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Locals Outraged As Illegal Trail at Woorarra Lookout Reserve Devastates Bushland

A local resident has raised urgent concerns over a mountain bike track at the Woorarra Lookout Reserve in Elanora Heights that has allegedly been illegally built.

Read: A Win For Locals: Massive Ingleside Housing Plans Scrapped

The resident contacted the Northern Beaches Council to report that the track is causing permanent damage to the fragile ecosystem in the reserve, which is home to rare and endangered plant species.

The mountain bikers have reportedly cleared vegetation, dug into the soil, modified sandstone rocks, and created ramps and jumps along the track. This has led to habitat and species loss, as well as severe erosion in parts of the reserve.

Woorara Reserve borders the Deep Creek Reserve and contains sensitive bushland that supports threatened ecological communities. Community bushcare groups have worked for decades to regenerate the area after decades of degradation.

Woorarra Lookout Reserve — Photo credit: S Salehi/Google Maps

The construction of the illegal track directly opposes Council rules and regulations put in place to protect such endangered environments. It also excludes the wider community from enjoying the public green space.

This incident highlights an ongoing issue across Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where illegal mountain bike tracks are being built in public reserves and parks to the detriment of the natural habitat. Dangerous tracks have appeared in places like Warriewood, Mona Vale, Newport, Avalon, and Narrabeen.

Concerned groups claim the problem has resulted in injuries to children, anti-social behaviour, and threats against park users.

In a Facebook post, one resident expressed shock at the damage that has allegedly been done by local kids in Elanora Heights’ Woorarra Lookout Reserve.

The resident claimed that whilst sitting in the reserve in an area that was illegally cleared to build mountain bike jumps, they were subjected to appalling abuse.

The resident alleged that they were sworn at, spat at, verbally abused, had rocks thrown at them, and received threats from young boys from the local community. The resident condemned the antisocial and threatening behaviour they faced whilst visiting the reserve.

Read: Elanora Heights Public School Successfully Completes Sustainable Initiatives

The fate of the fragile Woorara Lookout Reserve now lies in the hands of the Council, who must decide how to balance recreational interests with conservation and community safety.

Published 1-November-2023

Concerns Over Preschool Delivery Plans at Terrey Hills Public School Raised

Photo Credit: Photo by Monica Sedra / Unsplash

A cloud of uncertainty hovers over the planned preschool project at Terrey Hills Public School.

The Labor Party is allegedly breaking its promise to open a new preschool in Terrey Hills, according to Pittwater MP Rory Amon. Mr Amon is pleading with the NSW Government to honour the commitments made by the previous Coalition Government to improve the accessibility and affordability of childcare and preschool facilities.

The Coalition Government’s initial plans were for the construction of 500 new preschools during the current legislative session. However, Mr Amon claims that the Labor Party’s latest proposal dramatically falls short, guaranteeing only a small portion of the initially anticipated number—a meagre 100. Concerns have been expressed about the feasibility of the proposed Terrey Hills Public School preschool due to this change.

He emphasised the need for both state financing and Commonwealth subsidies, highlighting the possible negative effects on Pittwater area families if the funding is compromised.

He also underscored the importance of the first five years of a child’s life in terms of its social, emotional, and cognitive development which he said was the goal of the Coalition Government’s earlier investments in early childhood.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman echoed similar sentiments. Drawing attention to the measures undertaken by the Coalition Government, Mr Speakman emphasized the proposed $5 billion ‘Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund’ and the assurance of a year of complimentary pre-kindergarten education for all children.

Both Mr Amon and Mr Speakman criticised the NSW Government for breaking prior commitments to provide child care made by its predecessor. They claimed that high childcare costs are a major issue for people who are struggling to pay for necessities, as they prevent families from having access to better jobs.

Published 10-August-2023

Elanora Heights Public School Successfully Completes Sustainable Initiatives

Congratulations to the Elanora Heights Public School community for completing a monumental Bush Track project and other successful sustainable initiatives for the school year!

After receiving a $14,000 Sustainable Schools Grant funding, the students attending Elanora Heights Public School, along with their parents and teachers, recently unveiled the end result of their Bush Track project.

The community worked together to remove weeds and conduct major clearing along Elanora Rd to facilitate regeneration and allow native plants to grow again. The task taught the students to understand why care and value for the environment deliver a sustainable future, apart from the physical and mental benefits of being around nature.

Ms Jenny Cullen, a teacher, headed the Bush Track project and received assistance from parents who are experts in ecology to teach the school community in identifying the different plants to cultivate and native animals to protect in the area. Signs were also installed along the bush track that leads to the school, whilst the Northern Beaches Council produced the tube stack needed for the reserve’s improvements.

Along with the Bush Track project, Elanora Heights Public School also completed the Eat a Rainbow initiative for Year 2 kids to develop healthy eating habits consisting of fruits and vegetables.

Parental experts on diet and nutrition were asked to speak before the children and teach them about how to Eat a Rainbow for the holiday season. The initiative is part of the school’s Make My Own Lunch program, which has been running for 10 years.

A Win For Locals: Massive Ingleside Housing Plans Scrapped

A controversial housing development scheme for Ingleside has been cancelled, leaving residents relieved that the proposal has been finally scrapped.

Read: Plans Released for 980 New Residences in Ingleside

In an announcement on its website, the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) said they have completed the planning work for Ingleside and will not be proceeding with the Ingleside Place Strategy.

Under the scheme, there would be approximately 980 additional dwellings south of Mona Vale Road in an area of about 180 ha along with a new local shopping centre, sports fields, parks, and open spaces.

Locals, particularly Ingleside and Elanora Heights residents, were concerned that the increase in population brought by the housing project would increase commuting times and worsen the traffic situation along Powderworks Road.

The plan received over 900 submissions during the exhibition period from 25 May to 23 July 2021.

“This unique area provides a small corridor of countryside between city suburbia and the Northern Beaches that will be decimated by such a development. The only winners will be the developers. How can 980 dwellings in such a small area ‘maintain the semi-rural’ feel of the area. I have a back yard; I do not classify that as semi-rural,” one local wrote.

Aside from increased density and environmental sustainability, locals raised bushfire and evacuation concerns, especially regarding traffic management during an emergency.

Mona Vale roads (Photo credit: planning.nsw.gov.au)

Based on the draft plans, the public land owned by the NSW Government and Council in the centre of the precinct has been identified for a community centre and playing fields whilst a small amount of State-owned land is proposed to be rezoned for low-density housing.

The NSW Government stated that the Ingleside area has been identified as a potential location for new housing since the 1960s and the place strategy “provides a pathway to provide growth in a sustainable, bushfire-safe way for the community.”

However, after years of dispute with residents, the State Government surrendered the Ingleside development.

ingleside place strategy — Photo credit: planning.nsw.gov.au

“The department acknowledges the cost of providing infrastructure and acquiring land for water management, flooding and riparian corridor protection affects the viability of delivering homes in Ingleside,” DPIE stated.

Regarding the announcement, mayor Michael Regan said the Planning for Ingleside will be handed back to Council and that they will consider it as part of the development of their new Local Environmental Plan which they are working towards for the whole Northern Beaches area.

Ingleside’s Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group Still Going Strong at 45 Years

Every day for the last 45 years, a group of volunteers comes to the workshop of the Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group in Ingleside to repair and restore used toys that may still be of use for other children around the world.

Terry Cook, the current president of the Ingleside toy repair group, has been spending his free time at the workshop for more than 20 years. He said he still gets the same joy and satisfaction each time he completes a repair.

Mr Cook is proud of the fact that the toys repaired by their volunteers have been distributed at various community organisations, especially domestic violence shelters, in Australia and schools or churches in places like Zimbabwe or Cambodia. He said that nothing compares to the feeling of knowing that the toys restored back to life are comforting impoverished kids, children with disabilities, and those who need something to play with for their learning and entertainment.

The Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group is not only helping charities and families but the volunteers are also reducing the number of waste that would otherwise fill up the landfills.

Donations of pre-loved toys from the public are welcome anytime and organisations who need toys for their children’s playgroups, for example, may request some of the repaired items.

The toy repair shop was the brainchild of Warringah Toy and Trophy Pty. Ltd. owner Don Jackson, who started out the seniors group with just four members. In 1998, the original workshop next to Narrabeen Sports High School burned down but the community raised money to rebuild the facilities at its present site.

Mr Cook, who was in construction, helped with the new building and has since become a regular volunteer.

Today, the Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group needs more volunteers as heaps of toys can still be distributed to many communities.

For those interested, email terrycook@gotalk.net.au about volunteering.

Plans Released for 980 New Residences in Ingleside

Did you know that plans are in the works to create 980 new residences to accommodate an additional 3,000 people in Ingleside?

According to the Ingleside Place Strategy released by the NSW Government in May 2021, an estimated 40 per cent of these proposed dwellings will be low rise townhouses and apartments that make up a modest new village surrounded by bushland.

The plan intends to transform Ingleside into a resilient and sustainable suburb ready for future growth, all while enhancing the identity and character of the suburb by creating new homes and opportunities, as well as new infrastructure. The project serves as a cut down version of a 2016 rejected proposal that pushed for the creation of 3,400 new residences in the area.

The initial proposal was scrapped in 2018 after the NSW Rural Fire Service had pointed out that bushfires would have devastated the entire area, and that residents would not be able to evacuate quickly enough given the locations of the proposed houses.

“During consultation, we heard loud and clear that bushfire risk and mitigation was a key concern to residents in the area. We listened and responded to these concerns, by going back and relooking at the way we were planning for bushfire protection in Ingleside,” said Brett Whitworth, Department of Planning and Environment’s Acting Deputy Secretary, Planning and Design.

After undergoing several changes, the new proposal includes an all-new shopping centre, parks, and an open and public space for sports to accompany the 980 new homes that would be built in a 180-hectare urban release area in a patch of land south of Mona Vale Rd. 100 of these new homes will be affordable to the general public.

In order to address the threat that bushfires pose, planning authorities worked closely with the Northern Beaches Council, the NSW Police, the Rural Fire Service, as well as the local community and came to the conclusion that the number of houses would have to be reduced, hence the sharp decrease from 3,400 to 980.

Though community consultation has since ended, Mayor Michael Regan had remarked that revisions will be made to the plan based on the feedback provided by the local community. Those interested in learning more about the Ingleside Place Strategy can do so here.

Elanora Heights Public School to Get Funding for Canteen Upgrades

Elanora Heights Public School is one of the beneficiaries of the $3 million school infrastructure projects from the NSW Government’s Metro Renewal Program and the funds to be received will be used for canteen upgrades.

Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes confirmed the allocated funds, which will also also be distributed across over 200 schools in the state. Aside from Elanora Heights Public School, these other schools in the Pittwater Ward will also receive funding for the following projects:

SCHOOL	PROJECT
Avalon Public School	New Covered Outdoor Learning Area
Barrenjoey High School	New Covered Outdoor Learning Area
Bilgola Plateau Public School	Upgrade of cricket nets
Mona Vale Public School	Toilet upgrade
Newport Public School	Toilet upgrade
Pittwater High School	Upgrade of lab rooms
Terrey Hills Public School	New Covered Outdoor Learning Area

In addition to the canteen upgrades, Elanora Heights Public School was also able to acquire funding from NSW Sustainable Schools Grant to rehabilitate its bushlands.

“This latest funding is a great investment in our local schools,” Mr Stokes said.

“These new learning spaces and facilities will help ensure our schools provide a fantastic and well-rounded learning environment for local students.

“I look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition – along with other major school upgrades in our community.”

Work on the canteen upgrades, as well as the other projects in Pittwater schools, have yet to be set on the calendar.

$60-K Fireball: Elanora Heights Saved in the Nick of Time

The Champions, an Elanora Heights family of four, almost lost their home after a fiery accident brought about by a crystal ball left in sunlight.

After spending $60,000 in upgrades and customisations, Matty Champion and his wife Melinda were able to transform their bus into a fully-operational mobile home complete with a kitchen, shower, and toilet. The couple lived in the bus with their two daughters, Jordan and Billie.

Their passion project had cost them a large chunk of their savings, and the Champions almost witnessed it all go up in flames after a crystal ball left in the vehicle’s centre console magnified sunlight and burned a pillow, starting a fire. According to the buses’ CCTV footage, the ball had been smoking for over an hour before fire began to spread.

The family came into possession of the ball after expressing interest in crystals and natural healing, however they’d failed to anticipate the destructive properties of glass in harsh sunlight. The Champions were lucky enough that one of their neighbours informed them immediately after spotting smoke coming from the vehicle.

Their neighbour then doused the flames with a fire extinguisher, and by the time the local fire brigade had arrived, the situation was already under control.

Following the accident, crystals are now banned from the front of the bus in order to prevent any fires starting inside. The Champions remarked that they were lucky that the fire didn’t destroy their home entirely, for they’d invested far too much time and money into its transformation from a simple vehicle into a home on wheels.

Elanora Heights Community Preschool Parents to Host Fun Sip & Swap Night

A Sip & Swap event will come about at the Elanora Heights Community Preschool this June and it’s going to be a great opportunity for the parents to have fun, make friends, and update their wardrobe all in one night.

Scheduled for Saturday, the 22nd of June 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the preschool on Kalang Road, the Sip & Swap Night aims to achieve three things:

create a community among Elanora Heights Community Preschool moms and dads through this fun social event
give parents not just an opportunity to get to know each other but to either gain or dispose of their wardrobe
collect piles of used, clean, and undamaged clothes for recycling and repurposing, which will be sold at fundraisers

Guests joining this event will have to bring one or more items for the swap, whether these are clothes and accessories for children, women, and men.

Nibbles and wine will be served and guests may also get a chance to win some prizes during the raffle draw.

The event is $8 per head, which will be collected at the door.

Toro Nero Elanora Heights Earns Nomination for the 2019 Local Business Award

Photo Credit: Toro Nero Elanora Heights

Toro Nero Elanora Heights has been nominated for the 2019 Local Business Award and its patrons may help the restaurant qualify as one of the most outstanding businesses in the Northern Beaches by casting their vote.

Loyal patrons of Toro Nero Elanora Heights may vote online under the Northern Beaches category. Customers may also submit a printed coupon directly at Toro Nero or through the award body’s media partners

*Photo Credit:* *Toro Nero Elanora Heights*

After the qualifying rounds, anonymous judges will be visiting the restaurant to look into its operation, service, and value to the community. Winners of the Local Business Awards will be honoured and acknowledged during an evening gala, which shall be announced at a later date.

Toro Nero Elanora Heights, located on Elanora Road, is a familiar hangout among the locals. It is known as a family restaurant with a rustic and relaxed atmosphere, where diners can enjoy hearty and authentic Italian meals.

Established in 2014, Toro Nero mostly serves flavourful pizza in red and white based sauces that can satisfy a large group of diners. These are prepared and cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven.

The restaurant also offers a selection of other popular Italian dishes like pasta and salads that go well with a glass of alcohol for the adults. Toro Nero serves cocktails, red or white wine, scotch, rum, bourbon, vodka, and gin.

Toro Nero has a second store at Mona Vale in Pittwater Road. Both locations are open every Tuesday to Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

“Great little place, tucked away in Elanora Heights. Love the menu and was spoilt for choice. The pizza was delicious with a thin base, cooked in a traditional wood fire oven. Service was good, nice setting and decor and we all had a great evening. Definitely want to return to try out more of the menu!”
~ Rosie Pollard, via Google Review

“For great casual dining, Toro Nero is a great place. It’s small ad intimate, offers indoor and outdoor dining, is licensed or BYO wine, and has a fantastic menu of wood-fired pizza complemented by excellent salad and side dishes. You had better book as this is a favourite with the locals and hard to get in at times.”
~ Steve M, via Trip Advisor

“Pizza is a family favourite and we are rarely satisfied when we dine out whether it be the service, price or the food that lets us down – but Toro Nero in Elanora Heights gets 5 stars on all accounts! Service was top notch, food was AMAZING and all at a bargain price when you take advantage of their $20 all you can eat pizza! Even my pizza loving son said it was the best pizza he has ever had! We will be back Toro Nero and we will spread the word because everyone deserves to enjoy such an incredible place. Thanks, guys!”
~ Aaron Stephenson, via Restaurant Guru