Those who strolled through Careel Bay playing fields or along the shore at Careel Bay during the pre local government elections would have been approached by people forcing on them the below 'how to vote' leaflet. The lobbyists were not interested in any discussing any other point of view.
The same councillor preferenced, who voted against Pittwater Council seeking to defend its right to exist via legal action, action that proved successful for those who did so and remain intact, secured a seat as a representative for Pittwater in the forcibly amalgamated council and pushed for what was promised to the 'how to vote card' volunteers.
As a result the community is now asked to have its say on allowing dogs off-leash into an area known for its endangered ecological community, known for being beside a golf course where an errant ball may whack someone in the head, as has occurred at Mona Vale since a public pathway was installed alongside it, known to be a place where seabirds live and have lived for a long time, known to be a place where people who breakfast at The Beach House stroll, known to be a place where thousands of visitors to Barrenjoey Headland and Lighthouse visit, and known to be a place where Palm Beach residents are already walking their dogs, leaving a faeces trail behind them.
In the most recent State of the Beaches report Station Beach/Barrenjoey Beach, showed the highest range of faeces present of all estuary beaches. If it is not dog leavings, per the definitions of such annual reports, then the faeces present must be that of birds, lots of birds, and not an area suitable for dogs to be running around off-leash in.
The proposed area is also known to be one frequented by families with very young children as it provides a safe area for toddlers to paddle. One postee on the Pittwater Unleashed page has pointed out;
‘Please keep training each other to pick up after your dogs. And if you're not in control of your dog don't take it to the beach and wreck it for everyone. Was there in May and 2 dogs let out ran up to little kids jumped up on them and scratched them all in a few seconds and right next to their mother. If you think first everyone will have more pleasure and freedom…’ – August 26, 2018
The area proposed is meant to terminate at the Boat Shed wharf. However, posts on the Pittwater Unleashed Facebook page make clear their intention to gain access to the Barrenjoey Headland National Park.
The proposal by the school to expand its current school land holdings was not publicised where community members could see it and many reacted with surprise once they knew. Consequently the public exhibition period and opportunity to make a submission was extended this week until Sunday December 2nd, along with signage being placed in the adjacent area where passers-by may read it.
The land extends from the Barrenjoey Montessori buildings to the junction of the creek and yellow brick road pathways. The land currently features a council bush regeneration area and open grass.
Although the proposed lease is called 'road reserve adjoining 2B Tasman Road, Avalon Beach' most people recognise it as green open space - as shown in the location photograph above.
Under section 153 of the Roads Act 1993, 'A roads authority may lease land comprising a public road (other than a Crown road) to the owner or lessee of land adjoining the public road if, in its opinion, the road is not being used by the public.'
Under section 154 of the same Act, Public notice is to be given of the proposed lease, identifying the 'public road' to which it refers and also notify the public that anyone may make a submissions regarding the proposed lease.
The red section shows the area proposed to be fenced off:
The above, the 'lease plan', along with a surveyors drawing commissioned by the school, 'the site plan', along with 'Council hereby gives Public Notice of its intention to consider a lease for a term of five (5) years for the land adjoining 2B Tasman Road, Avalon Beach known as Lot 2 Deposited Plan 793596.' are available on the same webpage where you may Have your say - Online and In writing to the CEO, Northern Beaches Council, PO Box 82, Manly NSW 1665, marked "Proposed lease 2B Tasman Road, Avalon Beach".
Visit: Proposed lease - road reserve adjoining 2B Tasman Road, Avalon Beach (Barrenjoey Montessori School)
This was the 53rd consecutive running of the annual regatta. In the 1970’s and 1980’s the Beware The Bullets regatta was conducted from Governor Phillip Park where over 200 off-the-beach catamarans would attend.
Every year we see catamarans flying a hull very high as a result of the bullets and, if you are not careful and react swiftly, the bullets can make the boat capsize and sailors lose their position in the race.
Monika and Pepper
Pittwater Online News is Published Every Sunday Morning: 8 a.m.
