At its meeting on 30 April 2024, Council considered a Notice of Motion noting recent proposals for development threatened to alter the character of Robertson Road and the Newport centre. The Motion outlined the importance of a cohesive approach to development. The council resolved (112/24) to:
1. Form a working group dedicated to addressing the matters concerning Robertson Road, Newport with the objective of facilitating constructive discussions and progressing solutions. The working group shall be composed of representatives from the council, relevant government agencies, local community organisations, and other key stakeholders.
2. Review the Newport Masterplan, with a specific focus on Robertson Road, and invite key stakeholders associated with ‘Save Robertson Road’ and the Newport community to actively participate in the review process to adequately address the needs and concerns of all stakeholders involved.
The Newport Masterplan was adopted by the former Pittwater Council in November 2007 and included keeping Robertson road as a precinct, community meeting ground, and space that can be activated for fairs, Christmas celebrations, the Newport Sculpture Trail and like village activations - a 'heart' at the centre of the village.
The Newport Masterplan provides the long‑term strategic framework for guiding land use, public domain improvements, and built form outcomes within the commercial centre. The Masterplan was implemented through the Pittwater Local Environmental Plan 2014 (Pittwater LEP) and the Pittwater DCP.
The Northern Beaches Council has facilitated and promoted activations in the commercial centre as well, the Newport Spring Festival being one popular example.
The council has also pursued other pathways to install vitality and connection in this seaside village.
At the Local Traffic Committee Meeting held March 4 2025 the Committee approved to implement global traffic management plans (TMPs) for four locations across the peninsula, Kalang road at Elanora Heights and Robertson road at Newport among these, as part of the NSW Government's Plug & Play activation of street spaces.
The Permit/Plug/Play Pilot Program is an $8.5 million partnership grant program with 17 pilot councils across NSW.
However, the commercial centre in Newport is struggling. Resident told the news service this week there are currently 18 vacancies along the shopping strip, although that may be one less as of Friday May 22 2026 - Sarah Cowley of Haven and Sarah has moved her very popular florist and homewares shop to 323a Barrenjoey road Newport after 12 years in Avalon Village.
Apparently opening day was a smash with just about every strand of flowers in the shop snapped up.
Sarah's experience, and huge following at Avalon going beyond the bends for her bouquets, may be a one-off though.
The council report to the May 2025 Council Meeting shared its officers conducted a review of the village and found retail vacancies also increased from 25 premises in April 2025 to 31 vacancies in December 2025.
Development activity within the centre and surrounding area has been limited, with only one development application for medium density shop-top housing approved and no construction commenced to date.
In contrast, the surrounding residential areas, including Foamcrest Avenue, have experienced comparatively higher levels of activity, with 3 medium density housing developments approved and completed over the same period.
'The Pittwater DCP controls for Newport actively encourage site amalgamation and coordinated development. This is especially relevant in areas like Robertson Road, where access, parking, and amenity considerations require careful management. However, issues relating to urban development feasibility are complex and extend beyond building height, floor space ratio and car parking considerations. Landowners’ expectations, including willingness to consider redevelopment opportunities, have a significant impact on consolidation opportunities'. the council's report states
'An economic feasibility and retail study would be required to inform whether changes to building heights, land use mix and housing density controls would assist facilitate redevelopment and renewal in Newport village. Should Council resolve to progress such analysis, the study should be undertaken by an independent consultant with specialist expertise in land use economics. Council’s resolution to review the Newport Masterplan was not supported by a budget allocation. Accordingly, an economic feasibility and retail study has not been prepared as part of this review. Furthermore, the progression of a feasibility study to inform a review of planning controls was generally not supported by the majority of working group members'. the report said
The council report also listed of place-based initiatives available to it and the community to continue to realise the Masterplan vision and strengthen village vibrancy, connectivity, and resilience.
Examples included were:
- Improve public transport and connectivity to Newport Village - partner with Transport for NSW, to deliver the priority actions identified in the Move – Northern Beaches Transport Strategy 2038, including enhanced rapid bus services, improved service frequency, and better integration with walking and cycling networks. Identify and implement local infrastructure upgrades - such as improved bus stop amenities, pedestrian access, and wayfinding - to support public transport use and connectivity to the village centre.
- Improve pedestrian safety and walkability - Continue to deliver and expand public domain improvements identified in the Masterplan, including footpath widening, upgraded pedestrian crossings, and streetscape enhancements in accordance with budget allocations. Building on completed works and reduction of the Barrenjoey Road speed limit from 60 km/h to 50 km/h, investigate and implement additional traffic calming and safety measures through the Safer Neighbourhoods Program (2026–2029), to further reduce vehicle speeds and enhance pedestrian amenity within the centre.
- Support daytime and early evening activation - Partner with local businesses and community groups to deliver a diverse program of events and activities such as markets, live music, outdoor cinema and art initiatives that encourage the community to shop locally and activate the area. Continue to support activation through initiatives such as Plug and Play, providing free access to equipment and infrastructure for performers and event organisers, making it easier for local creatives to activate public spaces. Guide the community to develop and promote a diverse events calendar for Newport village.
- Support outdoor dining and local business activation - Support businesses to apply for extensions to outdoor dining areas, subject to consent of neighbouring businesses
The council report to the May Meeting stated Key Findings of the Review were:
'The review has confirmed the community generally supports the Newport Masterplan as the appropriate framework to guide incremental improvements, public domain upgrades, and local activations within the centre. It continues to broadly align with community aspirations and provides a sound basis for delivering targeted, place-based outcomes.
Stakeholder engagement identified a range of broader issues affecting the vibrancy of the centre, including high retail rents and vacancies, a limited diversity of retail businesses, and the need for improved public transport services. There was also emphasis on the need for greater collaboration between landowners to co-ordinate redevelopment, particularly on Robertson Road.
Although important, these matters are largely outside the scope of the Masterplan and Council’s statutory land use planning framework. Addressing these challenges would require coordinated, non-statutory responses, including advocacy, partnerships, and collaboration between Council, state government agencies, landowners, businesses, and the community.
Newport village performs an important role as a local centre and is not identified for housing or employment growth under the Masterplan, or any other Council or NSW Government strategic plan. In this context, there is limited strategic justification for a comprehensive review of the Masterplan built form controls in the short to medium term...'
A the pre-council meeting community forum, President of the Newport Residents Association Gavin Butler addressed the councillors present.
The Newport Residents Association is an organisation of residents whose concerns are the welfare and advancement of that area, in general and Newport in particular. The Newport Residents Association was originally established as the Newport Progress Association in 1933 (however there is evidence the association was actually operating just prior to the turn of the century) and in 2004 it became an incorporated association changing its name at that time to better reflect its aims and objectives.
Mr Butler has kindly provided his address - which reads:
Councillors,
My name is Gavin Butler, and I am President of the Newport Residents Association.
This review accurately summarises what the community has been saying for years: the Newport Village Commercial Centre Masterplan remains a valuable framework to guide the future growth of Newport Village.
It recognises that the current planning controls encourage coordinated development and site amalgamation, particularly around Robertson Road, where access, parking and amenity issues require careful management.
But the central issue remains unresolved.
What this review does not address is the need for leadership from Northern Beaches Council itself.
Option 2 in the report proposes further studies — potentially costing close to half a million dollars — including feasibility work and another comprehensive review. Yet we must ask: what will another expensive document achieve if there is still no determination within Council to actively lead the implementation of the vision already before it?
Over many years, parts of the Masterplan have been implemented, but the critical elements needed to unlock the village’s full potential have stalled through lack of coordination and leadership.
Council is not a bystander in this process. Northern Beaches Council is one of the largest landholders in the Robertson Road and Foamcrest Avenue precinct, particularly when public roads and pavements are considered.
That places Council in a unique position — and with that position comes responsibility.
There is only one organisation capable of coordinating the successful evolution of Newport Village as a whole, and that is Northern Beaches Council.
Yet the community has repeatedly been told that coordination of this kind is “not Council’s role.”
We respectfully disagree.
A core function of local government should be to guide and optimise the future of the communities it governs — not simply regulate them from a distance. Other councils have demonstrated this leadership successfully, including Lane Cove.
The people of Newport are not asking for endless reviews. They are asking for vision, commitment and action and we again suggest that council appoint an urban designer to look at the Newport/Robertson road precinct to assist with that vision.
If Council chooses not to lead the future planning of its own centres, then the community is entitled to ask: what is the purpose of local government at all?
After a discussion at the Tuesday May 19 2026 council meeting, led by Pittwater Councillor and former Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce president Rowie Dillon, Councillors resolved that:
1. Council endorse retention of the Newport Masterplan as the overarching strategic framework to guide future planning of the Newport village commercial centre.
2. Council undertake targeted place-based initiatives to seek to strengthen vibrancy, connectivity and resilience within the village centre.
3. The Council working group be dissolved and members thanked for their contribution to the review and their interest in planning for the Newport village centre.
4. Council encourage the establishment of a community-led and coordinated working group to respond to emerging needs and issues, with participation by available ward Councillors and Council staff as appropriate.
Newport Cheers: Pittwater Business drinks
Both the Newport and Mona Vale Chambers of Commerce are working to activate Pittwater village commercial centres and support local small businesses.
On June 25 2026 an event will take place in Newport to bring everyone together. The Mona Vale Chamber of Commerce states:
'Join us in Newport for relaxed after-work drinks to help launch Pittwater Business and bring local businesses together in a genuinely easy, low-pressure way. Come say g’day to other owners and operators from across Pittwater, hear what the pilot is about, and be part of something local from the start.
Drinks are on us — just bring yourself (and feel free to bring another local business owner).
When: Thursday 25 June, 5:00pm–7:00pm
Where: 4 Pines Newport, 313 Barrenjoey Rd, Newport
Cost: Complimentary drinks (RSVP essential)
Spots are limited, so please RSVP to help us plan.
To RSVP, please visit: HERE
