Northern Beaches Council Wins Award for Partnerships-Collaborations in Rethink-reduce-reuse Program - North Sydney Council Recognised for Innovative Citizenship Ceremonies

Northern Beaches Council has won the Partnerships and Collaboration award at the 2025 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.
- pilot a circular economy hub for repairing and reusing household items, including working with charities, community groups and other interested groups
- help the community to reduce household waste by 10% by 2030 and by 20% by 2040
- halve the amount of household food waste sent to landfill by 2030, with a phased approach to food waste collection
- implement regular and accessible collections of electronic waste, textiles and household chemicals by 2025
- provide local drop-offs or kerbside collections for the most common household plastics where there are reliable markets for the recycled products
- advocate for the phase out of single use unrecyclable plastics
- Adult clothing and accessories; Manchester (new or quality used); Hygiene items (New only); small homeware items
- Essential nursery items and clothing for babies and children
- Bikes, scooters and E-Bikes
- Cardboard
- Small metal items
- Plastic plant pots
- Raw timber, flat pack furniture and raw pallets
- Plastic storage containers with lids (34L and above), hand tools
- Separate your items into categories above before you arrive.
- Pack them into your boot or rear of your vehicle so they can be safely removed by staff.
- Drop and drive to the event, and stay in your car. When you arrive at the event our collection staff will unpack your vehicle to get you on your way faster.
More chances to Rethink-Reuse-Recycle
Sea Waters off NSW retaining sustained above average heat: BOM States May 2025 Sea Surface Temperatures are highest on record + ‘Like an underwater bushfire’: SA’s marine algal bloom is still killing almost everything in its path
Weedy Seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus), at South Palmy July 8th 2022. Photo: Adriaan van der Wallen - there is a colony of these off Barrenjoey at a dive site called 'Weedy Seadragon'
Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the southern hemisphere, including areas around Australia, are expected to be warmer than average during the Winter of 2025. The Bureau of Meteorology indicates that day and night temperatures are likely to be above average across Australia for this time of the year.
The BOM reports that areas off the south-west Australian coastline may be more than 3°C warmer than average.
The warm ocean temperatures surrounding Australia are a key contributor to the ongoing abnormal heat and are expected to continue until at least mid-Spring.
The additional heat in the ocean contributes to warming the air above the surface, leading to warmer winds and influencing the local environment.
The BOM states the sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Australian region during May 2025 were +0.62 °C above the 1991–2020 average; the warmest May on record since observations began in 1900. Since July 2024, SSTs have been the warmest or second warmest on record for each respective month.
The SST analysis for the week ending 8 June 2025 shows warmer than average waters around most of the Australian coastline, except for parts of the north. Large parts of the coastline are up to 2 °C warmer than average, with small patches off the south-west Australian coastline more than 3 °C warmer than average.
BOM: Sea surface temperature forecast maps update June 11 2025
BOM: NSW sea temperature update June 12 2025:
Global SSTs remain substantially above average. Monthly averaged SSTs in 2025 have been the second warmest on record for each respective month, second only to temperatures recorded in 2024.
The CSIRO and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology State of the Climate Report 2024, released every two years, found Australia’s weather and climate has continued to change, with an increase in extreme heat events, longer fire seasons, more intense heavy rainfall, and sea level rise.
The report recorded our oceans have heated up by 1.08°C on average since 1900. In fact, Australia’s oceans are warming faster than the global average. But the oceans off south-east Australia and the Tasman Sea are a particular hotspot and are now warming at twice the global average.
The report records the average annual carbon content embedded in Australia’s fossil fuel exports between 2010 and 2019 (1,055 megatonnes) was more than double the average annual national carbon emissions over the same period (455 Mt). However, the emissions of these carbon exports are accounted in the countries where the fossil fuels are used, so Australia is heating up the planet much more than the report can record.
CSIRO Research Manager, Dr Jaci Brown, said in 2024, when the report was released, warming of the ocean has contributed to longer and more frequent marine heatwaves, with the highest average sea surface temperature on record occurring in 2022.
"The East Australian Current is shifting further south because of changes to the winds and the winds change because of changes to the surface temperature of the ocean," Dr Brown explained
"There's these feedbacks between the atmosphere and the ocean as they talk to each other. As one thing changes, it changes something in the other one which feeds back to the atmosphere."
“Increases in temperature have contributed to significant impacts on marine habitats, species and ecosystem health, such as the most recent mass coral bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef this year,” Dr Brown said.
Impacts on species and habitats
One recurring change witnessed the past several years has been the deaths of thousands birds off our coasts through starvation - birds that rely on zooplankton for food. Zooplankton can survive in warm waters, however, they thrive in cooler waters. Marine heatwaves have been causing shifts in where and when zooplankton occur, and how large they grow.
See: Shearwaters washing up on local beaches for third year in a row: Mass mortalities of Starving Birds attributed to Australia's Lose-Lose Policy on the Australian Environment - October 2024
Another is local seagrasses - the nurseries for marine life in estuaries.
Warriewood Community Centre Build: June 2025 Update
Photos by Joe Mills, taken Wednesday June 11, 2025

Council states Construction of the new Warriewood Community Centre is progressing well. Despite some recent weather delays, roofing is nearing completion, and work on external cladding, window framing and glazing is underway. Once the building is weather-tight, internal services and fitout will ramp up.
Below-ground services and landscaping preparation are continuing. The site office will soon be relocated to allow works on the western carpark to commence. We will ensure local residents and key stakeholders are informed in advance of any temporary access changes or traffic impacts associated with these works.
The project remains on track for completion in late 2025, subject to unforeseen delays.
The new multi-use community centre is being built on the existing site of the Nelson Heather Centre on the corner of Jacksons Road and Pittwater Road.
The centre will be an attractive, modern, and resilient building with the capacity to switch to an Emergency and Recovery Centre during a period of community crisis.
Features of the new centre will include:
- flexible multi-purpose halls to accommodate a variety of recreational, cultural and community activities
- two versatile meeting rooms suitable for workshops, programs and small events
- a dedicated community space designed to be safe, inclusive and accessible for all
- generous covered outdoor areas overlooking landscaped gardens
- modern, fully accessible amenities
- multiple adaptable kitchen facilities to support events and group activities.
The design also incorporates best-practice sustainability principles and new infrastructure to meet the growing community.
In addition to the building works, Council are progressing the design of a new shared pathway connecting the centre to the nearby B-Line bus stop. Planned upgrades to Boondah Road will further enhance safety and accessibility, making it easier for people to walk and cycle throughout the area.
The new community centre will provide a total of 5 halls and two meeting rooms with ancillary facilities and will be served by a total of 78 car parking spaces, 5 of which are allocated as accessible parking spaces.
Week Three June 2025 (June 10 - 15):
Aquatics Sea Waters off NSW retaining sustained above average heat: BOM States May 2025 Sea Surface Temperatures are highest on record + ‘Like an underwater bushfire’: SA’s marine algal bloom is still killing almost everything in its path + As Antarctic sea ice shrinks, iconic emperor penguins are in more peril than we thought
Warriewood Community Centre Build: June 2025 Update - photos by Joe Mills
Warriewood resident to receive Sport NSW Distinguished Long Service Honour - Collaroy Tennis Club Finalist in Inclusion Achievement of the Year Award
School Excursion to the Surf Club by Year 2 Maria Regina Primary School during the Club's 100th Anniversary Year - Encouraging Future Surf Lifesavers & Promoting Surf Safety + June Reflections by Rogers Sayers OAM, ABSLSC Life Member
Pictures Cremorne Point Walk: June 2025 by Joe Mills
Park Bench Philosophers ON Accelerate 9 showcases national innovation potential in deep tech: CSIRO
_________________________
Week Two June 2025 (June 2 - 9): King's Birthday Honours Edition
Council announces single service for lifeguards across the Peninsula
VW State Classic 2025: Local Surfers among Winners in NSW State Surfing Titles + Results
Rockfisher Drowns at North Head
Aquatics NSW Government announces Beachwatch program to continue under current model for another two years
Marine Rescue NSW commends caution as missions drop in May 2025
Operation Snow Safe 2025 launches For opening of ski season: NSW Police
High Schools Get Hooked on New Fishing Program
North Narrabeen in 1911 - Panoramas taken for West's Lakeside Estate
Australia Post prioritises Postie safety with introduction of new dog attack deterrent
Park Bench Philosophers Snow Season 2025: Local Connections with the Sport of Skiing beginnings in Charles Kerry, Percy Hunter and Herbert Schlink
Pictures Long Reef Sunrise Headland Walk by Joe Mills
DIY Ideas 11 Ways to keep your home warm, safe and save money this Winter
_________________________
Week Five May 2025 - Week One June 2025 (May 26 - June 1): Issue 643
Profile: A Celebration of Jack McCoy
History: Avalon Beach Camping Ground Gave a Lot of Legends to the Pittwater Community
2025 Environment Art & Design Prize Finalists announced
Pictures A Few Waves for Jack: Little, South + North Av.
World Oceans Day 2025 at Bongin Bongin Bay Mona Vale: The Janice Mason Memorial Swim + Family-Friendly Activities - Sunday June 8, from 8am
Aquatics RPAYC's Gwen Slade Regatta 2025 + Upcoming Inaugural Kay Cottee Women's Development Regatta - June 29
Park Bench Philosophers Labor approves Woodside's North West Shelf extension: 'a prelude to approval for Woodside's Browse Project carbon bomb' + Green light for gas: North West Shelf gas plant cleared to run until 2070 + How the North West Shelf expansion risks further damage to Murujuga’s 50,000-year-old rock art
Feedback Invited on Council's Climate Change Policy + Changes to Development Control Plans (for Manly-Warringah-Pittwater) - closes June 22

Monika's Doggie Rescue
2 Cowan Road, Ingleside
www.DoggieRescue.com
www.facebook.com/doggierescue
www.twitter.com/monikadogrescue
www.instagram.com/monikadogrescue/
Although here are a variety of reasons people may give up a beloved pet, just as they were after Covid re-openings, pet re-homing facilities across Australia are currently full as owners surrender dogs and cats, this time stating they do so due to the cost-of-living impacts.
Across Sydney there has been an uptick in dogs aged just 12 months, not just older dogs whose owners may have passed away, who are being dumped. Although some flinch or avoid being touched by people, indicating they have been abused, owners being unaware how much a pet costs has become the primary reason there are a lot of homeless dogs.
According to the Australian Veterinary Association, the average dog owner spends more than $25,000 caring for their canine companion. Cat owners could spend $21,000 on average. The RSPCA states within the first year of dog or cat ownership, people could face up to $3,500 of expenses on vaccinations, vet visits, food, de-sexing, grooming, bedding, toys and treats.
This is also causing a massive slow-down on rehoming animals - and for shelters being able to take on new dogs and cats that need a home. Numerous full shelters are reporting a wait-list of people who want to surrender their dog.
RSPCA national data shows around 81,000 pets were surrendered in the 2023/2024 financial year, with only 27,000 finding new homes.
However, in Pittwater, for over a quarter of a century, Monika's Doggie Rescue has sought to find the homes for these pets.
Monika's DoggieRescue is a registered charity that believes in saving and re-homing as many pets as they can from the council pounds. For many years Monika Biernacki and a group of volunteers have been rescuing pets from death row and successfully re-homing them with permanent and loving owners.
Their motto at present is 'don't shop - adopt'.

Community News Congratulations Shannon, Narrabeen Youth Club's 60th: Call for old photos, Winter sale Avalon Craft Cottage at Warriewood this week, Call for Information: Mona Vale Theft, Hats on for Soibada, NSW residents urged to get vaccinated as flu levels rise, Council Wins Award for Partnerships-Collabs in Rethink-reduce-reuse North Sydney Council Recognised for Innovative Citizenship Ceremonies, A new National Immunisation Strategy, 2026 Australian of the Year Nominations now open, Renewing the water main in Old Barrenjoey Road: Update, Mosman Council's Electrified fleet, Regular check-ups can help save men’s lives: AMA, Australia Post expands Community Grants program, The 2025 CWAS "David Malin Awards", Water exemptions made to speed up new homes, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: Coral + Doris, Nominations open for the 2025 Australian Mental Health Prize, Pothole Problems: How to report, Proposed Road Reserve Lease - Wilga Street and Powderworks Road, Elanora Heights, Bilgola Beach Carpark Accessible parking upgrade: Feedback Invited, More funding available for war memorials in NSW, Create NSW Cultural Grants - Now Open, Pittwater Sports, Social, Environment, Residents Associations and Groups
Environment Clever Cockatoos learning to drink from public water fountains, Snowy Hydro to pay $400,000 to protect endangered frog, Welcoming winter gardens: BirdLife Australia, Discover Sydney’s blooming spectacular Muogamarra, House Mice are now killing adult Wandering Albatrosses on Marion Island – not just their chicks, 2025 World Albatross Day: 19 June, Chemical CleanOut: June 28-29 at Mona Vale Beach, Surfrider Foundation: June 22 Surf Swap, Whale Census Day 2025: June 29, Water exemptions made to speed up new homes, Have your say on council's climate change policy, Council's Draft Land Dealings Policy: Have your Say, Council's Proposed Amendments to Development Control Plans (DCPs) For Low and Mid-Rise Housing: Have Your Say, Weed of the Week: Morning Glory - please get it out of your garden, First Strategy to protect NSW heritage released: have your say, WIRES 2025 Grants Applications Now Open, First NSW Waste and Circular Infrastructure Plan released, Solar for apartment residents: Funding, The Snowy Owls of Logan Airport, As Antarctic sea ice shrinks iconic emperor penguins are in more peril than we thought, ‘Like an underwater bushfire’: SA’s marine algal bloom is still killing almost everything in its path, As livestock numbers grow, wild animal populations plummet. Giving all creatures a better future will take a major rethink, 9 myths about electric vehicles have taken hold. A new study shows how many people fall for them, Australia’s government is pledging better protection for our vulnerable seas – but will it work?, Cheating by car makers, tampering by owners: crucial car pollution control is being sabotaged, A reversal in US climate policy will send renewables investors packing – and Australia can reap the benefits, In most mammals, one gene determines sex; But 100 million years ago platypuses and echidnas went their own way, ‘Find your path’ – NSW Great Walks put on the map, Mussel power: how an offshore shellfish farm is boosting marine life, Jacaranda, black locust and London plane: common street trees show surprising resilience to growing heat in Australia, Extreme weather could send milk prices soaring, deepening challenges for the dairy industry, A 10-fold increase in rocket launches would start harming the ozone layer – new research, ‘1080 pest management’, 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 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, Gardens and Environment Groups and Organisations in Pittwater, Ringtail Posses, Pittwater Reserves: histories + Walks, Birds, +
Aquatics Sea Waters off NSW retaining sustained above average heat: BOM States May 2025 Sea Surface Temperatures are highest on record + ‘Like an underwater bushfire’: SA’s marine algal bloom is still killing almost everything in its path + As Antarctic sea ice shrinks, iconic emperor penguins are in more peril than we thought
Children Sunday Cartoons: A Seed becomes a Tree, June 1949: Avalon Beach full of Jam Melons, School Excursion to the Avalon Beach Surf Club by Year 2 Maria Regina Primary School during the Club's 100th Anniversary Year, 2025 Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards entries are now open, What bird is that? Pigeon & Doves, Curious Kids: Why do dolphins jump out of the water? + For the first time, fossil stomach contents of a sauropod dinosaur reveal what they really ate + Who was the first ancient mummy? + Why do our ears pop? + Are mermaids real?, Stories this week: The Runaway Pumpkin + Snappsy The Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book), clubs fun and more for you

Youth Public school students survey on learning + wellbeing, June 1949: Avalon Beach full of Jam Melons, Regional champion from Blacktown tests auto skills on national stage, Opportunities: Surfrider Foundation June 2025 Surf Swap + Kay Cottee Women's Development Regatta + The 2025 CWAS "David Malin Awards" + More places available in innovative jobs program for women + 2025 Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards entries are now open + Band Comp. at Palmy, Financial help for young people, School Leavers Support, Word Of The Week: noodle, Why are sunsets so pretty in winter? There’s a simple explanation, How visionary Beach Boys songwriter Brian Wilson changed music – and my life, How was the wheel invented? Computer simulations reveal the unlikely birth of a world-changing technology nearly 6,000 years ago, Esa at 50: how the space agency helped keep Europe at the frontiers of science, The AI hype is just like the blockchain frenzy – here’s what happens when the hype dies, Those ‘what I eat in a day’ TikTok videos aren’t helpful. They might even be harmful, Were the first kings of Poland actually from Scotland? New DNA evidence unsettles a nation’s founding myth, For the first time, fossil stomach contents of a sauropod dinosaur reveal what they really ate, Sunday Too Far Away at 50: how a story about Aussie shearers launched a local film industry, Friday essay: foggy, flirty and too much – Jane Austen’s menopausal women solicit compassion while making us laugh, local groups and services for you
Seniors NSW residents urged to get vaccinated as flu levels rise, One for Mum, Congratulations Shannon!, Narrabeen Youth Club: Call for old photos, A new National Immunisation Strategy for a healthier Australia, History of Narrabeen: U3A Speaker, 2026 Australian of the Year Nominations now open, E-learning now available for the new Aged Care Act, AvPals 25th Year: Term Two Newport Sessions, Home Equity Release May Increase Demand for Long-Term Care Insurance, It took more than a century but women are taking charge of Australia’s economy – here’s why it matters, How visionary Beach Boys songwriter Brian Wilson changed music – and my life, Sunday Too Far Away at 50: how a story about Aussie shearers launched a local film industry, Oldest known human fingerprint discovered on ancient Neanderthal artwork – with help from Spain’s forensic police, Services for you
Pictures Cremorne Point Walk: June 2025 by Joe Mills
DIY Ideas 11 Ways to keep your home warm, safe and save money this Winter
There's no point denying it any further - we're now definitely in Winter with snow already blanketing snowfields.
Heating homes accounts for over 70% of some household energy consumption. So reducing this figure, while keeping homes warm, not only cuts energy bills, but helps reduce carbon emissions. This Issue a few timely tips to keep your toes and fingers warm and the power bills down.It's also worth looking at what the state government may offer in rebates to meet energy costs. In NSW residents may qualify for a number of rebates and discounts. There's information for pensioners, families to help you and other offers to help improve the energy efficiency of your home. To find out more, visit: energysaver.nsw.gov.au/households/rebates-and-discounts
This Issue, our top 11 tips to keep it warm indoors + how o save on Winter heating bills
Food Winter Warmers Leek And Potato Soup, Coq Au Vin + Apple, Date and Walnut Cake With Caramel Sauce
It's that time of year when you want something hot and substantial - 'rib sticking' food in other words. With food prices having increased an average of 25% over the past few months, choosing seasonal ingredients, that usually come at a better price, and items grown not too far from home to eliminate transporting goods add-on costs, this Issue a few of the dishes we've been making to feed a hungry family without breaking the budget.

Winter in pittwater



Pittwater Online News is Published Every Sunday Morning
Archives (pre 2014)
Pittwater Online News was selected for preservation by the State Library of New South Wales and National Library of Australia. This title is scheduled to be re-archived regularly.
Archived Issues (2014 on) may be accessed here: pandora.nla.gov.au/tep/143700
Past Issues are also listed on site on the Community News page, by month.
Search Pittwater Online Articles