant, the documents highlight which projects will be funded by the Special Variation to rates, should it be approved and adopted. A decision from IPART on the Special Variation is expected prior to adoption of the budget in June 2025.
Local projects are listed here Palm Beach, Whale Beach, Avalon Snapshot and include road sheeting of Northview Rd and Florida Rd, design for Gov Phillip Park masterplan works, upgrade of Whale Beach pool, development of Plan of Management (PoM) for Gov Phillip Park and design for stormwater drain renewal at the beach (near the BBQ) at Whale Beach.
Costs associated with the installation, maintenance and removal of the temporary toilets in Gov Phillip Park Dec 24 – Feb 2025 was $24,565.
There will be a Community Pop Up information session on Saturday 10 May 2025 10:00 am to 12:00 pm outside Mona Vale Library, Park St Mona Vale. Submissions close – Sun 25 May 2025
We will make a submission after a thorough review of the documents.
E-SCOOTERS, E-BIKES AND RELATED MOBILITY OPTIONS
As reported in the last Newsletter, the recommendations of the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the use of e-scooters, e-bikes and mobility options have aroused considerable concern. The recommendation to legalise e-bikes, e-scooters, mobility vehicles and pedal bikes to ride on the footpaths (at a speed of not more than 15 kph) turns the footpaths into shared zones. This is incredibly dangerous. In addition, we frequently see in our area young people riding without helmets, no ID (in case of an accident), no lights and sometimes with two or three people on the bikes or scooters. Many of these bikes are not legal and they can also be adjusted to achieve speeds much higher than the permitted limit of 15 kph. We are making a submission to the NSW Government recommending licensing of bike and scooter riders, enforcing the wearing of helmets and education of young riders. We would also suggest that the State Government or Council considers instituting ‘dismount zones’ which would require riders to ‘walk’ their bikes or scooters in populated shopping areas for example in Avalon Village shops and in high pedestrian activity zones. Enforcement of all the regulations is essential.
Detals here: Report – Parliamentary Inquiry into E-Scooters etc
SAFER NEIGHBOURHOODS STRATEGY – MAJORITY FUNDED BY NSW GOVT
A report was presented to Council at its meeting on 15 April 2025 with revised plans based on feedback received during consultation and an independent road safety audit. Council endorsed these revised plans to be presented to the Local Traffic Committee for approval to proceed with implementation.
The Local Traffic Committee meeting will be held on 6 May 2025.
The revised traffic calming infrastructure treatments, combined with an improved road layout aim to naturally reduce vehicle speeds in line with proposed speed limit changes.
Details here: Safer Roads Local Neighbourhood Palm Beach to Nth Avalon
Key proposed changes for Avalon Beach to Palm Beach include:
- Prioritising the area of the proposed 30km/h zone to the residential streets north of Careel Head Road. (Areas to the south are instead proposed to be reduced to 40km/h).
- Reducing the number of 30km/h patches painted on the road surface to address concerns relating to amenity.
- Installing 10km/h shared zone stamping on Ocean Place and on the beachfront at Ocean Road.
- Installing a Yellow No Stopping line at the intersection of Bynya Road and Cynthea Road.
- Including Iluka, Nabilla, Woorak and Thyra roads, which are west of Barrenjoey Road, as part of the 30km/h zone.
- Introducing a roundabout at the Surf Road and Bynya Road intersection.
PUBLIC PATHWAYS PROGRESS
– Emily Ashton (Committee Member)
We have all heard the expression “A picture says a thousand words.” A lesser-known one is: “How a community shares it’s natural resources says a lot about that society.” It is lesser-known because it isn’t an existing saying, just something I’ve made up – if someone can find an eloquent quote with greater gravitas please share, although I hope you get the gist.
Palm Beach, Whale Beach, Avalon and the Northern Beaches area has an historic network of pre-existing public pathways. These originated via the logical flow of foot traffic from A to B ( “B” meaning Beach)! As the area developed, and to their credit, the Councillors of the time respectfully reserved these pathways as public land. As the area becomes more populated, this network still exists, weaving its way between increasingly larger residences. It has not been sold. And the intention remains the same.
What has declined is people’s awareness of them. When I first moved to Whale Beach it was months before I knew of alternatives to walking on the roadside footpath. This was due to a lack of signage and in some instances the hedging arrangements of some properties. Some have a way of disappearing.
has been put up. However, there is an overall need for greater transparency, and residents have a right to know they can easily access a council resource which takes away any ambiguity as to where they can and can’t walk. The beauty of this request is we are not asking for land to be purchased; it is already public land; all we need is consistent signage and a “go to” online map so that these resources can be utilised as intended. Progress in this area sounds promising and we will keep you updated.
Below is an example of a public path which addresses some of these points:
Public Pathway from Rock Bath Road to Florida Road
This is a path which links to the better known and signed path from Florida Road to the Palm Beach Pool. As can be seen from the photos, the path is clearly signed from the top (on Rock Bath Rd), but when it reaches Florida Rd it shares a driveway, which makes it less likely that residents will be aware it is available for public access.
Map showing public pathway
Sign halfway along path which then continues over people’s driveways. The driveways are part of the pathway.
Sign from the cul-de-sac end of Rock Bath Rd indicating the existing pathway and also warning users that the path is not maintained
Looking up the path from Florida Rd presently no indicators that it is public land. Walkers would be inclined to think that they are intruding on private land as there is no signage on the street. This path connects to the better known path down to Palm Beach pool.But like our public hospitals our public pathways are precious. They reflect a kinder kind of place to live in where the wider community has access to scenic off-road footpaths.
And their accessibility or lack of, their visibility or lack of, says a lot about our community.
AVALON BEACH HISTORICAL SOCIETY (ABHS)
Avalon Beach Historical Society meetings are held in the Annexe at Dunbar Park, Avalon Beach at 8pm.
Dates of the meetings for this year:
- Tuesday, 10 June
- Tuesday, 9 September (AGM) and
- Tuesday 9 December
These meetings are popular with those in the Community interested in the local history of Avalon, Whale and Palm Beach.
RECYCLING – BATTERIES AND UNWANTED ELECTRICAL TOOLS & APPLIANCES
At the designated collection point at the Johnson Brothers Hardware store in Mona Vale.
Drop off unwanted electrical items for recycling by their e-waste management partner, Sircel
E-waste is anything with an electrical plug or battery. This includes electric power tools, household appliances, computers and mobile phones.
They cannot accept gas, petrol or diesel appliances.
Battery Recycling:
They accept various types of batteries, including AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, and button batteries, as part of their e-waste program.
THANK YOU!
A quiet day on patrol at Palm Beach
- The Surf Life Saving patrol season in NSW ended on Sunday April 27th 2025. This marked the end of the season for volunteer lifesavers patrolling beaches in the state. A big “thank you” to the volunteers who look out for the Community and visitors to our beautiful beaches.
- Thank you to PBWBA members Tina & Geoff Hodgkinson, Anne Spencer, John Warburton, Robert and Christine Mackinnon who recently delivered membership drive “postcards” into approx 1500 letterboxes in Palm Beach and Whale Beach.
AGM
Tuesday May 13th 7pm Club Palm Beach (RSL)
Guest Speaker: “Two Lives: Beverlie & Midget Farrelly”
Beverlie Farrelly in interview with PBWBA Secretary Robert Mackinnon
Seen through the eyes of Beverlie Farrelly, discover how different the Avalon Beach of the 1950s and 60s was from the one of today: life was simpler and moved at a slower pace as a community was formed in the wake of WWII.
As wife of the late Midget Farrelly, Beverlie will share with us the remarkable life of this multi-faceted man who became Australia’s first international surfing champion.
All financial members are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served after the Meeting.
COFFEE MEETINGS
MONDAY MAY 26th – Guest speaker State Library “PIX: Palm Beach Expose”
MONDAY JUNE 30th
MONDAY JULY 28th – Guest speaker from AvPals Computer Group
Please do not hesitate to contact PBWBA with any questions, concerns, thoughts or comments to email: info@pbwba.org.au
Richard West AM
0407 942 941
Snapperman Beach at Pittwater Park
