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 Professor Simon Darcy AM, Elizabeth Bowditch OAM, Eric Galloway OAM, Richard Gordon OAM, Valerie Gordon OAM, Josephine Harpur OAM, Dr Timothy Harpur OAM, Sally Irwin OAM, Anne Johnston OAM, Peter Kinsey OAM, Tracey Lake OAM, Dr Ross MacPherson OAM, Keith Pester OAM, Franciscus Pikardt OAM, Brian Ralph OAM, James 'Dick' Sargeant OAM, Margaret Small OAM, David Torevell OAM, Matthew Vertzonis CSM RFD OAM, Robert Webster OAM, Keith Welsh OAM, Dr Mark Williams OAM, Peta Miller AFSM, Kevin Jones ESM
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.
Park Bench Philosophers New digital toolkit to tackle pest management Developed with NSW Northern Rivers Farmers - CSIRO
Inbox News NSW health system prepared for Winter, Expanded same day surgeries for additional procedures in NSW Public Hospitals, Labor’s JobSeeker reforms are a welcome step – but so far, fall short of a radical rebuild, Why are First Nations peoples so opposed to Brisbane’s Olympic stadium at Victoria Park?, Birth rates are declining in most of the world, including Australia. Here’s why that really matters, Mysterious signals keep coming from space. We have found their ‘Rosetta stone’, Stressing about your baby’s growth check? Here’s what you need to know, There are different types of fitness. An exercise expert explains, Australian scam victims could get rapid $3,000 refunds. Yet in the UK it’s more like $160,000, Do Australians really ‘work half the week’ just to pay their income tax? See for yourself, Payday super is coming on July 1. Workers will be thousands of dollars better off long term, Are our cars spying on us? A cybersecurity expert explains how to stay safe
Food Winter Warmers: Parsnips, Pumpkin Soup Variations, Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding, Avocado Season - did someone say 'chocolate'?
Events Waves Without Waste Expo, Winter Market: Catherine Park, Scotland Island, Surf Swap and Repair Market 2026, Ladies Day at Newport and Warriewood: Rugby 2026, Rise Manly Winter Fest 2026, National Tree Day, Author Talks, PNHA Walks, Music at all compass points, Markets, Social Groups + more on!
Community News Oil Spill at Alexandria: Please keep an Eye out for Impacted Birds, Changed conditions in the Ettalong Channel, If You Hit Wildlife Please Call for Help, Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel June 3 2026 Meeting, IPART Approves 52.66 % increase for North Sydney LGA, Tree saved in Cammeray following Council advocacy, Liquor shop at Careel Bay Shops Approved, Indigo by Moran Pty Ltd v Minister for Planning and Public Spaces: Notice, AYAH Residency Works Unveiled in St Leonards Exhibition, Thank you Nathan, Staff Ideas Shine in Innovation Pitch Program: NSLHD News, Roadworks, Priority aged care support for Australians with MND, Honouring Shane, Community Forum: Pittwater MP, Cammeray Golf Course Update: Government appoints Golf NSW as manager, Permanent changed traffic conditions on the Warringah Freeway, Laws cracking down on organised crime networks pass NSW Parliament, Cooler- greener playgrounds: 150 schools to benefit from expanded tree planting program, NSW Crimes Legislation Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2026 Passed, Pittwater Business Invite, Digital Wellbeing Event, Avalon Beach Historical Society June Meeting, Help shape the next 4 years of disability inclusion work, Support Jason's road to recovery, Nominations Open for 2026 Australian Sailing Awards, Nominate an Environment Hero, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: Harvey + Flash and Jessie, Australians can ‘Ask 1800MEDICARE’; free 24/7 expert health advice, Nominate a Nurse, Women Helping Women SES workshop 2026: June 14, EOI to Develop Frenchs Forest High School site, Warriewood SLSC's Biggest Morning Tea: June 21, Securing the NDIS for : Update on public consultation, Northern Beaches Gambling Reform Alliance Planning Workshop: July 7, Applications open for grants to improve the lives of people with disability, Have your say on Health Star Ratings, Cheaper medicines for people fighting leukaemia and migraines, Pittwater Residents Associations, Sports, Environment and Groups, Pittwater Offshore Newsletter
Environment Areas closed for trail surface maintenance - Mackerel Trail and Smugglers Track, Closed areas: Unauthorised Muppet Track closed and Upper Gledhill Falls access unsafe, 1080 pest management operation, Oil Spill at Alexandria: Please keep an Eye out for Impacted Birds, Minns Government Announces $221 million to deliver new era of threatened species protection, NSW scientists leading international research to protect kelp and fisheries, Turtle-ly terrific travels, Waves Without Waste Plastics Expo: June 13, The Surf Swap and Repair Market 2026, Sacred Site Bulldozed - A Million trees Cut Down, Alcoa’s Exemption Order Revoked But Clearing of Jarrah Forest Continues, Murray Watt to gazette Tasmanian oversight for native forest logging this week, National Plant a Tree Day 2026: 30 Year Anniversary, Cooler- greener playgrounds: 150 schools to benefit from expanded tree planting program, 2026 Tour de Gorge, NSW releases its first Cultural Fire Strategy, Solar for apartment residents: Co-funding, PNHA Activities 2026, UN report warns AI could soon use 3% of world’s electricity and more water than we need to drink, How much water and power will AI data centres use in Australia? Ironically, we don’t have the data to know, Hanson’s gas policy follows the far‑right playbook: attack ‘elites’ and push for drilling, Hidden in plain sight: the race to discover new species before they’re gone, Climate change may shift hailstorms towards Earth’s poles – new study, Ever seen a cave cricket? Australia now has three new species of these spindly, spider‑like creatures, Wildfire risk is now spreading to cool climates like the Scottish Highlands and Irish uplands, Why the world’s most ambitious coal phase‑out deal has failed – and what it means for climate finance, Extreme weather is making Antarctic research harder, but new technology is providing some answers – new study, Cities are making it rain more – but not as much as scientists thought, Trees and greenery can cool cities by as much as 18°C – but only if they’re the right type, Backlash is often swift when authorities try to plan retreat from the coast. There’s a better way, Three hours of free power a day sounds good – but is Australia’s scheme fair?, Australia’s spent billions on renewable gases, with little to show. This is how to do it properly, Feral horse numbers in Australia’s alps are on the rise again. It’s time to act, Mona Vale Dunes bushcare group: 2026 Dates, Bangalley Headland WPA Bushcare 2026, Sydney Wildlife Needs People for the Rescue Line, 2025-26 Seal Reveal underway, 622kg of Rubbish Collected from Local Beaches: Adopt your local beach program, This Tick Season: Freeze it - don't squeeze it, Protect wildlife: dispose of fishing gear responsibly, Notice of 1080 Poison Baiting, 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 +
Aquatics Microplastic assessment report: Dee Why Lagoon Among Most Polluted in New South Wales - 56.55% of Manly Lagoon's plastic pollution is Artificial Turf - Pittwater Least Polluted
Children Sunday Cartoon and Animations This week: Let It Grow from The Lorax, Life in the ancient Arctic: tiny teeth of newly discovered species suggest it was a cradle of mammalian evolution, See a new map of the universe’s magnetic fields – the largest and most detailed ever made, Woy Woy: The Venice Of Australia in the 1930's, Where the Stars have Fallen by Ella M'Fadyen, 2026 Premier's Reading Challenge, Curious kids: why do we dream? + who invented the light bulb? + who invented art? + are there thunderstorms on Mars? + how old is fire on Earth? + how do people know their interests?, Inspirations: The Climb, Stories this week: My mum has no fun + 'Otters vs. Badgers' read by Uzo Aduba, Local activities and clubs for you
Youth ‘Soccer’ is a fine term for the beautiful game – don’t let any ‘football’ snob or president tell you otherwise this World Cup, You don’t need an ATAR to go to uni. You can do an ‘enabling’ or ‘bridging’ course instead, Information Sessions: TAFE, Woy Woy: The Venice Of Australia in the 1930's, Opportunities: The Surf Swap and Repair Market 2026 + Hub for girls makes career in sport a reality + Manly Warringah Netball Association MWNA: 2026 Mens League + Seas the Day 2026 + Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard at the ANMM + 2026 Premier's Reading Challenge, Financial help for young people, School Leavers Support, Word Of The Week: Confidante, See a new map of the universe’s magnetic fields – the largest and most detailed ever made, The complex history of ‘pride’, from shame and sin to a symbol of protest and power, Why Melbourne’s obsession with black clothing actually makes sense, Marilyn Monroe at 100: Hollywood made her a myth – she spent her life resisting it, When to rescue food and when to chuck it out, according to a nutritionist, Marianna Martines: the infuriating reason you’ve never heard of this brilliant 18th‑century composer, Local Groups and Services for you
Seniors 12 Men, One Year in Antarctica: Heard Island Weather Mission (1949), Online scams are an ongoing threat: NSA Research, Boosting Rehabilitation for Older Patients Through Nursing Student Support, Equitable Digital Frailty Screening for Marginalised Older Adults, Cheaper medicines for people fighting leukaemia and migraines, AYAH Residency Works Unveiled in St Leonards Exhibition, Staff Ideas Shine in Innovation Pitch Program, Is it really worth getting on the pension just to avoid Labor’s new capital gains tax?, Priority aged care support for Australians with MND, From exporting spyware to shrivelling activists – how democracies became the new digital authoritarians, Online ads are becoming harder to spot – but we’re not powerless to stop it, Marianna Martines: the infuriating reason you’ve never heard of this brilliant 18th‑century composer, Local groups, clubs, events and services for you
DIY Ideas Dealing With Dampness Inside The Home
This Issue a look at how to prevent and treat dampness to keep your home free from creeping damp and the problems associated with this, including how this may impact on your and your family's health.
The Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 End of Financial Year Catalogue, which runs from May 27 to June 30 2026 - is filled with great bargains which may help you to keep the dampness out of your home. The Max Your Tax Back catalogue, available online, lists items that are great for businesses who need to replace assets in time to lodge these as write offs for this financial year, and available until June 30 as well.
