Pittwater Online News

Monika's DoggieRescue at Ingleside is delighted to invite you to a significant milestone for this well-loved dog shelter. 

DoggieRescue is celebrating its 14,000 adoption, on the news that Todd, a lovely mixed breed dog, has found his fur-ever home.

The community is invited to join the celebration at Monika’s DoggieRescue, 2 McCowen Road, Ingleside, on Saturday 14 November 2026 from 12pm–4pm.

The afternoon will include a BBQ, games and activities, merchandise and fundraising to help Doggie Rescue continue caring for animals waiting for their own forever homes.

Find out more at: www.doggierescue.com

More in this Issue's Profile of the Week

Mona Vale Petition Calls for Infrastructure + Evacuation Audit; Minns Government announces if re-elected Local Infrastructure Contributions paid by Developers will be Permanently Deferred the Day after Anglicare Report finds Essential workers priced out of Housing, Especially in Pittwater

Report: Mona Vale Residents Head to Macquarie Street Demanding a Moratorium on Unsafe Development As SSD for 14 storey- 48.75metre Tall Towers in flood zone at Mona Vale progressed, photo supplied

Members of SOS Mona Vale and residents have been busy since they 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.

Over the past two weekends they've been gathering enough signatures for a paper petition to enable this to be tabled in the NSW Parliament. Petitions that gather enough signatures require a formal response from the relevant government Minister within 35 calendar days (500+ signatures).

Petitions that gather 10,000+ signatures (Paper petitions) or 20,000+ signatures (ePetitions): In the Legislative Assembly, can trigger a debate in the House.

On Saturday November 7 they reached that number in Mona Vale, with volunteers and supporters in suburbs surrounding Mona Vale stating they too had hundreds more to add to the pile.

The petition will be handed to MP for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby on Friday the 13th. The 17-19th of November 2026 are the final sitting weeks for the NSW Legislative Assembly in 2026.

The Petition reads:

To the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales

The petition of:

Residents of the Pittwater electorate.

Brings to the attention of the House:

1. In Legislative Assembly Question on Notice No. 5019, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces confirmed that the Department has not undertaken detailed utilisation forecasts for individual centres, including Mona Vale. Actual development take-up remains unmodeled.

2. The Pittwater Basin and the Barrenjoey Peninsula's geography form a natural cul-de-sac where over 35,000 residents north and east of Mona Vale rely on a single, two-lane arterial corridor (Barrenjoey Road) for emergency evacuation. This creates a severe choke point (at the intersection of Pittwater Road, Barrenjoey Road and Mona Vale Road) that is highly vulnerable to bushfire and flooding isolation.

3. The 1996 Hiatt Coronial Inquiry into the 1994 bushfires explicitly warned against expanding urban density in peninsular corridors with singular arterial egress routes. Consequently, Section 9.1 Local Planning Direction 4.3 mandates that planning authorities avoid placing inappropriate developments in hazardous areas and satisfy the safe evacuation requirements of Planning for Bush Fire Protection 2019.

4. As per Sydney Water's servicing strategy, the Warriewood Wastewater Treatment Plant's 2026 projected load is 90,647 Equivalent Persons with an Average Dry Weather Flow of 17.5 ML/d. During heavy rainfall, bypasses discharge directly into the surf zone 80 metres off Turimetta Headland, posing immediate health and environmental risks.

The undersigned petitioner therefore asks the Legislative Assembly to call on the Government to:

1. Enact a temporary moratorium on the application of Chapter 6 of the Housing SEPP (Low and Mid-Rise Housing) and associated State Significant Development residential pathways for Mona Vale, until an independent, cumulative Infrastructure Capability and Emergency Evacuation Audit for the Pittwater electorate is completed.

2. Require Sydney Water to accurately monitor the quality of the outflow at Turimetta Headland 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and report daily on Beachwatch NSW.

3. Ensure the independent infrastructure assessment is formally tabled in the NSW Parliament and made available to the public.

The 'one road in-one road out' concept is readily accepted by the incumbent government when the opposition resurrects an idea from their own catalogue. See Sunday November 1 report:  Coalition 2027 Pledge: Long Bay delivery authority to unlock 12,000 homes - Labor: 'one road in, one road out' pushback

Residents of Pittwater will recall just last week when a gentleman had a road accident that brought down a power pole at Mona Vale, traffic stopped all the way to North Avalon and stayed stopped. 

A trip to Mona Vale from Palm Beach that used to take 15 minutes now takes half an hour, even without school drop-off times, road works, or accidents. One road in and one road out means the peninsula of Pittwater is near or already at capacity. 

At the SOS Mona Vale rally in July convenor John David pointed out that those who drive B-Line buses, the reason Mona Vale could be declared a 'town centre' where residential capacity could be increased, are required to limit by law the number of people the bus will hold. They are simply not allowed to let any more passengers on. 

Local Infrastructure Contributions paid by Developers to be Permanently Deferred to Occupation Certificate stage

The day before the, Friday November 6, the NSW Government announced; 

''A re-elected Minns Labor Government will make it easier to build more homes, cut red tape for small businesses and unlock infrastructure funding to deliver the roads, parks and community facilities growing communities need.

The reforms will reduce upfront costs for housing developments and support construction jobs by allowing developers to pay local infrastructure contributions later in the construction process, helping get more homes built sooner.

The Government will also take immediate steps to unlock more than $900 million in infrastructure contributions already collected by councils, bringing forward investment in local roads, parks and community facilities.''

''Small businesses will also spend less time filling out paperwork and more time running and growing their businesses, with a re-elected Minns Labor Government boosting productivity by removing the need for full development applications for common activities such as minor renovations, internal fit-outs, changes to trading hours and signage, and making planning approvals simpler where they are still required.''

The Minns Government stated:

''Under the reforms, local infrastructure contributions that are currently paid at the Construction Certificate stage will be permanently deferred to the Occupation Certificate stage of development.''

''The Minns Labor Government will also overhaul and simplify the framework governing how local infrastructure contributions are levied and spent, cutting unnecessary red tape, improving efficiency and making it easier for councils to turn collected contributions into shovel-ready infrastructure projects.''

''Councils across NSW are currently sitting on a collective balance of more than $4.6 billion in infrastructure contributions – money that could be supporting local jobs, construction activity and the delivery of infrastructure communities need.''

''As an immediate first step, the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces will issue directions allowing councils to spend more than $900 million currently sitting in their accounts that was collected under now-repealed contribution plans.''

''Unlocking this funding will help bring forward infrastructure investment, support local construction jobs and deliver the roads, parks, open spaces and community facilities needed to support new housing.'' the incumbents stated

''If re-elected the Minns Labor Government will remove outdated rules and unnecessary barriers that have prevented councils from putting infrastructure contributions to productive use, ensuring money collected from development is reinvested into communities faster.''

''Importantly as part of these reforms we will work alongside councils to manage the potential financial impacts and make sure they can still deliver the infrastructure their communities need.''

''The Government will ensure these councils that are efficient and effective with their contribution spending are not disadvantaged by the change in the timing of payments, including through the potential extension of financing facilities where needed to maintain a continuous pipeline of local infrastructure projects and construction jobs.''

''But once unnecessary barriers to spending contributions have been removed, councils will be expected get on with delivering the infrastructure their communities need.''

''Where councils continue to hold significant contributions for an unreasonable period, the NSW Government will step in and use those funds to directly deliver infrastructure for those communities.'' the government said

Northern Beaches Council's Mayor, Councillor Sue Heins, stated on Friday (November 6): 

''Affordable housing, as defined under current NSW legislation, is housing for very low, low and moderate income households who cannot afford to access the private housing market.  

On the Northern Beaches, where property prices and rents are among the highest in NSW, this is a growing challenge for key workers and local families. ''

We live in one of the most unaffordable housing areas in the state and, without action, we risk our children leaving the area, our essential services struggling for staff and more members of our community being pushed out. 

At the same time, developer contributions fund the roads, footpaths, parks and community facilities needed to support growth.  

The claim that councils are sitting on these funds and causing the housing crisis is simply wrong. These contributions need to be collected upfront to ensure infrastructure projects are funded and delivered at the same time as development.''

The election pledge from the Minns Government has been met with caution by residents as it does not detail what happens when developers go broke and, like miners, run before what was committed to when getting  a proposal approved and signed off is not fulfilled. Who picks up the bill the rehabilitation of land then?; the community through rising rates and rising taxes.

MORE HERE

Transport for NSW urges commuters 'plan ahead' as industrial action impacts bus services: Drivers Take Action for 'a living wage' - Scruby; 'no more bus cuts - recruit more drivers', Griffin; a 'slap in the face' as 3000 new bus services announced for everywhere else the same day Local drivers go on strike - $200m Boost for wages from Minns government hasn't produced wage rise outcome

190x start point. Photo: A J Guesdon/PON

On Tuesday November 3 2026 Transport for NSW stated bus passengers travelling in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, lower North Shore and inner north-west are encouraged to plan ahead, with industrial action from Wednesday 4 November potentially impacting services across these areas.

Transport for NSW has been advised that Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) members intend to undertake industrial action that may affect the operation of bus services.

From 12.01am Wednesday 4 November, the RTBU has advised drivers may undertake industrial action involving restrictions on the operation of certain buses. Further work bans affecting buses departing depots will start from 12.01am Thursday 5 November. The actions are expected to continue indefinitely.

Transport for NSW will continue to work closely with the respective operators, Keolis Northern Beaches, Transdev John Holland and Busways to minimise impacts where possible, including prioritising services for school children and keep passengers informed.'

In July 2026 NSW Government committed $200 million to support improved wages for more than 8,000 bus drivers. This past week it was 'encouraging operators and unions to continue working towards an agreement that supports drivers while minimising impacts on passengers.'

''We understand these changes may be frustrating and thank passengers for their patience. Road users can download the Live Traffic NSW app, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701 for up‑to‑date traffic conditions.''

Passengers can provide feedback by calling 131 500 or visiting feedback.transportnsw.info

Local commuters report being stranded on Wednesday November 4 2026 and have been advised the same may occur this coming week.

3,000 more weekly bus services: NSW Government to 'rebuild bus network'

The same day, November 4, the NSW Government announced 'communities across NSW will benefit from 3,000 additional weekly bus services, with more frequent buses, new connections and services running later into the night as the Minns Labor Government continues to rebuild the state's bus network'.

'The service boost, commencing on 15 and 22 November, will include new 24-hour bus services, improved connections across Greater Western Sydney and more services for regional communities.' the government stated

'It will bring the total number of additional weekly bus services delivered since the Minns Labor Government came to office to 9,000.'

'Among the changes, two of Sydney's busiest bus routes, the 343 between Kingsford and Circular Quay and the 370 between Coogee and Glebe Point, will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The 418 between Sydenham and Burwood will also operate around the clock on Friday and Saturday nights, giving more people access to public transport after dark.

The additional services and timetable changes follow extensive community consultation undertaken by the Bus Industry Taskforce, which found buses had become the “forgotten mode” of transport under the former Liberal-National Government.

After years of cuts and privatisation by the former Liberal and National Government, the Minns Labor Government is investing in more frequent and reliable bus services to better meet the needs of communities across NSW.

The Government has also made progress addressing the bus driver shortage, reducing the shortfall from around 500 drivers when it came to office to around 200.' the released statement says

Scruby: Restore the 190X, Recruit More Drivers - No More Bus Cuts

Independent Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby MP is calling for full restoration of the 190X timetable and expanded Northern Beaches bus routes and services, but only when we have enough drivers to deliver them reliably.

Responding to reports the residents will miss out on the latest rollout of additional bus services, Ms Scruby said the biggest issue is that unlike other areas of Sydney the peninsula has a private operator running services who is failing to get bus drivers. 

“No one on the Northern Beaches cares who is to blame – they want reliable buses and more of them.

“B1 cancellations are unacceptable, but our community is grateful for near zero cancellations on the 190X and I encourage people to use this service as a direct route to the city. My position remains that I want to see the full 190X timetable restored, more routes and more frequent services. But I’m also realistic – to deliver that, we need enough drivers behind the wheel,” Ms Scruby said.

“A year ago, Pittwater commuters were in the thick of the cancellation crisis. Following sustained advocacy, we now have close to zero cancellations on the 190X. That is meaningful progress, but restoring reliability on a reduced timetable is only part of the job.

“Unlike the Member for Manly who is calling for reliability, and a ‘ripping up of the timetable’ which could see a cut in services, I do not want any more services cut. I am pushing for more drivers first, then increased services second.”

“While problems remain across our network, the 190X shows improvement is possible.”

“We are dealing with the impacts of privatisation – with industrial action underway as Keolis negotiates with bus drivers.'' 

Ms Scruby called on Keolis to negotiate in good faith and contribute to a wage agreement that makes full use of the NSW Government’s additional funding for bus driver pay.

MORE HERE

Remembrance Day 2026: Letter from the Trenches of WWI to Students at Mona Vale School March 1 1916 from Ernest Walter Edwards of Warriewood, Narrabeen, Mona Vale, Bayview and Church Point

By A J Guesdon

Warning: the following report discusses post-traumatic stress disorder. If you or someone you know needs help, support is available at Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. If you are an Australian veteran or family of a veteran, you can also call Open Arms, Veterans & Veterans Families Counselling Service, on 1800 011 046.

Pittwater RSL and its Sub Branch has stated:

Join us as we come together to honour the bravery and sacrifice of Australian service personnel who have died or suffered in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. Arrive 10am | Service 10:20am | Last Post 11am. The Commemorative Service will be held at the lower cenotaph. Let us pause, reflect, and remember those who gave so much for our freedom.

Avalon Beach RSL Commemorative Service details are:

Where: Avalon Beach RSL Club, Bowling Green Lane, Avalon Beach. When: Wednesday 11 November, 10:45am. Starting at 1100, seating from 1045. President, CDRE Richard Menhinick, Rt'd, AM CSC, will lead the Commemoration with the Vice President, LCDR Tamara Sloper-Harding, Rt'd.

Palm Beach RSL:

On Wednesday 11 November, we pause to remember all who have served and those who gave their lives. Join the Palm Beach RSL Sub-Branch for the Remembrance Day Service at 10.45am. Please meet at the Cenotaph. Refreshments will be served afterwards. All members, guests and the community are welcome.

The 11th of November each year marks the anniversary of the Armistice that ended fighting with Germany in World War I. 

Australia was a small nation with a population of fewer than five million when this conflict commenced. From this small population, no less than 416,809 men enlisted of which 302,000 served overseas. Of these, 62,000 were killed and 155,000 wounded, including people from Mona Vale. 

At least a further 8,000 died of war-related injuries after the war. These figures do not include the neurological trauma inflicted on so many soldiers, which negatively affected their lives and those of their families for many years afterwards, if not their whole lives.

Every year since 1919, nations have paused on Remembrance Day in memory of their fallen service people. It’s now a day for people to acknowledge all the service personnel who have died or been injured while serving, including in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. It's also a day when we honour their loved ones, those impacted by the loss of a father, brother, sister, and mother, especially when it is little children who waited at home for the return of their dad or mum, aunt or uncle.

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, people in Australia and many other countries pause for a minute of silent reflection in memory of those who died while in military service, and renew their commitment to support those still coming home with injuries that are visible and those that cannot be seen.   

ERNEST'S LETTER and MORE HERE

Week Two November 2026: Issue 660 (Sunday Nov. 8)

Mona Vale Residents Petition Calls for Infrastructure + Evacuation Audit; Minns Government announces if re-elected Local Infrastructure Contributions paid by Developers will be Permanently Deferred the Day after Anglicare Report finds Essential workers priced out of Housing, Especially in Pittwater

Scruby Brings NSW Small Business Commissioner to the table with Pittwater Businesses

Pictures 2026 Manly JRL Presentation Night: Volunteers of the Year, Premiership - Major Awards

Aquatics Regattas on Pittwater This November to February: 'Messing About in Boats' is in our blood

Australian Local Conference of Youth 2026: Avalon's Next Generations Contribute to UN's National Child-Youth Statement 2026 Pre COP31

Transport for NSW urges commuters 'plan ahead' as industrial action impacts bus services: Drivers Take Action for 'a living wage' - Scruby; 'no more bus cuts - recruit more drivers', Griffin; a 'slap in the face' as 3000 new bus services announced for everywhere else the same day Local Drivers go on strike - $200m Boost for wages from Minns government hasn't produced wage rise outcome

Wakehurst Parkway Improvements Community Notification: November 2026 - Road Closures

Park Bench Philosophers  A Return to pen and paper + Digital detox in schools, curriculum reform and the establishment of a teaching and learning commission: Education Ministers November 2026 Meeting

____________________________

Week One November 2026: Issue 660 (Sunday Nov. 1)

Profile of the Week: Avalon Preservation Association: 2026 

History: Coaster's Retreat wharves: Bonnie Doon + Bennetts

Lyndall Patterson inducted into Australian Sailing Hall of Fame: + Stacey Jackson is 2026 Female Sailor of the Year

David Pescud OAM to Be Inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions

2026 National Architecture Awards Winners - Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design: Sydney Harbour Bridge Northern Access Cycleway, National Award for Commercial Architecture: New Sydney Fish Market

2027 Australian of the Year Awards: NSW Nominees Announced

Planning has Commenced for the Improvement of Narrabeen Ambulance Station: Update from MP for Pittwater

Pictures Spring in Pittwater Is Touchy Footy Time at Avalon Bulldogs JRLFC: Call out for Volunteers for 2027 - AGM will be held Tuesday November 24

Aquatics 2026 Finn NSW Championship: Nossiter recaptures NSW crown - Report by Di Pearson

Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko Grows Bigger Here: Our Careel Bay Laundry Resident

Blue-faced Honeyeaters Return: Spring in Pittwater

Watch out - Ground Nesting Birds are about everywhere in Spring!: Masked Lapwing Plovers - Spring in Pittwater

Personalised therapeutic cancer vaccine cuts risk of melanoma recurrence, opening door to new era of cancer treatment

Coalition 2027 Pledge: Long Bay delivery authority to unlock 12,000 homes - Labor: 'one road in, one road out' pushback

Park Bench Philosophers ‘The Lucky Country’ is now ‘The Hungry Country’ as Foodbank Hunger Report 2026 shows food insecurity now “systemic” in Australia: 3.6 million hungry households + Food insecurity is on the rise in Australia. We need more effective responses

Commonwealth Ombudsman finds use of automation in aged care system lacks safeguards + Independent expert review of aged care assessment tool announced

DIY Ideas Get in the Garden to Get you DIY Summer Salad Garden Happening: What to Plant in November in Sydney & Coastal NSW  + Update: Congratulations Johnson Brothers Win Store of the Year- Mona Vale: Update! + November Mighty Buys have landed at Johnson Bros Mitre 10! On sale until 22nd November

Food Capsicum: The Fruit we use as a vegetable - Some Seasonal Recipes for this Superfood 

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 - Update Wednesday Oct. 28:  Statement of regulatory intent on reusable cups

Community News Remembrance Day 2026: Pittwater's Services at Mona Vale, Avalon Beach and Palm Beach, Artist call-out to capture the essence of Avalon village, 2026 Australian Surfing Awards Now Open, Avalon Beach SLSC: Lisa Blair + Turning the Tide today Nov. 9, Congratulations!: Johnson Brothers Win Store of the Year- Mona Vale, MoWaNa now in the Tramshed, Manly-Warringah Rugby League Football Club: November 4 1946 _ membership renewal now open, Avalon Preservation Association AGM 2026 this Thursday Nov. 12, Balgowlah Thefts: public assistance needed, Mona Vale Raiders Rugby League Club Update: 2027 A Grade + U21, Man charged over alleged suspicious fire: Curl Curl, Drivers urged to prioritise safety after on NSW roads, Aboriginal Support Group Manly Warringah Pittwater November Meeting: Bush Tucker!, Mackerel Beach Wharf Renewal: Update, Commonwealth Bank Avalon Closure: Update, NSW Police Force Dog & Mounted Unit Calendars, Hats for Hope: Nov. 13 at Avalon Beach RSL, MP for Mackellar: November Town Hall, MP for Warringah + MP for Wentworth: Community Forum at Balgowlah, Barrenjoey Annual Trivia Night - fundraising for aircondiioning at school, Pittwater Business Supports North Narrabeen SLSC, Try Sailing Day at Avalon Sailing Club: Nov. 14, Marine Rescue Broken Bay: Boating Safety Open Day at Bayview Nov. 21, Simon Tedeschi & Friends Nov. 21 for MSF (Doctors Without Borders), NASA Presso day 2026, Marine Rescue Sydney (at Belrose): Call for Volunteers, Palm Beach Sailing Club's Beware the Bullets Regatta 2026, How to Opt out of Meta using your Facebook or Instagram data for AI training, Narrabeen High School Reunion: 1980's cohort, Wakehurst Parkway Improvements Community Notification: November 2026 - Road Closures, Warriewood SLSC: There's A Place for You Here, New DA's lodged with council open for feedback, Avalon Market Day Returns November 28, Endangered plant Pomaderris mediora: Researchers Call out for sightings, Avalon Beach and Bilgola - Rockpool renewals feedback period extended 1 week, Massa 4 Manly update, Police-Firies Coffee with  Warriewood: November 27, Scotland Island Emergency Water Pipeline and Non-Potable Water Policy, Domestic Gas Reservation Bill 2026: update, 2026 Ocean Festival, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: ET  + Putzie, Veterans’ Community Grants NSW, Marine Rescue Broken Bay Christmas Raffle, Call-Out for Iconic Trees, Elanora Heights Christmas Market 2026 Nov. 29, SLS SNB Surf Sports Calendar for 2026-2027, Stop Misleading Ads Petition: Update, Pittwater Residents Associations, Sports, Environment and Social Groups, Pittwater Offshore Newsletter, Local JP's, + 

Environment Man charged after allegedly shooting wildlife with bow and arrow: Cremorne, NSW SES Warringah / Pittwater Unit Calls in The Sydney Wildlife Goana Crew, Spot a baby bird on the ground? Don’t be tempted to bird‑nap it, Millions of bogong moths are blanketing our cities and they are still endangered, Endangered plant Pomaderris mediora: Researchers Call out for sightings, Call-Out for Iconic Trees, Milestone achieved for North Coast’s $21 million Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk, Gasfield residents and experts demand independent investigation into CSG impacts, The world promised to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 – now it needs to turn pledges into action, Draft Koala Conservation Strategy: Have Your Say, 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, Flying‑foxes are starving. Why are we still responding one crisis at a time?, Humidity can make heatwaves more dangerous. It’s time to warn Australians about this threat, Climate change is undermining our health and the burden falls heaviest on women, The worse climate change gets, the harder it becomes to stop it,  As diesel from the Gulf and Russia dried up, Australia had to find new suppliers – at a cost, Devices aren’t lasting as long as they should. Here’s why, Worried you’re breathing unclean air? Here’s how to measure it, Two new bandicoot species discovered after trawling through museum drawers, Australia’s native bees have an unusual power that can fight antibiotic resistance, Fireworks provide a few minutes of joy but the economic and environmental costs last much longer, From doctors and teachers to lawyers every profession has a duty to align with climate goals, Massive sinkholes open up across Turkey as it struggles with drought and climate change, US wildfire damage is on pace to triple by mid‑century, but there are affordable ways to lower the risk, Traces of dinosaur blood found in world‑first discovery, Public comment opens on industrial port and dredging proposal threatening Exmouth Gulf-Ningaloo, PNHA Activities 2026, Coming up at Kimbriki, 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 ++

Children Sunday Cartoons/Animations This week: Just Dug Being Dug, Kookaburra poem, Daybreak In The Queensland Bush poem + Bush Turkeys, Traces of dinosaur blood found in world‑first discovery, Sydney's Music Boxes Revive Old Memories: Musical Machines from the 1800s (1957), Curious Kids: Why do galaxies rotate? + Why do we need food? + I heard that breathing through your mouth makes your IQ go down. Is that true? + Why are some shells smooth and some shells corrugated? + Why do birds sing? + Why do stars twinkle?, Stories this week: That's not funny David! + 'Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies' read by Jessica Chastain, , Activities and Clubs for you + 

Youth Australian Local Conference of Youth 2026: Avalon's Next Generations Contribute to UN's National Child-Youth Statement 2026 Pre COP31, International Youth Match Racing Championship: 35 Years of Developing Sailing Talent, HSC exams come to an end for Class of 2026, Sydney's Music Boxes Revive Old Memories: Musical Machines from the 1800s (1957), Student leaders unite at Local Conference, Bravery award for Killarney Heights High student, Ipswich dad trades carpentry for a career in building design, Opportunities: Opt out of Meta using your Facebook or Instagram data for AI training + Warriewood SLSC: There's A Place for You Here + Avalon Beach SLSC: Lisa Blair + Turning the Tide + Apprentices and trainees + MoWaNa now in the Tramshed + Manly-Warringah Rugby League Football Club + Pittwater Dragonboat Club come and try, Financial help for young people, School Leavers Support, Word Of The Week: Dragon, Australian classrooms are getting a ‘digital detox’ – what does this mean for schools and students?, 72% of students say they procrastinate. Here’s how to stay on track, 5 fascinating Australian literary podcasts – from biographers’ tales to Luke Bateman, Your computer can’t read a floppy disk – so how do we save the history they hold?, Godzilla Minus Zero is incredibly loud. Who decides on the cinema volume? And is it safe?, Earth’s rocks have a missing layer spanning up to a billion years. We finally know where it went, What faces in paintings can tell us about how we perceive emotion, Four foods with ancient roots that we still eat on Bonfire Night, Plagiarism is a kind of theft but it is also a question of honour, Groups and Activities and Supports for you ++

Seniors Aged care reforms a journey, not a destination, Sydney's Music Boxes Revive Old Memories: Musical Machines from the 1800s (1957), Opt out of Meta using your Facebook or Instagram data for AI training, Warriewood SLSC: There's A Place for You Here, Narrabeen High School Reunion: 1980's, A healthier form of salt could prevent millions of deaths from stroke and heart disease, AvPals at Newport: Term 4 2026, Pittwater/Narrabeen Parkinson's Support Group 2026 Meetings, Sidney Nolan looms large over this exhibition of his early work, but his voice can’t always be trusted, From the sky to the ocean: science writers share UNSW Press Bragg prize, The Democrats’ ‘blue tsunami’ is a strong repudiation of Donald Trump. Now, they will look to replicate it in 2028, We used ancient DNA to track the origins and spread of the Germanic and Celtic languages – new research, Menopause can quietly weaken bones – here’s what research reveals about protecting them,  MWP Care Seeking Volunteers, Pittwater Probus, Local groups, clubs, events, services for you

DIY Ideas Get in the Garden to Get you DIY Summer Salad Garden Happening: Garden Prep. and What to Plant in November in Sydney & Coastal NSW + Update: Congratulations Johnson Brothers Win Store of the Year- Mona Vale: Update! + November Mighty Buys have landed at Johnson Bros Mitre 10! On sale until 22nd November

Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 are scooping the pool in recent awards for their Mona Vale Store and now go into the Nationals + November means Sydney’s warm Spring weather makes it the ideal time to plant warm-season vegetables, Summer herbs, and vibrant flowering annuals or shrubs. An overview of what to get going now, whether you have a backyard or a balcony, to head off that holiday price rise sting on Summer's best salad ingredients.

Pictures 2026 Manly JRL Presentation Night: Volunteers of the Year, Premiership - Major Awards

Aquatics Regattas on Pittwater This November to February: 'Messing About in Boats' is in our blood

Food Capsicum: The Fruit we use as a vegetable - Some Seasonal Recipes for This superfood 

September through October is time to plant out capsicums in your own home garden for a January through February harvest. However, a kilogram of Australian capsicums can currently be bought for around $5 - with red and yellow ones aplenty available.

Used in salads, dips, stir-fries, stuffed or baked, the capsicum is one of our favourite add-ins to dishes or features as the main ingredient of something scrumptious and good for you too. A few recipe ideas to make the best of these great vegetable-fruits.