Pittwater Online News

July 21 - 27, 2024: Issue 631

Out & About: July 2024 - Barrenjoey To Paradise Beach To Bayview To Narrabeen + Middle Creek

by John Illingsworth, Adriaan van der Wallen, Joe Mills, Suzanne Daly, Jacqui Marlowe and Alison Guesdon

Paradise Beach Pool Renewal Project Update: June-July 2024

Reconstruction of the Paradise Beach tidal pool, wharf and groyne has now commenced. Demolition of the old structure has been completed and the timber work construction will continue over the next few months.

Council anticipates the project will be completed in September, weather permitting.

Council's webpage states:

'Staff have considered this feedback and have decided that the groyne will not be reduced in size and re-built. Instead, the groyne will undergo maintenance including a new sand coloured concrete top. A stainless steel handrail adjacent the repaired groyne is also being considered. The installation of a shower has been put on hold and will be considered in future if funding is available.'

'Due to its heritage listing, the footprint of the new wharf and pool would have similar proportions as the existing structure, to maintain its heritage aesthetic as well as minimise any impact to the threatened species of Posidonia seagrass in the vicinity.

Council prepared a seahorse relocation plan in consultation with the Fisheries Department. Both a heritage impact study and aquatic ecology study of the works area have been undertaken. These studies and plans informed a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) that was considered by Council staff prior to the works being approved. Appropriate mitigation measures outlined in the REF and Fisheries Permit will be applied during the construction phase to minimise environmental impacts.'

Successful Tenderer: GPM Marine Constructions Pty Ltd

Estimated amount payable to the contractor under the contract (excluding GST): $810 706.00

TfNSW – Boating Now Round 3 grant program 2021 provided Paradise Beach Wharf Upgrade Design ($20,655).

The Boating Now Program, under Round 3, also provided funds for Bilarong Reserve Boat Ramp Improvements, Narrabeen Lagoon ($60,000), Church Point Commuter Wharf Feasibility Study ($40,250), Currawong Wharf Investigation and Detailed Design ($82,500), Mackerel Beach Wharf Investigation and Detailed Design ($70,657).

Pre- Renewal - January 16, 2023:

Pre- Renewal - January 13, 2024:

Renewal Under Way - July 6 2024:

Pics: AJG/PON.

Newport Pool Surf: 14 And 15 July 2024

by Pittwater Pathways - John Illingsworth

Sunday July 14 At The Joey (Barrenjoey).

''Three surfers paddled over some good size sets.''

Video: Adriaan van der Wallen

Cool shell. Photo: Adriaan van der Wallen

Follow the light. Photo: Adriaan van der Wallen

Osprey: Parents + Offspring At Narrabeen Lagoon

Photos: Jacqui Marlowe, taken July 6, 2024

A Pittwater Suburban Tree

'I just love our suburban gums!' - Dr. Suzanne Daly, urban tree photographer, Winter in Pittwater 2024

Winter At Middle & Deep Creek

Photos: by Joe Mills, July 2024

Rowland Reserve Boat Ramp Fish Cleaning Table, Bayview

Fish cleaning facility – Rowland Reserve, Bayview: To construct a fish cleaning table at Rowland Reserve, Bayview, Pittwater. 2012/13 Grant to Pittwater Council - $8,200. NSW recreational fishing licence fees are used to install fish cleaning tables at popular fishing spots. Funding for this project came from the then Recreational Fishing Trust's Small Grants Program and included the associated plumbing works required.

Rowland Reserve – Where Does The Name Stem From?

Warringah Shire Council Minutes of Meetings records;

Report to Ordinary Meeting, 25th June 1985. PRESIDENTIAL MINUTE NO. 27/85 NAMING OF BAYVIEW BOAT LAUNCHING AREA (File: 4L46/58) – by Cr. Darren Jones (34th WSC President)
Councillors,
As you are aware, Council, with the co-operation of the Public Works Department, has recently completed Stage II of the Bayview Boat Launching facility. It is considered appropriate that this area be named after the Governor, Sir James Rowland - (officially His Excellency Air Marshall Sir James Rowland, K.B.E., D.F.C., A.F.C., K.St.J.) in recognition of his Excellency's work and contribution to the residents of Warringah and New South Wales.
Final details as to precise land titles with concurrence of the Geographical Names Board and the Public Works Department, will have to be obtained. The suggested name is GOVERNOR ROWLAND RESERVE.
RECOMMENDATION: THAT the area of Bayview Boat Launching facility be named after His Excellency Air Marshall Sir James Rowland, K.B.E., D.F.C., A.F.C., K.St.J., subject to finalisation of details. SHIRE PRESIDENT

Air Marshal Sir James Anthony Rowland, AC, KBE, DFC, AFC was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force, serving as Chief of the Air Staff from 1975 to 1979. He held office as Governor of New South Wales from 1981 to 1989, and was Chancellor of the University of Sydney from 1990 to 1991.

Air Marshal Sir James Anthony Rowland

With the New South Wales Premier, Neville Wran, keen to avoid the tensions between the Queen’s representative and executive government that had embroiled the Federal government in 1975, Rowland, as ‘a safe pair of hands’ (Williams, 577), was sworn in as the thirty-third governor of New South Wales on 20 January 1981. While he knew little about politics or vice-regal practice, Rowland had always believed that ‘if you were asked to do a job like that, you really had a duty to try to do it, assuming that you felt you could do it reasonably well’ (Rowland and Yule, 448). As each State governor automatically become deputy prior in the Order of St John, Rowland was appointed a knight of grace (KStJ); Faye was admitted as a commander (CStJ). He was appointed AC in January 1987, and his original four-year term was twice extended before he stepped down on 19 January 1989. He was remembered as a governor with a ‘common touch’ (McGuiness 1999, 16)—friends soon nicknamed him the ‘gumboot Governor’ (Rowland and Yule 2018, 464)—and as a ‘good and conscientious public servant …’ (Williams 2009, 576). - from; Kristen Alexander, 'Rowland, James Anthony (Jim) (1922–1999)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/.../rowland-james.../text41340

New Accessible Changerooms At Rowland Reserve

Council has completed works at Bayview and accessible amenities are now open at Rowland Reserve, Bayview. The public amenities building includes a new accessible toilet with a baby change table, male and female changing areas and toilets and a new accessible Changing Places changing room.

These enhancements were made possible through the generous funding from the NSW Government’s 'Places to Swim' and 'Community Building Partnerships' programs, along with contributions from Council.

Located off Pittwater Road at Bayview, Rowland Reserve features boat ramps, pontoons, picnic facilities, storage for boats and watercraft, and an off-leash dog exercise area.

The upgraded amenities now meet the needs of all visitors to the reserve, including local organisation Pittwater Sailability, who provide sailing opportunities for people with a disability.

The Changing Places changeroom is larger than standard accessible toilets and includes a hoist system and adult change table. With these special features, it is available for anyone who has an MLAK key.

The MLAK Key was an initiative that came out of Pittwater Council.

David Lyall explained during his Profile interview:

''In 1994 I was on a committee called the Access Committee as part of Pittwater Council. Our job was to make things better for people with disabilities. One of the chaps said we had big problems with the disabled toilets; if someone vandalises them or damages them it causes problems. So we invented what was called the MLAK Key – Master Locksmiths Access Key. That key is now universal in the whole of Australia and New Zealand. If you go to a disabled toilet you will see a little blue outline of a Yale key and that symbolises an access key. I still have key number 3 – for my birthday 3-3-33!''

Rowland Reserve and the surrounding area is home to boat ramps, picnic facilities, an off-leash dog exercise area, a storage area for larger boats such as outrigger canoes and dragon boats, and an amenities block.

The reserve is also home to Pittwater Sailability, providing sailing opportunities for people with a disability.

Following consultation with the community, Council refurbished the public amenities building, including a new accessible toilet extension and a new disability changing room.