Profile of the Week Australian Sailing Awards 2025 National Winners: RPAYC's Julia Hornsby Volunteer of the Year, Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project Club of the Year, Australian Sailing Lifetime Achievement Award to RPAYC's Ted AndersonThe National 2025 Australian Sailing Awards were held on Friday night November 14 in Sydney where the off-water contributions were acknowledged with Volunteer of the Year winner being announced as the RPAYC's Julia Hornsby.
Pittwater Offshore Newsletter:
November 1 2025
Click on Logo to access the latest PON: 
To contact Roy: editor@scotlandisland.org.au
Birdwood Park Bushcare Group Narrabeen
The council has received an application from residents to volunteer to look after bushland at 199/201 Ocean street North Narrabeen.
The group will meet once a month for 2-3 hours at a time to be decided by the group. Activities will consist of weeding out invasive species and encouraging the regeneration of native plants. Support and supervision will be provided by the council.
If you have questions or are interested in joining the group please email the council on bushcare@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Proposed lease expansion at Church Point: Have your say
Crown Lands invites your feedback on a proposal new lease over an expanded area for The Quays Marina at Church Point, Pittwater.
Consultation period: 5th November 2025 - 2nd December 2025
See consultation methods
Location: 1856 Pittwater Rd, Church Point NSW 2105
What’s this about?
Crown Lands's tenant at Church Point, The Quays Marina, proposes to expand the marina footprint (in the area shown by red shading in the aerial diagram) for a development that includes a new marina arm with fixed berths.
Before decisions are made that change the use of Crown land and waterways, Crown Lands engages with the community for feedback on how the proposal would impact their use and enjoyment of the area.
The Quays Marina, Crown Lands's tenant, is also seeking planning approval via a development application (DA) to the council for a proposed expansion of the marina.
While the new Crown Lands lease would enable the proposed development, the lease and council’s development approval are 2 separate matters.
Crown Lands and the council are consulting the community on the 2 different aspects of the project at the same time.
To provide feedback on the development application, visit the Northern Beaches Council Development applications website and search for DA2025/1506 or 1856 Pittwater Road, Bayview. Link and project overview below.
You can provide feedback on the proposed new lease on the Crown Lands website.
Your feedback will be considered in making a decision about this proposed lease. Engagement on this proposed lease is a requirement of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s Community Engagement Strategy. The Strategy has been developed to set an open and transparent framework for engaging the community about important decisions on Crown land. The Strategy acknowledges that needs vary between communities, and that a range of engagement approaches may be required to ensure community views are understood before important decisions are made.
The final decision will be made following the 28-day consultation period, once the Department has reviewed all comments and feedback provided by the community and stakeholders. The final decision will be published on this page.
Have your say
Have your say by 11.59pm on Tuesday 2 December 2025 (AEDT).
Aerial diagram. The red shading shows the indicative boundary of proposed lease. The blue outline shows existing lease boundary held by the applicant for the purpose of commercial marina. Credit: Crownview – Nearmap Imagery
Quays Marina DA through the council
DA2025/1506, open until 3/12/2025 with the council, is for 'Alterations and additions to a marina'; for a reconfiguration of the existing marina facility with an extra Arm C offshore and parallel to the inner Arms A and B (Figure 2) and the relinquishment of swing moorings currently under the control of the marina.
The proponent's documents state:
The proposed arm will provide fixed berthing for 40 vessels ranging in length
from 16 to 18 metres and will replace 40 existing swing moorings, resulting in no net increase in vessel storage capacity; no dredging is proposed, and all infrastructure works will occur within the existing operational footprint of the Marina.
The Marina itself provides employment for over 100 people locally, and its future depends on providing a modern facility which meets a continuing demand for berths and boats of increasing size.
- The proposal in this DA allows us to meet this demand without increasing the number of boats serviced by the marina.
- In providing fixed berths, we can minimise environmental impacts by removing swing moorings, which are known to cause seagrass scouring and seabed damage. Fixed infrastructure, on the other hand, is known to create habitats for fish.
- The proposal will improve safety and navigation through reducing the extent of swing moorings in the waterway and improve safety by providing a stable platform for moving on and off vessels.
- The removal of particular moorings will allow a safer passage for young dinghy sailors under instruction at the local sailing club, BYRA.
The proposal is also in line with the results of community consultation in the Council's Pittwater Waterway strategy 2038, to reduce the cumulative impacts on the waterway as a result of swing moorings.
Cost of Work will be $ 3,432,000.00. Quays Marine Centre at 1856 Pittwater road Bayview is a private marina catering for all things boating with, currently, 110 berths and 69 moorings that are leased out to customers. All documents now available on the council webpage for the proposed project.
Council meetings: new rules Will End the Public Forum Address
Residents who attended or watched online the October 21 2025 will have noticed that in both the Public Forum and Public Address (speaking to an Item tabled in the Agenda) only 2 speakers were not members of a political party, speaking to publicise their party's beliefs, or lobbyist groups.
In recent months residents have seen both the Public Forum and Public Address opportunities being used by members of political parties or lobbyist groups to express their opinions, and are becoming increasingly irate these are being excised in this way.
This is also raising questions about where it is appropriate for unelected politicians or political aspirants to be seen and heard, and whether, in swallowing all the air in the room, speakers are leaving any time for others.
At present the council has a limit of four speakers per agenda item in the Public Address part of each meeting:
- two ‘for’ (in support of) the recommendation in the report, and
- two ‘against’ (not in support of) the recommendation in the report.
The council is currently inviting the community to comment on proposed changes to the way council meetings are held, following recent rule updates by the NSW Government.
- Preventing councils from holding private councillor briefing sessions to discuss matters that should be considered in the public domain at committee and council meetings (unless they are confidential)
- Encouraging councils to hold public forums preferably before committee meetings, or if they choose council meetings, to enable community engagement in local matters
- Expanding the powers of the mayor to remove councillors from meetings for acts of disorder
- Expanding the powers of the mayor to remove members of the public if they disrupt council meetings
- Requiring information considered at closed meetings to be made public after it ceases to be confidential
- Requiring councils to give reasons when making decisions on planning matters that depart from staff recommendations (as recommended by ICAC)
- Promoting neutrality in the role of the general manager
- Requiring council and committee meetings to be live streamed to give the community and media access to council decision making, and to require those videos to be public for at least the rest of the council term, or 12 months in the case of a meeting in an election year
- The restrictions on mayoral minutes under the previous code have been removed. A mayoral minute may be put to a meeting without notice on any matter or topic that the mayor determines should be considered at the meeting
- Rules of debate: Councils will no longer have the option of reducing the duration of speeches to less than 5 minutes. However, councils continue to have other options to expedite business at meetings such as moving that a motion be put where the necessary conditions have been satisfied and to resolve to deal with items by exception
The changes are part of a new Model Code of Meeting Practice which NSW councils must adopt by December 31 2025.
The council states some of the mandatory changes made by the NSW Government are:
- limitations on councillors attending a meeting by audio-visual link
- a ban on briefings of agenda items
- public forums may not be held as part of the council meeting for hearing submissions on items of business on the agenda for the meeting
- members of the public must not display signs or protest symbols
Although the council has stated the Public Forum Item of the NSW Office of Local Government's Model Code of Meeting Practice for Local Councils in NSW for 2025 may not be held as part of a council meeting, they can still be held directly before a council meeting.
The document reiterates:
4 Public forums
4.1 The council may hold a public forum prior to meetings of the council and committees of the council for the purpose of hearing oral submissions from members of the public on items of business to be considered at the meeting. Public forums may also be held prior to meetings of other committees of the council.
4.2 The council may determine the rules under which public forums are to be conducted and when they are to be held.
4.3 The provisions of this code requiring the livestreaming of meetings also apply to public forums.
In the governments' FAQ's it is stated:
'The public forum provisions are now mandatory but leave it to councils to determine whether to hold public forums before council and committee meetings'
The council states it has prepared a draft Code of Meeting Practice that reflects the mandatory requirements of the new rules and that it is calling on the NSW government to reconsider some mandatory changes to the way council meetings are held.
“While we commend the NSW government’s aim to bring more order to council meetings, I hope the Minister will listen to us and other councils and reconsider his position on some of the meeting changes,” Mayor Heins said.
“As councillors, we value democracy and hearing from our community, and we are keen to continue to support the provision of a public forum.”
The council states it is proposing to host a public forum on items on the agenda a week before the Council meeting, rather than before a council meeting, and to provide public access to the meeting papers 2 weeks before.
The council has stated the forum will be live streamed, as is required, and asserts in the agenda for the October 2025 meeting that Re: 'Public forum and address' - 'the NSW Government’s position that the primary purpose of a council meeting is to make strategic decisions relating to the business of the council'.
However, that will not allow for late Items added to meeting agendas to be addressed by residents.
Similarly, as a platform to be used solely for Items in meeting Agendas, although the Public Address component would be retained, the actual Public Forum element that now precedes that is not part of any future model at this stage.
In August 2024 the Northern Beaches Council was proposing to cut the amount of time residents and councillors will be allowed to speak at meetings and to ban photography anywhere near them. Then it was proposed to cut speakers’ time during public forums and addresses from three to two minutes. These had once been 5 minutes but had been reduced already.
Similarly, all councillors were to be limited to speeches of two minutes during the meetings, unless they had proposed a Motion. A ban on photography during meetings would also be extended to before and after, “whilst in the vicinity of the meeting location”.
“Cutting speeches to two minutes might be a great relief for some, but the loss of those 150 words might prevent someone from explaining the intricacies of a complicated issue or describing a particularly pertinent example.'' Cr. Korzy said last year
“Meetings often run from 6pm to 11.30pm, with many of us arriving home well after midnight, and I would dearly love to see them shorter. We’re all aware they deteriorate after about 9pm with participants getting tired, niggling at each other across the floor and losing concentration.
“However, the proposed solution, based on the idea of making meetings more efficient, will add to the slow curtailment of democratic debate.
“The root of the problem is that the council unavoidably has too much business on its agenda, due to its size since the forced amalgamation, and some councillors’ antics delay progress through the agenda.
“The open-ended ban on photography is also an incursion on democracy, and a nonsense when the council itself screens the meetings online.
“Councillors and members of the community would be prevented from focusing the lens on those attending, even outside the chamber, which would limit anyone snapping photos showing numbers of supporters for any issue.”
Although some Councillors have been calling for years for two council meetings each month in order to adequately deal with every Item listed rather than seeing these bounced over to the following month - especially those Items of import to the community - the once a month meeting and the bouncing forward persists.
At the October 2025 Meeting the Item for commencing the North Narrabeen surf club upgrades tender was bounced - not heard, not decided. However, new seating for the theatre at Belrose and a Roof Membrane Upgrade and Associated Works at Dee Why Civic Centre, did get passed.
How to review the council document
The draft 2025 Model Meeting Code has 3 elements:
- mandatory provisions (indicated in black font)
- non-mandatory provisions* (indicated in red font) covering areas of meeting practice that are common to most councils
- bespoke changes (indicated in green font) – e.g. where there may be a need for some variation in practice between councils based on local circumstances.
*Recommended non-mandatory provisions operate to set a benchmark based on what the OLG sees as best practice for the relevant area of practice.
Under Appendix 1 the council's document on Public Forum lists, among its items, Speakers may not make defamatory statements, which have been a part of this platform in the last few ordinary council meetings, but no provision for residents being allowed to own this platform, or for this to be continued to be used by political aspirants, has been made.
Appendix 1 lists, among other items:
A1.6 To speak at a public forum, a person must first make an application to the Council in the approved form. Applications to speak open when the business papers are published and must be received by 5pm on the business day prior to the date on which the public forum is to be held. Applications must identify the item of business on the agenda of the Council meeting the person wishes to speak on, and whether they wish to speak ‘for’ or ‘against’ the item.
Note: The Chief Executive Officer or their delegate may refuse an application to speak at a public forum where the application does not meet the outlined requirements or there is a genuine and demonstrable concern relating to the applicant or their dealings with the Council or their intentions.
A1.7 To speak at a public forum, a speaker must attend in person.
A1.8 Legal representatives acting on behalf of others must identify their status as a legal representative when applying to speak.
A1.11 Speakers must not digress from the item of business on which they applied to speak. If a speaker digresses to irrelevant matters, the chairperson is to direct the speaker not to do so. If the speaker fails to observe a direction from the chairperson, the chairperson may immediately require the person to stop speaking and they will not be further heard.
A1.12 A public forum should not be used to raise questions or complaints. Such matters should be forwarded in writing to the council where they will be responded to by appropriate council officers.
NSW Government's
The NBC's draft Code of Meeting Practice will be on public exhibition from 24 October to 4 December 2025. Community members can view the proposal and make a response via Council’s Your Say webpage for this consultation.
Warringah Council chambers in 2014 when Pittwater was telling Warringah and the State Government to keep its hands off Pittwater - will there soon be a ban on mass t-shirt wearing too?
Marine Rescue Broken Bay Christmas Raffle 2025
How would you spend $5000?? It's raffle time!
Help us to prepare for the summer boating season - every $$ donated helps to keep us on the water AND you get the chance to win some amazing prizes! Scan the QR code or click on the link at: https://rafflelink.com.au/mrbb-xmas25
Hopefully you will never need us, but help us to be there if you do! Manned 100% by volunteers, our Unit relies on fundraising throughout the year to keep our support to boaters running.
Through generous donations we have 2 rescue capable boats but they need maintenance and fuel to remain on the water. We rely heavily on your generous support so we can continue to support our community in need. This year looks to be a bumper festive one with some amazing donations for our local community supporters.
Win big!! Our lucky 1st prize winner gets an amazing $5000 of Woolworths Gift Cards. What a huge way to brighten up that Christmas Shopping. You can get a lot of lobster with that!
2nd prize is a fantastic pamper full of fishing goodies. It includes fishing rod, spin reel, wide range of lures, filleting knife and shears. Plus a selection of fishing clothing and sunglasses and has a total value of $1200!
3rd prize is another great gift to get you out on the water! An adult size Stand Up Paddleboard, PA Aqua Marine All Around Air 10’2″ , complete fit with paddle, pump and shoulder bag, valued at $250
Our 4th prize is a $200 Gift Card from our major sponsor, the RMYC, Newport. Get together with friends or family, for a fantastic night out at your local motor yacht club.
Did you know that you can donate directly?
Your kindness goes towards fuel, training, maintenance and lifesaving equipment. Donations are tax deductible. So, help us to help you by donating NOW!
Slow Down: Wildlife Crossing
Please contact Sydney Wildlife Rescue on (02) 9413 4300 for advice if you hit a native animal or come across an injured one while driving. It is helpful if you can provide an accurate location or landmark to assist our rescuers who will pouch check marsupials for joeys, so little lives like Phoebe can be saved.
Photo: Phoebe the Swamp Wallaby by Jane Notice
Community News + what ran in each Issue
Community News Pages list articles that ran each week as well as reports run in other pages: Inbox and Environment News archives etc.
March 2013 April 2013 May 2013 June 2013 July 2013 August 2013 September 2013 October 2013 November 2013 December 2013
January 2014 February 2014 March 2014 April 2014 May 2014 June 2014 July 2014 August 2014 September 2014 October 2014 November 2014 December 2014
January 2015 February 2015 March 2015 April 2015 May 2015 June 2015 July 2015 August 2015 September 2015 October 2015 November 2015 December 2015
January 2016 February 2016 March 2016 April 2016 May 2016 June 2016 July 2016 August 2016 September 2016 October 2016 November 2016 December 2016
January 2017 February 2017 March 2017 April 2017 May 2017 June 2017 July 2017 August 2017 September 2017 October 2017 November 2017 December 2017
January 2018 February 2018 March 2018 April 2018 May 2018 June 2018 July 2018 August 2018 September 2018 October 2018 November 2018 December 2018
January 2019 February 2019 March 2019 April 2019 May 2019 June 2019 July 2019 August 2019 September 2019 October 2019 November 2019 December 2019
January 2020 February 2020 March 2020 April 2020 May 2020 June 2020 July 2020 August 2020 September 2020 October 2020 November 2020 December 2020
January 2021 February 2021 March 2021 April 2021 May 2021 June 2021 July 2021 August 2021 September 2021 October 2021 November 2021 December 2021
January 2022 February 2022 March 2022 April 2022 May 2022 June 2022 July 2022 August 2022 September 2022 October 2022 November 2022 December 2022
January 2023 February 2023 March 2023 April 2023 May 2023 June 2023 July 2023 August 2023 September 2023 October 2023 November 2023 December 2023
January 2024 February 2024 March 2024 April 2024 May 2024 June 2024 July 2024 August 2024 September 2024 October 2024 November 2024 December 2024
January 2025 February 2025 March 2025 April 2025 May 2025 June 2025 July 2025 August 2025 September 2025 October 2025 November 2025
Concerns over Palm Beach Parking Fines
Employees of Palm Beach Kindergarten have expressed concerns over parking fines they received this past week from the council. This is the first time they have been fined for parking at the rear of the reserve and on the street.
The council has a Woorak Reserve and Iluka Park parking permits webpage which states:
'Permits for the Church Point, Rowland Reserve, Woorak Reserve/Iluka Park and Western Foreshore areas are going digital as of Monday 3 November.
Permit holders of the existing Church Point, Rowland Reserve, Woorak Reserve/Iluka Park and Western Foreshore physical permits can now apply for a digital parking permit via the Digital parking permits page (available from Monday 3 November).
If you need any assistance with the application of a digital parking permit, please contact Customer Service on 1300 434 434 or council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Digital permits are being implemented with a staged approach. The rollout of digital parking permits for the Manly Parking Permit scheme is scheduled for March 2026, while the rollout of digital parking for the Beach Parking Permit scheme will commence mid-2026. Further instructions for those permits will be provided in advance of those dates.'
Lion Island Yacht Race 2025
BYRA have changed the date for the annual Lion Island Yacht Race to Sunday 7th December.
All members are welcome to bring their yachts and compete. The Race is also open to yachts from other clubs.
This is a fundraising celebration of the foundation of the club. Prizegiving after the race in the clubhouse from 5pm
The start is at 12.00pm from a line set outside the moorings just off the club, around Lion Island to port and return.
You can enter now at www.byra.com.au/events/322203
AusMusic T-Shirt Day: November 27
AusMusic T-Shirt Day is a national day of celebration, joy and recognition — a chance to show up for the people who make the music happen. From artists and bandmates to crew, techs, managers and beyond, it takes a whole community to bring Australian music to life.
Wearing a tee, raising funds or making a donation is how we celebrate that community — and how we help Support Act continue delivering vital mental health support, crisis relief and dedicated services for those who keep the industry going.
It’s more than a t-shirt. It’s a show of solidarity for the heartbeat of Australian music.
Where do the funds go?
Every dollar raised goes directly to Support Act, helping deliver crisis relief, mental health support, and dedicated First Nations services to artists, crew and music workers in need. Your support helps keep vital programs running — from the 24/7 Wellbeing Helpline to financial grants, mental health education and more.
It’s real help for the people who make the music happen.
Who is Support Act?
Support Act is the music industry’s charity — providing crisis relief, mental health support and wellbeing services to artists, crew and music workers doing it tough. From financial grants to a 24/7 helpline and dedicated First Nations support, we’re here to help the people who make the music happen.
Our services are delivered by a team of qualified social workers and clinical psychologists, with culturally aware support for First Nations music workers provided by First Nations practitioners, or those with strong, cross-cultural training.
How did AMTD come about?
AusMusic T-Shirt Day started as a simple idea — a way to celebrate Australian music and show solidarity with the artists, crew and workers who bring it to life.
What began as a grassroots initiative has grown into a national movement — fuelled by the deep love Australians have for music, and the people who create it.
Today, it’s a joyful, unifying moment to wear your support, raise funds, and help ensure the health and future of our music industry.
Find out more and get involved at: ausmusictshirtday.org.au
Newport Pool to Peak Kicks Off Pittwater Ocean Swim Series 2026
The annual Pittwater Ocean Swim Series will kick off with the Newport Pool to Peak, ocean swims on Sunday 4 January 2026. The series provides ocean swimmers around the world the opportunity to experience the beautiful scenery and pristine environment of Pittwater.
The Newport Pool to Peak has become one of the biggest ocean swimming events on the annual calendar and has grown from the traditional 2Kms to offer 400m and 800m courses as well. This has enabled swimmers to test their swim skills and gain experience in ocean swimming which is very different to pool swimming, as ocean swimmers will attest.
John Guthrie, chairman of the Pool to Peak, ocean swim organising committee, says the club’s swims feature a strong safety culture with many safety craft in the water and drone surveillance.
“This means swimmers are being observed at all times which helps to build confidence in tackling the surf and currents. Of course, we encourage swimmers to train for their event with a combination of attaining surf skills, lap swimming in addition to general physical training such as weights.
“Ocean swimming can be arduous so swimmers are responsible for their individual fitness. We will have lifesavers in the break to assist any swimmers who are finding it too difficult. Again, entrants are encouraged to put their hand up if they find themselves unable to complete the course,” said John.
The Pool to Peak is known as the friendly affordable swim event and swimmers all go in the draw for a great range of prizes. Medals are also presented to category winners, one of the few ocean swim events to continue the tradition.
“We are proud of the fun atmosphere generated on the day. Swimmers are welcomed back on shore with succulent, fresh fruit, from Harris Farm Markets, our long-term major sponsors, to take away the salty taste in your mouth. Then there is the barbecue, featuring ingredients from Harris Farm Markets, a popular feature with hungry swimmers,” John continued.
Following the prize and medal presentations, swimmers and their families can enjoy a drink at the club’s bar or take advantage of one of the many coffee shops in the Newport shopping centre including The Peak Café a sponsor of the Pool to Peak, Newport has clubs such as the Royal Motor Yacht Club who would like to enjoy lunch with a view of Pittwater.
There is an added incentive for swimmers to enter the Pittwater Ocean Swim Series in 2026. For swimmers who swim at least three of the swims in the series, they will go in the draw for a $250 voucher a male & female swimmer for a fine dining experience at the Basin Restaurant.
The Pittwater swims start at Newport 4 January, then Bilgola on 11 January, Mona Vale on18 January and the Big Swim on 25 January. This will be the 52nd Big Swim event.
To complete the Pittwater Ocean Swim Series the Avalon swims will be on Sunday 15 March. That includes their iconic Around the Bends swim from Newport to Avalon.
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Pool to Peak swimmers in 2025. Photo: AJG/PON
Mowanna Dads' Group
Hey other dads! I'm starting up a Fathering Group in Narrabeen (I'm a Warriewood dad myself). Is anyone looking to connect with other dads? Mums, would your partner benefit?
It's a monthly group for dads to manage their stress, share stories and get advice to help us all be better parents.
I'm running it with Mowana, a local mental health charity. Drop me a line or book a ticket - next meet-up is December 4 2025:
AJ Tennant
Monika's Doggie Rescue Pets of the Week
Leo
3yo French Bulldog
Leo is a gorgeous Frenchie who was dumped at the pound with your typical medical Frenchie issues. He is an adorable friendly guy who is social with other small dogs and can be handled easily. He has narrowed ear canals and had a growth in his right ear which has been removed. With lots of treatment his ears have settled down well. Leo also needs BOAS surgery to widen his nostrils and thin the soft palate. He also has a "screwtail" with deep pocketing which is prone to chronic dermatitis and needs good medical management. He does regurgitate food and needs regular small low-fat meals. This should improve once he has the BOAS surgery. DoggieRescue is committed to having the BOAS surgery done so he can have a good long life. He has a smooth coat and weighs 12.7kg. He suits apartment living and can cope with FT hours alone. His adoption fee is $800.
Wags
2yo Jack Russell X
Wags is a friendly happy young boy. He plays nicely with other small young dogs and is very affectionate and friendly with people. He has come from a rural pound and has adjusted well to city living. Wags is easy to pick up, cuddle and bath. He has a short coat and weighs 7.6kg. He suits alarment living and PT hours alone. 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 $700.
For further details 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. Email: mvrasydney@gmail.com
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/monavaleresidents
