The Monday July 13 episode of the ABC’s Four Corners, “Unaffordable. Australia's broken housing promise”, outlined the transformation being turbocharged by the NSW Infill Affordable Housing Legislation, which allows an extra 30% floor area and 30% height if 10-15% of units are built as 'affordable' and kept as such for 15 years.
The Act is fatally flawed for its limited value in enabling people to actually be able to afford these rental units, has a devastating impact on locals already living in these places through the destruction of these places, is a boon for developers through bypassing of local planning controls, and is handing a large bill to future generations for remediation works when those approved in flood and fire zones require restoration of places so they are safe.
One example that epitomises what is happening is a DA that had been approved prior to the scheme coming in for 159-167 Darley Street West, Mona Vale. Originally for 41 units and four storeys in a known flood zone this became an SSD for 82 dwellings, over six stories and up to 21 metres in height with three levels of underground parking digging down into a creek, and got that percentage bonus through 10 of these to be allocated to 'affordable housing'. The State Significant Development comprises 26 x two -bedroom apartments and 56 x three-bedroom apartments.
The increase of 31 units represents a further huge profit margin uplift for this developer by incorporating affordable housing.
Median prices in Mona Vale are currently $2,765,000 for houses and $1,825,000 for units (although 3 bedrooms are selling for 2,900,000.00; June 18 2026, and some housing is selling for $2million per bedroom). The market records units in Mona Vale from July 2025 - June 2026 are having a 12 month growth of 35.2%.
The current Median price for renting a unit in Mona Vale is:
- 1 bed unit: $665 per week
- 2 bed unit: $850 per week
- 3 bed unit: $1,350 per week
In NSW “affordable” is defined as 80% of market rent, which would place these Darley street West units outside of the budget of the many of the people they are aimed at.
Link Wentworth is to be placed in charge of the 10 allocated affordable units. Link states its affordable housing rents are:
''typically calculated either at a 20% to 30% discount below the local market rent or set to roughly 30% of your total gross assessable household income. Actual weekly rent rates vary depending on the specific property and location.''
However, even with all these provisions, for those in the lower income brackets the rent will still be more than their after-tax take home income can afford. This makes the 'affordable rental market' in New South Wales skewed towards those with a higher income.
Dog attacking formerly resting seal at Long Reef Aquatic Reserve in November 2020 - a No Dogs area. Photo supplied
190x start point. Photo: A J Guesdon/PON
Residents of Avalon Beach are calling for the reversal of a liquor licence granted to Dan Murphy's, citing serious risks to community health, child safety, and local amenity.
The core problem, residents state, is a large-scale, discount liquor outlet has been approved for the 1-3 Careel Head Road site that sits directly beneath a childcare centre — normalising alcohol in a space designed for young children.
See May 2026 report: 491 square Metre Liquor shop at Careel Bay Shops Approved: NCAT Review Request May be lodged by Community
Development Application DA2024/1091, as amended, for the demolition works and construction of a mixed use development with basement parking comprising retail uses and a childcare centre at 1-3 Careel Head Road, Avalon Beach, was determined by the grant of consent and through a Land and Environment court action with the judgement handed down on September 4 2025.
The council requested the developers include a separate entry to the childcare centre.
The developers proposed a child care centre and 3 retail premises (one being a liquor store). An entry, separate from the liquor store, for the childcare centre now forms part of the proposal.
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Details at: lngnoticeboard.onegov.nsw.gov.au//APP-0015360276
The facts and what residents and authorities are saying:
• Already oversupplied. Local resident Karen Young points to the Pittwater Peninsula already being comprehensively serviced by packaged liquor outlets. Residents currently have access to multiple bottle shops, licensed clubs, hotels and a large Dan Murphy's store at Mona Vale. There is a substantial existing concentration of alcohol retail and licenses premises in the immediate vicinity of the proposed outlet. Avalon Beach has five existing bottle shops. No community need has been demonstrated for a sixth.
Those outlets are:
- Le Pont Clareville
- Palm Beach Wines
- Bilgola Cellars
- Mr Liquor Nth Avalon
- Avalon Brewery
- Winona Avalon
- Chambers Cellars Avalon
• Children at risk. Rick Stevens, a nearby resident and teacher of over 40 years highlights that; ‘the co-location of a Dan Murphy's packaged liquor outlet and a childcare centre conflict with NSW planning policy designed to protect children's health, safety, and security. Having a large liquor outlet operating alongside a childcare centre sends the wrong message'.
• A health district warning ignored. Northern Sydney Local Health District flagged that alcohol-related hospitalisations on the northern beaches run 65% above the NSW average. Emergency department alcohol presentations are 59% above the state rate. A large discount liquor outlet will make this worse.
• Validity of Licence The Northern Beaches Council objected to the issue of the liquor licence. Council raised concerns the liquor licence was issued based on incorrect plans, despite Council identifying the error. Confirmation has been requested concerning the position of Liquor and Gaming NSW concerning the validity of the Licence.
• Wrong street, wrong traffic. Nearby resident, Dr Helen Dauncey, expressed concern saying that, ‘’operating the site requires diverting vehicles from a main road into a narrow residential street used daily by families and children. This is a quiet street where kids ride bikes and families walk every day. Redirecting traffic here fundamentally changes its safety and character."
200 submissions. Overruled. The Careel Bay Residents Association points out that despite overwhelming community opposition, "convenience and choice" was given greater weight than harm minimisation and statutory protections under the Liquor Act 2007. The Association explains, "this isn't about opposing business — it's about ensuring developments don't come at the expense of community safety and wellbeing.
On Monday July 13 2026 the ACCC made a decision in favour of the Dan Murphy's going ahead. While this is a blow it does not impact an NCAT hearing, currently lodged by residents of Careel Bay, Avalon and Palm Beach, where Liquor & Gaming Authority decisions are assessed. The ACCC decision is also subject to review.
A local teenager has been reunited with his brand-new iPhone after an extraordinary community effort and a remarkable recovery at Mona Vale Beach.
Fifteen-year-old Jackson was beach fishing with three friends on the evening of 14 July 2026 when he accidentally lost his phone somewhere between the shoreline and where the group had set up.
As darkness fell, the boys searched extensively but were unable to locate the device. Using Apple's Find My iPhone feature, they could see the phone was still somewhere on the beach, but the GPS location was not precise. Meanwhile, the changing tides were slowly burying the phone beneath the sand and pulling it closer towards the ocean.
Determined to find it, the boys returned to Mona Vale Beach at 7.00 am the following morning armed with rakes and shovels. After several more hours of searching, they still had no luck.
Jackson's mum, Samantha, then turned to the local community for help, posting on Facebook to ask if anyone knew someone with a metal detector.
The post quickly reached Ring Rescues Australia, a specialist recovery service owned by Sean, who immediately recognised the urgency of the situation as the tides continued to shift.
Knowing every minute counted, Sean dispatched team member Dougal to Mona Vale Beach to assist.
Working alongside Jackson and his friends, Dougal carefully assessed the search area before conducting a systematic search using professional metal-detecting equipment.
Just 40 minutes later, Dougal detected a signal approximately 35 metres from where the phone was believed to have been lost.
Jackson dug about 15 centimetres into the sand before pulling out his iPhone to the cheers of his friends.
Overnight, the phone had been moved by the shifting sand and tides and was slowly making its way towards the surf. Had it not been recovered when it was, it may have disappeared into the ocean and been lost forever.
Samantha said she had begun to lose hope after the boys had spent hours searching on two separate occasions.
"I honestly didn't think we'd ever see the phone again. After everything the boys had done to find it, I thought it was gone for good. Watching Dougal locate it was incredible, and seeing Jackson pull it out of the sand was such an exciting moment. We are so grateful for the help we received."
The successful recovery has become a heart-warming example of community spirit, persistence and the value of local businesses stepping up to help when it matters most.
Jackson and his family have expressed their sincere thanks to Sean and Dougal from Ring Rescues Australia for their professionalism, rapid response and expertise, saying they turned what seemed like an impossible situation into an unforgettable success.
Profile of the Week Harrison Riley: a chat with Local Lad Currently Starring in 'COME ALIVE - The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular'Actor-Singer Harrison Riley is part of the cast of 'Come Alive', currently playing its final few weeks at Moore Park. The Sydney run has been extended a week and now finishes August 8 before touring the country, including Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne for a year-long run.
COME ALIVE! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular is an immersive theatrical event blending musical theatre and world-class circus acts. Set under the Big Top, it reimagines iconic hits like "This Is Me" and "A Million Dreams" with gravity-defying aerial feats, acrobatics, and live vocals. After a smash-hit debut in the UK and rave reviews in London, the blockbuster production is finally Down Under.
The show brings the world of The Greatest Showman to life with a massive cast, incredible choreography and jaw-dropping circus performances.
You can expect soaring acrobatics, heart-pounding stunts and show-stopping musical numbers. Meanwhile, the entire space transforms into an immersive circus world. With a seasoned creative team and performers from leading circus and theatre productions, and Matinee sessions on the weekends for families, Come Alive! delivers pure joy, spectacle and wonder for a day out you will never forget.
Harrison is playing 'Tex the Cowboy' in the production, however, this is not his first rodeo in musical theatre.
Although Trafalgar Park was given to the Newport community in the pre-Newport 'Township' era form the 1880's on, it is Newport Oval that has proved to be a gathering place for fun from the late 1950's on. Newport Oval has become the home of the Mona Vale Raiders during Winter and a place for cricket during the Spring and Summer. It has also hosted jazz festivals for decades, been where you rode your horse, where the community built a library for children and baby health centre, and where there is a small scout hall for youngsters. This Issue a look into Newport's other Village Green.
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Aquatics Newport SLSC's IRB Team Place 3rd in State Championships: NSW's Interstate Team Named + 2026 IRB Hull Competition now open
Pictures Katandra Bushland Sanctuary Season 2026 - Dedicated to the Study & Preservation of Native Flora & Fauna of the Warriewood, Mona Vale & Ingleside Area
Katandra is open to visitors 10am to 4pm every Sunday from July to October (inclusive). Group visits can be organised at alternative times. Please visit the Katandra Bushland Sanctuary website for more information.
Website: katandrabushlandsanctuary.com/home
Events Winter Market: Catherine Park, Scotland Island, Ladies Day at Narrabeen, PNHA Walks, Music at all compass points, Markets, Social Groups + more on!
Community News Vale Jason Farrell, Rally For Mona Vale, Pittwater Electorate Office Move, 2026 Australian Surf Rowers League Hall of Fame Inductee: Peter Spence, Plastic Free July, 2027 Australian of the Year Awards: Nominate, $5.5 million to keep our surf clubs beach ready!, now operational: Maritime Incident Response Truck, Marine Rescue Cottage Point Boat Safety Session for our Chinese Community: July 26, July Update: Protect Pittwater’s petition progress, Marine Rescue Broken Bay Trivia Night: August 8 at RMYC, Pittwater Motoring Enthusiasts Association 2026 AGM, Brookvale Public has a new pathway for gifted students, SNB Surf Sports Calendar for 2026-2027, Stop Lies in Political Advertising: NSW Parliament Petition, Proposed road reserve closure adjoining 8 Aperta Place, Beacon Hill (Lot 7 DP 236335), Cuppa and Connection at Narrabeen: July 28, Vietnam Veterans Day (Northern) 2026: August 16, Avalon Community Library Needs Volunteers, New Theatre Group seeks Volunteers: Mona Vale production, New lights for Boondah fields, New Bridge at Dee Why, Principal School Tour: Pittwater High School July 30, Manly’s kangaroo hops back to life, State Disaster Mitigation Plan Community Reference Group, Young Filmmakers Comp 2026, Leaping Livers Lapping the Narrabeen Lagoon: July 26, Wings & Tins Dee Why: Bands wanted!, Nominate an Environment Hero, Wakehurst Parkway: July Works Notification, Nominations Open for 2026 Australian Sailing Awards, Have your say: National Redress Scheme, Men’s Table in Avalon, Superhero Week 2026 for Bear Cottage, Polar Plunge at Dee Why: August 1, Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week: Perry and Rosie, Pittwater Residents Associations, Sports, Environment and Social Groups, Pittwater Offshore Newsletter, Local JP's, Report Wildlife
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Children Sunday Cartoon and Animations This week: Oscar Winning Short film about love and passage of time; Father and Daughter - by M. Dudok de Wit, Fishing at Curl Curl - 1952, How Australia Trained the Shipbuilders of the Future (1949), 2026 Premier's Reading Challenge, Curious Kids: Do whales fart? + Why do some foods taste good and others taste horrible? + Can scientists make a new element for the periodic table? + Why are our fingers different lengths? + Can you make a black hole in a laboratory?, Stories this week: Finn the Frog compiliation + 'Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll' read by Marissa Bode, Local activities and clubs for you
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DIY Ideas Winter Draught Stops To Lessen Your Power Bill & Keep The Home Warm as snow winds blow + 5 winter gardening jobs to set you up for a splendid Spring + the 'Roll into Winter' DIY Catalogue
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Food Sensational Hot Scones For Cold Winter Mornings and Afternoon Teas - warm everyone up with these Aussie classics
