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Plug & Play Program Revitalises Elanora Heights with Street Events

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

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.