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Update: Protect Pittwater’s petition progress
Signs of the Times at Narrabeen, November 1 2025. Pic: ELG/PON
The 'Protect NSW Communities from Developers Overriding SEPP and LEP Controls' e-petition is an official NSW parliamentary petition sponsored by Independent Member for Pittwater, Jacqui Scruby.
''The proposed State Significant Development undermines planning integrity and sets a dangerous precedent for every community in NSW.Previously, councils were the gate-keepers ensuring developers followed planning laws.If SSD projects now bypass councils, the State Government must enforce compliance. There cannot be one rule for developers and another for the rest of NSW.This proposal also fails to deliver any community benefits, no new parks, schools, wider roads, or infrastructure upgrades, while consultation has been rushed and ineffective. Developers cannot profit while leaving communities to bear the burden of congestion, flooding risk, and environmental loss.We ask the Legislative Assembly to call on the Government to enforce planning laws, mandate independent review and public hearings, and restore fairness to the system.''
Under the proposed plans for Indigo by Moran, the DA proposes an existing seniors housing development (W. G. Taylor Retirement Home and Village) and three adjacent residential dwellings be demolished and a “5 to 6 storey” senior housing development, set to cost north of $140 million, with three levels of basement for 192 car spaces, including seven visitor spaces.
The plans show 149 independent living units with access to a fitness centre, pool, sauna, cinema, wine room, library, lounge and roof top terrace with a pavilion. Ten beds have been earmarked for a “residential care facility”.
The project seeks to remove 69 trees (24 of which are significant) and will retain 13 trees (7 significant trees and 6 non-significant). The trees to be retained are neighbouring trees and those on the periphery of the site including the well-established Norfolk Island Pine trees located along the Ocean Street and Octavia Street frontage. Any understory of these trees will likely be removed and re-landscaped, the EIS states.
Profile of the Week Darren Crabb, CD, PLSC - former F-18 Pilot, current Commercial Pilot, in the 110th Anniversary year of the Returned Services League of AustraliaThe 2026 Anzac Day Commemoration Address at the Dawn Service of Pittwater RSL this year was given by Darren Crabb.
Given this June we celebrate and honour the 110th anniversary of the formation of the Returned Services League of Australia, which commenced locally in old sheds and scout halls just so those who had been through the same experience together, and came home, unable to speak, could spend time with those equally struck speechless, Darren's record in serving Pittwater RSL as a Vice President at the Pittwater RSL Sub-Branch from 2015 to 2019, and being elected as an RSL Director 2020–2026 (Senior VP 2022-2024 and Junior VP 2025-2026) testifies to the fact he is committed to supporting the veteran community with integrity and a strong work ethic.
Darren served 15 Years in Canadian Air Force flying Tutors, CF-5, Operational F-18s in Germany, then as an F-18 Instructor. He transferred with BAE to Saudi Arabia before joining the RAAF, again as an Instructor, before serving three years in the RAAF as a Macchi lead in Fighter Instructor, then Operational F-18s again.
Darren commenced flying Corporate and Warbirds in 1999 and has been Chief Pilot of the Temora Aviation Museum since October 2000.
After a cumulative two decades in the Canadian and Royal Australian Air Force, and 27 years as a Corporate Pilot, Mr. Crabb knows planes.
One for all who LOVE the planes, all the planes all the time, and for all Returned and currently serving Defence personnel - a reminder of who has got your back in your community - your local RSL Sub-Branch.
Thank you for your Service.
For decades people have reported either visiting a wonderful house at Flint and Steel that disappeared by the time they went back again or finding the residue foundations of what was clearly once a substantial place that had been constructed in the bush.
What is so unusual about this house is where it once was - at Flint and Steel Point, overlooking Flint and Steel Beach in the Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. The existence of a spring near this location, with crystal fresh water, made it possible to live there.
Hand built by a gentleman named Eardley Henderson McGaw, the guesthouse started small and grew and grew
The Hawkesbury–Sydney region recorded the highest levels of contamination, with the Cooks River identified as the most affected waterway. Other highly impacted sites included Dee Why Lagoon, Muddy Creek, Toongabbie Creek and Throsby Creek, all located in densely urbanised catchments.
Dee Why Lagoon, listed as a Wildlife Refuge since 1974 on the council website, 'for the purposes of preserving and conserving the natural environments', is among the most polluted by microplastics in the state.
The types of plastics found in Dee Why Lagoon during the course of the study were Artificial Turf fragments (2.33%) Film (15.12%) Foam (37.6%) and Fragment (43.8%). Of these fragments 66.9% were small, 23.38% medium fragments and 9.65% were large fragments.
Dee Why was graded 'E', very high microplastic contamination levels, as was Manly Lagoon and Middle Harbour, although neither was found to be as polluted as Dee Why Lagoon. The 'Dee Why Lagoon Wildlife Refuge' covers an area of 77 hectares, of which the lagoon takes up 30 hectares. The rest of the reserve is primarily swamp-based bushland, as well as the coastal dune ecosystem between the lagoon and the sea. The reserve is a listed under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and contains several listed threatened ecological communities.
Dee Why had one of the highest median microplastic concentrations were recorded in urban catchments (9.98 MP/m³).
Similarly, the highest mean concentrations were observed in these same systems; Duck River (34.80 MP/m³ ± 42.29 SD), Dee Why Lagoon (22.45 MP/m³ ± 28.49 SD but increases to 64.73%), and Cooks River (19.89 MP/m³ ± 19.69 SD) (Figure 12).
The Cooks River was ranked as having the highest microplastic contamination level in New South Wales, due to its consistently elevated concentrations recorded throughout the study period.
This system was followed closely by Dee Why Lagoon.
Dee Why data from SEED dataset
Total Earth Care (TEC) was commissioned by the Northern Beaches Council to conduct a year-round bird survey at the Dee Why Lagoon. The survey, which ran from September 2019 to August 2020, observed 102 different species using the lagoon and surrounding vegetation. This included Three threatened species – Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris), White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) and Eastern Osprey (Pandion haliaetus cristatus), and four species listed as migratory under the EPBC Act – Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), Eastern Reef Egret (Egretta sacra), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminate) and White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster).
The scale for Manly Lagoon records 56.55% of its plastic pollution is Artificial Turf fragments, consistent with the data released in January 2026 in a similar study conducted by Ausmaps, with 87.88% of all microplastic fragments categorised as small. Middle Harbor also had a high Artificial Turf reading of 25%.
Across the state plastic grass now accounts for 5.5% of all microplastic pollution.
Narrabeen Lagoon has been categorised as 'D', 'moderate contamination', with no detected presence of plastic grass as yet, just fragments (40%) and film (60%) of which 88.17% is classed as small.
The council has stated its intent to install plastic grass in the flood zone of Narrabeen's 'Rat Park' and has already installed, without consultation and despite objections, plastic turf in flood zones alongside Narrabeen Lagoon, in Avalon's Dunbar Park and at Bayview's Kamilaroi Park, and at Lynne Czinner Park.
Residents state this is causing harm to people and irreparable damage to the environment.
Millers Reserve, alongside Manly Creek, submerged by water after the heavy rains, March 2022. Photo: Julia Walsh
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Plastic turf installed in Dunbar Park, over a creekbed and in a known flood zone, without consultation
The council has also been installing rubberised soft fall and artificial turf in other children's playgrounds, despite objections due to health impacts, which also quickly deteriorates and pollutes environments.
A comparative study conducted on PAHs profiling and probable cancer risk of children from PAHs present in uncovered playground surface soil and poured rubber surfaced playground dust found cancer risk is approximately 10 times higher in poured rubber surfaced playgrounds than in uncovered soil playgrounds [1.].
Another study, Toxicity and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons bioavailability in recycled tire rubber granulate of varying particle sizes, published online on 29 December 2025, states:
QLD has also now passed laws to seize and crush illegal e-bikes and also will reuqire riders to be 16+ and have a licence
RPAYC Vice Commodore Julia Hornsby, Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby and RPAYC Commodore Robert McClelland
The finalists for the NSW Community Sports Awards presented by Bankstown Sports Club, recognising the outstanding individuals, clubs, volunteers and organisations that continue to strengthen community sport across New South Wales have been announced.
The Awards, which celebrate excellence in 12 categories, acknowledge the vital role of volunteers, administrators, officials, coaches, local clubs and councils have in driving participation, fostering healthy enjoyment and promoting future pathways for grassroots sport across the state.
The 2026 NSW Community Sports Awards will be formally presented on Monday, 29 June at Bankstown Sports Club and include a number of locals named as finalists, such as Julia Hornsby in the Inclusion Achievement of the Year for her work to see the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club successfully host the hugely successful Hansa Worlds at RPAYC, one of the world’s premier events embracing sailors with and without disabilities. Julia won Volunteer of the Year at the Australian Sailing Awards for all her work at the RPAYC.
Also named as a finalist is North Narrabeen's Scott Dunbar in the Community Coach of the Year category for his work with local paddling enthusiasts.
Scott ‘The Towman’, of the Sydney Northern Beaches Kayak Club, is revered for his dedication and 'getting it done' without any word or grunt of complaint.
A few years back, in celebrating his volunteerism SNBKC said:
“One of the difficult things about sending a large team to kayaking regattas is getting all the boats there and back, and in one piece.
Scotty is SNBKC’s chief towman. Whether he is towing the trailer to Penrith or to Adelaide, he is always available, he organises the team of towmen and trailer loaders, makes sure the trailers are loaded safely and correctly and always gets the boats to the regatta on time. He will drive through the night on the way to Adelaide and back to so that the kids can race. He even had to remove a fallen tree in the dark one morning after a storm to get the boats out of the Academy for a regatta. Ably assisted by his co-pilots including Alan Fitzgerald and Rob Greuter, we couldn’t paddle without him.”
The tow crew of Scott Dunbar (right), Alan Fitzgerald (left) and Rob Greuter (centre). Image: SNBKC
Also nominated are Cromer Tennis Club in Community Club of the Year, the SLSNSW State Championships 2026, and Hellen McMillan for Community Official of the Year for her efforts in the softball arena.
Alongside celebrating these finalists, Sport NSW will also recognise 26 Distinguished Long Service Honour Recipients including 4 residents of the Manly to Barrenjoey peninsula.
Four Distinguished Long Service Honours
Four residents are among 26 sport volunteers who will be presented with the prestigious Distinguished Long Service Award, following their decades of unflagging and exceptional contribution to sport at a grassroots level, at the 2026 NSW Community Sports Awards presented by Bankstown Sports Club.
The Distinguished Long Service Award recognises individual officials, coaches, administrators, and event organisers who have demonstrated extraordinary unwavering dedication to fostering and advancing sport in their communities for over 25 years.
Local award recipients are long-serving Warringah Golf Club President Scott Campbell from North Manly, Touch Football’s Peter Casey from Frenchs Forest, and the Orienteering husband and wife team of Barbara and Ron Junghans from Duffys Forest.
The Distinguished Long Service Award recipients will be celebrated at the Awards evening held at Bankstown Sports Club on Monday June 29.
Profile of the Week Kings Birthday Honours: 2026 Local Honourees List 
History Snow Season 2026: Pittwater's Connections with the Sport of Skiing beginnings in Charles Kerry, Percy Hunter and Herbert SchlinkOperation Snow Safe began Friday 5 June 2026 and runs until Monday 5 October. The high visibility operation coincides with the opening of the official ski season on Saturday 6 June 2026.
NSW Police are warning people heading to the snow this season to ensure they are prepared before hitting the slopes and act responsibly off the slopes, during the launch of Operation Snow Safe.
Operation Snow Safe will see a surge in additional police officers from across New South Wales deployed to the Snowy Mountain region, within the Monaro Police District, to keep visitors and locals safe.
See NSW Police and NMSW NPWS Safety Tips and more in: Winter Olympian throws support behind Operation Snow Safe 2026
With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting snow, snow winds blowing through Pittwater these past few days, and so many locals heading south for decades, and the King's Birthday Long Weekend allowing time for longer reads, the Winter school holidays commencing in a few weeks, and other locals a part of the foundation of this sport in NSW, a few celebratory 'opening of ski season 2026' insights run this Issue as we delve into the commencement of the sport in this state and the locals who helped that happen
NSW Premier Chris Minns Visits Pittwater: MVR West Update - Local Fire Stations - Sports Club Facilities discussed
NSW Premier Chris Minns made a whirlwind visit to Pittwater recently at the request of MP for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby - partly to show and celebrate the delivery works underway and announced by his government last budget, including the $500m Mona Vale Road West Upgrade, Narrabeen Sports High School Performance Hall and the $6.7m Narrabeen Sports Track.
Independent MP Jacqui Scruby, Pittwater MP, stated the visit was also twofold as she wanted Premier Minns to witness the infrastructure upgrade needs she continues to advocate for – sports fields and surf clubs, emergency services and other infrastructure like commuter car parks.
The MP for Pittwater said; “I work across party lines to get Pittwater’s issues on the agenda. Last visit the Premier saw Mona Vale Road West and we now have the $500m and project underway. This visit focused on visiting Narrabeen Sports High where a performance centre is about to be built, Narrabeen Athletics track where $6.7m upgrade works are underway as well as highlighting areas needing focus – such as upgrades to our sports amenities and emergency services which have been left neglected for decades.”
Narrabeen Sports High School Principal Heidi Currie and NSW Premier Chris Minns with NSHS students and Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby
Alix and Roy - rehearsals photo
The acclaimed comedy Noises Off by Michael Frayn is coming to Scotland Island, with performances at the Community Hall on 19, 20, 26 and 27 June 2026.
Widely regarded as one of the funniest farces ever written, Noises Off follows a theatre company as their production descends into chaos – on stage and behind the scenes. What begins as a shaky dress rehearsal spirals into a spectacularly disastrous final performance.
The play is famous for its large-scale staging, traditionally requiring a two-storey revolving set. Bringing it to a small island venue has required ingenuity and adaptation.
‘“It’s usually performed on a massive two-storey set – something we could never squeeze into our community hall,” said co-producer Roy Baker.
“But with the author’s permission, we’ve created a scaled-down version that still captures all the pace and energy of the original.”
The production has been adapted for the Scotland Island stage by Roy Baker, who co-produces with Jess McGowan. It is directed by Paul Kininmonth. Cast and crew are drawn from the offshore Pittwater community.
Performances begin at 7 pm. A bar, operated by the Pittwater Offshore Men’s Shed, will be open before and after the show and during the interval (no BYO).
A special ferry service will run after both Friday performances, returning audience members to Church Point and the western foreshore. It will depart Tennis Court Wharf approximately 15 minutes after the performance.
Mainland guests are encouraged to catch the 6.15 pm ferry (Fridays) or 6.30 pm ferry (Saturdays) from Church Point. The journey to Tennis Court Wharf takes around 10 minutes, followed by a short walk to the hall. Water taxis are also available.
Tickets are on sale via Humanitix: events.humanitix.com/noises-off
Reuban and Sophie - rehearsals photo
Why I like the play, and why I think you will too
By Roy Baker
If any play can insist on being counted among the funniest and most successful of twentieth-century comedies, it’s Noises Off. Originally conceived by London playwright Michael Frayn in the 1970s, its appeal has proved enduring and universal, staged thousands of times in many languages worldwide.
This coming month the play reaches Scotland Island, performing in the Community Hall on 19, 20, 26 & 27 June, starting 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now, and there will be a bar, plus a late ferry after both Friday performances to return audience members to Church Point and the western foreshore.
How to sell it to you? Well, it’s funny. Undeniably funny. I fell in love with it straight away, seeing in it the frenetic energy of Fawlty Towers, surely the apotheosis of late twentieth-century British comedy. They date from the same era, and both are rooted in the well-tested tropes of English farce: escalating chaos and implausible misunderstandings. But, like John Cleese and Connie Booth, Frayn revivified and extended the genre.
Much of Fawlty Towers' success comes from the quality of writing; most of us can quote at least one line, even if it's only 'Don't mention the war'. Then there are the characterisations, such as the hapless waiter Manuel. Frayn's characters are equally enduring, and he serves up the same verbal dexterity, but this time it's sardines with plenty of sauce and a generous portion of word salad.
Roy's Report in full HERE
''The club has been home to life savers since 1912 and the North Narrabeen Boardriders Club (NNBC) since 1964.'' council stated
The proposed works will improve accessibility and enhance facilities for members and the community. Planned works include a new 35 m² meeting space for the NNBC, upgraded interiors, balcony and BBQ area.
We're planning to start works between early June and Summer 2026 (weather permitting), though public access to amenities, gym, board riders and SLSC facilities and part of the first-floor deck will remain open. The café and bar may be closed for part of the works, which the club will communicate through their social platforms.''
''The North Narrabeen Boardriders Club will store equipment in temporary storage during the works.
Further upgrades to the first-floor balcony as detailed in Stage 3 of the initial concept plans will be delivered in the future, subject to funding.'' the council stated
The council also stated North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club is undergoing works with the main roof being replaced, concrete cancer repairs, external painting, and the repair and replacement of windows, gutters and downpipes. These works will be completed in July.
On May 14 2024 the NSW Government announced North Narrabeen SLSC lifesavers and surfers have good cause to smile after their club was awarded $632,343 towards Stage 1 Works - Building Extensions and Upgrades.
'The North Narrabeen surf club was constructed in the late 1970's and the project to upgrade the facilities include and extension to the north to provide additional internal floor space, enclosure of part of the existing balcony, rainwater harvesting and stormwater drainage works to reduce the impacts to the dunes' the announcement said.
The funding was allocated to the Northern Beaches Council
How the club will look with the finished alterations and additions - indicative illustration only, courtesy NBC.
We are buzzing with excitement!
The Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney has erected five Bee Poles.
By Judith Charnaud OAM,
President and Environment Director of the Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney
At last, after a year or two of designing, planning and construction the Bee Pole idea seems to have taken off. Over the last few months we have placed Bee Poles in Harbord, Curl Curl North, Kinma, Tea Gardens Public Schools and one in the Coastal Environment Centre, Narrabeen.
Coastal Environment Centre Narrabeen Bee Pole installation
What is a Bee Pole?
The idea for the Bee Pole came from the Peace Poles of Rotary Clubs across the world which is a special project promoting peace – our club thought a Bee Pole in schools could be used to promote environmental sustainability and the importance of ecosystems.
The Rotary E-Club of Greater Sydney is a member of Rotarians for Bees and our members are working on ways to encourage the survival of Australia’s native bees. We have carried out a lot of research in order to find out the best ideas and design for the Bee Pole.
Each of the schools we have worked with has very enthusiastic teams of students – Garden Gurus, Eco Warriors, Bee Teams, Gardening Clubs, and of course the students are encouraged by amazing staff members.
The bee pole placements have been extremely successful, each beginning with an Acknowledgement of Country read by a student, followed by me speaking about the importance of our native bees then students helping place the pole in the ground, pouring cement, rocks and water around the pole to ensure it will stand firmly.
Profile of the Week Mona Vale Raiders Junior Rugby League Club: their 2026 Season so farFormed in 1964, the Mona Vale Raiders are one of the fastest growing and one of the most successful junior rugby league clubs in the Manly-Warringah District Junior Rugby League (MWDJRL) competition. The home of the mighty Mona Vale Junior Rugby League Club - better known as the Raiders - is Newport Oval - which is used by local cricket clubs during the offseason.
The club is keen to keep growing and with 800+ members and supporters from Under 6's through to Opens plus a growing female membership the Raiders need girls change rooms, better facilities and a clubhouse to meet that demand. In fact, the Raiders are the only junior rugby league club in Pittwater without a clubhouse.
Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby stated, after a visit to Newport Oval to look over the facilities with current Raiders president Hamish Mclean;
“Sports and sporting clubs are the heartbeat of our community yet they’ve been neglected for decades. I’m committed to investing the time and energy over the coming years to improve our sports facilities that have been neglected for decades.
Although under council jurisdiction, I’ve called on the state government to come to the table with additional grant opportunities. I’ve invited the Sports Minister to come to Pittwater and see these sites.’’
After a win in Round 6 of the 2026 Northern Open Age Gold with 5 wins in 6 games, the Mona Vale Raiders A Grade sit at the top of the ladder as we head into Round 7 today, Sunday May 31 2026.
This Issue a few insights into a true local family rugby league club and a chat with Mona Vale Raiders president Hamish Mclean, A Grade coach David Heath and a few words from the Raiders Committee on their Mission to be and remain 'A true local family rugby league club'.
Australia’s earliest surviving photograph is said to be by a Tasmanian photographer, George Baron Goodman, and of Dr William Bland, an ex-convict, prominent surgeon, humanitarian, social reformer and inventor. It was taken in 1845.
In New South Wales a gentleman engaged to work at the Sydney Mint, Robert Hunt is considered by many to be a pioneer of photography in New South Wales, so much so that 170 years since his first known photograph was taken, his works are still on display.
Robert Hunt was an amateur photographer and clerk, born in London, the son of Henry Leigh Hunt and Ellen, née Simpson. He came to New South Wales in 1854 to work as chief clerk of the bullion office at the Royal Mint and soon started to practise photography as a hobby. Hunt and John Smith 's outdoor stereoscopic views taken in 1855 are believed to be the first colonial examples of this type of photograph on card.
Mr Hunt also gave us early photos of the North Shore, from 1855, and Pittwater from 1884, and Manly from 1885.
