community news: March 2023

March 26 - April 1  2023: Issue 577

This Issue: 

Front Page Issue 577 

2023 State Election Results: Too Close To Call For Seat Of Pittwater – Michael Regan Wins Wakehurst

Local Athletes Excel At 2023 Paddle Australia Canoe Sprint Championships: Named In Australian Teams For World Championships + Asia Pacific Cup - Come & Try Sprint Paddling!

Aquatics: Rig Recycle Launched In NSW: Leave Your Fishing Line + Old Rigs In These Recycling Bins - Save Our Local Seabirds & Turtles

Safeguard Mechanism Legislation: Dr. Scamps' Amendments

Alleged Importation Of Methylamphetamine Inside Industrial Magnet: Arrests At Ingleside - Strike Force Merfield

E-Bikes, E-Scooters - The Rise In Lithium Battery Fires: How To Keep Your Family Safe; Data collated from state fire departments indicate that more than 450 fires across Australia have been linked to lithium-ion batteries in the past 18 months. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently put out an issues paper calling for input on how to improve battery safety. Their report will be released later this year. In February 2023 a North Narrabeen father and son left their e-scooter to charge and a short time later found the device had ignited in their living room. An Eastgardens home has been fired this week, again as the result of an e-scooter lithium-ion fire. This Issue the list of FRNSW's measures to minimise you and your family's exposure to hazards 

Avalon Beach Norfolk Pines: To Honour Those Who Served – Anzac Day 2023 History Precursors

Pictures: Out & About: March 2023 - Taking 'Out & About ' To W.A.: 2023 Aussies, Rotary District Conference In Cowra, Connecting Women At Pittwater RSL, Pittwater Artists Trail 2023: Combined Newport Exhibition, Avalon Beach Shared Space On A Saturday Morning, It's A Democracy! - The 2023 NSW State Election

A Journey In India, Part 1 by Robyn McWilliam

Park Bench Philosophers Urgent Climate Action Can Secure A Liveable Future For All: 2023 IPPC 'Synthesis Report' + IPCC report: the world must cut emissions and urgently adapt to the new climate realities + ‘It can be done. It must be done’: IPCC delivers definitive report on climate change, and where to now

Art News: March 2023 - Mural Painting At Mona Vale, Narrabeen Artist Releases New Music: 'Hill',  Pittwater Artists Trail Group Exhibition 2023: Newport Community Centre, StreetWork NB + Community NB Art, 2023 Environmental Art & Design Prize + 2023 Creative Open: Call For Artists Now Open, Pittwater Artists & Craftsman Exhibition April 2023, Rotary Club Of Upper Northern Beaches 2023 Art Show Opening Night report. Exhibitions - Events: Colours Within Nature This March In Mona Vale Creative Space: Zenabi Pixels + Journaling With The Artful Bea + Express Yourself 2023 at the MAG&M + ART Gallery On Palm Beach Award winning Artists works in a gallery run by Artists 

2023 Environmental Art & Design Prize + 2023 Creative Open: Call For Artists Now Open For Your Entries + Ideas - Creative Open entries close April 21  Environmental Art & Design Prize entries close Sunday, May 14

Environment Varroa Mite Spread: Palm Beach - Whale Beach Now In Eradication Zone: Local Beekeeper's Hives Safe So Far, Australia’s 2023 Eucalypt Of The Year Is The Angophora Costata!, Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre March 2023 Updates: Native Bees Are Back At Kimbriki + Clean Water Diversion System, Swamp Wallaby At Palm Beach, Westleigh Park - Critically Endangered Forest - POM Open For Feedback By Hornsby Council Until April 8, Calling All Citizen Scientists: Hunt For Shark Egg Cases Launches In Australia, Cat Owners Encouraged To Keep Their Pets Safe At Home, Black Summer Vigil For Wildlife: April 2nd, Permaculture Northern Beaches - Upcoming Events, Report Fox Sightings, Weed Of The Week: Cassia - Please Pull Out and Save Our Bush, New 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, Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities, Federal Government States It Is Using Every Tool In The Box To Conserve More Of Our Iconic Landscapes; Invites Feedback On Framework, Australia’s 116 new coal oil and gas projects equate to 215 new coal power stations, Species don’t live in isolation: what changing threats to 4 marsupials tell us about the future, How did millions of fish die gasping in the Darling – after three years of rain?, How did millions of fish die gasping in the Darling – after three years of rain?, Stressed Out: Mapping The Human Footprint On Coastal Areas Globally, What is myrtle rust and why has this disease closed Lord Howe Island to visitors?, New research reveals how forests reduce their own bushfire risk if they’re left alone, The Great Southern Reef is in more trouble than the Great Barrier Reef, Fishing for data: commercial fishers help monitor rising temperatures in coastal seas, Why bioplastics won’t solve our plastic problems, Antarctic ice age survival story: life seeking ice-free refuges imitates art in Ice Age the movie, Participation income: the social welfare model that could help communities fight climate change, Pittwater Reserves: Histories + Notes + Pictorial Walks, Where to recycle plastic bread tags, Common Crow Butterfly Euploea Core

Inbox News The housing and homelessness crisis in NSW explained in 9 charts, Tackling The Housing Crisis: New Report Outlines Comprehensive Strategy, Real-World Studies Confirm Effectiveness Of Bulevirtide To Treat Chronic Hepatitis D, High Rates Of Physical And Mental Health Problems Found In Children Held In Detention On Nauru: Study, Humans Are Altering The Diet Of Tasmanian Devils; Which May Accelerate Their Decline, Bird Flu Associated With Hundreds Of Seal Deaths In New England In 2022, Jellyfish Size Might Influence Their Nutritional Value, Recycling: Researchers Separate Cotton From Polyester In Blended Fabric, Mind-Control Robots A Reality, Origin and Evolution Of The Grapevine, Warringah Zone School Surfing, Congratulations Sateki Latu: Waratahs Cap, TEXStyle 2023, The 2023 TEA Textile Art Piece (TAP) Challenge, A History Of Pittwater Part 4: West Head - West Head Fortress Remastered 2023, Calling All Citizen Scientists: Hunt For Shark Egg Cases Launches In Australia, Scouts Are Out & About, Avalon Youth Hub In Avalon Beach: Join Us!, Major Upgrade Of Athlete Change Rooms Ahead Of FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™, Northern Composure Band Competition 2023, School Leavers Support, Word Of The Week: Textile, AI tools are generating convincing misinformation; Engaging with them means being on high alert, Gen Z grew up in a world filled with ugly fashion – no wonder they love their Crocs, Tangy apricot Bavarian whip, fried rice medley and bombe Alaska: what Australia’s first food influencer had us cooking, New asteroid sample study offers further hints of space origin for the building blocks of life on Earth, 25-million-year-old fossils of a bizarre possum and strange wombat relative reveal Australia’s hidden past, ‘Cultural expression through dress’: towards a definition of First Nations fashion, Determined survival, desperate poverty and fractured families: the stories of Australia’s convict orphans, 5 Indigenous engineering feats you should know about, Seniors Call For Fairer Pension Indexation, A History Of Pittwater Part 4: West Head - West Head Fortress Remastered 2023, We now know exactly what question the Voice referendum will ask Australians. A constitutional law expert explains, Government States New Bill Increases Aged Care Transparency, Older Australians’ Health Put At Risk By Lack Of Government Action On Dental Care, Why is my loved one with dementia sometimes ‘there’ and sometimes not?, Common Crow Butterfly Euploea Core

Profile of the Week Margaret Cliff OAM

The Netball Season commences April 2nd in 2023. The Manly Warringah Netball Association, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015, has over 5000 members and fields 519 Teams in the primary Winter competition. 

All of these teams' coaches, managers, referees, committees and grounds markers for matches, those who work to ensure a smooth running of a season from Game 1 to Grand Finals, are volunteers. Alike all of our local Winter Sports, these clubs would not exist without the passion and dedication of the people who put in work before the Season and throughout it - even working long after the last whistle has sounded on Summer training and fun camps and competitions

Warriewood resident Margaret Cliff is a bit of a legend in our community - for her decades of service to the sport of Netball and for her work as the Former Secretary of the Forestville RSL War Memorial Playing Fields Community Committee. At 84 years young Margaret states she has no intention of not continuing to help out the younger players who still seek out her knowledge and experience.

A few years ago Cr.s De Luca and Sprott tabled a Motion to Council;

That in recognition of the long service and outstanding work for the people of Frenchs Forest in the area of netball, Council writes to the Geographical Names Board of NSW and associated State Government departments requesting the newly refurbished netball courts at Melwood Oval be named the Margaret Cliff Netball Courts. 

In providing background notes they stated;

Margaret Cliff is a Life Member and a stalwart of Forest Netball Club, where she has served for 49 years and is also a current committee member of the Forestville RSL Memorial Playing Fields Committee (formerly a section 534A Local Government Act committee). She has held a position on this Committee in excess of 23 years. 

Margaret has also been a valued Executive Member of Manly Warringah Netball Association for in excess of 25 years, retiring this year, but is still an “Active Life Member,” on various subcommittees and looking after the Association’s history. With the recent completion of the new courts at Forestville, the Club’s Committee thought it would be a worthy gesture to acknowledge her for her contribution to both Forest Netball Club and the community. As the “memorial bench” is now out of the question, this motion seeks support to name the netball complex, which is within the boundaries of the Memorial Playing Fields, in her honour, with something along the lines of “The Margaret Cliff Netball Courts”. 

This week, to sound a first blast for the 2023 Netball Season, a few insights from, about and by a lady who has seen the sport evolve in our area.

Announced by Eucalypt Australia on March 23 2023, and during its 10th year, this wonderful tree can be seen throughout our area and is so loved one of our early Reserves is named for one example, which sadly fell back to earth in 2022, after a long life, just last year in Angophora Reserve at Avalon Beach -  which runs as the History feature this Issues as a special extra celebration.

Known as ​​kajimbourra by the Dharawal people, the Sydney Red Gum is synonymous with the sandstone escarpments of the Greater Sydney region, where it grows in woodlands on shallow, sandy soils. Also known as the Smooth-barked Apple, the species is distributed from Bodalla on the NSW South Coast to Coffs Harbour (NSW North Coast), from the coast to adjacent inland ranges. Interestingly, there are disjunct populations on sandstone escarpments west of Townsville, suggesting a wider historic distribution. 

The genus Angophora is closely allied to Corymbia and Eucalyptus (family Myrtaceae) but differs in that it usually has opposite leaves and possesses overlapping, pointed calyx lobes instead of the operculum or lid on the flower buds found in those genera. So it is not, strictly speaking, a eucalypt.

This week a few insights into a great tree and the reserve named for one of its members.

Pittwater Offshore Newsletter: March 1, 2023

Click on Logo to access the latest PON:  

To contact Roy:  editor@scotlandisland.org.au

Contents March 1st Issue: Scotland Island's Tree Canopy: is it really dying? - The Rec Centre Playground: looking after an important island asset - The Dark Side of the Moon: a review - Fire Shed Dinner: Elvina Bay - Clean Up Australia Day, 2023 - International Women's Day: Voices - The Tuesday Discussion Group - International Folk Dancing - Scotland Island Café - Graeme Crayford Memorial Run / Walk - Feast for Freedom - Two Catherines: The Scotland Island Play - Scotland Island house for rent - Request for information: MV Beaver

Vale Denzil Joyce OAM

1930-2023
Life Member 
Manly-Warringah Rugby League Football Club


It is with great sadness that MWRLFC informs our community that Denzil Joyce has died at the age of 92. Mr Joyce was made Life Member #17 of the Manly Referees Association in 1964. His contribution also extends to the Manly Warringah Junior League and Manly Warringah District Club.

Manly Referees Association along with the MWRLFC extend our deepest condolences to his wife Judy, Family and Friends. 

Denzil was 92 years old.

Denzil Joyce OAM via the Manly Warringah Sporting Union (est. 1964) brought order and control to all field sports in our area where chaos would otherwise prevail. Denzil was the President of this organisation for 29 years, his system is used all over Australia and New Zealand. 

Denzil was recognised for his contribution to the community and an Oval at North Curl Curl was named in honour of him.

Denzil was a GIANT of our Community. He built the dressing sheds and the Jane Try Stand at Brookvale Oval. 
Some of Denzil's achievements and recognitions include:

1957–61, 69–84 MWRLFC Committee Member.
1957 MW Junior RL Secretary.
1960 MW Junior RL Life Member.
1962 MW Junior RL President.
1964–93 MW Sporting Union President.
1976 Warringah Community Service Award.
1978 MWRLFC Life Member.
1978 MW RL Referees Association Life Member.
1978 South Curl Curl SLSC Life Member.
1978–82 South Curl Curl SLSC President.
1979 MW Sporting Union Life Member.
1989 Order of Australia Medal (Services to Community)
1997 Warringah Community Service Award.
1997 Pittwater Community Service Award.


Vale Michael Byrnes OAM 


It is with great sadness that we inform the community of the passing of a truly significant surf lifesaver, a former President of Surf Life Saving NSW and Avalon Beach SLSC stalwart, Michael Byrnes.  

Michael completed his Bronze Medallion in 1953 and held many positions at his beloved club including Vice Captain, Chief Instructor, Chief Steward, Assistant Secretary, Registrar, Race Secretary, Publicity Officer as well as being part of the General Committee and Judiciary Committee.

Michael was a Life Member of Avalon Beach SLSC, Sydney Northern Beaches Branch, SLSNSW and SLSA.

At a Branch level he held roles including Deputy Superintendent, Secretary of the Board of Examiners, Branch Team Manager, State Centre Management Delegate, Registrar for the Board of Examiners, Assistant Treasurer, and Liaison Officer to Metropolitan. He served on the Selection Committee, Constitution Committee, Judiciary Committee, Finance Committee, Boat Committee, Life Saving Committee, Gear Improvement Committee, Gear Inspection Committee and Boat Rowers’ Committee.

At a State level Michael served as Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Trustee. He served on the Constitution Committee, Finance Committee, Herald Gear Fund Committee, Finance/Herald Gear Fund Committee and Selection Committee. He was elected President of Surf Life Saving NSW and served from 1984-1989.

Over his many, many years of service he has been an Assessor, Examiner and Official. In 2011 he received a 50+ Years of Officiating Service award. In 1999 Michael was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to Surf Life Saving.

Members like Michael are the bedrock on which the current Surf Life Saving movement is founded. The organisation is richer for having him serve in his many capacities across so many decades. His passing is a huge loss to us all.

Our thoughts and best wishes are with his family during this time.

Michael's Service will be held Monday April 3rd at 2:30 pm at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium, 199 Delhi Road, North Ryde.

Avalon Beach SLSC

Local Artist Releases 'Hill'

Congratulations to Elsa Cleary (17) from Narrabeen who has released her song “Hill” On March 23rd, 2023. Orders available now https://noisehive.ffm.to/hill

''Hill is a song about the imagination, solace and yearning within the serenity of nature. I hope to encapsulate the beauty of ephemeral moments in time made permanent within music through my song Hill.''

Inspired by the rolling hills of Western River, Kangaroo Island.

The duet is sung by Elsa Marilyn and Gordon Mitchie (aka gordy).
The video was filmed on location in and around Lithgow NSW.
Written By -  Elsa Marilyn
Music Video - Sanet Lindeque for Platinum Artist Development 
Audio - Phillipe Marc Anquetil

Mona Vale Raiders: Canteen Manager Wanted

We are looking for a Canteen Manager, if you are interested or know of anyone please contact secretary@monavalerugbyleague.com.au

Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club News

The Open Skiff Narrabeen Cup was a tremendous success on Saturday March 11. The wind and the weather made for perfect sailing conditions for the 40 junior sailors who competed.  

The sailors were divided into three categories - competent, intermediate and beginners. The day began with a fun race before the wind picked up. The two top fleets competed in four races and medals were awarded for placings. The beginners were given encouragement awards in the categories of best performance, most improved and most enthusiastic! 

We are looking forward to our next big event on the lake, the Heron Junior NSW Championships which will be held over the weekend of the 25th and 26th March. Our Sailing season culminating on the 16th of April. 

During the upcoming Autumn School holidays we will have a Sailing School.




New Wave Mural At Mona Vale

Patrick Hunter Inkhunter our local mural artist is painting a huge blue wave on the side of our Mona Vale office on Pittwater Rd, Patrick has produced a great design with some bold colours and it is going to look amazing. 




Our office building on the corner or Pittwater and Mona vale roads which is 100 years old has had a number of different murals of waves on the side since the 1980's and is very iconic for the area, it is with pleasure that Spannenberg and Son have teamed up with Patrick Hunter to keep the vision alive.
Look out for the finished product coming soon.

Spannenberg and Son Pty Ltd

Broken Bay Island Series Win For RPAYC

The inaugural Broken Bay Islands Series was between the RPAYC, RMYC, Gosford Sailing Club, PAC and ASC.
 
The event attracted over 48 entries, with courses sailing in the beautiful Pittwater, Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury estuary. At the end of the series, the leading club was RPAYC, pictured here with the BBIS trophy for the top overall club.
 
RPAYC looks forward to welcoming all the competitors from this series to the Lion Island series sailed over the coming months.

View the full results HERE 


Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade: Recruiting 

Do you live in Ingleside, Elanora Heights, Bayview Heights, Warriewood Valley? We want you in our circle. 

NEXT INFORMATION EVENING MARCH 30TH 2023. Info: https://www.inglesiderfs.org.au
Register to attend Information evening HERE

About us:
Respond to 80-100 calls per year being bushfires, structure fires, car accidents & storm damage.
We are after new volunteers who:
  • Want to assist the community and meet new people. Have an interest in learning new skills. Available to assist with incident calls when available.
  • The Rural Fire Service will provide you with: Comprehensive initial training and an ongoing skills development path.
  • All equipment & clothing.
  • An opportunity to meet and contribute to the community with likeminded people.

Recreational Fishing Trusts Grant For Long Reef

All money raised by the NSW Recreational Fishing Licence Fee is placed into the Recreational Fishing Trusts and spent on improving recreational fishing in NSW. These trusts are regulated by law and two committees made up of recreational fishers - one for saltwater and one for freshwater - make recommendations on expenditure priorities.

Latest projects approved for funding from the Recreational Fishing Trusts include under the Platform for 2022/23: Recreational fishing education - 

Long Reef Fishing Club – Winches Restoration Project
Overseen by Long Reef Fisherman’s Club Committee

Project Summary: Long Reef Fisherman’s Club is the oldest fishing club in NSW. Its publicly accessible historic winches would be preserved and a storyboard would be created about the history of fishing in the area for the public to view. Amount of Grant: $29,500.00

Priority areas for funding opportunities Recreational Fishing Trust Investment Plan 2021/22 – 2023/24 as of December 2022:
  1. Fishing enhancement – e.g. fish aggregating devices, artificial reefs and fish stocking.
  2. Education – e.g. fishing workshops, Fishcare volunteers, schools education, fishing advisory, increasing participation in recreational fishing.
  3. Fishing access and facilities – e.g. fishing platforms, cleaning tables, safety infrastructure & other facilities, protecting fishing access.
  4. Aquatic habitat rehabilitation – e.g. habitat action grants to improve fish habitat.
  5. Research on recreational fishing – e.g. fishing surveys, stock assessment, angler catch projects.
  6. Enforcement of fishing rules – fisheries officers

Note: SW and FW denote the Saltwater and Freshwater Trusts, respectively. Amounts shown are the approved funds for each project


Photo: Looking east from Fisherman’s Beach – 1920’s, courtesy Reef Care Long Reef

Roadworks

Narrabeen
Pittwater Road between Albert Street and Wakehurst Parkway; Wed 15 Mar to Fri 31 Mar 2023 - 10:00pm to 5:00am.
Traffic affected both directions. Reduced speed limit (40km/h), Check signage, Exercise caution. Traffic lights at the intersection of Pittwater Rd and Waterloo St will be blacked out with alternating (stop/slow) traffic conditions in place. Reduced speed limit (40km/h), Exercise caution, Check signage

Balgowlah Road works: Road closed both directions.
Sydney Road between Woodland Street and Condamine Street: Mon 20 Mar 2023 to Thu 6 Apr 2023 - Monday to Wednesday 9:00pm to 5:00am. Road will be closed both directions.
SCHEDULED ROADWORK: Tower Crane Installation.
Diversions:
Eastbound: Woodland St, Balgowlah Rd, Condamine St, Sydney Rd.
Westbound: Condamine St, White St, Woodland St, Sydney Rd.


StreetWork NB + Community NB Art

Community Northern Beaches offered Streetwork the opportunity to create aerosol art, on the large panels outside their Raglan Street Centre in Manly. One of our talented young people, together with local aerosol artist Pasio (Instagram @sam_pasio), created BRAVE - a word that perfectly suits the young people in our Kickstart mentoring program.



If you're on the Northern Beaches pop down and take a look at BRAVE and watch out for future works around similar themes. A massive thanks to those who created and displayed this inspirational message.

StreetWork
March 23, 2023

About Community Northern Beaches 
We are a community-based organisation supporting vulnerable and at-risk people with a range of services for domestic & family violence, homelessness, refugees and families, youth and children.

Since 1977 we have been serving the Northern Beaches community and were previously known as Manly Community Centre.

We’re now called Community Northern Beaches. We are a small local community-based organisation supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people. We’re often the first point of contact for people experiencing homelessness, domestic & family violence and refugee settlement challenges.

We also focus on targeted earlier intervention with families, youth and children to make the biggest difference early on.

Our Community Hub Drop-in also enables us to foster meaningful connections to assist people in crisis with their immediate needs and help connect them to support.
More at: www.cnb.org.au

About StreetWork 
Founded in 1980 by Peter Hobbs, OAM, StreetWork’s early intervention and prevention program has turned young lives around for over 40 years.

Peter's belief that youth mentors should be accessible to young people is still relevant today. Our trained youth case workers meet young people in parks and cafes, outside - in the street – rather than an office. That's why we are called 'StreetWork.'

“When I started StreetWork I witnessed a gap in services to youth-at-risk who, in increasing numbers were ending up homeless, addicted, or committing youth crime and sentenced to time in juvenile detention or in prison.  What was needed was support - on the ground - when young people first showed signs of disconnection” explains Peter.

Forty years after its launch, StreetWork has grown and now serves the Northern Sydney Region. Because community connections are important to our success, StreetWork is supported by local boards with deep links into local businesses, clubs, banks, churches, and volunteers - who care about improving the physical and mental wellbeing of vulnerable young people.

Northern Beaches Board:
Jane Vincent (Co-Chairperson)
Phil Loveday (Co-Chairperson)
Scott Atkinson
Dominic Guy
Andrew Hottes
Phillip Loveday
Rob Madden
Austin Kimble
John Barker
Marg Murden
Sonya Mears
Thomas Dent (Youth Services Manager)

Ambassadors
Tani Ruckle 
Michael Lynch  
Mike Pawley

Founding Partner - Bronze Sponsor
Tribe Tech

Monika's Doggie Rescue: Pets Of The Week

Alex


German Shepherd X Labrador
About 9 years old

Alex is a lovely mature gentleman. He walks well on loose lead and much stronger than you would expect. He can bark at some dogs going past. He came from the pound with little hair on his back and ear infections however both have improved substantially. He knows sit and is well mannered around people. He can be snatchy with treats. He would be best as the only dog in the household. He has a short coat and weighs 28.8kg.

Bella


Domestic Short Hair
About 6 years old

Bella is a gentle sweet girl who was returned after her owner died. She is used to a quiet calm life and is a little shy at the shelter. She has a short coat and weighs 4.1kg. All our cats come desexed, wormed, F3 vaccinated, FIV/FeLV tested if over 6 months old and microchipped.

To find out more call DoggieRescue on 9486 3133 or email  Monika@DoggieRescue.com.  RON R251000024

Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary Stalls 

The Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary members are having a stall at Pittwater Place on the first Saturday of every month from 9am to 3pm selling knitting for babies and children, beanies, bedsocks and scarves for oldies, sewing items, craft and jams, raising funds for the rehabilitation and palliative care units.

Autumn School Holidays Pittwater Online News Publication Schedule

Please be advised that Issue 578 will be published Sunday April 2nd and that Issue 579 will be published Sunday April 16th.

If you have events posters, Notices or anything you want 'in' the School Holidays  Easter Break Issue (578), please get it to PON by March 31st. 

Items/news/events will be added in between these Issues BUT they will not be listed in the Issue Notice sent out to all subscribers lists on Sunday April 2nd.


Thank you very much.


Sally Mayman's Profile: Runs Sunday April 2nd

For those wondering 'where is Sally Mayman's Profile', the initial interview and transcription of same has been completed. However, the Profilee and the editor are currently 'working on finessing this' as they aim to publish a definitive record, given the high rate of revisits to reports/stores made permanent by this news service, especially Profiles.

Both have committed to finalising this in time to run on Sunday April 2nd - Issue 578. Apologies for the delay - it's coming!


Left to right: BHS's Sandy Chockman, Sally Mayman and Corey Kirk at the opening of the Barley Ki Giballee: You And Me Come Together Exhibition Photo: AJG

Interim CEO Appointed To Northern Beaches Council: Louise Kerr

Northern Beaches Council has appointed senior executive leadership expert Louise Kerr as interim CEO. Ms Kerr is currently the Director of Planning and Place at Council and has close to 30 years of experience in local government.

Prior to working at Northern Beaches Council, Louise held senior leadership positions at large metropolitan councils including City of Sydney and City of Parramatta. 

Ms Kerr steps into the role of interim CEO from 25 March 2023.  This follows the announcement from outgoing CEO Ray Brownlee that he will return to Randwick City Council.

Scam Alert: Telstra Impersonation Emails

From ACMA
Have you received an unexpected email from Telstra asking you to complete a form to avoid disruption or cancellation of your service? Be wary – it may be a scam!

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is aware of an emerging email scam that uses Telstra’s branding and advises recipients to complete a KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance form. The email falsely advises that this is required due to a new ACMA policy.

If you’ve received this email do not download or open the attachment or any links in the message.

If you are in any doubt about whether an email you have received from Telstra is genuine, contact Telstra via its publicly available contact details or verified app.

Telstra has more information about how to identify a legitimate email on their website: www.telstra.com.au/cyber-security-and-safety/active-scams

If you believe you are victim of a cybercrime, go to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au: www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/report

Scammers target everyone. Learn more about how to protect yourself from phone scams on the ACMA website and make a report to Scamwatch


In Tune With Tony B

In Tune is a radio programme about our local community, culture and home-grown music, hosted by TonyB.
 
Each week, Tony plays great local music and he chats with guests from local community causes and charities, about how they make a difference.
 
In his next programme on Friday 31st March 2023 at 6pm, Tony chats with Kimberly Clouthier from Share The Spark. Share the Spark is a non-profit on the Northern Beaches of Australia focused on helping youth find the SPARK that leads towards a fulfilling life.


Tony and Kimberly

The programme will also feature a great line up of predominantly home-grown music.
 
Radio Northern Beaches
Fridays at 6pm
FM 88.7 or 90.3
Or live stream at https://www.rnb.org.au
Previous programmes, on demand at https://www.mixcloud.com/InTuneWithTonyB
If you would like to chat with Tony on air about your community cause or your music, please feel free to message the Facebook page  In Tune - Radio Programme | Facebook and feel free to like and share the page.

Northern Beaches Chorus: Going The Distance

"You are invited to help us "Go the Distance" to the May 2023 Brisbane competition and enjoy an afternoon of entertainment with Northern Beaches Chorus. 

We are so excited to be getting back to live competition now we are emerging from the pandemic. But we need the performance practice in front of a live audience - you! Plus we have nine brand new members who we are excited to introduce to you and to the joy of performing.

Join us at 3pm on Sunday 2nd April at the Warringah Mall Community Rooms. Entrance is by donation and there will be afternoon tea and raffles. Cash preferred and credit card accepted. See you there!"


Congratulations Sateki Latu: Waratahs Cap

Congratulations to Sateki Latu, former Forest HS Sports Captain (2016), where he represented at NSWCHSSA Rugby and former Warringah Rugby player Sateki Latu, Prop, who joined the Colts program and was awarded the 2019 Mal Grey Trophy - Best & Fairest Player (1st Grade), on being selected for the Waratahs. 

Waratahs: Congratulations to our newest capped Waratah Sateki Latu - Waratah No. 1721.

On March 10th 2023 he made his Super Rugby debut against Melbourne's Rebels. Despite the Waratahs not triumphing that time, Sateki was grateful for his run and that all the hard work and passion he has put into his sport is paying off.

In 2022 Sateki was among a selection of eight Shute Shield players a practice match against an ACT Brumbies XV at St Edmunds College in Canberra on Saturday 24 September.
A strong proponent of the Shute Shield, Waratahs Head Coach Darren Coleman was delighted to invite eight of the strongest performers in the competition to help bolster the numbers for the match.

“We are fortunate in NSW to have the Shute Shield which we believe is the strongest club competition in Australia and our first port of call for talent. It is, and always will be, the lifeblood of the Waratahs and Australian rugby,” Coleman said

“We wanted to use this match as a means to have a look at some players that were both position appropriate and had dominant club seasons and provide an opportunity for them to come into our environment, get to know them, in case we hit some injuries in the future”

The Shute Shield players joined the Waratahs squad, allowing them to acquaint themselves with the coaching staff and team in the weeks leading up to the match.
Shute Shield players joining the Waratahs for the clash with the Brumbies XV were: Sateki Latu (Warringah), Ben Houston (Randwick), Ratu Tuisese (Eastwood), Hunter Ward (Manly), Michael Icely (Eastwood), Jack McGregor (Gordon), Alex Pohla (Gordon), James Hendren (Randwick), Dan O'Brien (Randwick), Esera Chee-Kam (Warringah).

Congratulations Sateki - !

Letters To The Editor

Letters should preferably be 150 to 175 words, but considering the magazines inability to word limit itself - that remains optional.
Letters must include the writer's address and phone number and 'permission to publish'.
Letters should not contain attachments - these will be requested if required to illustrate content/subject.
Letters should be exclusive to Pittwater Online News.

The editor's prerogative includes editing letters for length, grammar or legal reasons, among other considerations. 

Conservation Zones Review And Technical Studies Update

We are writing to let you know that the following reports are available on our project website:
There are three reports:
  1. Snapshot of the consultation report – A quick overview of the issues raised in the submissions and the engagement approach.
  2. Consultation Report – A complete summary of the key issues raised in the submissions and Council’s response.
  3. Submissions – All of the submissions received during the consultation.
What are we doing now?
  • We are currently investigating changes to the methodology that could address concerns raised by the community.
  • We are meeting with the Department of Planning and Environment to discuss the Review, the submissions received, and possible changes. This is important because the Department will have the final say about any proposed zoning changes resulting from the Review.
  • We will be undertaking site inspections in certain circumstances where a dispute remains about the mapping of criteria used in the Conservation Zones Review methodology. We will be engaging appropriate consultants to assist with these inspections, which we expect will commence in May 2023. We will contact relevant landowners about any proposed site inspections.
The next steps will involve: 
  • Finalising changes to the methodology of the Review, in conjunction with the Department of Planning and Environment and relevant state agencies.
  • Undertaking site inspections with relevant landowners to resolve remaining mapping disputes.
  • Preparing a Planning Proposal for the new Northern Beaches Local Environmental Plan (LEP) which incorporates the outcomes from this work to be considered by Council and subsequent public exhibition and community feedback in 2023/2024.
Thank you for your continued interest in this project. If you require any assistance, please contact:
Strategic and Place Planning team
Ph: 1300 434 434 

Energy Efficient Grants For Local Businesses

From Dr Sophie Scamps - MP for Mackellar
If you're a small to medium business looking to upgrade inefficient equipment, now is the time to consider applying for the Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. 

These grants will support businesses to upgrade equipment to improve their energy efficiency, reduce their energy use and manage energy cost volatility in the long term. 

Visit bit.ly/3FyTPgU for more information on eligibility and how to apply. 

Closes Wednesday 19 April 2023.


Rig Recycle: Fishing Gear Items

Are you tired of seeing fishing gear and packaging waste end up in landfill? (or killing local seabirds and turtles?)
Rig Recycle is the first Australian initiative that collects recreational fishing and packaging items and diverts them from landfill through a repair, reuse and recycle framework.

In partnership with Recycle Mate, they've made it even easier to recycle your fishing gear waste! Simply search for your nearest Rig Recycle bin on their app. 

Don't have one at your local fishing store? Let them know and they will reach out to them themselves.♻️
Visit their website for more information. Visit: www.rigrecycle.org
More in this Issue's Aquatics Feature.


Report Hate Crimes

NSW Police Force: 
If you are subjected to hate on social media or online you should keep evidence by taking screen shots of the abuse including usernames, URLs and any other relevant information. 

You can report the abuse directly to the platform and report in person at any Police Station. 

If you witness a hate incident or hate crime but are not the victim, you can still make a report to the NSW Police.

In an Emergency call Triple Zero (000). If not urgent, you can report online at crimestoppers.com.au or call 1800 333 000 or report in person at any Police Station. 

Finding Help To Pay Your Bills

For many it’s getting to the stage where you feel sick to your stomach walking to your letterbox or opening your email. You know there’s going to be yet another bill in there costing you more money that you don’t have. The bills are relentless.  

Take a deep breath. You have some options.  

At the end of the day, the biller just wants to be paid
When facing the constant, never-ending deluge of bills that we all receive, it is very easy to forget the fundamental truth: the biller just wants to be paid. Yes, they want to be paid their money in a timely manner, but as they consolidate their own debts, it is in their interest that you pay your money at a later point than not at all. 

As a person struggling to stay on top of your bills, it is always worth keeping this in mind. As long as a company wants to see its debt paid, there will always be a pathway forward.  

To encourage people to pay their bills on time, it is becoming increasingly common for bills to offer an ‘on-time’ discount. Pay your bills by the due date and you’ll pay less.  

On-time discounts are a strong incentive for many. But, for those struggling to find the money to pay those bills it makes little to no difference. 

Many government agencies and utility companies will offer the ability to apply for a bill extension or instalment plan to pay off a bill. If you know times are tough right now, but that you will have access to more money at a future date, then this can be a good way to defer your debts for a limited time period. You can usually find details about such deferral schemes on the back of the bill you receive or on the website of the biller. 

Different types of bills deliver different relief solutions
For many organisations when they talk about offering relief to people with difficulty meeting bill obligations, they will refer to their relief solutions. Quite often what they are talking about here is putting customers onto an instalment plan to pay off their bill. 

Bill payment relief can take multiple forms. For example, many Queensland local councils can refer citizens to the Independent Rates Relief Tribunal which can provide assistance to people having difficulty meeting basic living expenses. To be eligible for assistance like this, the applicants must reside at the residence where the rates are due and own just the one property, among several restrictions. 

Some companies are better about the level of support they offer than others. An example of a company that offers a really good service to its customers facing financial hardship is energy provider AGL. Ultimately, it is still a company which is doing what it can to see bills paid, but it goes the extra step with advice and options to try to keep ahead of debt. 

It offers the ‘Staying Connected’ program, where consultants assist customers with: 

Tailored plans that match the customer’s situation to put them on a payment plan. 
Advice on payment options, government assistance, and available concessions. 
Connecting customers with free and independent financial counselling and support services. 
Advice on energy efficiency to bring bill prices down. 

Real help you can use
Deferring payments or entering instalment plans is not a long-term solution. After all, it may fix the problem of the current bill, but next month or quarter, another bill will land in your letterbox. While deferring your immediate debts, you need to find a solution that can help you meet your bill obligations into the future. 

The best thing you can do is to call the government-run National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. It runs Mon-Fri 9:30am - 4:30pm. They will help you with general financial suggestions, but also advise on consumer rights and other related issues. Indigenous Australians might prefer to call the similar Mob Strong Debt Helpline on 1800 808 488.  

You may also be able to access further assistance through charities and other community organisations who offer emergency relief services like: 
  • Food vouchers / supplies. 
  • Assistance with utility bills.
  • Clothing and furniture.
Don't let your health be impacted
Anyone who tries telling you that money doesn’t buy happiness is someone who hasn’t felt the mental stress of a debt spiral.  

People having trouble paying their bills can find that they: 
  • Are constantly stressed and irritable. 
  • Have difficulty sleeping. 
  • Find solace in substance abuse like alcohol and drugs.
  • Cease spending money on healthcare (therapies, medication, and other treatments) to try to pay off debt.
  • Overspend (often using credit cards) to feel better about the stress that they feel. 
Just as you can get free help to combat your debt, there are several services available to help you with your mental health. Beyond Blue is the largest and most well-known organisation that can help with mental health. You can talk to counsellors via their website www.beyondblue.org.au or over the phone 1300 22 4636.  

There are also other services that can help. If you are still in employment, many businesses offer their staff free access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). There are also specialised services like MensLine Australia that are focused on assisting with men’s mental health issues. 

Disclaimer
All insights and information provided should be considered general advice for educational purposes only. As we are unaware of your personal circumstances, the information in this article should not be misconstrued as personalised financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified financial professional before making any major financial decisions. 

March 19 - 25  2023: Issue 576

This Issue:  

Front Page Issue 576 

MoWaNa Safe Space Officially Launched By Safe Space Community Champions

Warriewood Wetlands - Creeks Deteriorating: How To Report Construction Site Breaches, Weed Infestations + The Long Campaign To Save The Warriewood Wetlands & Ingleside Escarpment

$378,072 Allocated To Council For Weed Control - Governor Phillip Park Gets A Grant This Time: Full Details Of All 11 Sites

Mona Vale Woolworths Front Entrance Gets Garden Upgrade: A Few Notes On The Site's History 

Her Wave 2023: Manly Women's Day Event + Central Coast Teams Classic Already Celebrated - Her Wave Kiama Teams Classic Runs First Weekend Of April

The Village Chef By Meals On Wheels Launched

Calls To Address Growing Homelessness Among Our Seniors A High Priority For Independent Candidates In 2023 State Election + Government's Response To Homelessness Among Older People In NSW National's Chaired Inquiry

2023 Environmental Art & Design Prize + 2023 Creative Open: Call For Artists Now Open For Your Entries + Ideas - Creative Open entries close April 21  Environmental Art & Design Prize entries close Sunday, May 14

Aquatics: Avalon Beach SLSC's 'Round The Bends' & 30th Year Of Family Swims Have Been Run: Completes Pittwater Swims Series 2023

Pictures: RPAYC's Inaugural Race From Pittwater To Shellharbour...and Back - The BWPS 2022-2023 + Pittwater To Coffs Harbour Yacht Race: starts March 31st off Barrenjoey Headland

Food Autumn Salads 

Art News: March 2023 - Pittwater Artists Trail Group Exhibition 2023: Newport Community Centre, 2023 Environmental Art & Design Prize + 2023 Creative Open: Call For Artists Now Open, Pittwater Artists & Craftsman Exhibition April 2023, Rotary Club Of Upper Northern Beaches 2023 Art Show Opening Night report. Exhibitions - Events: Colours Within Nature This March In Mona Vale Creative Space: Zenabi Pixels + Journaling With The Artful Bea + Express Yourself 2023 at the MAG&M + ART Gallery On Palm Beach Award winning Artists works in a gallery run by Artists 

Insects, Bugs & Local Wildlife Insights For Youngsters: 2023

Pittwater's Waterhens: Some Notes - Narrabeen Creek Bird Gathering: Curious Juvenile Swamp Hen On Warriewood Boardwalk + Dusky Moorhens + Buff Banded Rails In Careel Creek

Environment Mona Vale Woolworths Front Entrance Gets Garden Upgrade, Narrabeen Creek Bird Gathering: Curious Juvenile Swamp Hen On Warriewood Boardwalk + Dusky Moorhens + Buff Banded Rails - Notes About Our Local Waterhens, Swamp Wallaby At Palm Beach, Urgent Action Needed To Avert Ecosystem Collapse Following Darling-Baaka Fish Kill: Greens - Not The First Time Millions Of Fish Have Died In This System, Cat Owners Encouraged To Keep Their Pets Safe At Home, Black Summer Vigil For Wildlife: April 2nd, Permaculture Northern Beaches - Upcoming Events, Report Fox Sightings, Weed Of The Week: Cassia - Please Pull Out and Save Our Bush, New 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, Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities, Gardens and Environment Groups and Organisations In Pittwater, Federal Government States It Is Using Every Tool In The Box To Conserve More Of Our Iconic Landscapes; Invites Feedback On Framework, Thousands of our native plants have no public photographs available; Here’s why that matters, Cultural burning is safer for koalas and better for people too, A tonne of fossil carbon isn’t the same as a tonne of new trees: why offsets can’t save us, Orange-bellied parrot shows there’s more to saving endangered species than captive breeding, What can we expect from the final UN climate report? And what is the IPCC anyway?, The flap of a butterfly’s wings: why Autumn is not a good time to predict if El Niño is coming, PFAS for dinner? Study of ‘forever chemicals’ build-up in cattle points to ways to reduce risks, Australia hasn’t figured out low-level nuclear waste storage yet – let alone high-level waste from submarines, Killing dingoes is the only way to protect livestock, right?; Nope, Forget the conspiracies; 15-minute cities will free us to improve our mental health and wellbeing, Squid fishing grew by 68% in just three years raising fears the industry is out of control, Penguin paradise and geological freak: why Macquarie Island deserves a bigger marine park, Can seaweed save the world?; Well it can certainly help in many ways, Bushfire smoke eats up the ozone protecting us from dangerous radiation; The damage will increase as the world heats up, Pittwater Reserves: Histories + Notes + Pictorial Walks, Where to recycle plastic bread tags

Inbox News Post apocalypse: the end of daily letter deliveries is in sight, CSIRO Study Uncovers Cystic Fibrosis Screening Limitations, Attracting Stem Cells And Facilitating Bone Regeneration By Adhesive Protein, Changing Landscapes Alter Disease-Scapes, Scientists Identify Substance That May Have Sparked Life On Earth, Dim Lights Before Bedtime To Reduce Risk Of Gestational Diabetes New Study Advises, Genes In Beans: Bean Genome Sequenced For Improved Nutrition, Mediterranean Diet The Best Prevention Against Prostate Cancer, Is menopause making me put on weight?; No, but it’s complicated, Australia Post Delivers Building Blocks For A Brighter Future, Royal National Park Line (And The Sydney Tramway Museum): Lost Sydney, Express Yourself 2023 Winners Announced, Barrier Story: Broken Hill In 1959, Northern Composure Band Competition 2023, Word Of The Week: Memory, Curious kids; Will we eventually have to send our trash into space if we run out of room on Earth?, How financial stress can affect your mental health and 5 things that can help, Astronomers just discovered a comet that could be brighter than most stars when we see it next year; Or will it?, The full credit list featured at the beginning of Tár is a nod to the hidden hierarchies of labour in screen production, Winning everything everywhere all at once: 5 experts on the big moments at the Oscars 2023, Why does music bring back memories? What the science says, A brief history of the UK’s Winchcombe meteorite, Were there gladiators in Roman Britain? An expert reviews the evidence, The Village Chef By Meals On Wheels, Back To Beechworth in 1932, Newtown Sydney, I helped write the Productivity Commission’s 5-year productivity review: here’s what I think Australia should do, How Gardening Can Uproot Dementia Stigma, Are flu cases already 100 times higher than last year?; Here’s what we really know about the 2023 flu season, About The Warfarin Shortage 2023, Nazi orders for Jews to wear a star were hateful but far from unique – a historian traces the long history of antisemitic badges, Politics with Michelle Grattan: Chair of Retirement Income Review, Mike Callaghan, on reforming superannuation, Carers of older Australians need more support – but we found unpaid extended leave isn’t the best solution

Profile of the Week Candidates For 2023 State Election Responses To Communities QuestionsRunning for the Seat of Pittwater are - Rory Amon (Liberal), Jacqui Scruby (Independent), Hilary Green (The Greens), Jeffrey Quinn (Labor) and Craig Law (Sustainable Australia – Stop Overdevelopment/Corruption)

The Federal Government is currently undertaking an inquiry into how to modernise Australia Post and keep it viable for users. Postal services have played an important role in the lives of Australian communities, individuals and businesses over the last 214 years. Australia Post’s extended workforce of more than 60,000 people and 4,300 Post Offices continue to deliver letters, parcels and essential services to communities and businesses throughout Australia.

On  August 23rd 1870 many of the residents between Barrenjoey and Manly signed a letter, found in the Australian Archives, for a biweekly mail service between Manly and Barranjoey. The petition was presented on November 15th 1870 by Mr Black of H.M. Customs and Telegraph Station, Broken Bay. 

In a letter dated May 1871 Mr. Black of the Customs Station offered again to take on the duties as Postmaster at Barrenjoey.

This Issue a few insights into the establishment of our local postal services.

Park Bench Philosophers Narrabeen Prawning Times - A Seasonal Tide Of Returnings: New Found Records Added In

The State Library of New South Wales, the Mitchell Library, continues to digitise and make available wonderful photos of our area that provide a glimpse into the past and revive memories and activities we still engage in today. One of these is the 'prawning times' of Narrabeen Lagoon and great photos of a local family out with their prawn and net recently made available. This underlines that even when you think you have seen all our State Libraries are looking after, it's always worth checking again as they continue to make these records available and increase what is accessible online. Even the history pages in Pittwater Online News are worth a revisit as when new materials are found they are added in to those records.

Although traditionally a late Summer activity, especially when the mouth of the lagoon was opened to the sea by council to prevent or alleviate flood events, and standing in the outrush was the place to scoop up a delicious feast of these crustaceans, there were other times a build up of what gets born in the lake and will return to the sea provided a great meal for locals.

Having heard from Peter Verrills and Tom Gilbert of their childhood wadings along Station Beach under Barrenjoey with their families netting this scrumptious seafood, and of hunkering down on the beach's edge and cooking them in readily available saltwater for a meal the whole Gonsalves, Verrills and Gilbert families enjoyed, it's clear there were 'prawning times' across our area.

Pittwater Offshore Newsletter: March 1, 2023

Click on Logo to access the latest PON:  

To contact Roy:  editor@scotlandisland.org.au

Contents March 1st Issue: Scotland Island's Tree Canopy: is it really dying? - The Rec Centre Playground: looking after an important island asset - The Dark Side of the Moon: a review - Fire Shed Dinner: Elvina Bay - Clean Up Australia Day, 2023 - International Women's Day: Voices - The Tuesday Discussion Group - International Folk Dancing - Scotland Island Café - Graeme Crayford Memorial Run / Walk - Feast for Freedom - Two Catherines: The Scotland Island Play - Scotland Island house for rent - Request for information: MV Beaver

Sally Mayman's Profile: Runs Sunday April 2nd

For those wondering 'where is Sally Mayman's Profile', the initial interview and transcription of same has been completed. However, the Profilee and the editor are currently 'working on finessing this' as they aim to publish a definitive record, given the high rate of revisits to reports/stores made permanent by this news service, especially Profiles.

Both have committed to finalising this in time to run on Sunday April 2nd - Issue 578. Apologies for the delay - it's coming!


Left to right: BHS's Sandy Chockman, Sally Mayman and Corey Kirk at the opening of the Barley Ki Giballee: You And Me Come Together Exhibition Photo: AJG

Scam Alert: Telstra Impersonation Emails

From ACMA
Have you received an unexpected email from Telstra asking you to complete a form to avoid disruption or cancellation of your service? Be wary – it may be a scam!

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is aware of an emerging email scam that uses Telstra’s branding and advises recipients to complete a KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance form. The email falsely advises that this is required due to a new ACMA policy.

If you’ve received this email do not download or open the attachment or any links in the message.

If you are in any doubt about whether an email you have received from Telstra is genuine, contact Telstra via its publicly available contact details or verified app.

Telstra has more information about how to identify a legitimate email on their website: www.telstra.com.au/cyber-security-and-safety/active-scams

If you believe you are victim of a cybercrime, go to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au: www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/report

Scammers target everyone. Learn more about how to protect yourself from phone scams on the ACMA website and make a report to Scamwatch


Autumn School Holidays Pittwater Online News Publication Schedule

Please be advised that Issue 578 will be published Sunday April 2nd and that Issue 579 will be published Sunday April 16th.

If you have events posters, Notices or anything you want 'in' the School Holidays  Easter Break Issue (578), please get it to PON by March 31st. 

Items/news/events will be added in between these Issues BUT they will not be listed in the Issue Notice sent out to all subscribers lists on Sunday April 2nd.


Thank you very much.


Vale Ross Jorgensen 
1942 - 2023 


Ross Jorgensen made a unique contribution to surfboat rowing in the SLSC arena spanning almost 50 years as an oarsman, sweep, coach, mentor and official. He was selected in three Australian representative teams and several NSW State and Manly Warringah Branch representative teams.
Ross joined Warriewood SLSC for the 1971 season. He was a keen surfer and an accomplished stillwater rower, having competed in national titles with the Mosman Rowing Club.

He soon established himself at Warriewood and had early success winning a NSW State Championship rowing in 1973.

In conjunction with Roger Ninham, his great friend and crewmate from Mosman, he ushered in a new approach to surfboat rowing. His crews were lean, superbly fit and technically capable. Ross focussed on length, time at the finish and other technical aspects of the stillwater rowing stroke. Power to weight ratio was important to him, it wasn't just about raw rowing power. He was meticulous about boat rigging, inboard/outboard ratios and seat height positions.

It was as a sweep and boatman that Ross excelled above his peers. His earlier surfing days and knowledge of the sea became his greatest asset and he applied it expertly to the benefit of his crews.
He sat in rare air so far as results in Australian Championship finals are concerned. He coached Warriewood to their first Australian Open gold at Bancoora in 1977. The following year, as a sweep, he achieved silver at Kingscliff, then gold in 1979, 1980 and 1981 ( Trigg Island, Maroochydore and Wanda respectively ). Wanda presented a double reward for him as he swept the Reserve crew to a gold medal immediately after the A crew final. In doing so, Warriewood achieved back to back wins for both A and Reserve crews, the A crew achieving gold in three consecutive championships.

Ross subsequently took Bungan Beach to gold medal wins in 1985, and 1986 ( Point Leo and Moana ) then placed in the next two championship finals ( Scarborough and Cronulla ) adding to A crew placings he had earlier achieved with Queenscliff in the mid 70’s.
This was an extraordinary achievement.

Ross continued his involvement and success for many years in womens and masters competition at a number of northern beaches clubs. He maintained an active interest in coaching and mentoring local and interstate crews, particularly South Australian crews where he eventually moved to in order to support his sister in 2019.

He will be missed by his many friends and rowing colleagues who acknowledge the loss but recognise the significant legacy he has left the sport.

Col Scully - Warriewood SLSC

Northern Beaches Retired & Former Police Association March 2023 Meeting

Something a little different at our March meeting. Guest speaker Danny Shannon, accompanied by his assistant Jess Gaddes, gave us a look at the other side of the "Black Door" and how you can turn your life around from addiction and a life of crime. Once a drug addict, but now a much sought-after guest speaker on the corporate speaking circuit and mentor at schools, correctional facilities and recovery programs, Danny now runs a successful online business Encapsulator which creates personal videos for the future.  http://dannyshannon.com.au/


Chairman Dave Whiteman presents Danny with a thank you


Vice Chairman Brian Friend O.A.M. presents Danny with a thank you

About
The Northern Beaches Retired and Former Police Association meets bi-monthly at Manly Leagues Club with a Coffee Catch-up on alternate months. The venue has installed a installed a chairlift to assist members who struggled with the stairs.

Members receive regular email notification of meetings and other events.
For RFPA membership or other information please email admin@northmetrorpa.com

Executive :
Chairman : Dave Whiteman
Vice Chairman : Brian Friend O.A.M.
Secretary : Ian Finlayson
Treasurer : Bill Bush
Welfare Officers : Jim Soiland, Barry Miles and Geoff Kay

Avalon Beach Historical Society: March Meeting Report

Members and guests who attended the meeting of the Avalon Beach Historical Society on Tuesday night, March 14, in the Annexe on Dunbar Park almost set a new record with 56 locals attending.

President of ABHS Geoff Searl OAM discussed at length the revelations of a collection of Australian Aboriginal artefacts from a local rock shelter.



The artefacts were submitted to the University of Sydney in 1969 and their Department of Anatomy arrived at some interesting observations.

Besides some fish bone, shell and a few fragments of burnt wallaby and possum, there were some partial jaw bones with some teeth in situ.

Skull plates were the larger pieces of artefacts and were those from 2 children – a 4-5 years old and a 5-7 years old and were dated from at least 100 years old and less than 300 years old.

Photos of the artefacts were shown along with the talk and they have been handed to the Aboriginal Heritage Office for safe keeping and possible re-interment at an appropriate location.

There was also a small stone tool which the University stated was most probably an oyster pick, similar to several examples at the Australian Museum.

The talk was followed by a discussion concerning a collection of stories from Australian Aborigines recalling continental inundation after the melt of the glacial phase of the last Ice Age – 20,00 years ago. Using cross-generational ‘cross-checking’ in a special ‘kin’ relationship, they were able to recall accurately, geographical changes which occurred 300 generations ago. 

The paper was originally published in The Guardian and the Australian Geographer around 2015 by Patrick Nunn and Nicholas Reid.

The next meeting will be held on the second Tuesday 13 June and will feature the history, both early and recent, of the Avalon Golf Links. An excellent photographic accompaniment will illustrate the history.

Avalon Beach Historical Society will celebrate its 40th year this September, 2023.
Find out more at:  abhs.org.au and in PON Profile

Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club News

The Open Skiff Narrabeen Cup was a tremendous success on Saturday March 11. The wind and the weather made for perfect sailing conditions for the 40 junior sailors who competed.  

The sailors were divided into three categories - competent, intermediate and beginners. The day began with a fun race before the wind picked up. The two top fleets competed in four races and medals were awarded for placings. The beginners were given encouragement awards in the categories of best performance, most improved and most enthusiastic! 

We are looking forward to our next big event on the lake, the Heron Junior NSW Championships which will be held over the weekend of the 25th and 26th March. Our Sailing season culminating on the 16th of April. 

During the upcoming Autumn School holidays we will have a Sailing School.




Church Point Sediment Run Off Update


Council's Manager of Compliance's response:

With regard to the specific water pollution concerns, 243 and 245 McCarrs Creek Road, Church Point, have previously been investigated by the Environmental Health team, and in October 2022 prevention notices were issued under the provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act on both properties directing the owners to improve sediment and erosion control measures on-site, and to maintain effective controls for the duration of the development.

Follow-up at the time indicated that both premises had achieved compliance at the time.

Further inspections on 17 and 22 February 2023 have identified that inadequate site control measures were in place at both properties at the time of the inspections, and the owners have been instructed to take immediate action to ensure adequate pollution control measures are installed and maintained.

The owners of 245 McCarrs Creek Road have since taken significant steps to improve the ongoing sediment management of their property.

The environmental health team continues to work closely with the owners of 243 McCarrs Creek Road to achieve a satisfactory level of compliance.

Enforcement action is also likely to be taken in relation to the breach of the prevention notices, and a further update will be provided to confirm the extent of any action to afford procedural fairness to the persons potentially subject to any action.

There is currently no work occurring on the other lots mentioned, and the sites are naturally vegetated, with no sediment management concerns.

Response courtesy of the work of Cr Vincent De Luca OAM, Independent for the Northern Beaches

Addendum
Pittwater Online News has spoken to local residents associations this week regarding runoff from construction sites into the estuary. The Presidents of many of these state this is happening all over Pittwater and Narrabeen with pollution and runoff into the estuary and onto beaches. Residents Associations are also very concerned about the amount of breaches being approved in Development Applications (DA's). 

One residents association President stated 
''The level of compliance is very unsatisfactory. Not only is the Council approving DA's that do not conform to the requirements of zones, there are no feet on the ground ensuring compliance conditions are being followed - even for the basics such as the required sediment barriers to prevent what has occurred at Church Point.

Not only is the Council approving DA's that do not conform to the requirements of zones, they are not looking at the big picture in allowing breaches on one site that the neighbours will then call to be allowed next door. This is 'setting a precedent' and undermines the purpose of the DCP and LEP. This is destroying the environment of Pittwater and all that lives in it, along with the amenity of residents and our vision for Pittwater to be maintained. ''

Residents video from earlier report:

Drain Still Blocked 8 Months After Barricades Erected

Will flood road again? 
Where are NBC Workers/Contractors?
On July 12th 2022 Pittwater Online forwarded images of a dangerous corner at North Avalon and Careel Head Road to the Office of Rob Stokes pointing out people were crossing over double lines heading north on a blind corner to avoid floodwaters. 

Within 2 weeks Transport for NSW contractors were out and had cleared the drain on the west side of the main road to alleviate flooding. 

The contractor did state to a PON reporter that they needed to report the drain opposite to Council as that was root bound, was causing the flooding, and was Council's responsibility to fix. 

At 8am on August 2nd 2022 an NBC worker erected these barriers around one of the drains. The Council person stated the work would be attended to as soon as someone was able to do the work.






Nothing has been done in the 8 months since. In recent rains the drain on the corner, not that barricaded off, began to fill again, leading to flooding again being in place on this dangerous section of road. 

Is 8 months too long to wait for Council's contractors to 'get back there'?
Will the Transport for NSW contractors end up back at this site doing it all again as the adjoining drain creates problems, with the bill footed by the taxpayer? 

Are you still waiting for basic maintenance works to be done in your street? 

Email what you're still waiting for to: pittwateronlinenews@bigpond.com

Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade: Recruiting 

Do you live in Ingleside, Elanora Heights, Bayview Heights, Warriewood Valley? We want you in our circle. 

NEXT INFORMATION EVENING MARCH 30TH 2023. Info: https://www.inglesiderfs.org.au
Register to attend Information evening HERE

About us:
Respond to 80-100 calls per year being bushfires, structure fires, car accidents & storm damage.
We are after new volunteers who:
  • Want to assist the community and meet new people. Have an interest in learning new skills. Available to assist with incident calls when available.
  • The Rural Fire Service will provide you with: Comprehensive initial training and an ongoing skills development path.
  • All equipment & clothing.
  • An opportunity to meet and contribute to the community with likeminded people.

Roadworks

Narrabeen
Pittwater Road between Albert Street and Wakehurst Parkway; Wed 15 Mar to Fri 31 Mar 2023 - 10:00pm to 5:00am.
Traffic affected both directions. Reduced speed limit (40km/h), Check signage, Exercise caution. Traffic lights at the intersection of Pittwater Rd and Waterloo St will be blacked out with alternating (stop/slow) traffic conditions in place. Reduced speed limit (40km/h), Exercise caution, Check signage

Balgowlah Road works: Road closed both directions.
Sydney Road between Woodland Street and Condamine Street: Mon 20 Mar 2023 to Thu 6 Apr 2023 - Monday to Wednesday 9:00pm to 5:00am. Road will be closed both directions.
SCHEDULED ROADWORK: Tower Crane Installation.
Diversions:
Eastbound: Woodland St, Balgowlah Rd, Condamine St, Sydney Rd.
Westbound: Condamine St, White St, Woodland St, Sydney Rd.


Andoo Comanche Enters The 2023 Pittwater To Coffs Harbour Yacht Race

The record breaking 100 foot supermaxi, ‘ANDOO Comanche’, has entered the Royal Prince Alfred yacht Club’s Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race. 

Andoo Comanche joins 19 other boats currently entered in the race, including the ORMA 60 trimaran ‘Rex’ and JV62 ‘Whisper’. Further interest is building from teams to enter this east coast classic.

The current monohull race record, previously set by the 2022 line honours winner ‘Black Jack’ in a time of 17 hours 10 minutes 31 seconds, will be a target for the Andoo Comanche crew to beat. 

The Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race will start off Barrenjoey headland on Friday 31st March at 1300 hrs. Racing is open to offshore Cat3+ yachts, Monohulls & Multihulls with IRC – ORC – OMR – and Short Handed categories. 

For NoR and details, visit the event website here: rpayc.com.au/pittwater-to-coffs-harbour-yacht-race/



Andoo Comanche / Photo: Andrea Francolini

La Niña Has Ended - ENSO Now Neutral. El Niño WATCH Issued

March 14, 2023: BOM
ENSO Forecast
La Niña has ended in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is now neutral (neither La Niña nor El Niño) with oceanic and atmospheric indicators having returned to neutral ENSO levels.

International climate models suggest neutral ENSO conditions are likely to persist through the southern autumn. However, there are some signs that El Niño could form later in the year. Hence the Bureau has issued an El Niño WATCH. This means there is around a 50% chance of an El Niño in 2023.

The Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) is currently very strong over the Pacific Ocean but is forecast to move into the Atlantic Ocean in the coming fortnight. This may bring drier conditions to Australia for the latter half of March.

The Southern Annular Mode (SAM) index is currently strongly negative but is expected to return to neutral values over the coming week.

Warmer than average sea surface temperatures persist around south-east Australia, New Zealand and the west coast of Australia, but close to average temperatures prevail around northern Australia.

The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is neutral – the IOD typically has little influence on Australian climate while the monsoon trough is in the southern hemisphere (typically December to April). Forecasts for the IOD made at this time of the year have low accuracy beyond April.

Climate change continues to influence Australian and global climates. Australia's climate has warmed by around 1.47 °C over the period 1910–2021. There has also been a trend towards a greater proportion of rainfall from high intensity short duration rainfall events, especially across northern Australia. Southern Australia has seen a reduction of 10 to 20% in cool season (April–October) rainfall in recent decades.


Image: BOM

ACS Furry Sailors Set To Hit The Water This Friday

This Friday will see the next scheduled Alfred's Community Sailing event here at RPAYC. The initiative provides sailing experiences, sail training programs and support to not-for-profit community groups to become involved in the excitement and social benefits, well-being and health benefits that sailing can provide. 

Some of our keenest sailors are of the furry variety! These fur-friends contribute to the success of the program by offering support to their fellow sailors in a way that only they can. Meet ACS regulars Reggie and Ollie! 



To find out more about our Alfred's Community Sailing program or how you can get involved please email brendan.rourke@rpayc.com.au or visit rpayc.com.au/sailing/alfreds-community-sailing

Avalon Craft Cottage At Warriewood Square

Our first stall for 2023 will be at Warriewood Shopping Centre the week starting Monday 20th March to Sunday 26th March. We will be trading from our usual spot outside Kmart.

There will be many wonderful handcrafts created by skilled local people. Our work includes local art, greeting cards, screen printing, jewellery, patchwork quilts, children's and baby wear, shawls, rugs, scarves beanies and bed socks. We also have cross-stitched cards, and embroidered towels, potted succulent gardens and Australiana. The work of our newest member, Anna, who is skilled in decorative weaving, using natural and upcycled materials to create unique pieces will also be available.

We look forward to seeing you, to catch up and to tempt you to buy that special gift for a friend or a treat for yourself.

Avalon Craft Cottage Members

Monika's Doggie Rescue: Pets Of The Week

Tux 

12mths - Foxy X Pug


Tux is a delightful happy boy with a sweet nature. He is bouncy and social with other dogs. Being a pug X he is very piggy with his food and does not want to share with another dog. He is very quick to learn and is easy to handle and pick up. Tux is still very puppy like and into chewing up beds etc.  Tux came from the pound with flea allergy issues which are slowly resolving. He is on medicated baths. He has a short coat and weighs 7.5kg. He is a popular boy so we need to short list applicants. All our dogs come desexed, C5 vaccinated, heartworm free and microchipped. Also included for the love and health of our dogs is a free Health and Wellness Voucher with our DoggieRescue Vet. His adoption fee is $600. He suits apartment living and PT hours alone. 

To find out more call DoggieRescue on 9486 3133 or email  Monika@DoggieRescue.com.  RON R251000024

Maple 

6mths - Domestic Short Hair


Maple is very sweet. Loves to play and investigate! She is one of Hazel's kittens. She is friendly and cuddly! She weighs 1.9kg and has a short coat. Her adoption fee is $220. To meet her please call The Cottage Animal Hospital in Parramatta on 9890 7220. 

New District Boundaries In Effect For 2023 NSW State Election

A reminder: that new electoral district boundaries have come into effect in NSW. 

Changes made with the 2021 redistribution of NSW electoral districts commence with the 2023 NSW State election.

The changes affect more than 770,000 people across NSW.
 
NSW Electoral Commissioner John Schmidt said where changes to electoral districts have been made, some voters would now be enrolled to vote in a different district even if their address had not changed.

“The NSW State election, on Saturday, 25 March 2023, will be the first election where the new districts come into effect.” 

“Some electoral districts have changed name, changed boundaries, been removed and split into other districts or been newly created.” 

“Voters can find out if their district has changed by using the ‘Find my electorate’ tool on our website.”

“I encourage voters to go to elections.nsw.gov.au and check, and update if needed, your details on the electoral roll before 6pm on Monday, 6 March. 

“The district you are enrolled in at that time is the district you are enrolled to vote in at the election.”

Mr Schmidt said changes to districts were needed as people move in and out of electoral districts and in and out of New South Wales.  “The number of voters within each district should remain about the same across all districts. To ensure this, electoral boundaries are reviewed after every second State election and the boundaries changed, if necessary, to keep voter numbers at similar levels across all districts.” 

Maps of all electoral districts and information about the 2021 redistribution of electoral districts are available on the NSW Electoral Commission website here: https://elections.nsw.gov.au/redistribution/about-redistribution/overview.

Letters To The Editor

Letters should preferably be 150 to 175 words, but considering the magazines inability to word limit itself - that remains optional.
Letters must include the writer's address and phone number and 'permission to publish'.
Letters should not contain attachments - these will be requested if required to illustrate content/subject.
Letters should be exclusive to Pittwater Online News.

The editor's prerogative includes editing letters for length, grammar or legal reasons, among other considerations. 

Dear Editor: Issue 576

Barrenjoey Keepers Cottages

When the Palm Beach & Whale Beach Association (PBWBA) inspected the Assistant Lighthouse Keepers Cottages on Barrenjoey Headland in 2019, we were assured that a hole in the roof of one cottage had been repaired and that the damage to the interior would be made good. A recent inspection now shows that the roof has again been patched but the internal damage to the ceiling has not been repaired and that the exterior and surrounds of the cottages need maintenance. It is understood that NPWS is short of funds but this is not a good signal for its care of historic premises. Either NPWS don’t have the money or they don’t care.

Barrenjoey Headland, as part of Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, is included in the Australian National Heritage List 2003 and, as such, the approval of the Federal Minister of Environment would appear to be necessary for any development of the buildings on the Headland. Because of its historic buildings, a factor which does not occur elsewhere in this national park, and the particular significance of the lighthouse to both State and Commonwealth heritage, it is appropriate that the Headland should have its own separate plan of management.

According to the Commonwealth’s National Heritage List, one of the two cottages occupied by Jervis Sparks in the 1950’s was restored by him in the style of the early 1800’s. Given that fact and also that no services are available within the cottages except a wood-burning stove, (i.e. there is no electricity, running water, toilet or washing facilities within the actual cottages), it is clear that substantial work would be required to bring them up to the current standard for premium short-term accommodation. There is no business plan for this work and hence no analysis of the likely cost or return on the investment. However it is likely that the pay-back period will be many years. It is also likely that the two cottages on their own would be unable to provide a realistic return to NPWS without the addition of additional accommodation on the headland, further reducing accessibility for the general public and damaging the natural environment.

All of this strengthens our argument that the Headland is not suitable for the provision of short-term accommodation and we still believe very strongly that the words “short-term accommodation” as a possible use of the cottages should be deleted from the proposed plan of management for Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park (PoM).

We believe that Minister Griffin’s suggestion of a stakeholder reference group has considerable merit as a worthwhile mechanism for inclusion in PoM’s generally and provision for this should be included in the Ku-Ring-gai Chase PoM before it goes to the Minister for approval. It would be a sign of good faith with the community for the SRG to be set up quickly now; the community concern about the headland remains at a high level. Our petition continues to gather signatures.

We remain happy to work with NPWS and local bodies to identify possible alternative uses (excluding short term accommodation) either as part of a reference group or as PBWBA, and we have recently gained access to additional expertise which would assist us in contributing to the process of identifying alternative uses. 

We also believe that several recent events should influence the decision on the PoM: -

(a) The announcement of a new national park of more than 400,000 hectares between Tibooburra and Wanaaring will further stress the inadequate resources of NPWS but also reinforce the view that its strength is the management of parks and wildlife, rather than the management of historic buildings. 
(b) Its proposals for Strickland House in Nielsen Park on Sydney Harbour are of major concern to all Sydneysiders. This is the only publicly-owned historic mansion left on the Sydney Harbour foreshore and it has a fascinating history. It’s value would be destroyed if the NWPS proposals as outlined in the Sun-Herald of 26 February were to proceed. Again, alternative uses need to be identified. Other, admittedly less historic, properties in this Park have already been “re-purposed” for accommodation and have in the process lost their integrity and the public has lost the use of them.
(c) Similar reservations surround the NPWS plans for an historic property on Port Hacking.
(d) The proposed 99-year lease of Cadman’s Cottage, the oldest building in the City of Sydney and located within the most important historic precinct of Sydney, for who knows what purpose, appears inappropriate and lacks transparency. It should be used as a museum of the early days of the Colony of Sydney.

The conclusions which we draw from these events and which we would commend to you are: -
(a) NPWS should concentrate on its traditional task of managing wildlife and bush reserves and national parks and be properly funded to do so. 
(b) The management of historic buildings like the Barrenjoey Headland and Strickland House and Cadman’s Cottage should be transferred to the Historic Houses division of Museums of New South Wales for them to manage, in the public interest. They are much better placed to consider alternative uses.

The Barrenjoey Headland is the Jewel in the Crown of Pittwater and must be preserved for a present and future generations.

A/Prof Richard West AM 
President PBWBA

Inside The Assistant Light Keepers Barrenjoey Cottages 
Photos taken January 15, 2023 by Greg Barrett

 


Narrabeen Sports High School: Your school needs your help!
Right now, delivery of the Narrabeen Sports High School redevelopment is in danger. The quality of the physical environment your children learn in, is in danger. We need just two minutes of your time to email the two main local candidates in the state election, to ensure the promised redevelopment is actually delivered.

You may not know that since a “rebuild” was announced several years ago, no real maintenance was allowed to be performed on the school. No point spending money on a building that will be demolished and replaced in a year or two.  For a time, this was a good trade-off because the opportunity to be a part of the rebirth of a school, attracted many of the best teachers from around Sydney, to join our school.  In a time of teacher shortages, we are now lucky to have one of the most passionate, dedicated and talented teaching teams and leadership in the state.  This has been a huge bonus to the opportunities and futures our children will have in life.

The problem is that that the physical building redevelopment has taken so many years to happen.  Over this time, the “rebuild” has been watered down to a “refurbishment”.  Now, even this refurbishment is being watered down because of insufficient government funding in the first place. And while both major parties are promising billion-dollar investments in new schools in marginal western suburbs electorates, our school is about to be forgotten.  

This is not just about having a pretty school.  The quality of the learning environment really impacts the motivation of your child to learn, no matter how passionate our teachers are. 

We have just over one week, before the election, to make this an issue for our local politicians to make a commitment to. At the bottom of this post are words you can include in an email to our local candidates. Please take just a minute or two to copy, paste and send them.  

If you see a local candidate campaigning nearby, tell them or one of the supporters wearing the T-shirts and waving the placards, that this is an important issue to you as a voter.  If enough of us do this, they will make commitments.  

The email addresses:
Rory Amon:  rory@roryamon.com.au
Jacqui Scruby:  emma@jacquiscruby.com.au

The words:
'Our school has been denied regular maintenance, waiting for a promised rebuild.  This has been watered down to a modest refurbishment and now even this may not happen because of insufficient government funding.  Our school community has been penalized with the worst school infrastructure in the state, because of a politician’s undelivered promise. As a potential local representative, I want you to make this an important policy issue.  To help me decide on which candidate to support, I want you to make a public commitment to find the additional funding needed to at least deliver the refurbishment scope promised in November 2022 – without any further reductions in scope.'

Thank you for your help!
Narrabeen Sports High School P & C Association


Protect Mona Vale's Bongin Bongin Bay - establish an aquatic reserve
Who are we? 
We are a group of locals who are leading a campaign to have Mona Vale's Bongin Bongin Bay (Mona Vale Basin) declared as an aquatic reserve.

Our group is made up of local swimmers, surfers, surf life savers and beach users. Our group has no political affiliation. We are just passionate locals who care about our environment. 

What are we proposing?
With your support, we will be asking Northern Beaches Council to lobby the NSW Government to establish a 'no take' zone at Bongin Bongin Bay (Mona Vale Basin).

The establishment of this aquatic reserve will protect local marine biodiversity now and into the future.
 
Why do we support this?
We use the beach every day throughout the year and believe this unique environment is worthy of protection. We regularly see stingrays, dolphins, blue gropers, sharks, octopus, cuttlefish and many other species in and around Bongin Bongin Bay. Occasionally we have seen turtles, penguins and migrating whales.

However, we believe that fishing and the collection of crustaceans, shellfish and vegetation from the foreshore is impacting upon the biodiversity and the local ecosystem. 

Species that were seen regularly in and around Bongin Bongin Bay disappear after weekend fishers have been present.


Thank you
Friends of Bongin Bongin Bay (Mona Vale Basin)



Mona Vale Basin on Monday 7 Feb. 2022. Photo by Joe Mills


Careel Bay Footpath
Can you please find out what is happening with the footpath that was allocated a Grant in 2022. We were advised these works would commence on January 9th and now it is March 16th and nothing has started and no one heard from since.




Answer: Pittwater Online News has spoken to the Contractors, Kelbon, chosen by Council to complete the North Avalon-Careel Bay footpath and associated works who advised that Council requested they delay a commencement time to be outside of peak volume traffic times during school holidays. A February start date was then allocated. However, Council requested a further date be selected once they have approved their Design for the site as they want to ensure the stormwater system has capacity for the rain runoff that occurs along this stretch of road with the gutters in the current plans.

Once the Council have checked the Design for this a new date will be decided on and residents along that stretch of road will be notified one week prior to the commencement of works.

Warriewood over height limit DA proposal will funnel more traffic onto local road

For those involved with Mater Maria School on Forest Road; there is a current DA lodged with Council to develop the land on 4 Forest Road to subdivide into 13 lots for 13 townhouses (which are also proposed to be over the current height limit at past 10m tall the letter writer states). 

While this is relatively low density compared to some developments, it does involve a road which will connect the current development on 8 Forest Road (alongside Bert Close), which will have 81 dwellings, through to 4 Forest Road and out at the roundabout next to Mater Maria. 

Currently traffic for 8 Forest Road goes through Jubilee Avenue. This access point is to be closed off when development is completed, and all entry/exits will be on Forest Road. 

The DA is not publicly displayed, however you can lodge a submission by emailing the Council at Council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au, quoting DA2023/0129. 

Energy Efficient Grants For Local Businesses

From Dr Sophie Scamps - MP for Mackellar
If you're a small to medium business looking to upgrade inefficient equipment, now is the time to consider applying for the Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises. 

These grants will support businesses to upgrade equipment to improve their energy efficiency, reduce their energy use and manage energy cost volatility in the long term. 

Visit bit.ly/3FyTPgU for more information on eligibility and how to apply. 

Closes Wednesday 19 April 2023.


Conservation Zones Review And Technical Studies Update

Dear community member
We’re writing to provide an update on the Conservation Zones Review and Technical Studies project following the public exhibition from September to December 2022.

The main aim of this exhibition was to seek feedback on a draft methodology for the use of Conservation Zones across the Northern Beaches.   

Thanks to those who lodged a submission with Council. We know there was a lot to consider and we appreciate the time and effort taken.

We received and analysed 935 submissions from 837 individuals. A copy of the submissions will be available on our project website by the end of February 2023, along with a Consultation Report which summarises key issues and Council’s response.

We anticipate many of the issues raised can be resolved by changes to the draft Conservation Zones Review methodology currently being investigated by Council.

Where areas of dispute remain about the accuracy of Council mapping of criteria used in the review, we will engage relevant consultants and contact those landowners to arrange a site inspection. We are expecting to undertake these inspections between April and June 2023.

The outcomes from the Review will help us in discussions with the Department of Planning and Environment in the development of the draft Northern Beaches Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan, which will be presented to Council and exhibited for community feedback in 2024.

We thank you for your continued interest in this project.
Please feel free to share this email with others by using the forward button below.

Strategic and Place Planning team
Northern Beaches Council

Connecting Women At Pittwater RSL This March

On the 24th of March, Pittwater will launch ‘Connecting Women’, an annual networking and fundraising event at the Pittwater RSL Club, with profits donated to The Women’s Resilience Centre in Mona Vale.

The event will include a keynote presentation and Q&A hosted by Sarah Wilson, a multi-New York Times and Amazon best-selling author, podcaster, international keynote speaker, philanthropist and climate change advisor.

Sarah is known globally for founding the I Quit Sugar movement – a digital wellness program and 13 award-winning books that sell in 52 countries – which saw millions around-the-world transform their health. In 2022 Sarah sold the business and gave everything to charity.

Her New York Times bestseller, 'First, We Make the Beast Beautiful', is described by Mark Manson as “the best book on living with anxiety that I’ve ever read” and was featured as a book of the year on NBC’s Today Show. Sarah’s most recent title, 'This One Wild & Precious Life', won the 2021 US Gold Nautilus Award.

Following Sarah, there will be a presentation by Simone Allan, founder of the Women’s Resilience Centre in Mona Vale. The Women’s Resilience Centre is a place of hope and healing for women who have suffered domestic violence, deep loss or trauma and who need support in stepping forward to reset and rebuild their lives.  

The Centre offers trauma informed capability programs to help women reset their lives and step forward with hope. Their goal is to positively support families, across generations, through trauma informed programs of recovery.

The event will conclude with a joint announcement by Simone Allan and Jason Manning, CEO of Pittwater, of a significant investment in the Pittwater local community. 

“Pittwater is honoured to announce our partnership and support of The Women’s Resilience Centre in Mona Vale. Our funding will support women in our community who have or are, experiencing a trauma response to an incredibly challenging situation in their life. Pittwater is honoured to sponsor the Caring Conversation program and support women in our community as they bravely step forward into a brighter future with opportunity and hope.” Jason Manning, Chief Executive Officer, Pittwater RSL.

“The Women’s Resilience Centre is deeply grateful for this truly collaborative partnership with Pittwater RSL, by supporting us with sponsorship funding and program amplification to the community that they care for. This will support the Women’s Resilience Centre to offer our trauma informed program “Caring Conversations” to assist women in the community to step forward in a supported and positive fashion. This program will provide a service to allow women to feel safe and heard and supported to step ahead, with a trusting community of practical support. Resetting Lives and positively impacting generations ahead.” Simone Allan, Director and Founder, Women’s Resilience Centre.

Event details
Connecting Women @ Pittwater RSL
Ticket price: $85 (includes light lunch and refreshments)
Date: 24 March 2023
Doors open: 10.30am | Event starts: 11.00am – 1.30pm
Book tickets here: www.trybooking.com/CGATY
Address: Pittwater RSL, 82 Mona Vale Road, Mona Vale NSW 2102

Applications Now Open For Inaugural $10,000 Military History Prize

Applications are now open for the inaugural $10,000 Anzac Memorial Trustees Military History Prize – a new annual award within the prestigious NSW Premier’s History Awards.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the establishment of the award highlighted the importance of recording our military history to honour and remember our veterans.

“Capturing our military history is vital in ensuring future generations are educated on the service and sacrifice of Australians in armed conflicts,” Mr Elliott said.

“This prize is not only an important acknowledgement of the work which is already being done to record the events and stories of those who served in conflict and peacekeeping missions but also provides an avenue for that work to be shared more widely.

“This is another step in ensuring the sacrifices of all those who have served in the defence forces and military operations continue to be profiled as part of the nation’s military history, so our veterans will not be forgotten.

“I encourage all historians with an interest in our military history to apply for this award as it will help future generations learn about and understand the bravery, dedication and legacy of our veterans,” Mr Elliott said.

The Military History Prize is for a work of non-fiction on the involvement of Australians in wars, campaigns, battles and/or peacekeeping operations which are represented in the Anzac Memorial’s Hall of Service. The Hall of Service displays 100 international sites of military significance for NSW service personnel from the 19th Century to more recent military operations.

In the Anzac spirit, the Prize is open to citizens and permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand. Entries close on 6 April with winners announced in September 2023. For more information visit: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/awards/nsw-premiers-history-awards

Flyer From Pittwater Environmental Heritage: Walkers Needed

Pittwater Environmental Heritage are currently printing these flyers for distribution and are on the lookout for walkers to distribute the flyer door to door. If anyone who loves walking and could help in the next few weeks can send a note to pittwaterenvironmentalheritage@gmail.com that would be appreciated.

Thank you
Pittwater Environmental Heritage

How To Deal With Loneliness And Get Support

March 8, 2023
Everyone feels down sometimes, but if it’s constant you may want support. Learn some ways to keep yourself strong and how to reach out for help.

Loneliness and isolation can affect a person’s emotional wellbeing. Everyone may experience down days from time to time. But when these feelings are constant, you might notice that you feel nervous or jumpy. Or that you’re quick to anger. You might lose interest in things you used to love doing. Or even turn to drugs and alcohol.

Tips to help keep yourself strong:
  1. Make sure you get enough sleep and eat well.
  2. Stay connected with family and friends who give you strength and support.
  3. Take time out for yourself. Do things you enjoy, like taking a hot bath, reconnecting with country or simply getting some fresh air.
  4. Stay connected to your physical body by playing sports or music, even dancing.
If you’re feeling down or no good, you can call 13YARN on 13 92 76. You can speak with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander support worker. It’s free, confidential and a safe place to yarn without shame or judgement. The service is available 24/7.

Report Hate Crimes

NSW Police Force: 
If you are subjected to hate on social media or online you should keep evidence by taking screen shots of the abuse including usernames, URLs and any other relevant information. 

You can report the abuse directly to the platform and report in person at any Police Station. 

If you witness a hate incident or hate crime but are not the victim, you can still make a report to the NSW Police.

In an Emergency call Triple Zero (000). If not urgent, you can report online at crimestoppers.com.au or call 1800 333 000 or report in person at any Police Station. 

Finding Help To Pay Your Bills

For many it’s getting to the stage where you feel sick to your stomach walking to your letterbox or opening your email. You know there’s going to be yet another bill in there costing you more money that you don’t have. The bills are relentless.  

Take a deep breath. You have some options.  

At the end of the day, the biller just wants to be paid
When facing the constant, never-ending deluge of bills that we all receive, it is very easy to forget the fundamental truth: the biller just wants to be paid. Yes, they want to be paid their money in a timely manner, but as they consolidate their own debts, it is in their interest that you pay your money at a later point than not at all. 

As a person struggling to stay on top of your bills, it is always worth keeping this in mind. As long as a company wants to see its debt paid, there will always be a pathway forward.  

To encourage people to pay their bills on time, it is becoming increasingly common for bills to offer an ‘on-time’ discount. Pay your bills by the due date and you’ll pay less.  

On-time discounts are a strong incentive for many. But, for those struggling to find the money to pay those bills it makes little to no difference. 

Many government agencies and utility companies will offer the ability to apply for a bill extension or instalment plan to pay off a bill. If you know times are tough right now, but that you will have access to more money at a future date, then this can be a good way to defer your debts for a limited time period. You can usually find details about such deferral schemes on the back of the bill you receive or on the website of the biller. 

Different types of bills deliver different relief solutions
For many organisations when they talk about offering relief to people with difficulty meeting bill obligations, they will refer to their relief solutions. Quite often what they are talking about here is putting customers onto an instalment plan to pay off their bill. 

Bill payment relief can take multiple forms. For example, many Queensland local councils can refer citizens to the Independent Rates Relief Tribunal which can provide assistance to people having difficulty meeting basic living expenses. To be eligible for assistance like this, the applicants must reside at the residence where the rates are due and own just the one property, among several restrictions. 

Some companies are better about the level of support they offer than others. An example of a company that offers a really good service to its customers facing financial hardship is energy provider AGL. Ultimately, it is still a company which is doing what it can to see bills paid, but it goes the extra step with advice and options to try to keep ahead of debt. 

It offers the ‘Staying Connected’ program, where consultants assist customers with: 

Tailored plans that match the customer’s situation to put them on a payment plan. 
Advice on payment options, government assistance, and available concessions. 
Connecting customers with free and independent financial counselling and support services. 
Advice on energy efficiency to bring bill prices down. 

Real help you can use
Deferring payments or entering instalment plans is not a long-term solution. After all, it may fix the problem of the current bill, but next month or quarter, another bill will land in your letterbox. While deferring your immediate debts, you need to find a solution that can help you meet your bill obligations into the future. 

The best thing you can do is to call the government-run National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. It runs Mon-Fri 9:30am - 4:30pm. They will help you with general financial suggestions, but also advise on consumer rights and other related issues. Indigenous Australians might prefer to call the similar Mob Strong Debt Helpline on 1800 808 488.  

You may also be able to access further assistance through charities and other community organisations who offer emergency relief services like: 
  • Food vouchers / supplies. 
  • Assistance with utility bills.
  • Clothing and furniture.
Don't let your health be impacted
Anyone who tries telling you that money doesn’t buy happiness is someone who hasn’t felt the mental stress of a debt spiral.  

People having trouble paying their bills can find that they: 
  • Are constantly stressed and irritable. 
  • Have difficulty sleeping. 
  • Find solace in substance abuse like alcohol and drugs.
  • Cease spending money on healthcare (therapies, medication, and other treatments) to try to pay off debt.
  • Overspend (often using credit cards) to feel better about the stress that they feel. 
Just as you can get free help to combat your debt, there are several services available to help you with your mental health. Beyond Blue is the largest and most well-known organisation that can help with mental health. You can talk to counsellors via their website www.beyondblue.org.au or over the phone 1300 22 4636.  

There are also other services that can help. If you are still in employment, many businesses offer their staff free access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). There are also specialised services like MensLine Australia that are focused on assisting with men’s mental health issues. 

Disclaimer
All insights and information provided should be considered general advice for educational purposes only. As we are unaware of your personal circumstances, the information in this article should not be misconstrued as personalised financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified financial professional before making any major financial decisions. 

Mona Vale Residents Association

Mona Vale Residents Association is a community group encouraging involvement on important matters within the Mona Vale area.



Become A Volunteer Radio Operator: MRNSW

Are you looking for a new challenge? With the busy summer boating season coming up Marine Rescue NSW units up and down the coast want to hear from you! And if you live in Sydney, our State Communications Centre in Belrose is especially keen to hear from you, just drop a line to: base.sydney@marinerescuensw.com.au 

Prior radio and boating experience is not required, and as a Radio Operator you'll play a vital role in helping to keep our waterways safer. If you want to take the plunge and join a dedicated volunteer team helping to save lives on our waterways, then go here for more information: 
www.marinerescuensw.com.au/become-a-volunteer/ or contact your local Marine Rescue NSW unit directly.

March 12 - 18 2023: Issue 575

This Issue: 

Front Page Issue 575 

Max Weston Wins Noosa Longboard Pro 2023: eyes now set on Manly Classic in May

Aquatics: Surf Life Saving NSW State Opens + Surf Boats Championships  2023 A Great Final Weekend Celebration Of Surf Sports For All: Newport Crowned Open Champions

Pictures: Aboriginal Support Group – Manly Warringah Pittwater's Bush Tucker Night 

Park Bench Philosophers A potted history of smoking, and how we’re making the same mistakes with vaping + Sex and lies are used to sell vapes online. Even we were surprised at the marketing tactics we found

DIY Ideas A Dry Autumn Forecast: How To Look After Your Garden During Low Rain Seasons + What Plants Thrive In Dry Conditions - the Bureau of Meteorology has released its long-range forecast for Autumn 2023 and it indicates coming months are likely to be drier and warmer than usual across most of Australia and warmer nights are also likely in coastal areas of the mainland. This Issue a few tips to help keep your garden healthy this Autumn plus what to plant now for harvesting food from your own place.

Environment Large Leatherback Turtle Found On Whale Beach: Deceased,  Cockatoo fledglings, Avalon Dunes Bushcare: A Great Weeds Out Morning In March - next is April 2nd, Swamp Wallaby At Palm Beach, Cat Owners Encouraged To Keep Their Pets Safe At Home: Council Comp. on until April 9th, Protest For Koalas: Manly - Sunday March 12, Concert: Rock For Lizard Rock, Permaculture Northern Beaches - Upcoming Events, Black Summer Vigil For Wildlife: April 2nd, Australia’s Hotly Contested Eucalypt Of The Year Voting Now Open - closes March 19, Report Fox Sightings, Weed Of The Week: Cassia - Please Pull Out And Save Our Bush, Create A Spit To Seaforth Oval Walk: The Missing Link - Petition, New 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, Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities, We now have a treaty governing the high seas; Can it protect the Wild West of the oceans?, The high seas are supposed to belong to everyone – a new UN treaty aims to make it law, When is a nature reserve not a nature reserve?; When it’s already been burned and logged, Study Into Global Daily Air Pollution Shows Almost Nowhere On Earth Is Safe, Drones Detect Moss Beds And Changes To Antarctica Climate, Pioneering Study Shows Flood Risks Can Still Be Considerably Reduced If All Global Promises To Cut Carbon Emissions Are Kept, Solar power can cut living costs but it’s not an option for many people – they need better support, First look at the new settlement rule of Australia’s electricity market; has it worked?, Buildings used iron from sunken ships centuries ago; The use of recycled materials should be business as usual by now, ‘Let’s get real’: scientists discover a new way climate change threatens cold-blooded animals, Crocodiles are uniquely protected against fungal infections. This might one day help human medicine too, How we discovered flamingos form cliques; just like humans, Pittwater Reserves: Histories + Notes + Pictorial Walks, Where to recycle plastic bread tags, The Australian Eucalyptus Longhorn, The little ships of Bayview - poem from 1926 + a Pelican of Bayview

Inbox News Housing Crisis: Five Initiatives That Should Be On The NSW Election Agenda - UNSW Housing Experts Weigh In, Antipsychotics are increasingly being prescribed to children: here's why we should be concerned, Long COVID linked to air pollution exposure in young adults: new study, Postpartum exercise can have many benefits: here' how to do it safely, Drunk Mice Sober Up After A Hormone Shot, Plastic Containers Can Contain PFAS - and It's Getting Into Food, Fledgling Chronic Back Pain Therapy Needs More Rigorous Study, How Heavy Alcohol Consumption Increases Brain Inflammation, What Is A Cultural Policy and Why Does Australia Need One?, Age Of First Exposure To Tackle Football and Years Played Associated With Less White Matter In Brain, When It Comes To Food Allergies; Trust Your Gut, Bald Eagles Aren't Fledging As Many Chicks Due To Avian Influenza, Armidale Provincial City (1958), Pension Increase: How Often Important As How Much, About The Warfarin Shortage 2023, Poor Sleep Linked To Years Of Poor Cardiovascular Health, Spinal Cord Stimulation Doesn't Help With Back Pain, From The COTA NSW CEO: People Over 50 Largest Voter Group In NSW, Applications Now Open For Inaugural $10,000 Military History Prize, Australia’s first female journalists reported on wars and human rights around the world – but many died in obscurity, Mary Wollstonecraft: an introduction to the mother of first-wave feminism, History Of The Balmoral Beach Tramline, Express Yourself 2023, Newport circa 1880-1890, Northern Composure Band Competition 2023, School Leavers Support, Word Of The Week: Viola, Music, silence, love and power: the engrossing story of a child prodigy in the court of Louis XIV, Dangerous selfies aren't just foolish; We need to treat them like the public health hazard they really are, The World's First Horse Riders, From Squid Game and Physical: 100 to K-pop and BTS, translation is central to tectonic shifts in global cultural consumption, Humans are still hunting for aliens; Here's how astronomers are looking for life beyond Earth, AI could take your job but it can also help you score a new one with these simple tips, Australia's first female journalists reported on wars and human rights around the world but many died in obscurity, Mary Wollstonecraft: an introduction to the mother of first-wave feminism, Quantum mechanics: how the future might influence the past, Polaroids of the everyday and portraits of the rich and famous: you should know the compulsive photography of Andy Warhol, Great Mysteries of Physics 1: is time an illusion?, Lady Rhondda: the little-known suffragette whose efforts led to greater equality for women, 

Profile of the Week Ringtail Posse: 2 - March 2023
Kevin Murray: Tawny Frogmouth - Kayleigh Greig: Red-Bellied Black Snake - Bec Woods:  Australian Water Dragon - Margaret Woods: Owlet-Nightjar - Hilary Green: Butcher Bird -  Susan Sorensen: Wallaby

Definition from
Ringtail: from the 'Common Ringtail Possum' which is not so common anymore in urban areas. The Common Ringtail Possum is found along the entire eastern part of Australia and south west Western Australia. They are also found throughout Tasmania. The western ringtail possum is a threatened species under State and Commonwealth legislation. In Western Australia the species is listed as Critically Endangered fauna under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.

Posse: noun. 1 : a large group often with a common interest 2 : a body of persons summoned by a sheriff to assist in preserving the public peace usually in an emergency 3 : a group of people temporarily organised to make a search (as for a lost child) 4 : one's attendants or associates.

In what’s known as a ‘turn up for the books’ current finalising of a History page on the Black Swamp-Beeby Park- Kitchener Park reserves brought into stark relief the incongruous paradox of the former owner of the current day ‘Mona Pub’ land site as John Thomas Hewitt, Mona Vale’s live-in the area Constable.

Officially opening on November 28th, 1966, just over a fortnight after the Mona Vale Memorial Hall was officially opened on November 12th 1966, the changes between a village surrounded by farms that fed Sydney, and aiming to be a holiday destination through the aspirations of such edifices as the then named La Corniche, which sought to fulfil the gap left when the Rock Lily had its licence to sell alcohol taken away in 1914 under a scheme termed 'Reduction', the changes from green fields to shops and a motel and hotel, and supermarkets, took place quickly in Mona Vale.

Attached to Manly Police Station (No.4), which opened in 1863, J T Hewitt became the ‘go to’ person for accidents, drownings, first aid, domestic violence and anything else that was difficult.  He also served as a Warringah Shire Councillor for years and was at the core of and fundamental to the changes that saw the 'Black Swamp' become Beeby and Kitchener Parks. He was a founding member of the Mona Vale SLSC and Mona Vale Golf Club and helped establish the first Ambulance Waggon and shed for the same at Mona Vale.

John Thomas Hewitt, born 1867, who emigrated from Ireland, arriving in Sydney aboard The Austral on December 8th 1890 as a 23 year old, was a Probationary Constable, and listed as such by January 7th, 1891; Service No: 6122. 

This Issue a few insights into a Mona Vale champion.

Pittwater Offshore Newsletter: March 1, 2023

Click on Logo to access the latest PON:  

To contact Roy:  editor@scotlandisland.org.au

Contents March 1st Issue: Scotland Island's Tree Canopy: is it really dying? - The Rec Centre Playground: looking after an important island asset - The Dark Side of the Moon: a review - Fire Shed Dinner: Elvina Bay - Clean Up Australia Day, 2023 - International Women's Day: Voices - The Tuesday Discussion Group - International Folk Dancing - Scotland Island Café - Graeme Crayford Memorial Run / Walk - Feast for Freedom - Two Catherines: The Scotland Island Play - Scotland Island house for rent - Request for information: MV Beaver

Letters To The Editor

Letters should preferably be 150 to 175 words.
Letters must include the writer's address and phone number and 'permission to publish'.
Letters should not contain attachments.
Letters should be exclusive to Pittwater Online News.

The editor's prerogative includes editing letters for length, grammar or legal reasons, among other considerations. 

Buses Still Being Cancelled 

Dear Editor

Re; Issue February 2023 report on cancelled buses. Nothing has improved. To find all upcoming services have been cancelled minutes before you were meant to catch a bus, has added hours of travel time, being late for work, and increased costs to commuting.

We hope you have forwarded our questions on 'how will you solve bus cancellation problem? to all 2023 State Election Candidates.

Screenshot Thursday March 9, 2023:


Screenshot Tuesday March 7, 2023:



Protect Pittwater Update

Saturday March 11 2023
Today at our stall outside La Banette, bakery in Avalon, people from last week returned with friends to collect 'Bring Back Pittwater Council' stickers. 




They also asked us how to vote to best 'Protect Pittwater'.

Our advice today was NUMBER EVERY BOX.  Give your first preference to your candidate of choice but don't waste your vote getting eliminated if your No 1 choice doesn't get up.  

Pittwater is such a special place.  We must protect it.  We need to work together!'

Bring Back Pittwater Council sticker design by Pru Wawn

Roadworks

Narrabeen
Pittwater Road between Albert Street and Wakehurst Parkway; Wed 15 Mar to Fri 31 Mar 2023 - 10:00pm to 5:00am.
Traffic affected both directions. Reduced speed limit (40km/h), Check signage, Exercise caution. Traffic lights at the intersection of Pittwater Rd and Waterloo St will be blacked out with alternating (stop/slow) traffic conditions in place. Reduced speed limit (40km/h), Exercise caution, Check signage

Frenchs Forest to Seaforth
Wakehurst Parkway between Warringah Road and Clontarf Street: to Mon 13 Mar 2023- 9:00pm to 5:00am. 
Traffic affected both directions. Alternating (stop/slow) traffic conditions will be in place and some traffic lights may be blacked out, with traffic controllers managing the intersection. Reduced speed limit (40km/h), Exercise caution, Check signage

Balgowlah
Manly Road between Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation and Spit Road: to Mon 13 Mar 2023 - 11:00pm to 4:30am. 
Traffic affected all directions. Alternating (stop/slow) traffic conditions will be in place and traffic lights at the intersection of Manly Rd and Sydney Rd will be flashing, with traffic controllers directing motorists. Reduced speed limit (40km/h), Exercise caution, Check signage

Conservation Zones Review And Technical Studies Update

Dear community member
We’re writing to provide an update on the Conservation Zones Review and Technical Studies project following the public exhibition from September to December 2022.

The main aim of this exhibition was to seek feedback on a draft methodology for the use of Conservation Zones across the Northern Beaches.   

Thanks to those who lodged a submission with Council. We know there was a lot to consider and we appreciate the time and effort taken.

We received and analysed 935 submissions from 837 individuals. A copy of the submissions will be available on our project website by the end of February 2023, along with a Consultation Report which summarises key issues and Council’s response.

We anticipate many of the issues raised can be resolved by changes to the draft Conservation Zones Review methodology currently being investigated by Council.

Where areas of dispute remain about the accuracy of Council mapping of criteria used in the review, we will engage relevant consultants and contact those landowners to arrange a site inspection. We are expecting to undertake these inspections between April and June 2023.

The outcomes from the Review will help us in discussions with the Department of Planning and Environment in the development of the draft Northern Beaches Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan, which will be presented to Council and exhibited for community feedback in 2024.

We thank you for your continued interest in this project.
Please feel free to share this email with others by using the forward button below.

Strategic and Place Planning team
Northern Beaches Council

Connecting Women At Pittwater RSL This March

On the 24th of March, Pittwater will launch ‘Connecting Women’, an annual networking and fundraising event at the Pittwater RSL Club, with profits donated to The Women’s Resilience Centre in Mona Vale.

The event will include a keynote presentation and Q&A hosted by Sarah Wilson, a multi-New York Times and Amazon best-selling author, podcaster, international keynote speaker, philanthropist and climate change advisor.

Sarah is known globally for founding the I Quit Sugar movement – a digital wellness program and 13 award-winning books that sell in 52 countries – which saw millions around-the-world transform their health. In 2022 Sarah sold the business and gave everything to charity.

Her New York Times bestseller, 'First, We Make the Beast Beautiful', is described by Mark Manson as “the best book on living with anxiety that I’ve ever read” and was featured as a book of the year on NBC’s Today Show. Sarah’s most recent title, 'This One Wild & Precious Life', won the 2021 US Gold Nautilus Award.

Following Sarah, there will be a presentation by Simone Allan, founder of the Women’s Resilience Centre in Mona Vale. The Women’s Resilience Centre is a place of hope and healing for women who have suffered domestic violence, deep loss or trauma and who need support in stepping forward to reset and rebuild their lives.  

The Centre offers trauma informed capability programs to help women reset their lives and step forward with hope. Their goal is to positively support families, across generations, through trauma informed programs of recovery.

The event will conclude with a joint announcement by Simone Allan and Jason Manning, CEO of Pittwater, of a significant investment in the Pittwater local community. 

“Pittwater is honoured to announce our partnership and support of The Women’s Resilience Centre in Mona Vale. Our funding will support women in our community who have or are, experiencing a trauma response to an incredibly challenging situation in their life. Pittwater is honoured to sponsor the Caring Conversation program and support women in our community as they bravely step forward into a brighter future with opportunity and hope.” Jason Manning, Chief Executive Officer, Pittwater RSL.

“The Women’s Resilience Centre is deeply grateful for this truly collaborative partnership with Pittwater RSL, by supporting us with sponsorship funding and program amplification to the community that they care for. This will support the Women’s Resilience Centre to offer our trauma informed program “Caring Conversations” to assist women in the community to step forward in a supported and positive fashion. This program will provide a service to allow women to feel safe and heard and supported to step ahead, with a trusting community of practical support. Resetting Lives and positively impacting generations ahead.” Simone Allan, Director and Founder, Women’s Resilience Centre.

Event details
Connecting Women @ Pittwater RSL
Ticket price: $85 (includes light lunch and refreshments)
Date: 24 March 2023
Doors open: 10.30am | Event starts: 11.00am – 1.30pm
Book tickets here: www.trybooking.com/CGATY
Address: Pittwater RSL, 82 Mona Vale Road, Mona Vale NSW 2102

NSW SES Warringah / Pittwater Unit: Women Helping Women

Exciting news; Back by popular demand, our “Women helping women” free public workshops will be offered in March and April this year. 

Don’t miss your opportunity to gain practical knowledge and be prepared in emergency situations. We promise it is going to be a fun and engaging session, places are limited. 

Registration is essential, click the link below to secure your spot. 

If you know any woman who will be interested, feel free to share the info. 
We look forward to seeing you there!


NSW’s Largest Flood On Record Finally Comes To An End

Thursday March 9, 2023
After a gruelling 177 days, the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has lifted its final flood warning, signifying the end of the longest flooding operation in the organisation’s history. 
 
This week, the river level dropped below minor on the Darling River at Burtundy in western NSW. 
 
Since 14 September 2022, the NSW SES has been active across widespread parts of the State. 
 
The NSW SES responded to almost 27,000 requests for assistance from the public. These included more than 960 flood rescues of people caught in flood water, issuing more than a record two million sandbags to residents trying to protect their properties and undertaking more than 1,000 resupply missions to isolated communities. 
 
NSW SES Acting Commissioner Damien Johnston praised the tireless efforts of NSW SES volunteers as well as state, national and international emergency partners who assisted with the response. 
 
“It’s been an incredible commitment by the men and women who volunteer their time to be a part of the NSW SES,” he said.
 
“They have given more than two million hours of work during this flood. They took time off from their own employment and away from their families to help communities who were impacted by this devastating natural disaster.”
 
The unprecedented nature of flooding saw the NSW SES draw on support from emergency partners from across the State and all over the country. It was also the first time in NSW’s history that an international contingent from Singapore and New Zealand assisted with the flood efforts. 
 
Acting Commissioner Johnston said this flood event was tragic, resulting in the deaths of seven people.
 
“On behalf of the NSW SES and all our members I express our sincere condolences to the families and friends of loved ones who lost their lives,” he said.
 
Thousands of livestock, crops, pets, properties, and businesses were also lost to the flood waters. Ultimately, 157 homes were destroyed and 2816 homes left uninhabitable. 
 
During the flood crisis, the NSW SES issued over 3,960 emergency warnings to impacted communities across NSW.

Applications Now Open For Inaugural $10,000 Military History Prize

Applications are now open for the inaugural $10,000 Anzac Memorial Trustees Military History Prize – a new annual award within the prestigious NSW Premier’s History Awards.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the establishment of the award highlighted the importance of recording our military history to honour and remember our veterans.

“Capturing our military history is vital in ensuring future generations are educated on the service and sacrifice of Australians in armed conflicts,” Mr Elliott said.

“This prize is not only an important acknowledgement of the work which is already being done to record the events and stories of those who served in conflict and peacekeeping missions but also provides an avenue for that work to be shared more widely.

“This is another step in ensuring the sacrifices of all those who have served in the defence forces and military operations continue to be profiled as part of the nation’s military history, so our veterans will not be forgotten.

“I encourage all historians with an interest in our military history to apply for this award as it will help future generations learn about and understand the bravery, dedication and legacy of our veterans,” Mr Elliott said.

The Military History Prize is for a work of non-fiction on the involvement of Australians in wars, campaigns, battles and/or peacekeeping operations which are represented in the Anzac Memorial’s Hall of Service. The Hall of Service displays 100 international sites of military significance for NSW service personnel from the 19th Century to more recent military operations.

In the Anzac spirit, the Prize is open to citizens and permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand. Entries close on 6 April with winners announced in September 2023. For more information visit: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/awards/nsw-premiers-history-awards

How To Deal With Loneliness And Get Support

March 8, 2023
Everyone feels down sometimes, but if it’s constant you may want support. Learn some ways to keep yourself strong and how to reach out for help.

Loneliness and isolation can affect a person’s emotional wellbeing. Everyone may experience down days from time to time. But when these feelings are constant, you might notice that you feel nervous or jumpy. Or that you’re quick to anger. You might lose interest in things you used to love doing. Or even turn to drugs and alcohol.

Tips to help keep yourself strong:
  1. Make sure you get enough sleep and eat well.
  2. Stay connected with family and friends who give you strength and support.
  3. Take time out for yourself. Do things you enjoy, like taking a hot bath, reconnecting with country or simply getting some fresh air.
  4. Stay connected to your physical body by playing sports or music, even dancing.
If you’re feeling down or no good, you can call 13YARN on 13 92 76. You can speak with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander support worker. It’s free, confidential and a safe place to yarn without shame or judgement. The service is available 24/7.

Report Hate Crimes

NSW Police Force: 
If you are subjected to hate on social media or online you should keep evidence by taking screen shots of the abuse including usernames, URLs and any other relevant information. 

You can report the abuse directly to the platform and report in person at any Police Station. 

If you witness a hate incident or hate crime but are not the victim, you can still make a report to the NSW Police.

In an Emergency call Triple Zero (000). If not urgent, you can report online at crimestoppers.com.au or call 1800 333 000 or report in person at any Police Station. 

Finding Help To Pay Your Bills

For many it’s getting to the stage where you feel sick to your stomach walking to your letterbox or opening your email. You know there’s going to be yet another bill in there costing you more money that you don’t have. The bills are relentless.  

Take a deep breath. You have some options.  

At the end of the day, the biller just wants to be paid
When facing the constant, never-ending deluge of bills that we all receive, it is very easy to forget the fundamental truth: the biller just wants to be paid. Yes, they want to be paid their money in a timely manner, but as they consolidate their own debts, it is in their interest that you pay your money at a later point than not at all. 

As a person struggling to stay on top of your bills, it is always worth keeping this in mind. As long as a company wants to see its debt paid, there will always be a pathway forward.  

To encourage people to pay their bills on time, it is becoming increasingly common for bills to offer an ‘on-time’ discount. Pay your bills by the due date and you’ll pay less.  

On-time discounts are a strong incentive for many. But, for those struggling to find the money to pay those bills it makes little to no difference. 

Many government agencies and utility companies will offer the ability to apply for a bill extension or instalment plan to pay off a bill. If you know times are tough right now, but that you will have access to more money at a future date, then this can be a good way to defer your debts for a limited time period. You can usually find details about such deferral schemes on the back of the bill you receive or on the website of the biller. 

Different types of bills deliver different relief solutions
For many organisations when they talk about offering relief to people with difficulty meeting bill obligations, they will refer to their relief solutions. Quite often what they are talking about here is putting customers onto an instalment plan to pay off their bill. 

Bill payment relief can take multiple forms. For example, many Queensland local councils can refer citizens to the Independent Rates Relief Tribunal which can provide assistance to people having difficulty meeting basic living expenses. To be eligible for assistance like this, the applicants must reside at the residence where the rates are due and own just the one property, among several restrictions. 

Some companies are better about the level of support they offer than others. An example of a company that offers a really good service to its customers facing financial hardship is energy provider AGL. Ultimately, it is still a company which is doing what it can to see bills paid, but it goes the extra step with advice and options to try to keep ahead of debt. 

It offers the ‘Staying Connected’ program, where consultants assist customers with: 

Tailored plans that match the customer’s situation to put them on a payment plan. 
Advice on payment options, government assistance, and available concessions. 
Connecting customers with free and independent financial counselling and support services. 
Advice on energy efficiency to bring bill prices down. 

Real help you can use
Deferring payments or entering instalment plans is not a long-term solution. After all, it may fix the problem of the current bill, but next month or quarter, another bill will land in your letterbox. While deferring your immediate debts, you need to find a solution that can help you meet your bill obligations into the future. 

The best thing you can do is to call the government-run National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. It runs Mon-Fri 9:30am - 4:30pm. They will help you with general financial suggestions, but also advise on consumer rights and other related issues. Indigenous Australians might prefer to call the similar Mob Strong Debt Helpline on 1800 808 488.  

You may also be able to access further assistance through charities and other community organisations who offer emergency relief services like: 
  • Food vouchers / supplies. 
  • Assistance with utility bills.
  • Clothing and furniture.
Don't let your health be impacted
Anyone who tries telling you that money doesn’t buy happiness is someone who hasn’t felt the mental stress of a debt spiral.  

People having trouble paying their bills can find that they: 
  • Are constantly stressed and irritable. 
  • Have difficulty sleeping. 
  • Find solace in substance abuse like alcohol and drugs.
  • Cease spending money on healthcare (therapies, medication, and other treatments) to try to pay off debt.
  • Overspend (often using credit cards) to feel better about the stress that they feel. 
Just as you can get free help to combat your debt, there are several services available to help you with your mental health. Beyond Blue is the largest and most well-known organisation that can help with mental health. You can talk to counsellors via their website www.beyondblue.org.au or over the phone 1300 22 4636.  

There are also other services that can help. If you are still in employment, many businesses offer their staff free access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). There are also specialised services like MensLine Australia that are focused on assisting with men’s mental health issues. 

Disclaimer
All insights and information provided should be considered general advice for educational purposes only. As we are unaware of your personal circumstances, the information in this article should not be misconstrued as personalised financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified financial professional before making any major financial decisions. 

March 5 - 11 2023: Issue 574

This Issue: full list in Contents page 

Front Page Issue 574

Jack ‘Johnny’ Carter's Ashes Returned To His Palm Beach Home

Vale Sydney Fischer AM OBE

New Marine Rescue Broken Bay Base Commissioned: A Building Designed To Look Like A Boat To Honour Its Purpose - The Work Of Marine Rescue Volunteers

Pittwater Woman Of The Year For 2023 Is Sally Mayman: Announced At Zonta Cub Of Northern Beaches International Women's Day Breakfast

Aquatics: Surf Life Saving NSW State Masters Championships 2023 A 'Great Reunion' For All

From The Council Chamber - February 28, 2023

Appointment Of New Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Announced As Alex Barrell: A Local Gentleman From A Family Who Have Served Our Community For Decades

Protect Pittwater On The Streets Again Calling For Council Demerger Poll

Priorities? The Wildlife Exclusion Fences On The Wakehurst Parkway Are In A Terrible State Of Repair

10,500 Sign Petition To Save Lizard Rock From Development

Pictures:  A stroll through Warriewood Wetlands by Joe Mills

Park Bench Philosophers How to help teen girls’ mental health struggles – 6 research-based strategies for parents, teachers and friends

Environment Avalon Dunes Bushcare Returns Sunday March 5th, Priorities? The Wildlife Exclusion Fences On The Wakehurst Parkway Are In A Terrible State Of Repair, Swamp Wallaby At Palm Beach, Cat Owners Encouraged To Keep Their Pets Safe At Home, Baby Water Dragon At Warriewood Wetlands, Council Set To Trial Soft Plastics Recycling Program, Leopold Slug, Australia’s Hotly Contested Eucalypt Of The Year Voting Now Open, Report Fox Sightings, Protest For Koalas: Manly - Sunday March 12, NSW National Park Additions Welcome – But Where Are The Koalas Meant To Live? Just 3.1% Of Land Pledged By Coalition Government Is Significant Koala Habitat, Concert: Rock For Lizard Rock: Sunday March 12, Create A Spit To Seaforth Oval Walk: The Missing Link - Petition, Prune Viburnum Hedge Agapanthus Flowers To Prevent Spread Into Bush Reserves, New 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, Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities, Gardens and Environment Groups and Organisations In Pittwater, State Government Caught Out In More Secret Deals + Statement On The Department's Rezoning Pathways Program, 2023: The Year The NSW Government Will Consider The Largest Coal Expansion Since Paris Agreement, Leave It In The Ground: Liverpool Plains Community Unites Against Santos, Plibersek’s Approval Of Santos’ Arcadia Valley Gasfield Doesn’t Pass The Climate Sniff Test, Buru’s Bulldozers Let Loose On Kimberley Savanna - Again, Thurloo Downs Acquired: The Largest Acquisition In NSW National Parks History, Threatened species recover in fenced safe havens; But their safety is only temporary, Australia's Rarest Bird Of Prey Disappearing At Alarming Rate, Move over honeybees: Aussie native bees steal the show with unique social and foraging behaviours, Human-Wildlife Conflicts Rising Worldwide With Climate Change, Blue Whale Foraging And Reproduction Are Related To Environmental Conditions, Water buybacks are back on the table in the Murray-Darling Basin. Here’s a refresher on how they work, What if urban plans gave natural systems the space to recover from the cities built over them? It can be done, The new major players in conservation?; NGOs thrive while national parks struggle, Pittwater Reserves: Histories + Notes + Pictorial Walks, Where to recycle plastic bread tags

Inbox News Paralympics Australia Releases Landmark Sporting and Social Masterplan: Strategy for Australian Paralympic Sport to Brisbane and Beyond, Genomics has helped identify a new strep A strain in Australia – and what has made it dangerous, Australia has a new cybersecurity agenda. Two key questions lie at its heart, Alcohol Delivery Services Used To Extend Australian Drinking Sessions: Study, A ‘recently discovered’ whale feeding strategy has turned up in 2,000-year-old texts about fearsome sea monsters, Loneliness Is Central To Perinatal Depression, Wastewater Sector Emits Nearly Twice As Much Methane As Previously Thought, Albanese government to hike tax on earnings from big super balances – but not until 2025-26, Tiny Environmental Plastic Particles In Mum's Food Reach Unborn Children, Leopold Slug, Express Yourself 2023, Surf Patrol: Manly In 1950, Pittwater High School: 60 Years Young In 2023, Northern Composure Band Competition 2023, School Leavers Support, Word Of The Week: Ponder, From deadly jaws and enormous strength to mushroom farming; Ant-Man is only tapping into a portion of the real superpowers of ants, The art of balding: a brief history of hairless men, ‘Why would you go to uni?’ A new study looks at what young Australians do after school, Empires of ice: how Edmund Hillary’s Antarctic adventure 65 years ago helped loosen NZ’s colonial ties to Britain, Scientists just revealed the most detailed geological model of Earth’s past 100 million years, Extinct elephant birds were 3 metres tall and weighed 700kg; DNA from fossil eggshells reveals how they lived, The Dark Side of the Moon at 50: how Marx, trauma and compassion all influenced Pink Floyd’s masterpiece, Exercise is even more effective than counselling or medication for depression; But how much do you need?, Ghost Town Puts Clock Back 100 Years: 1952, Minister For Aged Care - Op-Ed, Applications Now Open For Inaugural $10,000 Military History Prize, Get Boostered! No Room For COVID Complacency As Winter Wave Threatens, COTA Australia Welcomes Super Clarity; Calls For Retirement Income Certainty, Banks Looking To Dump The Cheque Book, Older women are doing remarkable things – it’s time for the putdowns to end, The Dark Side of the Moon at 50: how Marx, trauma and compassion all influenced Pink Floyd’s masterpiece, What is delirium?

Profile of the Week The Newport Leatherjackets
Social swim groups in Newport SLSC Welcome all Community Members
At Newport SLSC there are three social swim groups; The Leatherjackets, Flat Whites and The Knackers - where you can ‘get in the swim’ year round.

A chat with Rob Barkley, long-term member of the club, as nominated by his fellow Leatherjacket members, provides an insight into the formation of these groups and how everyone in the Newport community is welcome at their local surf club.

In September 1902 James Booth opened a hall for dancing parties at Mona Vale on the corner of Darley street and Pittwater road (then Bay View road) - thus the sometimes 'Bay View' sometimes 'Mona Vale' address given. The opening night was a gay affair, people coming from miles away and all directions in coaches and by foot. This hall was used as a meeting place but there was no dedicated community hall for residents. He put this hall up for sale in 1917.

This space and others near it were still used for community events like the showing of films, for instance.

The community also often made use of the building erected by George Brock, once known as 'The Oaks' and then 'La Corniche'. However, it became apparent during World War II when that structure was used by defence forces, that something closer to the village 'heart' of Mona Vale as a dedicated community hall was needed.

Just as all our local community World War I Memorials and cenotaphs were made possible through local effort and funding, such as the water fountain and stone Memorial in Mona Vale's Village Park, consecrated in 1926, there were also movements to establish much needed bricks and mortar 'meeting places' of value for the local community, especially when that was infrastructure such as a kindergarten - the Palm Beach War Memorial Kindergarten is an example - or a community hall - such as the shed that originally served as the original Avalon Beach RSL and the Scout Hall, that was needed and was clearly NOT going to come quick enough from federal, state or local government. 

Alike the WWI markers in every town and village, placed in the core of communities as a permanent reminder of all those who did not come home, literally; as only one person's body, Major-General Sir William Throsby Bridges, was brought home, these solid investments back into these 'home places' were also viewed not just as a tribute to those who had served and would willingly gather with the community in these places if still alive, still here, or the reasons those little children played in that school yard, or all that community could gather in that hall and debate something that mattered to them or lift their joined voices in song, they were also, for those who would always miss these killed in battle loved ones or died as a result of physical or psychological wounds afterwards, a place to 'bring them back in' and keep them here with us - We Will Remember Them.

Locally a lot of these 'Memorial' buildings also sprang from returned veterans and their loved ones.

To this end the reserve area in Mona Vale, set aside as The Black Swamp 'for camping' on February 8th 1870, and later named Beeby and Kitchener parks, was also the first site identified as the place to build a community Memorial Hall for Mona Vale.

Pittwater Offshore Newsletter: March 1, 2023

Click on Logo to access the latest PON:  

To contact Roy:  editor@scotlandisland.org.au

Contents March 1st Issue: Scotland Island's Tree Canopy: is it really dying? - The Rec Centre Playground: looking after an important island asset - The Dark Side of the Moon: a review - Fire Shed Dinner: Elvina Bay - Clean Up Australia Day, 2023 - International Women's Day: Voices - The Tuesday Discussion Group - International Folk Dancing - Scotland Island Café - Graeme Crayford Memorial Run / Walk - Feast for Freedom - Two Catherines: The Scotland Island Play - Scotland Island house for rent - Request for information: MV Beaver

Letters To The Editor

Letters should preferably be 150 to 175 words.
Letters must include the writer's address and phone number and 'permission to publish'.
Letters should not contain attachments.
Letters should be exclusive to Pittwater Online News.

The editor's prerogative includes editing letters for length, grammar or legal reasons, among other considerations. 

Warringah Freeway Upgrade Protest

"Building bigger roads to fight traffic congestion is like buying a bigger belt to fight obesity"

The disastrous Warringah freeway upgrade is a major community issue that requires championing to challenge the NSW Government's  poor decision making,  lack of transparency and absence of proper consultation.

The lead up to the March 25th  State election is the most effective time to be heard by this otherwise deaf but vote sensitive NSW Government.

 Please join the protest at: 
 1pm THIS SATURDAY 11 MARCH at Anzac Park, 
Corner of Anzac Avenueand Ernest Street CAMMERAY

ELIZABETH FARRELLY and fellow independent candidates:
Joelene Hackmann (Manly),
Krystin Haywood (Wahroonga),
Larissa Penn (Willoughby)
Alex Greenwich (Independent MP for Sydney)  

will join concerned locals and community groups in this protest to demand change.

Roadworks

Narrabeen
Pittwater Road between Albert Street and Wakehurst Parkway; Wed 15 Mar to Fri 31 Mar 2023 - 10:00pm to 5:00am.
Traffic affected both directions. Reduced speed limit (40km/h), Check signage, Exercise caution. Traffic lights at the intersection of Pittwater Rd and Waterloo St will be blacked out with alternating (stop/slow) traffic conditions in place. Reduced speed limit (40km/h), Exercise caution, Check signage

Frenchs Forest to Seaforth
Wakehurst Parkway between Warringah Road and Clontarf Street: to Mon 13 Mar 2023- 9:00pm to 5:00am. 
Traffic affected both directions. Alternating (stop/slow) traffic conditions will be in place and some traffic lights may be blacked out, with traffic controllers managing the intersection. Reduced speed limit (40km/h), Exercise caution, Check signage

Balgowlah
Manly Road between Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation and Spit Road: to Mon 13 Mar 2023 - 11:00pm to 4:30am. 
Traffic affected all directions. Alternating (stop/slow) traffic conditions will be in place and traffic lights at the intersection of Manly Rd and Sydney Rd will be flashing, with traffic controllers directing motorists. Reduced speed limit (40km/h), Exercise caution, Check signage

Conservation Zones Review And Technical Studies Update

Dear community member
We’re writing to provide an update on the Conservation Zones Review and Technical Studies project following the public exhibition from September to December 2022.

The main aim of this exhibition was to seek feedback on a draft methodology for the use of Conservation Zones across the Northern Beaches.   

Thanks to those who lodged a submission with Council. We know there was a lot to consider and we appreciate the time and effort taken.

We received and analysed 935 submissions from 837 individuals. A copy of the submissions will be available on our project website by the end of February 2023, along with a Consultation Report which summarises key issues and Council’s response.

We anticipate many of the issues raised can be resolved by changes to the draft Conservation Zones Review methodology currently being investigated by Council.

Where areas of dispute remain about the accuracy of Council mapping of criteria used in the review, we will engage relevant consultants and contact those landowners to arrange a site inspection. We are expecting to undertake these inspections between April and June 2023.

The outcomes from the Review will help us in discussions with the Department of Planning and Environment in the development of the draft Northern Beaches Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan, which will be presented to Council and exhibited for community feedback in 2024.

We thank you for your continued interest in this project.
Please feel free to share this email with others by using the forward button below.

Strategic and Place Planning team
Northern Beaches Council

Connecting Women At Pittwater RSL This March

On the 24th of March, Pittwater will launch ‘Connecting Women’, an annual networking and fundraising event at the Pittwater RSL Club, with profits donated to The Women’s Resilience Centre in Mona Vale.

The event will include a keynote presentation and Q&A hosted by Sarah Wilson, a multi-New York Times and Amazon best-selling author, podcaster, international keynote speaker, philanthropist and climate change advisor.

Sarah is known globally for founding the I Quit Sugar movement – a digital wellness program and 13 award-winning books that sell in 52 countries – which saw millions around-the-world transform their health. In 2022 Sarah sold the business and gave everything to charity.

Her New York Times bestseller, 'First, We Make the Beast Beautiful', is described by Mark Manson as “the best book on living with anxiety that I’ve ever read” and was featured as a book of the year on NBC’s Today Show. Sarah’s most recent title, 'This One Wild & Precious Life', won the 2021 US Gold Nautilus Award.

Following Sarah, there will be a presentation by Simone Allan, founder of the Women’s Resilience Centre in Mona Vale. The Women’s Resilience Centre is a place of hope and healing for women who have suffered domestic violence, deep loss or trauma and who need support in stepping forward to reset and rebuild their lives.  

The Centre offers trauma informed capability programs to help women reset their lives and step forward with hope. Their goal is to positively support families, across generations, through trauma informed programs of recovery.

The event will conclude with a joint announcement by Simone Allan and Jason Manning, CEO of Pittwater, of a significant investment in the Pittwater local community. 

“Pittwater is honoured to announce our partnership and support of The Women’s Resilience Centre in Mona Vale. Our funding will support women in our community who have or are, experiencing a trauma response to an incredibly challenging situation in their life. Pittwater is honoured to sponsor the Caring Conversation program and support women in our community as they bravely step forward into a brighter future with opportunity and hope.” Jason Manning, Chief Executive Officer, Pittwater RSL.

“The Women’s Resilience Centre is deeply grateful for this truly collaborative partnership with Pittwater RSL, by supporting us with sponsorship funding and program amplification to the community that they care for. This will support the Women’s Resilience Centre to offer our trauma informed program “Caring Conversations” to assist women in the community to step forward in a supported and positive fashion. This program will provide a service to allow women to feel safe and heard and supported to step ahead, with a trusting community of practical support. Resetting Lives and positively impacting generations ahead.” Simone Allan, Director and Founder, Women’s Resilience Centre.

Event details
Connecting Women @ Pittwater RSL
Ticket price: $85 (includes light lunch and refreshments)
Date: 24 March 2023
Doors open: 10.30am | Event starts: 11.00am – 1.30pm
Book tickets here: www.trybooking.com/CGATY
Address: Pittwater RSL, 82 Mona Vale Road, Mona Vale NSW 2102

NSW SES Warringah / Pittwater Unit: Women Helping Women

Exciting news; Back by popular demand, our “Women helping women” free public workshops will be offered in March and April this year. 

Don’t miss your opportunity to gain practical knowledge and be prepared in emergency situations. We promise it is going to be a fun and engaging session, places are limited. 

Registration is essential, click the link below to secure your spot. 

If you know any woman who will be interested, feel free to share the info. 
We look forward to seeing you there!


Get Boostered! No Room For COVID Complacency As Winter Wave Threatens

March 2, 2023
The AMA is encouraging people to check their eligibility and get a COVID-19 booster to protect themselves for the onset of winter and future waves of COVID-19. Vaccines reduce transmission, reduce the severity of illness and there is emerging evidence that vaccination reduces the chance you will develop long Covid.

AMA President Professor Steve Robson said anyone aged over 18 years who has not had a COVID-19 booster or a confirmed COVID infection in the past six months is eligible for another booster.

The Government in early February accepted advice of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), which particularly recommended that those over 65 years and adults aged 18-64 years with complex health needs get a 2023 booster if their last COVID-19 vaccine dose or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was 6 months ago or longer, regardless of the number of prior doses received.

Professor Robson said people needed to prepare for the “next wave” of COVID-19 or the next variant to emerge.

“With the COVID-19 virus very capable of mutating it’s inevitable there will be further variants and new waves in the community, and with winter just around the corner, we really want to encourage people to get their booster shot if they are eligible.

“It’s natural over time that we tend to become complacent with the risks associated with COVID-19, however, last year there were 8,800 deaths due to COVID-19 and there has been an increase in people dying with COVID-19 as the pandemic has progressed.

“Clearly there is no room for complacency. The AMA’s strong advice is for eligible people to get their booster shot.

“We know that fewer than three quarters of Australians have had a third dose and fewer than half of eligible Australians actually got a fourth booster.

“The new boosters will cover the original COVID and the newer Omicron strains.

“We’d like to see every Australian who is eligible, getting their vaccine booster because immunity will have waned and we still need protection against severe infection from COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to make sure you’re up to date with vaccines.

“Boosters lower the chance of getting COVID-19 and reduce the severity of illness if people contract the virus.”

“We encourage people to talk to their GP or other vaccine provider about their options, what vaccines are available and which vaccine might be the best one for them,” Professor Robson said.

The new Pfizer bivalent vaccine will be available from March 6 and this week the Government announced that a new COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna targeting Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 is expected to be available in Australia from April.

Fire And Rescue NSW Expands Fire Safety Lessons Into Schools And Rolls Out New Education Apps 

March 4, 2023
Fire safety will become child’s play as Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) expands its award-winning education program into schools and launches interactive gaming apps.

The new resources, including the ‘Brigade Kids’ website, are tailored for pre-school and primary school-aged children, and deliver engaging lessons on how our youngest can prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from fires.

FRNSW firefighters visited Wattle Grove Public School, in Sydney’s south-west, which is among the first schools to include ‘Brigade Kids’ in its curriculum following a successful trial run on the state’s Mid North Coast.

The ‘Brigade Kids’ website contains easy-to-use lesson plans for teachers, which complement the long-standing school visits conducted by FRNSW firefighters, as well as checklists and activities helping families consider how to stay safe in their own homes.

It also features seven games reinforcing life-saving lessons, such as the importance of working smoke alarms, how to safely escape a building if there is a fire and reporting an emergency to Triple Zero (000).

The newest game, called ‘Home Fire Safety Hero’, is a phone or tablet app using augmented reality technology, which combines real-world experiences with computer-generated content.

It points users to common fire safety hazards in their home and encourages them to make them safe, with virtual firefighters joining them on their journey to deliver fire safety advice.

‘BlazeXcape’, which is a time-based game educating on hazards and what to do if a fire breaks out, is now also available as an app.

FRNSW Assistant Commissioner – Community Safety Trent Curtin said programs like ‘Brigade Kids’, while aimed at children aged four and above, have the ability to improve safety right across the community.

“What our firefighters have found is that children who’ve engaged with these lessons in the classroom are going home and inspiring their parents, extended families and friends to be fire safe,” Assistant Commissioner Curtin said.

“This effectively makes our kids fire safety ambassadors and helps amplify the messages across all age groups and cultural backgrounds.”

The Brigade Kids resources can be found by visiting http://brigadekids.com


Public Inquiry Into Corruption Allegations Concerning Inner West Council, Transport For NSW And Others

Thursday March 2, 2023
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will hold a public inquiry starting Monday 20 March 2023 as part of an investigation it is conducting concerning the conduct of employees of Inner West Council (IWC), Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and others (Operation Hector).

The Commission is investigating allegations that:
  • between 21 July 2015 and 3 October 2020, former Leichhardt Council and IWC employee Tony Nguyen partially and/or dishonestly exercised his official functions by awarding and/or recommending IWC contracts and tenders to companies with which he was associated
  • since 1 January 2017, TfNSW officer Benjamin Vardanega has dishonestly and partially exercised his public official functions by using information gained in the course of his official functions to assist certain contractors to tender for TfNSW work, or to tender for subcontracts from entities that have been awarded TfNSW work, to benefit himself and others
  • since 1 January 2014, TfNSW officer Nima Abdi has dishonestly and partially exercised his public official functions by using information gained in the course of his official functions to assist contractors, with which he had an undeclared association, to tender for TfNSW work, or to tender for subcontracts from entities that had been awarded TfNSW work, to benefit himself and others
  • since 1 January 2017, certain employees of Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd (“Downer”) have dishonestly obtained a benefit for themselves by favouring certain subcontractors when awarding work arising from contracts that TfNSW has awarded to Downer
  • since 1 January 2014, TfNSW employee Raja Sanber has obtained a financial benefit for himself, and others, by undertaking contractor or subcontractor work for various entities on TfNSW projects, in circumstances where he failed to disclose his role in those entities to TfNSW
  • between 1 July 2019 and 31 March 2020, TfNSW employees, and a Downer employee, dishonestly benefited from the payment or application of public funds for their own private advantage by submitting and approving timesheets and invoices for payment in circumstances where no work was carried out
  • between 1 January 2017 and 31 March 2021, a TfNSW employee misused material or information acquired in the course of his public official functions for his own benefit, or for the benefit of Mr Abdi or persons associated with him.  
The general scope and purpose of the public inquiry is to gather evidence relevant to the matters being investigated for the purpose of determining the matters referred to in section 13(2) of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988.

The Commission has decided that, until there is a substantial improvement in the COVID-19 situation in NSW, only those whose presence on Commission premises is deemed essential for the effective conduct of the public inquiry will be permitted on-site. Members of the public and the media will therefore not be permitted to attend the premises for the course of the Operation Hector public inquiry. The Commission will live stream the proceedings via its website, www.icac.nsw.gov.au, and will post exhibits (provided they are not subject to non-publication orders), transcripts and witness lists. Updates will also be provided via the ICAC Twitter account (@nswicac).

Chief Commissioner the Hon John Hatzistergos AM will preside at the public inquiry. Counsel Assisting the Commission will be Phillip English and Joanna Davidson of Counsel. It is expected that the public inquiry will continue for approximately six weeks. A witness list for the first week of the inquiry will be published closer to the commencement date of the proceedings, along with further information about how to access the live stream.

Report Hate Crimes

NSW Police Force: 
If you are subjected to hate on social media or online you should keep evidence by taking screen shots of the abuse including usernames, URLs and any other relevant information. 

You can report the abuse directly to the platform and report in person at any Police Station. 

If you witness a hate incident or hate crime but are not the victim, you can still make a report to the NSW Police.

In an Emergency call Triple Zero (000). If not urgent, you can report online at crimestoppers.com.au or call 1800 333 000 or report in person at any Police Station. 

Finding Help To Pay Your Bills

For many it’s getting to the stage where you feel sick to your stomach walking to your letterbox or opening your email. You know there’s going to be yet another bill in there costing you more money that you don’t have. The bills are relentless.  

Take a deep breath. You have some options.  

At the end of the day, the biller just wants to be paid
When facing the constant, never-ending deluge of bills that we all receive, it is very easy to forget the fundamental truth: the biller just wants to be paid. Yes, they want to be paid their money in a timely manner, but as they consolidate their own debts, it is in their interest that you pay your money at a later point than not at all. 

As a person struggling to stay on top of your bills, it is always worth keeping this in mind. As long as a company wants to see its debt paid, there will always be a pathway forward.  

To encourage people to pay their bills on time, it is becoming increasingly common for bills to offer an ‘on-time’ discount. Pay your bills by the due date and you’ll pay less.  

On-time discounts are a strong incentive for many. But, for those struggling to find the money to pay those bills it makes little to no difference. 

Many government agencies and utility companies will offer the ability to apply for a bill extension or instalment plan to pay off a bill. If you know times are tough right now, but that you will have access to more money at a future date, then this can be a good way to defer your debts for a limited time period. You can usually find details about such deferral schemes on the back of the bill you receive or on the website of the biller. 

Different types of bills deliver different relief solutions
For many organisations when they talk about offering relief to people with difficulty meeting bill obligations, they will refer to their relief solutions. Quite often what they are talking about here is putting customers onto an instalment plan to pay off their bill. 

Bill payment relief can take multiple forms. For example, many Queensland local councils can refer citizens to the Independent Rates Relief Tribunal which can provide assistance to people having difficulty meeting basic living expenses. To be eligible for assistance like this, the applicants must reside at the residence where the rates are due and own just the one property, among several restrictions. 

Some companies are better about the level of support they offer than others. An example of a company that offers a really good service to its customers facing financial hardship is energy provider AGL. Ultimately, it is still a company which is doing what it can to see bills paid, but it goes the extra step with advice and options to try to keep ahead of debt. 

It offers the ‘Staying Connected’ program, where consultants assist customers with: 

Tailored plans that match the customer’s situation to put them on a payment plan. 
Advice on payment options, government assistance, and available concessions. 
Connecting customers with free and independent financial counselling and support services. 
Advice on energy efficiency to bring bill prices down. 

Real help you can use
Deferring payments or entering instalment plans is not a long-term solution. After all, it may fix the problem of the current bill, but next month or quarter, another bill will land in your letterbox. While deferring your immediate debts, you need to find a solution that can help you meet your bill obligations into the future. 

The best thing you can do is to call the government-run National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. It runs Mon-Fri 9:30am - 4:30pm. They will help you with general financial suggestions, but also advise on consumer rights and other related issues. Indigenous Australians might prefer to call the similar Mob Strong Debt Helpline on 1800 808 488.  

You may also be able to access further assistance through charities and other community organisations who offer emergency relief services like: 
  • Food vouchers / supplies. 
  • Assistance with utility bills.
  • Clothing and furniture.
Don't let your health be impacted
Anyone who tries telling you that money doesn’t buy happiness is someone who hasn’t felt the mental stress of a debt spiral.  

People having trouble paying their bills can find that they: 
  • Are constantly stressed and irritable. 
  • Have difficulty sleeping. 
  • Find solace in substance abuse like alcohol and drugs.
  • Cease spending money on healthcare (therapies, medication, and other treatments) to try to pay off debt.
  • Overspend (often using credit cards) to feel better about the stress that they feel. 
Just as you can get free help to combat your debt, there are several services available to help you with your mental health. Beyond Blue is the largest and most well-known organisation that can help with mental health. You can talk to counsellors via their website www.beyondblue.org.au or over the phone 1300 22 4636.  

There are also other services that can help. If you are still in employment, many businesses offer their staff free access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). There are also specialised services like MensLine Australia that are focused on assisting with men’s mental health issues. 

Disclaimer
All insights and information provided should be considered general advice for educational purposes only. As we are unaware of your personal circumstances, the information in this article should not be misconstrued as personalised financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified financial professional before making any major financial decisions. 

Swamp Wallaby At Palm Beach 



Photo: Emilio Gallego, taken Friday March 3, 2023 at Dark Gully - PLEASE do not speed through this corner.

Final Pittwater Ocean Swim For 2023 Will Take You Around The Bends

The 'Round the Bends' swim or the Newport To Avalon Swim (& Surf Swim) on Sunday March 12th 2023 - The Newport To Avalon Swim (& Surf Swim) event hosts two previously separate swims in one awesome day of ocean swimming on Sydney's Northern Beaches. There's a 1.2km 'family' swim around the buoys off Avalon Beach and the pinnacle event, the 'Around The Bends' Newport to Avalon Beach 2.5km point-to-point journey swim. For the really keen, there is a rare opportunity to swim both events for the same price! Organisers have scheduled it so that any parent in the 'Around The Bends' swim can be finished and ready to join their kids in the shorter swim - making it a family affair.


Flyer From Pittwater Environmental Heritage: Walkers Needed

Pittwater Environmental Heritage are currently printing these flyers for distribution and are on the lookout for walkers to distribute the flyer door to door. If anyone who loves walking and could help in the next few weeks can send a note to pittwaterenvironmentalheritage@gmail.com that would be appreciated.

Thank you
Pittwater Environmental Heritage

NSW Caretaker Period Has Commenced

The caretaker period for the NSW Election commenced on 3 March 2023.

Accordingly, no ministerial press releases or related information issued by the Government from this date will be available on this website. For copies of recently issued ministerial press releases of information on the election policies of any political party, as they relate to any NSW department/agency or its portfolio area, please go directly to the website of the relevant political party. 

Commission Campaign To Tackle Election Disinformation

The NSW Electoral Commission has launched its campaign to help reduce the spread of disinformation ahead of the NSW State election.  
 
The Stop and Consider campaign is based on the campaign used by the Australian Electoral Commission for the 2022 Federal election. This campaign is intended to provide voters with tools to identify disinformation when they come across it and direct them to more reliable information sources.  
 
NSW Electoral Commissioner John Schmidt said there was already a lot of information circulating about the upcoming State election on Saturday, 25 March.  
 
“With so much information available to voters it can be hard to know what is true and what isn’t. I encourage all voters to stop and consider the information they are seeing and hearing.”  
 
The NSW Electoral Commission is encouraging voters to think about three things when they encounter electoral communications:
  • Reliable: Is the information from a reliable source? 
  • Current: When was it published? 
  • Safe: Could it be a scam? 
Mr Schmidt said false information about elections circulating in the community and online could undermine confidence in the integrity of democratic processes.  
 
“The campaign aims to maintain public confidence in, and understanding of, the electoral process and election outcome.”  
 
“Although the Commission’s role is not to regulate truth in political advertising, these principles can also be applied by voters to a broad range of information they encounter about the upcoming NSW State election.” 

Stop and Consider campaign
The Stop and Consider campaign was launched on Monday, 13 February, across local and metropolitan press and digital platforms. Translated materials are also being promoted to culturally and linguistically diverse audiences.   
 
The campaign will encourage voters to check the source of electoral communication they see or hear over the course of the State election. 

Disinformation register 
The NSW Electoral Commission has launched a disinformation register which rebuts prominent false and misleading statements about electoral processes in NSW.   
 
The register already contains examples of disinformation which have been identified.
 
“We do not comment on whether campaign claims made by political participants (or their supporters) are true or false. As the independent administrator and regulator of elections in NSW, our focus is on the integrity of the electoral process itself.”  

Working with online platforms 
The NSW Electoral Commission undertakes ongoing monitoring of media and social media during election periods to identify disinformation. It is also working with online platforms to reduce the risk of harm that may arise from the spread of disinformation.  
 
The NSW Electoral Commission is also a party to the Electoral Council of Australia and New Zealand (ECANZ) Statement of intent concerning electoral management arrangements with online platforms for Australian Elections. 
 
Find more information about the 2023 NSW State election on the NSW Electoral Commission website.

Find more information on maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, and to review the Disinformation Register, at the NSW Electoral Commission Integrity Hub.  

How Votes Are Allocated

Once you have voted and placed your ballot papers in the ballot box, they remain untouched until voting closes at 6pm on election day. The ballot boxes are then opened and the ballot papers sorted and counted. A series of counts are undertaken before the final results are declared.

Candidates can appoint scrutineers to observe the counting of ballot papers. Scrutineers observe the voting and counting of votes to verify that the election is carried out in a proper manner.

The following counts are carried out at state elections.

Legislative assembly

Legislative Assembly initial count
Legislative Assembly ballot papers are sorted to first preference for each candidate and informal. These count results are displayed on the NSW Electoral Commission website for the information of candidates, registered political parties, the public and the media.

Legislative Assembly two candidates preferred (TCP) count
A two candidates preferred (TCP) count is conducted to give candidates, registered political parties, the public and the media an indication of the likely election outcome.

It is not the official distribution of preferences, which takes place in the election manager’s office following the completion of the check count and data entry of ballot papers.

Prior to election day, the Electoral Commissioner selects the two candidates in the district who are likely to be the final two remaining candidates in the count following the distribution of preferences.

The two candidates preferred count is conducted by distributing all formal votes of the other candidates to the two selected candidates according to which of the two selected candidates receives the highest preference on each of the other candidates’ ballot papers

Updated TCP results will be published during the check count and in the week(s) following election day.
Following the distribution of preferences, a TCP Analytics Tool will be published that allows analysis of the TCP results for any combination of candidates.

Legislative Assembly check count
Legislative Assembly ballot papers are check counted in the week(s) after election day. Preferences from Legislative Assembly ballot papers are data entered into the NSW Electoral Commission’s computer count system.

The formality of ballot papers will be determined by the computer count system based on the markings on the ballot papers data entered into the system at the check count.

It is this check count which is the official count that is used to conduct the distribution of preferences within the computer count system, to determine the elected candidate in each Legislative Assembly district.

Legislative Assembly distribution of preferences
The optional preferential system is described in the 'Seventh Schedule Conduct of Legislative Assembly elections' section of the Constitution Act 1902.

The following is an example of how a distribution of preferences works for the Legislative Assembly.

To be elected in the optional preferential system, a candidate has to receive 50% + 1 of the formal votes in the count. This is called an ‘absolute majority’.

If there are 8,756 formal first preference votes in an election the absolute majority is calculated as: 8,756 ÷ 2 = 4,378 + 1 = 4,379.

If a candidate has an absolute majority, that candidate is elected.

If no candidate is elected, the candidate with the least number of votes is ‘excluded’ which means the excluded candidate’s votes are re-sorted to the other candidates remaining in the count according to the second preference shown on each ballot paper.

However, if any of those ballot papers do not have a second preference, or have two or more second preferences on them, those ballot papers are known as ‘exhausted’ ballot papers and are removed from the count. They are then only used to balance the number of votes at the end of each exclusion, to the number of first preference votes.

The absolute majority is recalculated after every candidate is excluded. The absolute majority reduces after each exclusion due to the exhausted ballot papers not continuing in the count.

The process of exclusions continues until a candidate is elected. The ballot papers of excluded candidates are re-sorted to the second, third, fourth etc. preferences as applicable, until such time as a candidate has an absolute majority of the votes remaining in the count and that candidate is elected.

For statistical purposes, the distribution of preferences will be conducted until only two candidates remain in the count.

Legislative Council

Legislative Council initial count
The initial count of the Legislative Council ballot papers consists of:
  1. Sorting and counting the ballot papers marked one above the line for each group to be counted, as determined by the Electoral Commissioner.
  2. Sorting and counting the ballot papers that are blank.
  3. All other ballot papers (i.e. those marked above and below the line, and those that are clearly informal) will be placed in an ‘Others’ pile and reported as one total figure on election night. It is important to note that many of the ballot papers in the ‘Others’ pile will be formal and will be identified as such during the check count and awarded to the respective group or candidate.
Legislative Council check count
After the Legislative Council ballot papers have undergone an initial count they will again be re-examined during the check count which occurs in the weeks after election day. 

Preferences from Legislative Council ballot papers are data entered into the NSW Electoral Commission’s computer count system. The formality of ballot papers will be determined by the computer count system based on the markings on the ballot papers data entered into the system at the check count.

As the check count (data entry) of the Legislative Council ballot papers commences after election day, the NSW Electoral Commission will progressively report to its website the first preference votes both above and below the line, for all groups and candidates that appear on the ballot paper.

This check count is the official count that is used to conduct the distribution of preferences within the computer count system to determine the elected 21 candidates to the Legislative Council.

Legislative Council distribution of preferences
The distribution of preferences system is described in the 'Sixth Schedule Conduct of Legislative Council elections' section of the Constitution Act 1902.

A candidate is elected if they receive votes equal to or exceeding the quota. However, candidates can also be elected without receiving a quota if the remaining number of candidates in the count equals the number of vacant positions still available.

The quota is determined by dividing the aggregate number of formal first preferences by one more than the number of candidates to be elected. The quotient (disregarding the fraction) is increased by 1 to give the quota. After the count of first preferences is complete, each candidate who has reached quota is elected.

For example, there are 21 members to be elected at the 2023 NSW State election. At the March 2019 NSW State election, there were 4,451,146 formal ballot papers. The calculation was 4,451,146 ÷ 22 = 202,324.818. The fraction is disregarded before 1 is added, therefore the quota equalled 202,325.

Where an elected candidate has a surplus of ballot papers over the quota, this surplus is transferred to the continuing candidates (i.e. those not yet elected or excluded). If multiple candidates are elected, each candidate’s surplus is transferred (one at a time) to the continuing candidates, from the highest surplus to the lowest.

After each transfer of ballot papers, if any more candidates have reached quota, they are elected and added to the queue of surpluses to be transferred. This transfer of surpluses continues (one at a time) until all have been transferred. 

2023 NSW State Election Timeline

Monday, 6 March 2023
  • Issue of Writs
  • 6pm: Roll preparation for confirming candidates/ nominators and authorised roll printing
  • Regulated election period commences
Wednesday, 8 March 2023
  • 12 noon: Close of nominations
  • 12 noon: Close of registration of candidates and groups
  • Registration of electoral material commences
Thursday, 9 March 2023
  • 10am: Announcement of candidates and conduct of ballot draw
  • Online system for registration of electoral materials is available
Saturday, 18 March 2023
  • Early voting period opens
Monday, 20 March 2023
  • Declared facility voting period opens
  • Close of registration period for third-party campaigners
  • 6pm: Postal vote applications close
Friday, 24 March 2023
  • Declared facility voting period closes
  • Early voting period closes
Saturday, 25 March 2023
  • 8am-6pm: Election day
Thursday, 6 April 2023
  • 6pm: Receipt of postal votes closes
Friday, 14 April 2023
  • Estimated completion of Legislative Assembly declaration of results
Thursday, 20 April 2023
  • Estimated completion of Legislative Council declaration of results

PUBLIC MEETING –  HEAR PITTWATER CANDIDATES FOR THE UPCOMING NSW STATE ELECTION SPEAK

Pittwater Community Alliance has invited candidates for the State election to make brief presentations on their policies, and to answer questions from the floor.

Wednesday 15th March 2023 at 7:00pm
Newport Community Centre
(Main Hall) - The Boulevard, Newport

The public information session will give candidates an opportunity to inform electors about their policies, and electors a chance to hear from candidates before polling day of March 25th, 2023.

Pittwater Community Alliance (PCA) is a group of 13 major resident & community associations in Pittwater. We assist in representing their interests to protect and preserve the unique environment of Pittwater. PCA is independent and has no political allegiance or bias. PO Box 1180 Newport NSW 2106.


Aboriginal Support Group – Manly Warringah Pittwater: Bush Tucker Night

March 8: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Mona Vale Memorial Hall 1 Park Street, Mona Vale, NSW
Your invitation to Join us Wednesday 8th March 2023 Bush Tucker Night 
Talk by Noah Smith: Where do we find Bush Tucker and how do we eat it? 
Local Aboriginal Girls dancing with Didgeridoo playing - Clap sticks to play with, Music. 
What a way to start the year of the referendum.
Free!

Applications Now Open For Inaugural $10,000 Military History Prize

Applications are now open for the inaugural $10,000 Anzac Memorial Trustees Military History Prize – a new annual award within the prestigious NSW Premier’s History Awards.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the establishment of the award highlighted the importance of recording our military history to honour and remember our veterans.

“Capturing our military history is vital in ensuring future generations are educated on the service and sacrifice of Australians in armed conflicts,” Mr Elliott said.

“This prize is not only an important acknowledgement of the work which is already being done to record the events and stories of those who served in conflict and peacekeeping missions but also provides an avenue for that work to be shared more widely.

“This is another step in ensuring the sacrifices of all those who have served in the defence forces and military operations continue to be profiled as part of the nation’s military history, so our veterans will not be forgotten.

“I encourage all historians with an interest in our military history to apply for this award as it will help future generations learn about and understand the bravery, dedication and legacy of our veterans,” Mr Elliott said.

The Military History Prize is for a work of non-fiction on the involvement of Australians in wars, campaigns, battles and/or peacekeeping operations which are represented in the Anzac Memorial’s Hall of Service. The Hall of Service displays 100 international sites of military significance for NSW service personnel from the 19th Century to more recent military operations.

In the Anzac spirit, the Prize is open to citizens and permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand. Entries close on 6 April with winners announced in September 2023. For more information visit: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/awards/nsw-premiers-history-awards

In Tune With TonyB 

In Tune is a radio programme about our local community, culture and home-grown music, hosted by TonyB.
 
Each week, Tony plays great local music and he chats with guests from local community groups, causes and charities, about how they make a difference.
 
In his next programme Friday 10th March 2023, Tony will be chatting with Simone Allan Founder and Director of The Women's Resilience Centre, a place of hope, healing and recovery for women who have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse and trauma.



The programme will also feature a great line up of predominantly home-grown music.

Radio Northern Beaches
Fridays at 6pm
FM 88.7 or 90.3
Or live stream at https://www.rnb.org.au
Previous programmes, on demand at https://www.mixcloud.com/InTuneWithTonyB

If you would like to chat with Tony on air about your community group or your music, please feel free to message the Facebook page  In Tune - Radio Programme | Facebook  and feel free to like and share the page.

February 26 - March 4 2023: Issue 573

This Issue: 

Front Page Issue 573 

Who Wants To Keep All Pittwater's Conservation Zones? - Cr. Korzy Motion for February 2023 Council Meeting 

Sediment Running Off Into Creeks and Beaches From Work Sites - Public Parks Not Maintained – Bilgola Plateau Park Still Not Fixed: Residents NOT Happy 

Purple Poppy Day 2023: Commemorative Service Held At Pittwater RSL Cenotaph

Pictures: A Pittwater Mix: February 2023 - Purple Poppy Day 2023 at Pittwater RSL - Seniors Festival at Newport - Author Talk; Jo Riccioni in conversation with Meg Dunn at Avalon Community Centre - Rotary Art Exhibition Opening Night at Mona Vale - Gay Pride Rainbows Chalking it UP at Avalon Beach 

Aquatics: Surf Life Saving NSW State Age Championships 2023

Park Bench Philosophers The Macphersons Of Wharriewood: The William Joseph Macpherson Albums - Early Photographers Of Pittwater Ever wondered why it's called 'Warriewood'? 

Images Of South Australia by Robyn McWilliam

Art News: March 2023 - Rotary Club Of Upper Northern Beaches 2023 Art Show Opening Night report. Exhibitions - Events: Colours Within Nature This March In Mona Vale Creative Space: Zenabi Pixels + Journaling With The Artful Bea + Express Yourself 2023at the MAG&M + "Australia At Heart" By Coastal Artist Katie Thomas + ART Gallery On Palm Beach Award winning Artists works in a gallery run by Artists (more to be added in 1st week of March)

Environment Little Penguin Released Back Into Ocean At Palm Beach After Lifesaving Care At Taronga Wildlife Hospital, Lerp On Angophora and Corymbia Spp. At Present, Thunderstorms Close Wakehurst Parkway - Local SES Units Respond To Calls For Help - White Slug Comes Out To Feast After The Rains, Plastic Boardwalk Through Manly Warringah War Memorial Park: 'We Can Do Better!' States Save Manly Dam Bushland Group, Australia’s Hotly Contested Eucalypt Of The Year Voting Opens, Report Fox Sightings, Ticks And Mosquitos In Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment: FoNLC February Forum, Avalon Dunes Bushcare Returns Sunday March 5th, Ocean Street Narrabeen Bridge Works, Collins Beach Clean Up: Feb 26, Concert: Rock For Lizard Rock - free, Create A Spit To Seaforth Oval Walk: The Missing Link - Petition, Prune Viburnum Hedge Agapanthus Flowers To Prevent Spread Into Bush Reserves, New 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, Friends Of Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment Activities, Gardens and Environment Groups and Organisations In Pittwater, NSW Still Holding The Murray Darling Basin Plan Back, Related: NSW Government Shows Contempt For Democratic Process With 5th Introduction Of Floodplain Harvesting Regulations, Basin Plan Report Card Paints Clearer Picture As 2024 Deadline Nears, Herding cats: councils’ efforts to protect wildlife from roaming pets are hampered by state laws, Flooded Home Buyback scheme helps wash away the pain for Queenslanders, For developing world to quit coal rich countries must eliminate oil and gas faster – new study, What Australia learned from recent devastating floods – and how New Zealand can apply those lessons now, Would a nature repair market really work? Evidence suggests it’s highly unlikely, From the dingo to the Tasmanian devil - why we should be rewilding carnivores, Pittwater Reserves: Histories + Notes + Pictorial Walks, Shorebirds Guide, Where to recycle plastic bread tags

Inbox News The Drug Fasudil Is Found To Reverse Key Symptoms Of Schizophrenia In Mice, How To Make Hydrogen Straight From Seawater - No Desalination Required, Resilience In The Face Of Disaster: New Reports Examine Mental Health and Bushfires, Scientists Find World's Oldest European Hedgehog, 31 years after the advent of compulsory super the government is about to decide what it’s for; The answer will matter, Disability and dignity – 4 things to think about if you want to ‘help’, Proposed privacy reforms could help Australia play catch-up with other nations but they fail to tackle targeted ads,  How queuing leads to city centre violence and what our research says about preventing night-time brawls, Ukraine: 12 months at war – Biden visit to Kyiv sets the seal on a year of growing western unity and Russian isolation, Why it’s time for the UK to introduce mandatory training for new dog owners, Northern Composure Band Competition 2023, Word Of The Week: Temperament, Roald Dahl rewrites: rather than bowdlerising books on moral grounds we should help children to navigate history, I’m descended from a Baloch-Afghan cameleer and a Badimiya Yamitji woman: they battled racist government policies to save our family, Returning a name to an artist: the work of Majumbu a previously unknown Australian painter, Where do cold sores come from and what can you do about them?,  Why do we stop exploring new music as we get older?, Four habits of happy people – as recommended by a psychologist, In a new study we’ve observed clues that distinguish the very deepest part of Earth’s core, There could be alien life on Mars but will our rovers be able to find it?, Book of the Month Marc 2023: Remembering Baylon by David Malouf, Don’t Lose Your Money Donating To A Fake Earthquake Appeal, Mushrooms Magnify Memory By Boosting Nerve Growth, Should private schools share their facilities with public students?, Pets Create ‘Pawsitive’ Change For People In Aged Care, Why it’s time for the UK to introduce mandatory training for new dog owners, Jimmy Carter’s lasting Cold War legacy: Human rights focus helped dismantle the Soviet Union, Bruce Willis has frontotemporal dementia – here’s what we know about the disease

Council's Draft Economic Development Strategy Released For Feedback: Document States Mona Vale - Avalon Beach Place Plans Scheduled To Be Implemented In 1-2 Years - closes March 26

Profile of the Week Margaret Fraser-Martin
Passionate Life Photographer

Jump on board!!

Facebook: Marg’s Yacht PhotosMarg’s Golf Photos, Marg’s Photos
Instagram: margsyachtphotos

If you like what you see, follow, like and contact me for a high res. Get it printed and on the wall.  If you share my photos, please remember to give me a credit line. This is what keeps me in business.
Email: yachtphotos@yahoo.com

One of the best things about working in a news service is contact with amazingly talented people who inevitably turn out to lovely individuals as well. Margaret Fraser-Martin, 'Marg', is an exceptional photographer whose lens you may have seen swinging your way while mucking about on boats on Pittwater's estuary, at Middle Harbour, down at Manly or on Sydney Harbour.

Although Marg says Photography is her retirement career, her approach is always sunny and her captures of what's going exceptional. 

Marg is passionate about photography, people and celebrating 'people doing awesome stuff, being passionate about what they are doing and having fun'.

Along with yachts and sail racing photography, Marg has also done several golf tournaments (Charity), cars and people having fun doing laps at Eastern Creek Raceway and Charity gala dinners.

''All I need is an invite and some sandwiches and water on the day.'' Marg explains

Regarding ALL those sailing shots:

''Photos are a good way to show people what an awesome time you are having and encourage them to give sailing a try, starting as a crew member.

Sailing, to me, is one of the few sports that anyone at any age can do and compete.  Many sports depend on a genetically blessed body.  Sailing is more brain than brawn.''

This week a chat with a lady photographer whose work has featured here many a time. Who is 'Marg'?

In September 1902 James Booth opened a hall for dancing parties at Mona Vale on the corner of Darley street and Pittwater road (then Bay View road) - thus the sometimes 'Bay View' sometimes 'Mona Vale' address given. The opening night was a gay affair, people coming from miles away and all directions in coaches and by foot. This hall was used as a meeting place but there was no dedicated community hall for residents. He put this hall up for sale in 1917.

This space and others near it were still used for community events like the showing of films, for instance.

The community also often made use of the building erected by George Brock, once known as 'The Oaks' and then 'La Corniche'. However, it became apparent during World War II when that structure was used by defence forces, that something closer to the village 'heart' of Mona Vale as a dedicated community hall was needed.

Just as all our local community World War I Memorials and cenotaphs were made possible through local effort and funding, such as the water fountain and stone Memorial in Mona Vale's Village Park, consecrated in 1926, there were also movements to establish much needed bricks and mortar 'meeting places' of value for the local community, especially when that was infrastructure such as a kindergarten - the Palm Beach War Memorial Kindergarten is an example - or a community hall - such as the shed that originally served as the original Avalon Beach RSL and the Scout Hall, that was needed and was clearly NOT going to come quick enough from federal, state or local government. 

Alike the WWI markers in every town and village, placed in the core of communities as a permanent reminder of all those who did not come home, literally; as only one person's body, Major-General Sir William Throsby Bridges, was brought home, these solid investments back into these 'home places' were also viewed not just as a tribute to those who had served and would willingly gather with the community in these places if still alive, still here, or the reasons those little children played in that school yard, or all that community could gather in that hall and debate something that mattered to them or lift their joined voices in song, they were also, for those who would always miss these killed in battle loved ones or died as a result of physical or psychological wounds afterwards, a place to 'bring them back in' and keep them here with us - We Will Remember Them.

Locally a lot of these 'Memorial' buildings also sprang from returned veterans and their loved ones.

To this end the reserve area in Mona Vale, set aside as The Black Swamp 'for camping' on February 8th 1870, and later named Beeby and Kitchener parks, was also the first site identified as the place to build a community Memorial Hall for Mona Vale.

Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club Patron

Club Patron Announcement, from Commodore Allen Stormon. 

"I am pleased to advise that Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, is our new club Patron. 

I would like to thank the Honourable Bronwyn Bishop AO for her patronage. She has represented our club with distinction and will continue to be an Ambassador for our club with the local community".


Marine Rescue Broken Bay News

February 25:
Our Broken Bay members will be marching along with the MRNSW contingent in support of unity and inclusiveness. 



Our Broken Bay unit was delighted to work with the Ingleside Rural Fire Brigade joining BB30 for some interagency training. Both volunteer organisations working together to support our communities.




February 18:
Congratulations to Chris Guy on receiving his 10 year service medal and to Ron Carr for receiving a NSW Government certificate of recognition for his 15 years of service. Both awards where presented at our Unit Meeting by our Unit Commander, Jimmy Arteaga.


Chris Guy - thank you for 10 years of volunteer service


Ron Carr  - thank you for 15 years of volunteer service

Northern Beaches Para Surfer Boardriders Club Round 2 

Change of Date: SATURDAY MARCH 4th

Your Questions For Candidates In 2023 State Election

As  per Pittwater Online News' usual practice during an election, we advise we are now officially open to receive your questions for those asking for your vote.

All Candidates standing for the seat of Pittwater have advised they would like to be part of the coverage this election. The Profile of the Week for these will run Sunday March 19th 2023. 

As Readers have requested we extend this beyond the boundaries of Pittwater this time around, we will also aim to run the same for voters in the seats of Wakehurst, Manly and Davidson as well as Candidates for the Upper House with local connections - they want you to hear from them too. The Profile of the Week for these will also run Sunday March 19th 2023.

The questions from residents will be sent to out at the end of February to give each Candidate ample time to reply/respond. Please get what you want asked to us by February 28th, 2023.

Please email your queries to: pittwateronlinenews@bigpond.com - Heading: 'Q's for 2023 Election.' and nominate which electorate you will be voting in so we ensure we get the right q's to the right candidates.

Thank you very much.

PUBLIC MEETING –  HEAR PITTWATER CANDIDATES FOR THE UPCOMING NSW STATE ELECTION SPEAK

Pittwater Community Alliance has invited candidates for the State election to make brief presentations on their policies, and to answer questions from the floor.

Wednesday 15th March 2023 at 7:00pm
Newport Community Centre
(Main Hall) - The Boulevard, Newport

The public information session will give candidates an opportunity to inform electors about their policies, and electors a chance to hear from candidates before polling day of March 25th, 2023.

Pittwater Community Alliance (PCA) is a group of 13 major resident & community associations in Pittwater. We assist in representing their interests to protect and preserve the unique environment of Pittwater. PCA is independent and has no political allegiance or bias. PO Box 1180 Newport NSW 2106.


Pittwater Electorate Candidate Forum: March 4 2023 At Mona Vale

With the State election on 25 March now is the perfect time to get to know the candidates and hear what they stand for. You will also have the opportunity to ask a question on any issue you care about.
All known candidates (where contact details can be found) have been invited.

Candidates confirmed to-date are:

Cr Rory Amon - Liberal
Hillary Green - Greens
Jeff Quinn - Labor
Jacqui Scruby - Independent

EVENT DETAILS
6.30pm: Doors open
7.00pm: Event commences
8.30pm: Event concludes
8.30pm: Networking with candidates
**Please note that the event will commence promptly at 7 pm**

More information? Email: nigelphoward@gmail.com

Covid-19 safety: We are committed to providing a safe environment. If you are feeling unwell, please do not attend the event.


Animal Justice Party Announces Candidates For Manly- Wakehurst In 2023 NSW State Election

Bailey Mason 
Animal Justice Party Candidate for Manly
Bailey Mason is proudly standing as the Animal Justice Party candidate for Manly. He's an animal rights activist, a good listener to the community and is ready to take a stand on issues affecting the Manly electorate, including ending animal cruelty. He’s only 21 years old. 

In particular, Bailey is passionate about replacing deadly shark nets and drumlines with more effective modern technologies to protect both humans and animals, stopping the cruel capture of marine life for aquarium usage on the Northern Beaches, an increase on protection for Manly's Cabbage Tree Bay, preventing companion animals from dying of 1080 poison by ending its use along the Northern Beaches, ending animal exploitation in the circus and promoting cruelty-free entertainment in the Manly electorate.

On his days off, Bailey enjoys snorkelling at Cabbage Tree Bay witnessing the beauty of the waters. Bailey is passionate about protecting marine life and collecting plastic along the beach, where you'll often find him walking rescued greyhounds and having conversations with the public about ending greyhound racing.

“It’s time to replace deadly shark nets and drumlines with humane alternatives that better protect both humans and animals.”

“The community clearly is demanding that these cruel shark nets are replaced with more effective alternatives and that is exactly what I will fight for!”


Bailey Mason

Susan Sorensen 
Animal Justice Party Candidate for Wakehurst 
Susan is a lifelong environmentalist who has made the connection between how animals and their habitats are treated and the deterioration of human health, escalating violence and environmental destruction.  She is compelled to stand for a political party who places kindness, equality, rationality and non-violence front and centre of all decision making.

She believes that honesty, integrity and transparency must  be brought back into politics for positive change to occur where Animal Justice Party policies and position statements will guide political legislation to positively impact animals, people and the environment.

Susan is committed to protecting existing bushland and waterways on the Northern Beaches as well as doing all within her power to ensure a healthy, sustainable and happy life for future generations.

She has been an early childhood teacher for around 38 years and is an active advocate for the protection of all animals regardless of their species through education and awareness raising strategies.

Susan has lived with her family on the Northern Beaches for around 20 years and is committed to lobbying for the removal of steel mesh shark nets, reducing the number of animals killed on Northern Beaches local roads, banning the use of the horrific indiscriminate killer 1080 and halting the devastating extinction rates by protecting remaining native bushland.

‘AJP MPs, Mark Pearson and Emma Hurst have achieved many positive outcomes and it is at this time that parliament desperately needs to continue with the installation of politicians with conviction, empathy and who have the ability to listen to whom they represent and who act upon what they learn from their constituents for a better future.’ If elected, she is adamant that she will be guided by the exemplary track record of these MPs.

Susan volunteers her time to advocate for displaced native animals, for the animals who are persecuted and killed as a result of human greed or ‘entertainment’ and for the farmed animals left to languish behind closed doors of secrecy, packed inside factory farm sheds or left without pain relief, shelter or water.  

She believes there is a great need for political representation of all animals to keep their voices amplified and their needs considered through legislated system change and that 'only when we can care for our most vulnerable and when we can work together to solve these problems, will we be able to care for our own species.’


Susan Sorensen 

Aboriginal Support Group – Manly Warringah Pittwater: Bush Tucker Night

March 8: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Mona Vale Memorial Hall 1 Park Street, Mona Vale, NSW
Your invitation to Join us Wednesday 8th March 2023 Bush Tucker Night 
Talk by Noah Smith: Where do we find Bush Tucker and how do we eat it? 
Local Aboriginal Girls dancing with Didgeridoo playing - Clap sticks to play with, Music. 
What a way to start the year of the referendum.
Free!

Applications Now Open For Inaugural $10,000 Military History Prize

Applications are now open for the inaugural $10,000 Anzac Memorial Trustees Military History Prize – a new annual award within the prestigious NSW Premier’s History Awards.

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said the establishment of the award highlighted the importance of recording our military history to honour and remember our veterans.

“Capturing our military history is vital in ensuring future generations are educated on the service and sacrifice of Australians in armed conflicts,” Mr Elliott said.

“This prize is not only an important acknowledgement of the work which is already being done to record the events and stories of those who served in conflict and peacekeeping missions but also provides an avenue for that work to be shared more widely.

“This is another step in ensuring the sacrifices of all those who have served in the defence forces and military operations continue to be profiled as part of the nation’s military history, so our veterans will not be forgotten.

“I encourage all historians with an interest in our military history to apply for this award as it will help future generations learn about and understand the bravery, dedication and legacy of our veterans,” Mr Elliott said.

The Military History Prize is for a work of non-fiction on the involvement of Australians in wars, campaigns, battles and/or peacekeeping operations which are represented in the Anzac Memorial’s Hall of Service. The Hall of Service displays 100 international sites of military significance for NSW service personnel from the 19th Century to more recent military operations.

In the Anzac spirit, the Prize is open to citizens and permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand. Entries close on 6 April with winners announced in September 2023. For more information visit: https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/awards/nsw-premiers-history-awards

In Tune With TonyB 

In Tune is a radio programme about our local community, culture and home-grown music, hosted by TonyB.
 
Each week, Tony plays great local music and he chats with guests from local community groups, causes and charities, about how they make a difference.
 
In his next programme on Friday 3rd March 2023, Tony will be chatting with Jess Williams, from The Community Capital Foundation, a Community Care Northern Beaches (CCNB) initiative. Jess will also update us on a Spinathon Fundraising event which will take place on 1st April. 

The programme will also feature a great line up of predominantly home-grown music.




Radio Northern Beaches
Fridays at 6pm
FM 88.7 or 90.3
Or live stream at https://www.rnb.org.au
Previous programmes, on demand at https://www.mixcloud.com/InTuneWithTonyB

If you would like to chat with Tony on air about your community group or your music, please feel free to message the Facebook page  In Tune - Radio Programme | Facebook  and feel free to like and share the page.

Monika's Doggie Rescue: Pets Of The Week

Gerard 

6yo French Bulldog


Gerard is a French Bulldog who came from the pound. He is a super friendly affectionate dog. Everyone he meets falls in love with him. He has very good dog social skills and is a huge ball player. He fetches and retrieves balls and drops them at your feet! Gerard does not mind being left alone but does prefers human company. He is social with other dogs but best with dogs slightly bigger than himself. He has that strong bolshy attitude, typical of the breed. He has a short coat and weighs around 10kg. We expect he will be popular so short listing will apply. We hope you understand. Breed experience is preferred. 

All our dogs come desexed, C5 vaccinated, heartworm free and microchipped. Also included for the love and health of our dogs is a free Health and Wellness Voucher with our DoggieRescue Vet. His adoption fee is $900.

Ash 

5mths Domestic Short Hair Grey Tabby


Ash is very sweet and affectionate girl. Loves to play, get cuddles and investigate the room. All our cats come desexed, wormed, F3 vaccinated, FIV/FeLV tested if over 6 months old and microchipped. Her adoption fee is $220. To meet her please call The Cottage Animal Hospital in Parramatta on 98907220. For further details call DoggieRescue on 9486 3133 or email Monika@DoggieRescue.com. RON R251000024

To find out more call DoggieRescue on 9486 3133 or email  Monika@DoggieRescue.com.  RON R251000024

Mona Vale Residents Association

Mona Vale Residents Association is a community group encouraging involvement on important matters within the Mona Vale area.



Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary Stalls 

The Mona Vale Hospital Auxiliary members are having a stall at Pittwater Place on the first Saturday of every month from 9am to 3pm selling knitting for babies and children, beanies, bedsocks and scarves for oldies, sewing items, craft and jams, raising funds for the rehabilitation and palliative care units.

Letters To The Editor

Letters should preferably be 150 to 175 words.
Letters must include the writer's address and phone number and 'permission to publish'.
Letters should not contain attachments.
Letters should be exclusive to Pittwater Online News.

The editor's prerogative includes editing letters for length, grammar or legal reasons, among other considerations. 



North Mona Vale Headland Public Artwork Project Paused

The Council announced this week that following feedback from the Community about the proposed public artwork at North Mona Vale Headland Reserve, it has decided to suspend the project and undertake a comprehensive review before taking further steps later this year.

The new artwork concept was developed by esteemed Australian contemporary artists, Claire Healy and Sean Corderio. The award winning artists were selected through a two-stage tender process in 2022.

“We would like to acknowledge and thank the artists, Claire Healy and Sean Corderio for their utmost professionalism and high quality work to date,” Northern Beaches Council CEO Ray Brownlee said.

“This decision is about listening and responding to our community and if we need to further consult with them, then we will because we value the importance of public art and the views of our community.”

The artwork proposal was dealt with under confidential session at the Council Meeting of 22 November 2022.

The Council resolved to enter a contract with S. Cordeiro and C. Healy to deliver a public artwork at Mona Vale Headland as part of the Coast Walk Public Art Strategic Plan for the sum of $170,000 excluding GST - so $187,000 in total.

Mayor Regan and Councillors Miranda Korzy, Michael Gencher and Rory Amon had planned to bring proposed motions to the next Council Meeting requesting Council pause and review the project based on the community feedback received to date.

“Council has now decided to suspend the project while a full review is undertaken,” Mr Brownlee said.



Image: Visualisation of the artwork concept


Voices of Mackellar is hosting a Q&A with Dr Sophie on her first 200 days as the Independent Member for Mackellar. Moderated by Wendy Harmer. 

To register your attendance, see here. Registration is free.

Dr Sophie looks forward to a great discussion! 
 WHEN: February 28, 2023 at 7:00pm - 8pm
 WHERE: Oaks Room, Dee Why RSL, 932 Pittwater Rd, Dee Why

Thunderstorms Close Wakehurst Parkway - Local SES Units Respond To Calls For Help 

The NSW State Emergency Service - Operational Statistics Update for February 22nd, 2023

Severe thunderstorms impacted Sydney Metropolitan, Central West and Southern Tablelands yesterday. 

In total, NSW SES received 377 (227 Sydney Metro) incidents in the last 24 hours (to 5am). 12 (11 Sydney Metro) Flood Rescues (Mainly involving cars driving into floodwater).  

Focus areas:

  • Warringah Pittwater (and Manly Unit) – 63
  • Orange – 42
  • Queanbeyan – 33
  • Ku-ring-gai – 21
  • Sutherland – 17

The NSW SES Warringah / Pittwater Unit reported it had been a busy night for both the Warringah- Pittwater and NSW SES Manly Units:

''We currently have 4 of our vehicles attending to jobs, along with NSW SES Manly Unit, and several RFS units assisting us. In addition to this we have  our Flood Rescue  team along with Flood Rescue Teams from Manly and NSW SES Ku-Ring-Gai Unit

There has been 44 Requests for Assistance tonight, including 4 Flood Rescues. 

We had 60mm of rain in a 1 hour period, which caused multiple roads to flood. There is more rain expected over night. So please take care.''

By the time the volunteers members of these units could put relax again and dry off they had attended to 63 requests for assistance.


NSW SES Warringah / Pittwater Unit volunteer members. Pic: NSW SES M-W Unit

If you need emergency assistance due to flood/storm damage, call NSW SES on 132 500. If life threatening, call 000.


Parkway floods along multiple points

Live Traffic reported that the Wakehurst Parkway closed at 8:26pm on Tuesday February 21st 2023 - it had not reopened 12 hours later - 8:27am Wednesday February 22nd 2023. 

The map from Live Traffic shows the Parkway has flooded at three places along its length, between Dreadnought Road at Frenchs Forest and Wimbledon Avenue at North Narrabeen:


Fire At Ingleside Closes Mona Vale Road

On Friday February 24th Ingleside RFS volunteers responded just before 9.30am to a reported vehicle fire. Upon arrival, they found an old 'glass house' storing vehicles, was fully alight and spreading. Calling in more RFS resources and with assistance from Fire and Rescue NSW, the fire was brought under control within the hour. 

However, Mona Vale road was closed in both directions, as reported by Live Traffic, from soon after 9.30am, to protect the public. By 11.00 am one lane in each direction had reopened, with Emergency services still on the scene and the travel advice being to 'continue to slow down and take extra care'. At 1.00pm Live Traffic advised both lanes were now reopened.

Fortunately rain that had been falling earlier that day, quite heavily towards the northern end of the peninsula, lifted around the same time, keeping the Wakehurst Parkway open.

Unfortunately, numerous old and valuable cars were destroyed in the fire. At the peak of the response, NSW RFS had 8 fire fighting trucks in attendance with NSW Fire and Rescue having 6 appliances on the scene with both services working to extinguish the fire.

Over 50 firefighters were involved with a water shortage making the fire fighting difficult in the earlier stages until more water could be brought in.

However, the fire was prevented from spreading into other storage sheds. Just after 11.30, the fire was extinguished, with RFS Fire Investigators working with Police to determine the cause of the fire.

NSW RFS Brigades in attendance:
NSW RFS - Terrey Hills Brigade
Davidson Rural Fire Brigade
Warringah / Pittwater Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade 
Beacon Hill Rural Fire Brigade

Video: Ingleside RFS

Fire And Rescue NSW Firefighters Return From Earthquake Mission

Saturday February 25, 2023
Fifty-four Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters have been welcomed home after their two-week deployment to Türkiye in the aftermath of the fatal earthquakes in the country.

The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) specialists had been working as part of the Australian Government’s 72-member Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) ‘AUS02’.

One of the NSW SES Warringah / Pittwater Unit volunteers, Dan, was part of this team.

FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter, alongside partner emergency service leaders, Türkiye diplomats and other dignitaries, greeted and thanked the contingent after their plane touched down in Sydney tonight.

‘AUS02’ had been positioned in the hardest-hit province of Hatay, where firefighters had been using their skills to locate and extract victims from the rubble.

Firefighters used more than 22 tonnes of equipment to search 27 sites, from which it was able to return 34 deceased persons to their families.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the work undertaken by ‘AUS02’ has greatly supported local families.

“The devastation from these earthquakes has been heart-breaking and our thoughts remain with the Turkish and Syrian people,” Ms Cooke said.

“I am very thankful to our Urban Search and Rescue specialists for selflessly answering the call to help and the immense contribution they made while on the ground in Hatay.”

Commissioner Baxter said following an emotional and gruelling fortnight abroad, the FRNSW contingent will now enjoy some well-deserved rest.

“Our firefighters ensured victims of the quakes were treated with dignity and survivors felt supported, but we know it is work that is both physically and mentally demanding,” Commissioner Baxter said.

“We will continue to support our people and their families as they settle back into life in Australia and process what they’ve witnessed in recent weeks.”

FRNSW has a strong network of counselling, peer support services and other measures, which firefighters will be able to access at any time. 


Narrabeen Sports High School: 2023 Open Night

𝟮𝟴 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝟰.𝟬𝟬 - 𝟲.𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺
At Narrabeen Sports High School we care about your child’s education as much as you do. We create a well balanced learning environment for all our students. We invite you to experience the vibrancy of our school community at our Open Night.



Conservation Zones Review And Technical Studies Update

Dear community member
We’re writing to provide an update on the Conservation Zones Review and Technical Studies project following the public exhibition from September to December 2022.

The main aim of this exhibition was to seek feedback on a draft methodology for the use of Conservation Zones across the Northern Beaches.   

Thanks to those who lodged a submission with Council. We know there was a lot to consider and we appreciate the time and effort taken.

We received and analysed 935 submissions from 837 individuals. A copy of the submissions will be available on our project website by the end of February 2023, along with a Consultation Report which summarises key issues and Council’s response.

We anticipate many of the issues raised can be resolved by changes to the draft Conservation Zones Review methodology currently being investigated by Council.

Where areas of dispute remain about the accuracy of Council mapping of criteria used in the review, we will engage relevant consultants and contact those landowners to arrange a site inspection. We are expecting to undertake these inspections between April and June 2023.

The outcomes from the Review will help us in discussions with the Department of Planning and Environment in the development of the draft Northern Beaches Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan, which will be presented to Council and exhibited for community feedback in 2024.

We thank you for your continued interest in this project.
Please feel free to share this email with others by using the forward button below.

Strategic and Place Planning team
Northern Beaches Council

State Government Caught Out In More Secret Deals

Friday February 24, 2023
The NSW Government has been caught out trying to keep controversial rezoning proposals secret from democratically elected councillors and the communities they represent, it was revealed today by the LGNSW.

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) President Darriea Turley AM said she was appalled to learn the Government was demanding council town planners sign confidentiality agreements before learning which areas were proposed for rezoning.

“To get the basic information our town planners must sign an agreement that they will not reveal any information to the democratically elected council they work for, or any member of the community who may be impacted.

“It’s a clear-cut attempt to subvert local democracy, and the sole reason is that the Government knows communities will be outraged when they find out what they’re in for.

“In cases we’re aware of, the rezoning is designed to allow massive development so problematic it has already been rejected on multiple occasions by the local council and independent planning panel.”

Cr. Turley said the confidentiality deeds required appeared to be the Government’s latest scheme to allow developers to resubmit already rejected plans without public scrutiny.

“If these big development proposals are beneficial, why shroud them in secrecy?” she said.

“Why adopt a sneaky new system in which the community and their elected local representatives get no say until it is too late in the process to do anything about it?

“We believe that all planning proposals – their location, land use, density and scale, along with the supporting infrastructure they need, should be on the public record.

“To allow these proposals passage behind the closed doors of the Planning Department is the very opposite of transparency and good governance.

“How can the Planning Department of the State Government make sound recommendations about which of these big development proposals should proceed when they haven’t talked to the democratically elected leaders of those communities and have no understanding of the local issues?”

“Sidelining councils and the community from this critical role will only benefit the commercial interests of developers and further degrades the community from having any say about what developments occur in their areas.”

Appeal For Information After Car And Bicycle Crash - Avalon

Police are appealing for public information after a crash on Sunday, 19 February 2023 at Avalon Beach.
About 12.30pm (Sunday 19 February 2023), emergency services were called to Barrenjoey Road, Avalon, following reports a cyclist and ute had collided.

The rider of the bicycle – a 23-year-old woman – was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for leg, hip and a possible head injury, before she was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The driver of the ute – a 48-year-old man – was uninjured and subject to a roadside breath test which returned a negative reading.

A crime scene was established, and officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command commenced an investigation.

As inquiries continue, police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have dashcam vision in the area at the time to come forward.
Investigations continue.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. 

Report Hate Crimes

NSW Police Force: 
If you are subjected to hate on social media or online you should keep evidence by taking screen shots of the abuse including usernames, URLs and any other relevant information. 

You can report the abuse directly to the platform and report in person at any Police Station. 

If you witness a hate incident or hate crime but are not the victim, you can still make a report to the NSW Police.

In an Emergency call Triple Zero (000). If not urgent, you can report online at crimestoppers.com.au or call 1800 333 000 or report in person at any Police Station. 

New 'Drink Safe' Coasters And Drink Covers Available Across NSW To Help Prevent Drink Spiking

February 22, 2023
The NSW Police Force has expanded the ‘Drink Safe’ campaign with the introduction of drink covers and coasters to support and promote safe drinking at licensed venues across the state.

Developed and launched by the Crime Prevention Command, ‘Drink Safe’ aims to educate the community about safe drinking behaviours and highlight tips to mitigate potential risks to personal safety.

A key element of the campaign is education in relation to drink spiking, a crime that has been of concern to industry and consumers alike for decades.

To build on the education packages, police are rolling out a trial of drink coasters and single-use self-adhesive drink covers to NSW licensed venues, with priority to licensed venues within the Sydney WorldPride precinct.

The covers and coasters depict an anti-drink spiking message and are designed so patrons can get up and dance or socialise without fear of their drink being spiked.

The drink covers include instructions for use and are manufactured in a recyclable food safe material which is compliant with the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021.

Similar measures have been used successfully overseas and police hope to see a positive impact in terms of reduced incidents and reports of suspected drink spiking and increased conversation in the community – particularly among patrons – against dangerous drinking behaviours.

Drink or food spiking is a criminal offence, and, in NSW, it carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and/or an $11,000 fine.

Corporate Sponsor for Alcohol-related Crime, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden, said police treat all reports of drink spiking seriously, as it can be a precursor for something more sinister.

“In cases where a drink is spiked and another indictable offence occurs, such as sexual assault, the offence rightfully carries a much higher penalty,” Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.

“For those who think they can slip something in someone’s drink and take advantage of them, they should know they could spend the next quarter of a century behind bars.”

Section 38 of the Crimes Act, ‘using intoxicating substance to commit an indictable offence’ carries a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment.

“The priority for anyone who suspects their drink had been spiked is to seek urgent medical assistance and in a life-threatening situation, contact Triple Zero.

“In cases where the victim has also been taken somewhere without their knowledge, I encourage them to get to a safe place and call the police immediately.

“For all other instances, make a police report as soon as possible. It is vital for investigators to start gathering evidence quickly, so they can track down the person/s responsible before they harm someone else.”

In NSW, police have seen an increase in reports drink spiking, however, the number of actual drink spiking incidents remains low.

Assistant Commissioner McFadden said there is no single typical example of a drink spiking, nor a pattern to indicate how and when it may occur.

“The commonality of incidents reported to police is that victims find it difficult to recall the events of the night and the effects they experience are not consistent with the number of drinks consumed,” Assistant Commissioner McFadden said.

“While cases of drink spiking using drugs such as benzodiazepines, GHB or ketamine are rare – the most common type of spiking is with alcohol – the majority of reports come after the victim has been in a social setting where alcohol is consumed.

“We know that the most effective ways to reduce the chances of your drink being spiked are to keep an eye on your drink and never accept drinks from people you don’t know well or trust.

“These coasters and covers can help with keeping drinks safe and importantly, they’re a conversation starter – hopefully raise awareness of the issue and keep it at top of mind.”

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a drinking spiking incident are encouraged to report the matter to police. Reports can be made by contacting or attending your local police station.

All other information about occurrences of drink spiking can be provided in strict confidence to Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

More information about DrinkSafe, including facts about drink spiking, is available on the NSW Police Force website: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/crime_prevention/drink_spiking

NSW SES Warringah / Pittwater Unit: Women Helping Women

Exciting news; Back by popular demand, our “Women helping women” free public workshops will be offered in March and April this year. 

Don’t miss your opportunity to gain practical knowledge and be prepared in emergency situations. We promise it is going to be a fun and engaging session, places are limited. 

Registration is essential, click the link below to secure your spot. 

If you know any woman who will be interested, feel free to share the info. 
We look forward to seeing you there!


Become A Volunteer Radio Operator: MRNSW

Are you looking for a new challenge? With the busy summer boating season coming up Marine Rescue NSW units up and down the coast want to hear from you! And if you live in Sydney, our State Communications Centre in Belrose is especially keen to hear from you, just drop a line to: base.sydney@marinerescuensw.com.au 

Prior radio and boating experience is not required, and as a Radio Operator you'll play a vital role in helping to keep our waterways safer. If you want to take the plunge and join a dedicated volunteer team helping to save lives on our waterways, then go here for more information: 
www.marinerescuensw.com.au/become-a-volunteer/ or contact your local Marine Rescue NSW unit directly.


Volunteers Needed: Meals On Wheels

Meals on Wheels have lost a lot of volunteers in the last few months due to COVID regulations etc. so they are desperate for some new people on the roster.

The local service covers all the way from Manly Vale up to Palm Beach, so a run takes around 60-90mins. 
You leave from and return to the warehouse in Bassett Street, Mona Vale.
You don’t need to sign on to permanent shifts, even once a month would help them out greatly.
All drivers need an unrestricted license, must be fully vaccinated and will require a volunteer police check.
If you are able to assist please call Milly on 9457 3900 or email 
NBeachesVolunteer@kmow.org.au and she can give you more info and send you through training paperwork.

Pittwater Community Groups: 


Sports (plus Social Members)

Gardens and Environment

Rural Fire Brigades
Services - Community Organisations

Arts and Social