Turimetta Beach Boulders Falling: 2m of Erosion
Regular contributing photographer Joe Mills visited Turimetta Beach on Tuesday August 5 and Friday August 8 this past week, and has recorded some rockfalls along the cliff faces.
Joe said on Saturday:
''Due to all the recent rains and heavy swells the beach at the northern end was severely eroded at the end of this week, for about 2m of sand. This is mostly at the northern half of the beach near the steps. It was very noticeable.
As well, there were a lot more big boulders (some up to 1.5m size) scattered along the beach, which fell from the moist cliff tops.''
In recent storm events, and smaller rockfalls, Joe has been concerned for the safety of a gentleman he calls 'the hermit' who camps under and against the shelter of the rockface - you can see the blue of his tent in some of Joe's photos from Friday:
mid-beach erosion - August 8 2025
mid-beach erosion - August 8 2025
Turimetta beach erosion from storms - August 8 2025
Turimetta erosion - August 8 2025
Council currently has the beach listed as 'closed' due to storm swells and the absence of patrols of lifesavers on this beach.
screenshot from council's Turimetta beach webpage, Saturday August 9 2025
Coastal erosion is the loss of land along the shoreline due to the natural removal of sand, vegetation and other features associated with changing wave and water conditions. During severe storms, coastal erosion can happen rapidly, potentially putting people, properties, and infrastructure in danger.
Climate change is likely to increase coastal erosion over time, as the intensity of storms increase and sea levels rise. Infrastructure like roads, access to beaches and connection to utilities are likely to be impacted during these events.
Weather conditions leading to coastal erosion in NSW are typically associated with intense low pressure systems off the coast which generate large waves and higher sea levels. These low pressure systems include tropical cyclones, ex-tropical cyclones and east coast lows. The impacts in NSW of winds, flooding and coastal erosion associated with Cyclone Alfred earlier this year are likely to increase in frequency in the future.
The extent of coastal erosion can be influenced by a range of factors, both natural and unnatural, including:
- Tides
- Waves
- Water currents
- Runoff
- Headlands
- Storms
- Vegetation
- Building and development
- Coastal management activities
However, what's been happening at Turimetta in recent months and days warrants closer scrutiny.
On Friday August 8, another long-term regular at the news service, John Illingsworth, released 'Teetering Turimetta', a film focussed on the cliffs of this beach between North Narrabeen and Warriewood.
John says in 'Teetering Turimetta':
''Turimetta Headland in NSW in 2015 is a towering heap of faulted, fractured Newport Formation sandstones and shales, capped at its highest point with a tiny remnant of Hawkesbury Sandstone, all of which rests upon the purplish Bald Hill Claystone unit that you can see at low tide.
In 2021 Turimetta Headland’s cliffs were videoed from a drone, part of a record of the coastline from North Narrabeen to Barrenjoey. This publicly available footage is a baseline against which future geomorphic events - rockfalls in particular - can be identified and measured.
In this 2021 screen capture near where Mitchell showed us the piece of coal, we can see 2 joint blocks missing, plucked from the basement rock by wave action. But by 2025 five blocks are missing, so 3 more were removed in just 3 years, a rate of around one block per year and a steady undercutting of the cliff above.
If we freeze Michell as he walks by this boulder, we can see in the middle distance a pile of rocks, an early rockfall, indicated by the arrow. Remember, this is 2012. In this 2025 picture we see that same fall, pretty well unchanged. We can clearly see that the edges of the boulders are all sharp, unworn by time. We cannot be specific other than to say this fall is also quite recent, though before our record. But when the camera pans left it shows something that wasn’t there in 2012 – a very large rotational rockfall of perhaps 200m3. Now, this fall is also visible in the 2015 drone footage here. So this rockfall dates between August 2012 and December 2015. Rockfalls are most likely to occur during inclement weather when rainfall is heavy and seas high. Good times to stay away!
Which brings us to the sewer outfall where fishermen and women congregate. Construction of the outfall was completed by about 1973. So, the rocks you can see here in 2021 must have fallen later than 1973 because they rest on the concrete covering the sewer. It’s also pretty clear that all these rocks and boulders comprise a multi-fall event which is, perhaps, ongoing.
Full transcript and more HERE - John's earlier film:
$446,000+ in funding for Pittwater Community Projects
Independent Member for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby has announced over $446,000 for local schools, sports clubs, and community services through the latest round of the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership (CBP) Program.
“These grants will help supercharge our amazing community groups. Practical funding for infrastructure and equipment for the services, public schools, sports clubs, and charities so our community can thrive,” said Ms Scruby. “Whether it's shade for kids at school, boats for inclusive sport, or upgrades to rescue equipment, these projects deliver a tangible boost for Pittwater.”
“This funding reflects the hard work done by community groups to meet grant requirements and provide services for the community.
I’m proud to support their efforts and will continue fighting to ensure Pittwater gets funding from all available sources.”
Funding has been distributed across a range of grassroots organisations, including:
- Narrabeen Sports High School P&C – $100,000 for community hall refurbishment
- Avalon Public School P&C – $100,000 for the Nura Djaroba playground upgrade
- Easylink Community Services – $31,552 for an accessible transport van in conjunction with Michael Regan, MP for Wakehurst, and Matt Cross, MP for Davidson, so $94 656 in total
- Marine Rescue Broken Bay – $35,549 for vital engine replacements in conjunction with Michael Regan, MP for Wakehurst, so $71,098 in total
- Barrenjoey High School P&C – $51,122 for shaded student outdoor seating
- Terrey Hills Public School P&C – $34,000 for a shade sail project
- Elanora Heights Public School P&C – $30,000 for sunshade over handball courts
- Sailability NSW – $18,919 to refurbish vessels for disabled sailing
- Careel Bay Tennis Club – $14,000 for court drainage and sun protection
- Warriewood Boardriders Association – $11,379 for a portable storage trailer
- Narrabeen Tigers Junior Rugby Club – $10,000 for an electronic scoreboard
- Bei Loon Dragon Boat Club – $10,250 for a new community dragon boat
“There was strong demand for this round of funding, with many great applications from across Pittwater. While it’s tough for those who missed out, I’m thrilled for the successful recipients. The next round opens later this year, and my office will be running online and in-person workshops. Keep an eye on my website grants page for updates.” Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby said
Manly Community Groups Receive Big Funding Boost
The electorate of Manly has secured $446,739 in funding for a total of fifteen projects through the NSW Government’s 2025 (CBP) Community Building Partnership Program.
Member for Manly James Griffin said that the funding will deliver much-needed improvements and upgrades to local facilities, including a new emergency response vehicle and infrastructure improvements for local surf clubs, enhanced learning areas at schools, an upgraded clubhouse and new equipment at various local sporting clubs, and new sailing vessels and infrastructure at local sailing clubs and not-for-profits.
“This is fantastic news for Manly,” Mr Griffin said.
“This grassroots funding will directly help create a more vibrant and inclusive local community with positive social and recreational outcomes.
“I congratulate all the organisations that were successful in their application and look forward to seeing how these projects make a real difference for improving participation and enhancing community groups and wellbeing in the area.”
The full list of successful projects in the Manly electorate for the 2025 round are:
- Manly Cove Launch Club - $16,168 to repair roof and guttering, balcony and rusted handrails
- Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club - $10,000 to replace furniture for members areas
- North Harbour Sailing Club - $30,000 for roof replacement and related maintenance works
- Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project - $45,000 to contribute towards the purchase of a dedicated sail training vessel to support current and former ADF Members and their families
- Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club - $40,000 to enhance Dee Why SLSC’s First Aid Room and improve its medical response capabilities
- Sailability NSW - $20,000 to purchase a new sailing vessel and dingy to increase disability participant numbers
- Balgowlah North Public School P&C - $15,000 for a Year 6 outdoor learning area
- Manly Yacht Club - $41,200 to replace old boat cranes and improve safety
- Manly Freshwater Catholic Parish - $11,900 to replace old chairs in the Parish Hall
- North Steyne Boardriders Club - $14,000 to replace club equipment trailer
- Manly Life Saving Club - $45,371 to help fund the purchase of a 4WD emergency response vehicle
- Seaforth Football Club - $18,875 to purchase additional training equipment and improve development courses and participation
- Manly Savers Rugby Club - $62,865 to address drainage and improve infrastructure at Keirle Park, and transform the clubhouse into a multi-use venue benefitting the club and the broader community
- Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club - $65,000 to purchase new Manly Junior sailing dinghies
- Balgowlah Heights Public School P&C - $11,360 to install new benches to support the school’s Peer Support Program
The Community Building Partnership program has funded more than 22,400 community projects since it commenced in 2009.
Grants between $10,000 and $100,000 were available to not-for-profit organisations and councils, with up to $450,000 allocated per electorate.
Applications for next year’s Community Building Partnership program will open shortly. For more information and announcements, please visit the Community Building Partnership website: nsw.gov.au/cbp
Residents have reported seals hauling out during recent storm activities, with the latest being monitored at Newport beach by ORRCA volunteers. Others have seen another at Dee Why.
ORRCA states:
''We’re currently receiving a high number of calls regarding seal haul-outs, a normal and natural behaviour for these beautiful marine mammals. Along our east coast, it’s common to see Australian Fur Seals and Long-Nosed Fur Seals at this time of year.
Seals come ashore to rest, recover, or simply soak up some sun. While it might be tempting to get closer, it’s important to give them plenty of space. They don’t need to be encouraged back into the water. In fact, coming ashore is a healthy part of their routine.
While they might look like “sea puppies”, seals are wild animals - unpredictable, reactive, and capable of carrying zoonotic diseases.
In most cases, they just need time and space to rest. But if a seal appears unwell, injured, or is in a high-traffic area (like a place where dogs are allowed on a beach), please call our 24/7 Rescue Hotline on (02) 9415 3333. Our trained responders will assess the situation and provide support as required.''
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment states that if a seal comes towards you, you must move back to the minimum approach distance.
The Department's rules are:
Approaching a seal when it is in the water
Seals are agile swimmers with strong flippers. When a seal is in the water you must keep at least:
- 10 metres away from the seal
- 80 metres from a seal pup
- 100 metres for a drone
Approaching a seal when it is hauled out on land
Seals haul out to rest after foraging at sea. If a seal feels threatened, it may show aggression by yawning, waving its front flipper or head, or calling out. Seals are very agile and can move fast on land, using all 4 limbs to run. When a seal is hauled out on the land you must keep at least:
- 40 metres away from the seal
- 80 metres from a seal pup
- 100 metres away from the seal for a drone.
Vessels watching seals resting on the rocky shore must also keep back 40 metres or 80 metres if a pup is present. Limit the time you spend watching because it can be stressful for them. It is likely you are not the only vessel to approach them that day.
The news service would also suggest you contact council as they will want to monitor what's going on and work in concert with any registered carers to ensure the safety of any of the seals that live here as well as residents and visitors.
Haul-out, Call-Out seal survey
The NSW Department of the Environment is interested in understanding where Australian and New Zealand fur seals are hauling out along the NSW coastline.
Haul-out, Call-out is a place to report your fur seal sightings as part of the Seabirds to Seascapes Project.
How you can help
As a citizen scientist, your participation in the survey to identify key hotspot locations for these fur seals is crucial. Here’s why:
- Conservation efforts: Australian fur seals are listed as vulnerable under the Biodiversity Conservation Act. By getting involved, you directly contribute to safeguarding their habitats and populations.
- Data collection: your sightings will complement drone surveys along the NSW coastline. This data provides insights into fur seal population densities and their preferred breeding habitats, informing marine conservation initiatives in New South Wales.
- Long-term survival: understanding fur seals’ health and breeding behaviours is critical. Your reports help researchers develop targeted conservation measures to support their populations.
- Mitigating conflicts: by understanding their habitat preferences and behaviours, we can reduce disturbances and minimise negative interactions between humans and seals, promoting coexistence in shared environments.
Your role matters. As a citizen scientist, your contributions directly protect and conserve Australian and New Zealand fur seals and their marine habitats. Join them in making a difference for these vulnerable species and the marine ecosystems they inhabit.
Seals are vital to healthy marine ecosystems, but they face growing pressures from human activity. The survey helps inform critical marine conservation initiatives in New South Wales by learning more about where seals gather and how they live. This information is crucial for effectively managing fur seal populations, including mitigating risks of human and seal interactions.
Readers may remember the seal pup rescued at Newport and named 'Narrang' which was rehabilitated by Taronga Zoo, and re-released, returned to our area in October 2023.
Go to the Haul-out, Call-Out seal survey to record the seals you see on our beaches.
You can also see on this map the amount of seals that live in our area and visit every beach along the Barrenjoey to Manly peninsula.
Dog attacking formerly resting seal at Long Reef Aquatic Reserve in November 2020 - a No Dogs area. Photos supplied
Profile of the Week Dr Gordon Stokes, MB MS MD, FRACP, Dip Thl, 1935–2025
Park Bench Philosophers Roads To Pittwater: the Sandspit Punt and Spit Bridge - With Joe Mills and friends taking a trek along an old way from Manly to Mosman, how about a look back at pre-Spit Bridge times? From the 2018 'Roads To Pittwater' series
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Events Zonta NB's 50th Anniversary Dinner, Author Talks, Sports, Music, Markets, Social Groups, + Heaps more on!
Food Pumpkin Season: Ideas for the Lunchbox and at Home
It's Pumpkin Season - these delightful globes of orange and gold crops are coming in and at $6 a whole pumpkin, the price, weight and taste proves they're fresh from the best fields of Australia. We bought a whole one the other day and regularly roast off extra junks when cooking some in the oven as it makes a great alternative spread to butter, or any other condiment, when cold.
During past pumpkin seasons we've shared recipes for whole pumpkin stuffed with rice and chorizo, the famous pumpkin scone Australia is renowned for, soup, muffin and pie recipes, and even a few ideas from days of yore.
This Issue we'd like to share a few more inspirations for those who, like us, buy the whole pumpkin as they know there will be ideas enough to indulge in this great for you at this Winter vegetable.
Community News NSW Health to further empower parents + carers to raise concerns, Council's parking permits going digital, Wildlife Hungry: Moving to road edges to feed - Please Slow down, Busking for Change 2025, WaterNSW Announces 300 Employees to Go, Man charged with over 15 break/enter offences- Northern Beaches PAC, Mona Vale Hospital’s Urgent Care Centre Becomes first in NSW To Roll Out ECAT, Pittwater RSL: new Developments, Letters to the Editor: Woollies Soft Plastic Recycling Trial at Avalon + Great Town Planning, Scruby Secures Hold On Speed Limit Decrease + Bends Resurfacing, Avalon Sailing Club Open for Registration, $1 million to establish independent NSW recreational fishing peak body, Two Petitions Tabled: NBC Rate Rise, E-Bikes Safety Changes Uptick: Scruby, Working With Children legislation introduced to keep children safe, Community Forum on E-Bike Use, Inclusive Employment Australia, School Bus Cancellations: Scruby Seeks answers, Sports Club Grant Applications now open, Barrenjoey High School Fundraiser: Trivia Night, NSW Government to increase wheelchair accessible taxi availability, Pittwater Offshore Community Awards Black Tie Gala, Disability Discrimination Act Review – Issues Paper: Have your say, Have your say on NSW’s anti-discrimination laws, Beach Without Sand Odds + Ends Sale, ID Support Bill passes NSW Parliament, NSW Government to strengthen protections against image-based abuse, Roadworks, Changed traffic conditions on Barrenjoey Road Palm Beach, New grant program to address gender-based violence open, Get ready for NSW Women’s Week 2026, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: Willa + Kim, Underwater Photography Contest returns, Pittwater Sports, Social, Environment, Residents Associations and Groups, Pittwater Offshore Newsletter
Environment Turimetta Beach Boulders Falling: 2m of Erosion, Wildlife Hungry: Moving to road edges to feed - Please Slow down, Seals Hauling Out Along Our Beaches: Register these on the NSW Haul-out, Call-Out seal survey, Congratulations Save Manly Dam Catchment Committee!, Friends of Bongin Bongin Bay 2025 AGM + Free Screening of Ocean with David Attenborough: August 20, IPART Draft Report on the review of prices for Greater Sydney from 1 October 2025: Have your say, 622kg of Rubbish Collected from Local Beaches, Coastal and Estuary Grants Program, EPA tackling greenhouse gas emissions with new licensee requirements: Have your say, $1.2 million on offer to crack down on illegal dumping, $1 million to establish independent NSW recreational fishing peak body, Thousands of tonnes of soft plastics diverted from landfill as Coles and Woolworths meet EPA Clean-Up orders, The final jewels in Sydney Harbour’s ‘green necklace’ added to the NSW State Heritage Register, Three stations added to the National Park network in north west NSW, Notice of 1080 Poison Baiting, Have your say on changes gas and pipeline regulations and guidelines for NSW, Changes are brewing in the Indian Ocean. Does this mean Australia should get ready for a soggy Spring?, World’s biggest coral survey confirms sharp decline in Great Barrier Reef after heatwave, These students cut air pollution near their schools – by taking aim at their parents’ idling cars, 5 ingenious things trees do that human designers can learn from, Economists want a carbon price comeback – but does Australia have the political courage?, From ‘reef-friendly’ sunscreens to ‘sustainable’ super, greenwashing allegations are rife. Here’s how the claims stack up, Australia can hit an 85% emissions cut by 2035 – if government and business seize the moment, Climate-fuelled El Niño events are devastating butterflies, beetles and other tropical insects, Perito Moreno became the world’s first superstar glacier – but now it’s set to disappear, Body rolls and headbanging: we found cockatoos have 30 different dance moves, NSW Gov. delivers world-first foot and mouth vaccine to protect livestock industries & food supply, Foot-and-mouth disease would devastate Australia’s graziers if it got in. Here’s how a new vaccine might help, Solar for apartment residents: Funding, 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, Watch out - shorebirds about, Possums In Your Roof?: do the right thing, Aviaries + Possum Release Sites Needed, Bushcare in Pittwater: where + when, Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities, Gardens and Environment Groups and Organisations in Pittwater, Ringtail Posses, Pittwater Reserves, Environment History insights + Walks, Birds, +
Aquatics Mapping microplastics in 120 NSW Estuaries
Children Sunday Cartoons: Minions Try to catch a Dinosaur Baby, Young Writers Competition Winners Announced, Young Filmmakers Comp., Underwater Photography Contest, Cricket Season, Body rolls and headbanging: we found cockatoos have 30 different dance moves, Curious Kids: Why do we sneeze? Why do your eyes close? + If everyone in the world turned on the lights at the same time, what would happen? + How is the Sun burning? + Why are people colour blind? + How do we smell?, Stories this week: this Book is Viral + 'When a Dragon Moves In' read by Mark Duplass, + local fun and clubs for you
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Pictures Manly to Spit Walk by Joe Mills
DIY Ideas Father's Day 2025: A few Gift Ideas to Spoil the best Dad in the world
Father's Day is celebrated Sunday September 7 in 2025.
This year the great team at Johnson Bros Mitre 10 have a special bonus that may sweeten the mix.
For your chance to Win a $200 Mitre 10 Gift Card* for Dad or the special man in your life, delivered just in time for Father’s Day, spend $60 instore or online, and automatically go into the draw for a chance to WIN! It’s that easy.
The competition started Friday 1st August and runs to Sunday 24th August 2025, so there is plenty of time to find that special gift that will help dad in the garden this Spring, or for those jobs he's been planning to get to.
This Issue a few ideas on how to spoil dad rotten on Father's Day - some you can make yourself and some you can get from your local Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 store - there's gift ideas for every budget.
