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Elanora Heights Newsagency and Post Office to Close After 24 Years

A longstanding newsagency and post office in Elanora Heights will permanently close after 24 years of service due to declining demand and rising operational challenges.

Background and Operation History

The Elanora Heights Newsagency and Post Office, located in the Kalang Road shopping strip, will shut down after 24 years of continuous operation.

Owners Karla Rothpletz-Tatt and Stephen Tatt have confirmed the closure is scheduled for late July 2025. The couple have run the business seven days a week, providing both Australia Post services and a traditional newsagency. The post office has offered 180 post office boxes to local residents and businesses.

Changing Consumer Habits Impact Business

The owners have cited declining foot traffic and reduced revenue due to changing consumer behaviour. A significant shift to online shopping, digital communication, and the use of internet-based lottery services has reduced customer reliance on physical outlets. The business has reached a point where sustaining staff is no longer financially viable, despite the owners’ continued hands-on commitment.

Community Alternatives and Transition

With the closure imminent, residents in Elanora Heights are being directed to post offices in nearby Collaroy, Narrabeen, and Warriewood for their ongoing postal needs. Despite closing the business, the owners will continue to live locally and contribute to community activities.

Elanora Heights post office — *Photo Credit: Elanora Heights Newsagency and Post Office/Facebook*

Community Reaction and Local Support

The closure has prompted numerous responses from residents expressing appreciation and support. Locals have acknowledged the business’s role in the community, noting the friendly and reliable service over the decades. A farewell gathering will be held at the Racquet Club on 20 July, allowing locals to express their thanks in person.

Ongoing Community Involvement

Karla Rothpletz-Tatt confirmed she will continue her involvement with the annual Elanora Heights Village Christmas Markets, already in planning for November 2025. In the lead-up to closure, the store will offer discounts on stationery, cards, and gift stock, encouraging locals to visit and say goodbye.

Published 14-May-2025

NSW Pet Laws Under Review Amid Ongoing Dog Attacks in Ingleside

Photo Credit: Pexels

Ingleside residents are being urged to contribute to a statewide review of pet ownership laws. The authorities are re-examining the Companion Animals Act following repeated reports of dog attacks in the area.

Review Targets Outdated Pet Regulations

The NSW Government has launched a public consultation to review the Companion Animals Act 1998, the first significant update in over two decades. The review aims to modernise pet ownership rules across the state, addressing public safety, animal welfare, and council responsibilities. Ingleside is among the areas highlighted due to ongoing community concerns about roaming dogs attacking native wildlife.

NSW Pet Laws — Caption: For Illustration Purposes Only
Photo Credit: Pexels

Wildlife Deaths in Ingleside Raise Alarm

Residents in Ingleside, Elanora Heights, and surrounding suburbs have repeatedly reported the same two dogs attacking wildlife since early 2023. Sightings continued into January 2025, including images of one dog carrying a dead water dragon. The dogs, described as a black labradoodle and a dark brown curly-haired retriever, have allegedly killed ducks and reptiles and chased wallabies across private and public land.

Reports from early 2023 also noted damage to nurseries and attacks on domestic poultry. Despite multiple incidents, NBC confirmed that no fines were issued due to insufficient evidence at the time. The matter is now under further investigation.

Council and State Response Linked to Broader Review

The Companion Animals Act review will consider enforcement gaps, registration issues, and how councils manage compliance. NBC reported 53 dog attacks in the first quarter of 2024–25, with 39 involving animals. In comparison, Central Coast Council, with more than twice the number of registered dogs, recorded fewer animal attacks during the same period.

The review also incorporates findings from coronial inquests into fatal dog attacks, including the 2020 death of Ada Holland and the 2021 death of a five-week-old baby in Kariong.

Recommendations include strengthening penalties, creating a dog ownership licensing scheme, and revising council enforcement powers.

Ingleside dog attacks — Caption: For Illustration Purposes Only
Photo Credit: Pexels

Ingleside Featured in Broader Wildlife Protection Concerns

Local wildlife in Ingleside and nearby suburbs continues to be impacted by uncontrolled dogs. Protected species remain vulnerable such as wallabies and water dragons. Under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, these animals are legally safeguarded, yet enforcement remains inconsistent.

Photographic evidence submitted by residents and reports to media and council highlight that off-leash dogs frequently roam areas where pets are prohibited, including reserves and wildlife corridors. Residents are encouraged to report all such incidents directly to the NBC or the police.

Community Divided on Off-Leash Access

Proposals to expand off-leash dog access in certain locations, including South Mona Vale Beach, have drawn mixed responses. Previous incidents at that site include children being injured or knocked over by dogs. While the beach is not officially off-leash, pet owners continue to use it as such.

Consultation remains open on the new management plan for this area, with concerns that changing access rules could increase conflict between dog owners and the broader public.

Public Feedback Open Until May

The NSW Government is accepting public submissions until 4 May 2025. A discussion paper has been released addressing responsible pet ownership, council enforcement responsibilities, and animal welfare. The review aims to set a clearer legal basis for registration, desexing, and dangerous dog declarations.

Submissions can be made through the Office of Local Government website or by emailing completed forms to ca.review@olg.nsw.gov.au.

Published 15-Apr-2025

Mountain Biker Saved After Snake Bite at Ingleside Trail

Photo Credit: Flickr / Donald Hobern

A 44-year-old mountain biker was rushed to Northern Beaches Hospital yesterday after being bitten by a red-bellied black snake while riding in a popular Ingleside trail.

The incident occurred around 10:30am Sunday on the Slippery Dip Trail in the area known locally as ‘Mount Narrabeen’, a remote section approximately 100m in elevation where several popular mountain biking trails converge.

According to emergency services, the rider was bitten on his right lower leg and quickly began experiencing symptoms including nausea, dizziness, and weakness in his arms. The situation could have been dire given the trail’s remote location, which typically requires up to an hour for emergency vehicles to access.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Christian Holmes, who responded to the scene, stated the victim was able to receive effective treatment within minutes of being bitten thanks to another rider who had a compression bandage in their first aid kit. The patient was in stable condition when emergency services arrived.

The injured cyclist and his companions made the decision to slowly ride downhill toward Wakehurst Parkway rather than waiting at the remote location where the bite occurred.

Emergency services, including specialist rescue firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW Narrabeen Station and three NSW Ambulance crews, met the riders at the base of the hill near the Caleyi Trail entrance off Wakehurst Parkway. Paramedics transported the patient to Northern Beaches Hospital shortly before 11:30am.

This incident highlights the challenges of emergency response in Ingleside’s popular but remote trail network, which lies just 300m from Wakehurst Parkway but requires 4WD access via Morgan Road, Belrose, adding significant time to rescue operations.

Red-bellied black snakes are medically significant, with symptoms appearing within minutes of a bite. Medical experts recommend keeping snake bite victims still and immobilising the affected limb with a pressure bandage until emergency services arrive.

Published 7-April-2025

Plug & Play Program Revitalises Elanora Heights with Street Events

Photo Credit: NSW Gov

Elanora Heights is set to become a hub of community activity with the approval of global Traffic Management Plans (TMPs) as part of the Plug & Play program, aimed at transforming streets into vibrant community spaces.

Plug & Play Comes to Elanora Heights

At a recent meeting held on 4 March 2025, the NBC Local Traffic Committee approved the implementation of global Traffic Management Plans for four locations across the peninsula, including Kalang Road in Elanora Heights. This initiative is part of the Plug & Play program, an $8.5 million grant partnership with 17 pilot councils across the state.

The Plug & Play program is designed to simplify the organisation of street-based events by reducing costs and streamlining processes through a “local problems, local solutions” model. It falls under the wider Vibrant Streets Package, a $34-million investment to revitalise public spaces and support local businesses, the community, and the creative sector.

How the Plug & Play Program Transforms Elanora Heights

The program will see the closure of Kalang Road in Elanora Heights, from Powderworks Road to St Andrews Gate, during events. This will allow up to 3,000 attendees to participate between 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on event days. The closure will affect 46 on-street parking spaces and the Dan Murphy’s carpark, but there are a number of alternative parking spots within 350 metres of the site.

parking spaces available — *Photo Credit: NBC Local Traffic Committee*

Public transport will be minimally impacted, with the 182 bus service detouring as needed. The suggested detour route is via Powderworks Road, Elanora Road, and St Andrews Gate.

Local Voices: How the Community Reacts

Local residents and businesses will be informed about upcoming events through letterbox drops, social media updates, and NBC notifications. Authorities, including local police and emergency services, will also be kept in the loop to ensure public safety.

Elanora Heights events — *Caption: For Illustration Purposes Only*
*Photo Credit: NSW Gov*

Neighbouring Suburbs Join the Plug & Play Movement

Similar Plug & Play approvals were granted for Brookvale, Fairlight, and Newport. Brookvale will host larger events, accommodating up to 20,000 attendees, while Newport and Fairlight will host smaller gatherings of 1,000 and 500 people respectively.

What This Means for Elanora Heights

Pending final approval from Transport for NSW, the Plug & Play initiative in Elanora Heights will foster community engagement by making it easier to host local events. The program is expected to be implemented within 12 months and will remain in place for five years unless significant changes occur.

Published 29-Mar-2025

Ingleside Residents Demand Action Over Roadside Boat Dumping

Photo Credit: Strange Happenings/Pexels

Ingleside residents are growing frustrated as abandoned boats and trailers line local roads, sparking calls for quicker council action.

Ingleside Residents Fed Up as Dumped Boats Turn Quiet Roads into Rubbish Zones

Boats and trailers left to rust along Ingleside streets are upsetting locals, who say their peaceful neighbourhood is being treated like a dumping ground. The issue is centred on Walter Road, where residents have reported multiple cases of abandoned vessels cluttering the roadside.

Between January 2024 and March 2025, Northern Beaches Council received 18 complaints about boat dumping in the area, though enforcement action was taken in just six cases.

Long-Term Parking or Abandonment?

Residents believe many of the boats are being left by people from outside the area who want to avoid storage fees. Some vessels have been vandalised or stripped, raising safety and theft concerns.

Current NSW rules require registered trailers or boats to be moved after 28 days in the same location, but locals say enforcement is slow or ineffective.

Council Action and Proposed Changes

The council is developing a draft plan to better manage long-term boat parking across the region. Options include introducing a paid permit system and setting up designated boat parking areas. So far, a few warnings have been issued, but residents say more consistent action is needed.

Broader Environmental and Safety Concerns

While there have been no confirmed environmental issues in Ingleside yet, residents worry about the risk of leaks and roadside runoff affecting local waterways. They also say the abandoned vessels pose safety risks to children and pets.

Locals are urging council to respond more quickly to complaints and to make Ingleside streets safer and more attractive. Council staff say community input will guide future action, but many residents hope to see change sooner rather than later.

Published 24-March-2025

Elanora Heights Woman Among Northern Beaches Scam Victims

Photo Credit: AnyDesk

An 81-year-old woman from Elanora Heights has become the latest scam victim in a series of incidents targeting Northern Beaches residents through remote access software.

On February 7, 2025, the elderly Elanora Heights resident received an unsolicited phone call from a scammer claiming to represent Telstra. The caller offered to “fix” supposed internet issues and convinced the woman to download AnyDesk, a legitimate remote access software. Once installed, the software allowed the scammer to gain unauthorised access to her device, resulting in approximately $20,000 being withdrawn from her account.

This Elanora Heights incident occurred just days before another Northern Beaches resident, an 82-year-old man from Davidson, lost the same amount in a similar scam. On February 11, he received an email purportedly from PayPal questioning a transaction and was instructed to download AnyDesk to address the issue, leading to an identical $20,000 theft.

Local police have confirmed investigations are underway into both cases. Authorities haven’t yet determined if the stolen funds were transferred overseas, which could complicate recovery efforts.

Police Warning to Residents

Northern Beaches Police are urging community members—particularly older residents—to exercise extreme caution when receiving unsolicited calls or emails requesting remote access to their devices.

“Never give anyone you don’t know access to your devices,” authorities advise. “And never share online banking login details or passwords with anyone.”

How to Protect Yourself

AnyDesk itself offers these guidelines to avoid becoming a victim:

Be suspicious of unexpected calls claiming to be from known companies like Microsoft, Telstra, or financial institutions
Remember that legitimate organisations will never call you unexpectedly and ask you to download software
If you feel uncomfortable during any interaction, hang up immediately
If someone remotely connected to your device asks you to log into financial accounts, they are likely a scammer
End suspicious remote sessions by turning off your device

What to Do If Scammed

Those who believe they’ve fallen victim to such scams should:

Immediately report the incident to financial institutions
Change passwords on potentially compromised accounts
Have devices checked by trusted IT specialists
Report the scam to local authorities

As cybercriminals continue to target vulnerable community members, heightened vigilance is essential, particularly in areas like Elanora Heights where residents have already been victimised.

Published 18-February-2025

Fire After Three-Car Crash at Ingleside Intersection

A fiery crash at a key Ingleside intersection left a teenage driver’s car destroyed after it flipped and caught fire Sunday night at the junction of Mona Vale Road and Powderworks Road.

**The fiery crash happened at the junction of Mona Vale Road and Powderworks Road.**
Photo Credit: Google Maps

The incident occurred just after 9:15pm when a white 2013 Subaru Forester driven by a 17-year-old on her red P-plates was struck while attempting to turn into Powderworks Road. The T-bone collision with a southbound 2014 Subaru XV caused the teen’s vehicle to overturn before hitting a 2024 Volkswagen Golf R waiting at the intersection.

Ingleside and Terrey Hills Rural Fire Brigade crews responded promptly, arriving at approximately 9:30pm to find the overturned Forester engulfed in flames. Firefighters quickly deployed hose lines from their trucks and brought the blaze under control, later using thermal imaging equipment to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

The rural fire service teams also managed significant fluid spills and cleared extensive debris scattered across the roadway. Their efforts, alongside police establishing traffic control, helped reopen the crucial Ingleside thoroughfare by 10:30pm.

The crash affected a particularly important intersection for Ingleside residents, temporarily cutting off a primary access route in all directions until emergency services could establish a contraflow system around 9:45pm to relieve building traffic pressure.

Though initially reporting no injuries at the scene, the teenage driver later sought medical attention for chest and back pain and was transported from her Elanora Heights home to Royal North Shore Hospital for treatment.

Published 17-February-2025

Voluntary Contributions at Elanora Heights Public School Raise Questions

A public school in Elanora Heights has drawn attention after reportedly requesting parents to provide communal classroom supplies. Although the school announced that contributions are purely voluntary, an Education directive has previously been issued instructing schools to avoid such requests amid cost-of-living pressures.

Read: Elanora Heights Public School to Get Funding for Canteen Upgrades

Elanora Heights Public School allegedly asked each kindergarten student to bring a box of tissues, two packets of wet wipes, and a packet of whiteboard markers in 2025. The request comes despite previous warnings from the Department of Education for schools to use their allocated budgets for such items.

NSW Education Department Secretary Murat Dizdar previously instructed principals not to use language suggesting that voluntary contributions were mandatory. Schools were also advised to avoid terms such as “fee,” “charge,” or “levy” when discussing contributions.

On its website, Elanora Heights Public School stated that all contributions are voluntary. The website reads:

“Like all NSW public schools, we can request contributions to enhance our educational and sporting programs including elective subjects. School contributions help provide additional educational resources for the benefit of students. Payment is voluntary.”

It further advised parents to consider costs associated with school attendance, including uniforms, books, equipment, excursions, and co-curricular activities.

Some NSW public schools have reportedly stopped requesting communal classroom supplies or additional payments in line with the department’s directive. However, questions remain about why some schools continue to ask for such contributions.

Read: Concerns Over Preschool Delivery Plans at Terrey Hills Public School Raised

A spokesperson from the Education Department reiterated that financial contributions remain entirely voluntary but did not directly address why some principals continue to request communal supplies.

The spokesperson also said that while public schools are allowed to request voluntary contributions from families, such payments are entirely optional and will remain so.

Published 10-February-2025

Cliff Fall Death Prompts Safety Concerns in Ku-ring-gai

A father has tragically died after falling 20 metres from a cliff at the popular Duckholes Trail in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

Emergency services rushed to the scene near the Duckholes picnic area on Friday at approximately 12:30 p.m. after receiving reports that a man had fallen from a cliff into the water below. Despite the efforts of paramedics and rescue personnel, the man, believed to be in his 40s, could not be saved.

Challenging Rescue Operation

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

The location of the incident presented significant challenges for emergency services. To reach the site, paramedics and firefighters had to navigate a 500-metre track along McCarrs Creek. Upon arrival, they found the man unconscious with a head injury. It appeared he had been with a group who may have been canyoning in the area.

Due to the difficult terrain, rescuers initially had to assist the top of the cliff while exploring options for a helicopter winch rescue. Specialist firefighters trained in vertical rescue eventually descended into the canyon, but sadly, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police Investigation

Police have established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the man’s death. While the man is yet to be formally identified, police believe he was in his 40s. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Community Impact

This tragic incident has shocked the local community, with many expressing their sadness and condolences for the man and his family. Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a popular destination for bushwalking and outdoor activities, and this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety in natural environments.

Published Date 08-Jan-2025

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