The SOS Save Our Suburb Mona Vale Inc., a resident action group of Pittwater, has released the findings of a comprehensive twelvemonth community investigation, formally demanding an immediate statutory moratorium on the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy across the Pittwater electorate north of Narrabeen Lagoon.
The findings, compiled into a technical evidentiary dossier, were delivered to Jacqui Scruby MP, Independent Member for Pittwater, during a grassroots mobilisation rally at NSW Parliament House on Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at noon.
The brief outlines four non-negotiable structural constraints proving the Pittwater Peninsula cannot safely absorb the State Government’s mandated multi-storey blanket upzoning or associated State Significant Development (SSD) pathways.
Key Evidentiary Findings Include:
• Wastewater and Coastal Health Failures: The Warriewood Wastewater Treatment Plant currently operates beyond its baseline equivalent population capacity. During heavy rain, hydraulic inundation overwhelms the bypass storage in one to two hours, discharging partially treated effluent straight into the recreational surf zones of Turimetta Head.
• Life Safety and Evacuation Gridlock: The Pittwater peninsula is a geographic cul-de-sac hemmed in by continuous national park reserves and the sea. Imposing multi-storey density onto a single, two-lane arterial road serving more than 35,000 residents— directly breaches the intent of Section 9.1 Planning Direction 4.3 and ignores the findings of the 1994 Hiatt Coronial Inquiry.
• The Rapid Transit Myth: Mona Vale was included in the policy on the premise of being serviced by "rapid transit," despite the B-Line operating in mixed tra5ic and being throttled by physical pinch points at the Spit Bridge and Military Road. Region 8 bus cancellations account for nearly 30% of all bus cancellations across Greater Sydney.
• The Affordable Housing "Luxury Loophole": A 30% discounted rent on a luxury newbuild apartment in Mona Vale still consumes over 53% of an entry-level registered nurse’s take-home pay. Dual-income essential worker couples are legally disqualified by statutory income caps, meaning the policy extracts developer margins while delivering zero long-term social dividend.
Convenor, John David said, ‘'This dossier has been prepared following the admission by Paul Scully, the Minister for Planning and Open Spaces that a detailed study of Mona Vale’ s ability to safely sustain higher density was not conducted before it was re-zoned’
‘The government has not done their homework, so we have done it for them.’ said Mr David
The community is calling on Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, to halt the application of Chapter 6 of the Housing SEPP until an independent, cumulative Infrastructure Capability and Emergency Evacuation Audit is formally tabled in the NSW Parliament.
A delegation of over 100 residents formally handed over the dossier on Wednesday.
The rally heard from coastal engineer Angus Gordon OAM, a former General Manager of Pittwater Council; veteran campaigners Parry Thomas, and Shane Withington, as well as many other residents taking up the megaphone. Affordable Forever and Mosman Matters community members were also in attendance and in support of sensible housing reform, as was Greens Pittwater Councillor Miranda Korzy.
All Members of Parliament were invited to the event, but from the Legislative Assemble, only those who voted against the bipartisan planning reforms addressed the crowd including Jacqui Scruby MP, Member for Wakehurst, Michael Regan, Member for Balmain, Kobi Shetty. Sue Higginson MLC and the Hon. Rachel Merton MLC from the Legislative Council also addressed the crowd.
SOS Save Our Suburb Mona Vale, Affordable Forever and Mosman Matters members taking it to Macquarie street
Ms Scruby and others called out the Opposition’s failure to oppose the planning reforms, and denounced the low and mid-rise and Housing Delivery Authority as ‘development at any cost,’ which overrides strategic planning and community voice.
Following the rally, Ms Scruby presented the dossier to Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Public Spaces, Mr Stephen Bali MP, who sat down with Messrs David, Gordon and Thomas, and listened to the group’s concerns.
Earlier in the day, Ms Scruby gave a Notice of Motion condemning the Housing Delivery Authority and inappropriate mid and high-rise development in her electorate, calling on the Minns Labor Government to introduce a moratorium.
Ms Scruby said on Wednesday:
“Political pressure comes from community pressure. Today, Pittwater locals took their concerns directly to the steps of NSW Parliament, making it clear that they will not stand by whilst these bipartisan planning reforms turn on the taps for developers at the expense of our community.
“Just as they did on the floor of Parliament when they voted for these reforms, Liberal and Labor MPs declined the opportunity to hear directly from the people affected by them.
“While those MPs remained inside Parliament House, community representatives and the MPs who continue to stand up against these reforms made their voices heard. Michael Regan, Member for Wakehurst, Kobi Shetty, Member for Balmain, and Sue Higginson MLC, continue to be important voices challenging NSW’s developer-led planning agenda.
“Development cannot be a ‘let it rip’ exercise. Mona Vale and the wider Pittwater area face very real constraints, including major roads that can be cut off by flooding and bushfires, an already dysfunctional transport system, and wastewater infrastructure limitations.”
Former Pittwater Council General Manager Angus Gordon OAM, a coastal management and environment engineer, spoke at the Protest outside Parliament on Wednesday on the development constraints, saying more people would overwhelm water, sewerage and transport infrastructure.
“It is not planning if you have planning without infrastructure.
It’s not simply incompetence; it’s irresponsible because at some point in time in the future, it’s going to have to be picked up and paid for by somebody.
“If you go back to the 1994 bushfires, we lost over 30 houses in Elanora [Heights], and we lost them because there wasn’t the water supply. Well, guess what? Sydney Water hasn’t upgraded the water supply, and yet the density has increased, and now they’re proposing greater increases,” Mr Gordon said
Mona Vale SSD now 14 Storeys: 48.75m Metres Tall for 285 units for around 600 occupants
On Friday October 23 the Department of Planning sent out an email advising it has received a request (Oct. 22) to prepare the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for the 'Residential Flat Building Mona Vale (was SSD-129265241).
The new webpage (Oct 22 2026 now SSD-150586490) Scoping report document states the build will be up to 14 storeys with a height of 48.75 metres for 285 units comprising 57x 1bedrooms, 157x 2bed and 71x 3+ bedrooms for 415 occupants.
However, if all bedrooms are used, these figures add up to at least 584 occupants and the potential for the same amount of cars.
Access to an undefined as yet amount of basement (excavated) car parking will be accessed via Vineyard street according to the proponents Scoping report.
The document states approximately 43 units would be delivered as affordable housing for a minimum period of 15 years.
The units are arranged across two (2) fourteen (14) storey buildings addressing Mona Vale Road to the north, being the East and West Buildings, and a seven (7) storey building addressing Vineyard Street to the south.
This proposal was originally(SSD-129265241) for a Residential flat building containing 185 units, inclusive of 40 infill affordable dwellings (for a minimum of 15 years) on land at 6, 8, 8A, 10, 10A, 12, 12A and 14 Mona Vale Road and 8 and 10 Vineyard Street, Mona Vale, has already been welcomed by the state government. The proposal then was for a Building Height of 37.55m - 40.70m, with Eight (8) to twelve (12) storeys and a development listing 43 x1 bed 43 23%, 94 x 2 bed and 48 x 3+ bedroom units.
Swamp Wallaby crossing Mona Vale Rd East on the fauna bridge. Photo supplied
Profile of the Week Locals Win a Mass of Recognitions at 2026 NSW Master Builders Awards - Including Master Builder of the Year for Lovett Custom HomesThe completion of building a home brings together every trade professional needed to do the job to the highest standard possible, while meeting all the requirements required under the Building Code and Australian law.
A job site may have 20 people working in different areas from the roof to plumbing to tiling to decoration to engineers and architects conferring with the builder on finessing the build, while those keeping up-to-date with the ever evolving requirements of insurance and contracts toil away back in the office.
All these employ skilled and qualified workers and, usually, an apprentice or two.
Although a building company may seem large it is actually the bringing together of many people focussed on their area and working together with one vision. It is 10 small businesses coming together, all employing 5 to 10 people each.
This underlines the fact that small business is actually big business.
The Master Builders Awards are among the most recognised and respected construction industry awards programs in Australia. Administered by Master Builders Associations across each state and territory, the awards celebrate excellence in construction in residential, commercial and specialist building categories.
Two new categories were added this year; Passive House and Historical House Restoration.
These prestigious awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and quality in the NSW building and construction industry. The Excellence in Housing Awards highlight outstanding residential projects, bringing together project home builders, contract builders, apartment constructors, and specialists in additions, alterations, and renovations, to shine a spotlight on the industry's most exceptional achievements.
For builders, developers and construction professionals, winning or being recognised as a finalist in a Master Builders Awards program is a significant industry achievement. It provides independent validation of construction quality, workmanship and project delivery - and carries genuine weight with clients, architects and developers when evaluating a builder's track record.
Judging criteria: All entrants must demonstrate excellence in the following areas:
- Quality of Construction
- Design Challenges
- Use of Materials
- Value for money
- Innovation
The Master Builder of the Year award is widely regarded as the recognition presented by the Master Builders Association at both state and national levels.
While Lovett Custom Homes won this best of the best this year, another Mona Vale company, Beach Houses Australia, and Curl Curl outfit Lawson and Lovell, were both Finalists in the same category.
All winners now advance to the Master Builders Australia National Excellence Awards, which will take place on Friday, 27 November 2026 at The Star Brisbane.
For our final focus area for NSW Small Business Month this October, a celebration of some of the best in an industry we grew up in and which employs thousands of local people and families.
%20160%20contents.jpg?timestamp=1792638474645)
History Coaster's Retreat wharves: Bonnie Doon + Bennetts - Some History
Park Bench Philosophers Prepare or Pay: Counting the Cost of Climate-fuelled Bushfires - new report's up-to-date figures record bushfires $6 Billion per year cost 
Food A Sugar-Free Halloween Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31st this year
You know our youngsters love dressing up and they love lollies - Halloween for them has the bonus of combining both of these and includes a late afternoon-early evening romp around their streets as well. This triple 'treat' may mean tears before bedtime for those who have too many sugar filled sweets given to them, so a few ideas to not have them bouncing off the walls and talking really really fast may be welcome before this year's escapade commences.
Of course, you don't have to go the lollies route for any little monsters that visit you - a coloured pencil, a glow stick, a small Halloween themed toy, stickers, stick on moustaches, even a small blowing bubbles pack are alternatives.
Aquatics Reforms to reduce plastics and microplastics: Environmental Legislation Amendment (Plastic Reduction and Container Recycling) Bill 2026 passes Upper House + Pittwater Councillor's Attempt to Turn the Local Plastic Tide: October 2026 council meeting
Community News Australian Couta Boat Championship titles, Palm Beach Sailing Club's Beware the Bullets Regatta 2026, SIRA AGM & Island Café: Catherine Park, Scotland Island, Max Girdler to Be 2027 Bulldogs A-Grade Coach, Freshwater Surf Boat Carnival, Sydney Academy of Sport Track Update: asphalt surface on, Avalon Beach SLSC: Bronze - SRC Courses, Belrose Rural Fire Brigade celebrates 75th anniversary, Sargood Classic 2026, Manly's new pickleball club, Bilgola Water Mains Problems, Review of the water regulatory and pricing framework for data centres: Update, Celebrate the Diversity of Pollinators: Art + Photography Comp. for Students, Young Freshwater man turning his life around by giving back: website Builds Up for Grabs for Charities - Businesses, Draft NSW coastal management manual: Have your say, Germany, Belgium, France named as destinations for the 2027 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship tour: Teacher Applications Call Out, Local Government Regulation Review: Have Your Say, Police-Firies Coffee with Warriewood: November 27, Narrabeen Girls High School and Narrabeen Boys High School 50 Years Reunion, Domestic Gas Reservation Bill 2026: update, Have your say on the independent evaluation of Australia’s Disability Strategy, Call-Out for Iconic Trees, Veterans’ Community Grants NSW, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: Sophie + Chloe, Marine Rescue Broken Bay Christmas Raffle, SLS SNB Surf Sports Calendar for 2026-2027, Calling All Stallholders: Elanora Heights Village Christmas Market, Stop Misleading Ads Petition: Update, Avalon Preservation Association AGM 2026: Nov. 12, Better Together Grants: Council, Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby League Girls Tackle 2027 EOI, Discover Sailing Day Resources Now Available, Pittwater Residents Associations, Sports, Environment and Social Groups, Pittwater Offshore Newsletter, Local JP's, + more
Environment Long Billed Corella - Little Corella Hybrid: Careel Bay, Council to investigate Protecting Vital Ingleside wildlife corridor near Mona Vale Rd. fauna bridge, Tougher Penalties for Tree Killers to be Introduced by NSW Government, Great Koala National Park Legislation Finally passes NSW Parliament, Celebrate the Diversity of Pollinators: Art + Photo Comp. for Students, NSW coastal management manual: Have your say, Draft Koala Conservation Strategy: Have Your say, Namoi long-term water plan review: Have Your Say, New UNEP report lays out emission cuts needed for return to 1.5°C, CCWA calls for answers on massive methane leak detected above Chevron's Barrow Island facility, ACCC releases guidance on business emissions claims to consumers, MACH Energy High Court decision + Minns Labor Government steps in to protect 400 Hunter jobs ahead of Christmas + "Coal mines are writing the laws", Minns overrules High Court Climate Decision + 'MACH Energy is misleading the Government - new jobs advertised': Greens + NSW Planning acting against court ruling and public interest in approving Mt Pleasant coal extension + High Court’s landmark ruling on coal mine is a win, with important limits + Coal-producing regions to lead the way under NSW Government’s new Future Jobs and Investment Authority, Call-Out for Iconic Trees, NSW Snapper Harvest Strategy: Have Your Say, NSW Yellowtail Kingfish Harvest Strategy: Have Your Say, NSW consulting on Australia's first mandatory solar panel recycling scheme: Have your say, Garigal + Ku-ring Gai National Park: 1080 Operation, Public comment opens on industrial port and dredging proposal threatening Exmouth Gulf-Ningaloo, Katandra Bushland Sanctuary Season 2026, PNHA Activities 2026, Coming up at Kimbriki, Long-range forecast: First look – November to January, We must prepare entire cities for extreme heat. Our new study reveals how, From ‘gentle’ and ‘graceful’ to the ‘cane toad of the sky’: how Australia turned on the common myna, Feral – and threatened? Endangered camels, banteng and hog deer have found an unexpected refuge in Australia, Is Australia’s gas reservation scheme really aimed at Santos?, Snowy 2.0 was never going to be cheap. But it will be much cheaper than relying on batteries for storage, Why the humble rabbit might be Australia’s worst introduced species, Earth’s oldest evidence of life is written in stone – but it’s at risk of disappearing, There’s a hidden bias affecting what we know – and don’t know – about nature, Honey bee hives have ‘living immune systems’ which defend against disease, Deadly fungi are harming Australia’s wild reptiles. This is how to stop the spread, A botanist weighs in on our love‑hate relationship with crepe myrtles, Mona Vale Dunes bushcare group: 2026, Bangalley Headland WPA 2026, Sydney Wildlife Needs People for the Rescue Line, 622kg of Rubbish Collected from Beaches: Adopt your local beach program, This Tick Season: Freeze it - don't squeeze it, Protect wildlife: dispose of fishing gear responsibly, 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, Possums In Your Roof?: do the right thing, Aviaries + Possum Release Sites Needed, Bushcare in Pittwater: where + when, Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities, Pittwater Gardens, Environment Groups and Organisations in Pittwater, Ringtail Posses, Pittwater Environment History insights + Walks, Birds + All October 2026 Environment News
Children Sunday Cartoon and Animations This week: Ultimate Cracking Contraptions Fails – What Could Possibly Go Wrong?: Wallace & Gromit, Stitching connection: Rose Bay's ages unite, Celebrate the Diversity of Pollinators: Art + Photography Comp. for Students, Molly Picklum Wins Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Building a Brick House (1946) — Postwar Home Construction Guide, Curious Kids: Why do we have tonsils????? + Who came up with the first letters? + Why is the Earth round? + ‘I would like to know why man lions have manes and lady lions don’t’ + What causes windy weather? + Why do some people find some foods yummy but others find the same foods yucky? + My tooth fell out. Why is it so spiky on the bottom?, Stories this week: Kindness is my Superpower + 'Trombone Shorty' read by Angela Bassett, Activities and Clubs for you +
Youth Molly Picklum Wins Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Building a Brick House (1946) — Postwar Home Construction Guide, Invictus, Fabrication student wins the Heart of TAFE photography competition, Worried about your Year 12 exams? 3 ways to help anxiety, 8 Student-Backed Study Tips To Help You Tackle The HSC, ReachOut Support Content, Opportunities: Avalon Beach SLSC: Bronze - SRC Courses + Celebrate the Diversity of Pollinators: Art + Photography Comp. for Students + Germany, Belgium, France named as destinations for the 2027 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship tour + Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby League Girls Tackle 2027 EOI + Pittwater Dragonboat Club, School Leavers Support, Word Of The Week: Senescence, In an age of AI Wildwood is a film that reminds us human creativity is irreplaceable, Interned as ‘enemy aliens’ in Australia, these WWII refugees built their own universities, PHP is in the foundation of 70% of websites – here’s what it is and why a flaw in the software is a major hacking threat, Women who changed science missing from UK's GCSE and A‑level courses – new study, ‘Terror of kings’: why the 1066 appearance of Halley’s comet terrified the medieval world, Napoleon can be partly blamed for Gen Z’s weightlifting obsession – here’s why, Hokusai’s Great Wave is one of 46 prints of Mount Fuji – seeing them together changes everything, Moths in art history: centuries of creativity reveal the beauty of a misunderstood insect, Unlocking the secrets of the ‘Dragon Man’ skull – and what it reveals about human evolution, Groups and Activities and Supports for you ++
Seniors Try A Little Kindness, Research reveals toll on older carers, Have your say: aged care providers and workers delivering Support at Home, AvPals at Newport: Term 4 2026, Could the ban on card surcharges lead to a rise in tax evasion?, Pittwater/Narrabeen Parkinson's Support Group 2026 Meetings, Narrabeen Girls High School and Narrabeen Boys High School 50 Years Reunion, Annual Report – Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner 2025-26, What was Australia’s first novel?, Australian medtech company receives prestigious award nomination, What medical students learn from talking to care home residents, MWP Care Seeking Volunteers, Pittwater Probus, Local groups, clubs, events, services for you
DIY Ideas DIY End-of Year Thank You + Christmas Gift Ideas (already!): Cutting Boards
With the end of October in sight, and November's rounds of pre-Summer lunches, dinners and catch-ups already starting to fill calendars, the first day of Summer and December's rush to Christmas and New Years will soon make busy lives even busier.
Many of us are thinking about end-of-year and Christmas gifts around now. A cutting board is a relatively easy gift that will always be useful in most homes and appreciated by those you make one for, personally, a lot longer.
This week a 'how to', before the rush begins.
Pictures Turimetta Moods: October 2026 by Joe Mills
New photos from the week ending October 24 added in
Inbox News Why are there so many plants? New research reveals two key phases in Earth’s past, Australia’s ‘digital duty of care’ was just introduced to parliament. So what’s in the bill?, School teachers are burning out at alarming rates. How can we help keep them happy in their jobs?, A new history of ‘blackbirding’ favours moral condemnation at the expense of complexity, If we want a better Australia we need to raise the GST – and cut income taxes, Former Labor attorney‑general to be new head of the National Anti‑Corruption Commission, Many Indigenous people now study and teach at Australian universities – but they are still excluded, NSW Health warns of surge in hospital presentations linked to peptide use, Prolapse is common after pregnancy and later in life. Here’s what to look out for, Can my health records be used for medical research?, ASIC's annual report outlines strong enforcement and consumer outcomes, Replacing just 10% of ultra‑processed foods with whole foods linked to drop in bowel cancer rate + All October 2026 Inbox News
Events Scotland Island Cafe and SIRA AGM, Pittwater Dragonboats: try it out!, Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby League Girls Tackle 2027 EOI, Author Talks, Art Shows, PNHA Walks, Music at all compass points, Markets, Social Groups + more on!
Sydney Academy of Sport athletics track rebuild at Narrabeen - asphalt has been laid - official update states this is still on track to be completed by middle of 4th quarter 2026, weather and conditions permitting. Photo: Joe Mills
Low tide at Narrabeen Lagoon entrance and rockpool. Photo: Joe Mills - more pictures added into Joe's October Edition of his Turimetta Moods in this updated Pictorial
