- The proposed boundary for the Great Koala National Park
- An immediate temporary moratorium on timber harvesting within this proposed boundary
- A comprehensive worker and industry support package
- $6m in community and small business supports for the mid-north coast region
- An additional $60 million to establish the park.
The 'temporary moratorium on timber harvesting' in the 176,000 hectares of designated state forests remains in place while key elements of this transition are finalised. The moratorium took effect from Monday 8 September and will be in place for up to 12 months, while the details of transitioning state forests to national parks are investigated and negotiated.
Under the Government's 'Creating the Great Koala National Park – information and updates' webpage it is stated:
''The final creation of the park is dependent on the successful registration of a carbon project under the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) Method, which is currently moving through the Federal Government assessment processes.''
Residents are circumspect after experiencing announcement after announcement under the previous coalition government about investing millions of dollars (over 4 years or more) in koala conservation, and to establish parks in south-west Sydney at some future point, that have only begun to be established under the current NSW Government, but overall the news has been welcomed.
The Government stated the announcement followed extensive consultation with industry and community stakeholders and a comprehensive expert assessment process.
The Government thanked everyone involved for their input and patience during this process.
The Great Koala National Park will not end forestry on the North Coast. The Independent Forestry Panel is continuing to provide advice to the Government to inform the Forestry Industry Action Plan.
The NSW Government states it is working directly with businesses and workers that are affected by the moratorium on harvesting. Impacted businesses will receive financial assistance to ensure they can continue to pay their workers and to assist them to access other supports during an initial ten-week transition period. The purpose of the initial payments is to ensure that workers continue to receive their salaries while the NSW Government works with impacted businesses to fairly determine longer term adjustment support and compensation payments for them and their workers.
The number of workers who will be impacted will be finalised over the next 12 months. It is estimated that the reduction in timber supply will result in impacts on up to 300 jobs in the industry covering, harvest, haulage, milling and in Forestry Corporation NSW.
The Government stated more than 100 new staff will be required at NPWS to deliver fire management, feral animal and weed control, ecological rehabilitation and visitor management. The Government said impacted Forestry Corporation workers will be prioritised for new roles created within NPWS.
The additional $60 million in funding announced is for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to support the establishment of the park. This is in addition to the $80 million announced in 2023.
The NSW Government will also develop a $6 million Community Grants package. The package will support initiatives that grow the region’s domestic and international tourism opportunities and support local businesses to develop and expand, with a focus on manufacturing.
The new park is expected to create a tourism boom.
''Without action, koalas are on track to be extinct in the wild in NSW by 2050. At the last election, we promised to take action to establish the Great Koala National Park — and today we are delivering on that commitment.'' The Minns Government stated
''This park will protect more than 12,000 koalas, 36,000 Greater Gliders and habitat for over 100 other threatened species.''
The park will reserve 176,000 hectares of state forest and connect with existing national parks to create a 476,000-hectare reserve – one of the largest in NSW.
One of Pittwater's last koalas. The release of an 8 years old female back into Angophora Reserve after she had been bombarded by magpies. Taronga Zoo picked her up and nursed her back to health before the release on November 5th, 1989. Doug Bladen and Marita Macrae are in the background representing the Avalon Preservation Trust (now APA). Photo by Geoff Searl OAM
Narrabeen's Dave Lawler - who is ''taking it to the Lake'' this year for the Gotcha4Life 24 Hour Row
This weekend, people across Australia are rowing in Gotcha4Life’s 24 Hour Row for Mental Fitness (13–14 Sept).
From surf clubs to workplaces to schools, 60+ teams will row in relay for 24 hours, all linked by a national live stream. The goal is $600,000 to help 12,000 more Australians with programs that give them the skills to connect, speak up and seek help.
Rowers across the country are turning effort into action, raising funds for programs and resources that give Australians the skills to speak up, seek help and stay connected.
Every day, Gotcha4Life’s workshops show the difference they make, focusing on connection, early prevention in schools and equipping people to manage the moments before crisis hits - so that suicide is never an option.
Launched by Avalon locals Mel and Nathan Wellings in 2018 after losing one too many loved ones to suicide, the Row has grown from one surf club to more than 60 locations nationwide. Together, participants have raised vital funds to reach over 30,000 people and their wider communities with life-changing Gotcha4Life’s programs and resources.
“We never imagined it would grow like this,” said co-founder Mel Wellings.
“What started as one surf club trying to make a difference has become a national movement. To see so many people rowing together – knowing every dollar raised is helping save lives – it’s pretty special.”
Nathan and Mel - Saturday September 13 at Avalon Beach SLSC for the row--off (start)
“No one rows alone,” said Gotcha4Life Founder Gus Worland.
“That’s the point – in life, no one should have to go it alone either. The 24 Hour Row shows what happens when communities come together. Because it’s through connection that we can build a mentally fit future where suicide is never an option.”
Gus with the Bilgola Boaties crew - just one of several local teams rowing the distance
Dave Lawler: Taking it to the Lake
However, it's not just in the surf clubs and schools this year - one participant is 'taking it to the lake!'.
A favourite of the news service, and the council's Citizen of the Year for 2025 Australia Day Awards, Kevin Lee contacted us earlier this week to let us know about Dave Lawler's 24 Hour Paddle at Narrabeen Lakes.
Kevin said:
''My friend Dave Lawler is taking part in this weekend’s “24 Hour Row for Mental Fitness” as part of Gotcha4Life annual fund raising activities.
Dave Lawler’s challenge for the weekend has an extra twist as Dave will be paddling his kayak in the lake for 24 hours.''
''Dave’s supporters will paddle beside Dave to provide motivation as we will have either 1 or 2 hours (or more) shifts.
This is the first time that I have heard of someone paddling in the lake for 24 hours straight. (This task will be much harder than sitting on an indoor rowing machine.)
We plan to start from Lake Park, North Narrabeen this Saturday 13 Sept at 10am and we will finish Sunday 14 Sept, 10am.''
Let's all get behind this epic event. The 24-Hour Row started right here on the Avalon Beach surf club balcony, their crew page here for this year's Gotcha4Life 24Hour Row. Mel and Nathan Wellings put ideas into action and, with the support of our boaties, the 24-Hour Row fundraiser was hatched. Drop in to your local Surf Club this weekend, say hi, show your support and contribute if you can.
For more information on the 24 Hour Row or to donate to the cause to support building a mentally fit future, visit: 24hourrow.com.au
The donation function will stay open for a few weeks after Sunday, so please, chip in a bit if you can.
The 159th Opening Day of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club on September 6 was a true reflection of what makes Alfred’s so special — sailing, community spirit, and family. Blessed with glorious weather, members and guests filled the Club grounds to enjoy a day that celebrated both tradition and the season ahead.
A special presentation was also made to Vice Commodore Julia Hornsby by Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby, recognising her trailblazing leadership and commitment to accessibility and inclusion.
Julia is a trailblazer in our sailing community, and the first female Vice Commodore at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club since its inception.
Julia oversees many programs at the club, including Alfreds Community Sailing program and the Hansa World Championships at the club in March 2025, and worked tirelessly to understand how to support participants with disabilities in this event.
Julia’s work to improve accessibility and inclusion at the club is admirable, and we thank her for enriching our community.
Vice Commodore Julia Hornsby, Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby and Commodore Robert McClelland
Prizes on the day included Best Dressed Crew, awarded to Banter, and Best Dressed Boat, awarded to Bullwinkle. The winners of the Pittwater Dash were Wings12, skippered by Billy Davis, in the PHS, and for the ORC Fleet Matt Visser in Finn Aus 5.
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Angus Gordon OAM and the Hon. Bronwyn Bishop AM, Patron of the RPAYC
Profile of the Week Gotch4Life's 2025 24 Hour Row: Let's Row the Distance for Mental FitnessLet's all get behind this epic event. The 24-Hour Row started right here on the Avalon Beach surf club balcony, their crew page here for this year's Gotcha4Life 24Hour Row. Mel and Nathan Wellings put ideas into action and, with the support of our boaties, the 24-Hour Row fundraiser was hatched. Drop in to your local Surf Club this weekend, say hi, show your support and contribute if you can.
For more information on the 24 Hour Row or to donate to the cause to support building a mentally fit future, visit: 24hourrow.com.au
The donation function will stay open for a few weeks after Sunday, so please, chip in a bit if you can.
History ABHS 2025 AGM – Film ‘Smithy’ shows Avalon Beach: the Kingsford-Smith Family connections to Pittwater - Community loses 5 Creative Geniuses - ABHS President Curating Avalon Beach SLSC’s 100 Years Historical Exhibition: runs October Long Weekend in Avalon surf clubhouse
Park Bench Philosophers NSW Mounted Police mark 200 years in the saddle
Pictures Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club's 159th Opening Day A Celebration for All + What else is coming up at the Alfreds' this Spring
Inbox News It takes a village to raise a child but not everybody gets the support, Fibre to the node trails all other NBN connection types for download speeds: ACCC, The Good Guys to pay $13.5m penalty for misleading store credit promotions: ACCC Action, There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know, Latest data suggests Australia is overcoming its sugar addiction, Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not, My knee is clicking; Should I be worried? Am I getting arthritis?, Could cutting back on caffeine really give you more vivid dreams? Here’s what the science says, 1 in 8 households don’t have the money to buy enough food, Murdoch resolves succession drama – a win for Lachlan; a loss for public interest journalism, NSW Government holds roundtable to tackle anti Australian-Indian sentiment, Transformation of State Library forecourt approved to proceed, Australia set to ban ‘nudify’ apps. How will it work?
Food Spring Strawberries: recipe Ideas For This Vitamin C Boost Fruit
The first of the Spring strawberries have been coming into grocers during the past week, with a price tag that makes them affordable for many families. One serving (100 g) of strawberries is an excellent source of vitamin C, a good source of manganese, and provides several other vitamins and dietary minerals in lesser amounts. Eaten fresh or turned into a dessert, these glorious crimson treats will keep the season crossover sniffles at bay.
Dipped in chocolate… Or in a soufflé… Or just piled high on a dinner plate! It is time to indulge your senses. A few recipe ideas run this Issue for your consideration.
Events Spring Workshops and Events, Zonta NB's 50th Anniversary Dinner, Author Talks, Sports, Music, Markets, Social Groups, + Heaps more on!
Environment Birds, Bees + Blooms Time: First - Some Birds, Magpies in Spring, Sydney Wildlife (Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services) Needs People for the Rescue Line, Australasian Dark Sky Alliance Calls for National Legislation to Curb Light Pollution: Petition, Warriewood DA Proposes removal of 11 Hectares of Vegetation, 280+ extra vehicles for streets, $10 million to cut food waste in NSW households + businesses, World-first vaccine approved to fight deadly disease, Fossil fuel expansion or Pacific security? Albanese is learning Australia can’t have both, New type of ‘sieve’ detects the smallest pieces of plastic in the environment more easily than ever before, Koalas are running out of time. Will a $140 million national park save them?, High-tech plans to save polar ice will fail, new research finds, Yes, spectacled flying foxes are noisy and drop poo everywhere. But our rainforests need them, How do flowers know it’s spring? A botanist explains, Australia has some new marsupial species – but they’re already extinct, Deadlier than varroa, a new honey-bee parasite is spreading around the world, $10 million to cut food waste in NSW, Draft resource recovery order and exemption for biosolids: Have your say to EPA by September 26, Climate Change Licensee Requirements: Have your say to EPA by October 7, Thomas Stephens Reserve, Church Point - boardwalk + seawall works to commence This September, Wildlife Hungry: Moving to road Edges to feed - Please Slow down, 622kg of Rubbish Collected from Local Beaches: Adopt your local beach program, This Tick Season: Freeze it - don't squeeze it, Protect local wildlife from your fishing gear, EPA tackling greenhouse gas emissions with new licensee requirements: Have your say, $1.2 million on offer to crack down on illegal dumping, $1 million to establish indi NSW recreational fishing peak body: feedback invited until Oct. 1, Notice of 1080 Poison Baiting, Weed of the Week, Solar for apartment residents: Funding, Volunteers for Barrenjoey Lighthouse Tours needed, Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 Recycling Batteries: at Mona Vale + Avalon Beach, Reporting Dogs Offleash - Dog Attacks to Council, Plastic Bread Ties For Wheelchairs, Stay Safe From Mosquitoes, Mountain Bike Incidents On Public Land, Report fox sightings, Marine Wildlife Rescue group on the Central Coast, Watch out - shorebirds about, Possums In Your Roof?: do the right thing, Aviaries + Possum Release Sites Needed, Bushcare in Pittwater: where + when, Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities, Community Gardens and Environment Groups and Organisations in Pittwater, Ringtail Posses, Pittwater Reserves, Environment History insights + Walks, Birds, +
Aquatics Shark net removal trial cancelled for this year: Shark Meshing (Bather Protection) Program 2024-25 Annual Performance Report Released
Children Sunday Cartoons This Issue: Busy with Dizzy - from Lego, Sydney Birding Hotspots - #28 Manly, How do flowers know it’s Spring? A botanist explains, Curious Kids: How is paint made? + Why do we need to do homework? + Why do we have tonsils????? + Why has nobody found any life outside of Earth? + When I swipe a matchstick how does it make fire? + How many dinosaurs in total lived on Earth during all periods?, Stories this week: New Blue Shoes + 'Calvin Can't Fly' read by Jonathan Pryce, + local fun and clubs for you
Youth Davidson High's budding swimming star off to world championships, Sydney Birding Hotspots - #28 Manly, Hugh Jackman backs the return of Australia’s acting training to Western Sydney Uni: entry by audition closes October 17, From homeless to homeowner: Apprentice of the Year highlights the power of VET, How an ancient trade surprised Hayley with a rewarding career change, TAFE NSW Online Training Options transforms a fashionable career, Opportunities: She’s Electric competition is back with $10K on the line! + I'm with the Band: Music Comp. + Open Mic at Palm Beach, Financial help for young people, School Leavers Support, Word Of The Week: Meniscus, How do flowers know it’s Spring?, Blue, green, brown, or something in between – the science of eye colour explained, The gospel according to Lady Gaga: why pop’s Mother Monster is also a theologian, Signs of ancient life may have been found in Martian rock – new study, Recipes from the middle ages have much in common with how our grandparents used to cook, Want more protein for less money? Don’t be fooled by the slick black packaging, An AI startup has agreed to a $2.2 billion copyright settlement. But will Australian writers benefit?, Young people want social cohesion too. This means tackling the causes of inequality, 10 years ago, gravitational waves changed astronomy. A new discovery shows there’s more to come, NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response, local groups and services for you
Seniors Registrations for community sessions on the new Aged Care Act now open, Simon Chan AM to chair Multicultural NSW Advisory Board, Upcoming changes to residential aged care funding, Northern Beaches Police Area Command: Retired police day 2025, Could Labor’s super tax reforms be headed for a makeover? Here’s how a redesign might work, Call for applications to join the Aged Care Council of Elders, Donald Trump’s vision for Gaza’s future: what a leaked plan tells us about US regional strategy, For migrants, dementia can mean losing a language – and a whole world, Ten ways diabetes and dementia are linked, Alzheimer’s disease: new three-minute test can spot memory issues – here’s how it works and what it can tell you, local groups and services
DIY Ideas Johnson Bros Mitre 10 Mona Vale - Avalon 70th Birthday Celebrations: September 19 to 22
- 🏃🏼♂️➡️ Friday September 19 (Mona Vale only): 5km run with the legend NEDD BROCKMANN and huge Tradie Brekkie for Tradies Day 2025. Register here for the run: www.mitre10.com.au/trade/run-with-nedd-nsw
- 🎨 Saturday: Fun for the whole family.
- 🔥 Sunday: Huge in-store savings.
- 💙 Monday: Special community announcement.
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King Parrot vsiitor during the Season of Birds, Bees and Blooms.