A new Council pre-school service in Dee Why has opened to meet the needs of local families Dee Why Pre-school opened at the existing Dee Why Children’s Centre at the start of the school year And due to its expanded numbers for 4-year-olds it's cut the waitlist for local families by nearly 50% Feedback from families has been positive.  Working parents have taken advantage of the support in transitioning children from long day care to pre-school whilst those with other younger children have welcomed the same-site drop off The pre-school is also providing a development opportunity for educators as well as shorter working days to enhance flexibility reduce burnout and improve retention rates.  Funding for the pre-school has been provided by the State Government as part of their Flexible Initiatives Trial to empower early childhood education and care.  Join the pre-school waitlist for your child and find out about Children’s Services We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Country By these words we show our respect to all Aboriginal people present and emerging and the spirits and ancestors of the Clans that lived in this area Bacharach created unforgettable hits such as “What the World Needs Now,” “Walk on By,” and “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” showcasing his unparalleled talent features Ross and Adams—two of today’s most sought-after vocalists promise an enchanting journey through Bacharach’s greatest hits Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the magic of Burt Bacharach’s music hyperlocal news service covering the Northern Beaches in Sydney with a hyperfocus from Manly to Dee Why We have a fair and non-sensationalist approach to reporting It is run by locals for locals and we depend on your news tips and support to keep going We are a member of the Local Independent News Association News tips: editor@manlyobserver.com.au or text 0435741777 Advertising queries: advertising@manlyobserver.com.au General queries: editor@manlyobserver.com.au  © Manly Observer | All Rights Reserved The Bayfields are executing a multi-million-dollar reimagining of their flagship Dee Why Hotel ushering in a new high-end sports bar and “greenhouse-inspired” dining space Sitting on a high-profile corner of Pittwater Road in Sydney’s northern beaches the Hotel has been owned and operated by the locally-based Bayfield family since Neville Bayfield acquired it in 1977 taking over operations with his sons Mark and Wayne Around 2010 the former pub made way for a multi-storey development It is now undergoing another significant transformation replete with retro finishes and a nostalgic nod to its family history First is Mr B’s – a retro-inspired sports bar It’s “playful yet polished” design is set to delight local sports fanatics courtesy of a whopping 10-metre LED sports wall – the biggest on the beaches named after the late Neville Bayfield but also the bar’s moniker from the 90s “The sports bar is going to offer one of the best sports viewing experiences in Sydney and the feel of the entire venue will be lifted,” suggests group CEO Kaine Bayfield a lush bistro and private event space taking inspiration from greenhouses soft pink ceilings and Art Deco finishes. This too is a new return to old being the original name of the bistro in the early 80s titled in honour of Neville’s first grandchild by Surry Hills interior design and architecture firm Richards Stanisich brings “local charm” and continues throughout the pub Previously dark interiors will see more natural light illuminating natural timbers and soft textures just minutes from the heavily patronised Dee Why Beach Accompanying the new look is a new seasonal menu ranging hearty favourites and elevated pub classics including new iterations of the Dee Why Hotel’s famous weekly burger specials Earlier this year the Hotel ramped up its social media and marketing finding benefit in posting original and engaging content on TikTok but the Hotel remains open and trading as usual Bayfield Hotel Group also owns the Belrose Hotel and Bayfield’s Liquor Superstores at Dee Why and Belrose “Doing a renovation of this size and scale for a beloved local institution is a huge undertaking,” explains Kaine “We have a four-generation legacy at Dee Why Hotel and we are so proud of what we are going to deliver to the community.” A product of The Information CollectiveACN All Rights Reserved © 2025 | Privacy Policy Apr 1, 2025 | , , Work on the new beach playground at Dee Why stopped when asbestos was found Upgrade works at Michaela Howie Playground named after a 15-month old toddler from Dee Why who died with her parents in a car crash at Manly Vale in 2003 was closed in February and is in the midst of a half million dollar refurbishment It is understood that material suspected of containing asbestos was found last week during excavation works for a new retaining wall It had previously been buried and posed no immediate risk to the public Northern Beaches Council yesterday confirmed that testing had revealed the material contained bonded asbestos A Council spokesperson said the area had been secured and signposted as soon as suspicions were raised and remediation works are now underway by a licensed asbestos removalist in compliance with SafeWork NSW guidelines the removal of the asbestos material is scheduled for this week and expected to take two days “We are committed to ensuring public safety and will notify neighbouring properties about the scheduled work “While the removalists will be wearing appropriate protective gear we reassure our community that all procedures will adhere to strict safety protocols to safeguard the health and well-being of all individuals involved,” said the Council spokesperson Northern Beaches Advocate attended the site yesterday and observed workers inside the restricted zone with their blue hazmat garments not done up fully and their masks improperly fitted (image above) 01 April) and gave us the following statement “During the excavation works for the renewal of Michaela Howie Playground a small area (2 square metres) was found to contain bonded asbestos with the rest of the site testing negative to asbestos A licensed and experienced asbestos removal contractor was engaged to handle this area “Council has discussed the concerns and sought assurances from the Head Contractor regarding the safety of workers on the site The removal of asbestos from the worksite has now been completed,” said the Council spokesperson Construction began in February 2025 and is due for completion in May 2025 allowing for delays due to weather and asbestos remediation Further details on the ‘Michaela Howie Playground Renewal’ project are available at the Northern Beaches Council website Join us as we go 100% electric and be part of the future of green driving Urgent asbestos clean-up Asbestos at Allambie Heights school Allambie Heights asbestos fallout Arson at Allambie Heights Asbestos risk closes park Abandoned building fire Bilgola asbestos emergency Killarney shops upgrade Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress Contribute to support the Manly Observer's independent local journalism Become a MO supporter Northern Beaches Council is proposing to grant a lease & licence to operate a café at Oaks Avenue & The Strand Dee Why Beach Reserve also known as Part Lot 1 DP94791 and Lot 3 Sec 11 DP 6953 A tender will be released to source an experienced operator in the coming months The lease & licence is intended to be granted to the successful tenderer for up to 15 years This will enable refurbishment and ongoing operation of the café Council is owner of the land and this notice is provided in accordance with Section 47 of the Local Government Act 1993 Submissions in relation to the proposal may be made by:•    Filling out a submission box below via the “Make a submission” button•    emailing: council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au•    writing to us:    ‘PA2015/0101 - Dee Why Beach Cafe’   Northern Beaches Council   PO Box 82 Please refer to the indicative leased plan below All submissions in their entirety are made publicly available in the Public Notification Report Personal identifying information and content which is discriminatory humiliate or intimidate will be redacted.  Feb 10, 2025 | , A shopkeeper in Dee Why has allegedly been assaulted by a group of teens in broad daylight Just after 6.15pm yesterday evening (Sunday NSW Police were called to a report of an alleged assault involving four teenagers — two males and two females around 16 years of age a tobacconist and convenience store at Oaks Avenue A local resident who witnessed the incident said it appeared as though the teens took issue with the shopkeeper which was later corroborated by the store’s owner The witness said that one of the male teens was ‘getting mouthy’ with the shopkeeper (image above and the witness pulled out their phone when the youth suddenly closed the distance with the shopkeeper and started throwing punches Video evidence that has been provided to NSW Police shows the shopkeeper was able to keep the single youth at bay for a short time one of the male youths can be seen lining up the shopkeeper for a haymaker as he is busy fending off the two girls The witness then assisted the injured shopkeeper back into their store Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended the scene shortly after conducting an investigation and taking a statement from the shopkeeper (image below It appears as though the shopkeeper initially declined the attendance of NSW Ambulance the store’s owner drove them to Northern Beaches Hospital for treatment The Ginger Cat Mart convenience store has been open for less than a week but was the centre of a second incident last night It is unclear if the second incident was related to the first were seen investigating the area (image above) It is understood that there may have been some suspected drug related activity occurring down a laneway to the rear of the shops with drug paraphernalia observed at the scene (image below) At least two people were taken into custody but police have not confirmed if any charges have been laid NSW Police have not made any formal statement in relation to either of yesterday’s incidents at the store The Northern Beaches Advocate has seen the footage of the alleged assault on the shopkeeper but will not be including it due to the graphic nature of the alleged assault and those involved being minors It is believed that at least one of the males allegedly involved in the assault is known to police Only last Thursday, police arrested two youths after a group of five male teens allegedly robbed a convenience store at The Strand NSW Police are seeking public assistance in relation to this matter. If you have any information that may assist them with their inquiries, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 Mob robs Dee Why store Two arrested after machete attack Hunt for intruders at Terrey Hills Mall bandits busted Tobacco bandits caught Thieves strike Friendly Grocer Teens grab nangs, injure worker Teens ransack Dee Why store Assault and robbery at Collaroy Youth crime spree Armed teen arrested at Aldi Delivery driver attacked Shop owner’s crime plea Arrest for Brookvale break-ins Teen crime spree Police swoop on servo suspect Share: For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link] We responded to over 150,000 incidents in 2023-24 The incidents displayed below are note-worthy incidents that have been published as media releases or tweets Details about incidents may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice North Parramatta | The fire at Dunlop Street, North Parramatta has been contained but is expected to smoulder through the morning. Because there may be smoke in the area, residents and businesses in the vicinity are advised to keep doors, windows, and vents closed. View on X [external link] Fire and Rescue NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders Feb 7, 2025 | , Police arrested two youths after a group of teens allegedly robbed a Dee Why convenience store Just before 8.00pm yesterday evening (Thursday NSW Police were called to a report of a possible armed robbery at a convenience store at The Strand Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command responded to the scene and speaking with the male staff member at the store were told a group of five young males had come into the store It is believed the youths were known to the member of staff and they refused to leave the store when directed to Police were told that one of the males was allegedly in possession of a knife It was further alleged that a number of items were then stolen from the store and the youths fled the scene on foot It is believed they ran north from the store along The Strand and multiple units from Northern Beaches Police Area Command Police reviewed the CCTV footage of the incident from the store and are understood to have recognised youths who are known to them Armed with information on the likely identity of the youths police focused their search to the vicinity of Collaroy they stopped three male youths who were making their way north at Pittwater Road near the shops were arrested in connection with the alleged robbery They were placed into custody and taken to Manly Police Station for further questioning Police said the youths would be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act Detectives were observed at the convenience store conducting an investigation and police advised they were continuing to make inquiries into the identities of the other three male youths The Young Offenders Act provides an alternative process to court proceedings for dealing with children who commit certain offences through the use of youth justice conferences The Act seeks to deal with alleged offenders in a way that enables a community based negotiated response to offences involving all the affected parties It’s time to dig out your togs and thongs as the sun is shining and the red and yellow flags have been put up at Dee Why and Freshie Beach.  the remaining beaches will be patrolled from Saturday 28 September.  Council’s professional lifeguards share the vital responsibility of keeping you safe at our beaches with volunteers from 21 Surf Life Saving Clubs a dedicated team of Council lifeguards and volunteer surf lifesavers work together to ensure the safety and comfort of all beachgoers whether they are on the sand or in the water.  Last year over 10.3 million people visited our beaches with 924 rescues and 5,748 first aid cases requiring attention There were also over 290,000 preventative actions undertaken by the lifeguards and volunteer lifesavers primarily involving directing swimmers to swim between the flags and directing board riders to steer clear of the flags Along with keeping visitors safe and comfortable all lifeguards and lifesavers seek to increase the knowledge We remind beachgoers to be beach safe by following our top tips for safe dips: Jan 25, 2025 | , A woman was pulled not breathing from the water by surf lifesavers at Dee Why Beach Shortly before 9.00am this morning (Saturday Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) Dee Why lifesavers were on patrol in an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) when they spotted what appeared to be a lifeless person in the water understood to be a few hundred metres off the southern end of the beach They pulled her out of the water into the IRB and raced back to shore commencing CPR on the beach and calling the emergency in by radio Three NSW Ambulance crews responded to the scene with two local cars stopping work on non-urgent jobs and rushing to Dee Why Beach They included Intensive Care Paramedics and NSW Ambulance Inspector Christine Ashman who is herself a highly experienced Intensive Care Paramedic Lifesavers had undertaken effective resuscitation on the woman with CPR and applying an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) which gave two shocks As paramedics arrived to join the resuscitation effort they confirmed she was not breathing and her heart had completely stopped Following a further 10-15 minutes of CPR and use of the more advanced life-saving NSW Ambulance equipment and was taken to Northern Beaches Hospital in a critical condition just before 10.00am How the unidentified woman came to be in the water is not clear but may be related to an aerial search that was undertaken in the headland area between North Curl Curl and Dee Why overnight NSW Police have declined to make any statement on the matter at this stage If you, or someone you know is in distress and needs assistance, please contact Lifeline by calling 13 11 14. Help is also available by text for those who do not wish to call. Lifeline volunteers are available for crisis counselling 24/7. If you have capacity to help or donate to Lifeline, please visit the Lifeline website Dee Why Beach remains closed as Council teams continue to clean the beach Northern Beaches Council this morning has reopened all beaches apart from South Curl Curl and Dee Why following the clean-up of marble-sized ball-shaped debris Council was notified of the debris on Tuesday morning (14 January 2025) and found evidence of the balls Council closed the affected beaches immediately Clean up crews were organised to clean the beaches yesterday afternoon and early this morning South Curl Curl and Dee Why are still being assessed and the clean-up is continuing at these locations Council encourages anyone who notices this kind of debris on any beaches in the Northern Beaches area to contact Northern Beaches Council on 1300 434 434.  Dec 8, 2024 | , Two young children were caught in a car that careered down a driveway at Dee Why Shortly before 10.00am this morning (Sunday emergency services responded to a report of a single vehicle collision into a parked vehicle at Wheeler Parade Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command were first on scene finding a blue 2010 Holden Commodore station wagon that had apparently rolled backways down a residential driveway gathering speed before it slammed into a blue 2009 Hyundai Getz hatchback that was parked on the street They were told by a woman in her 40s that her two children were being put into the car to go shopping when one of them had inadvertently placed the vehicle in neutral going over a low retaining wall (image below) before it was stopped by the parked Hyundai on the street The mother had reportedly been able to grab one of the children from the car before the vehicle got away from her They both sustained minor bruising from being thrown to the ground was retrieved from the car when it came to a sudden halt A retired firefighter had been walking past at the time of the incident calling it in directly to Dee Why Fire Station before going to the assistance of the mother and children Although none of the three had been seriously hurt the vehicles both sustained significant damage Nobody was in the parked car at the time it was hit NSW Ambulance Intensive Care Paramedics assessed the mother and children Although they appeared to have sustained only minor bruising and abrasions as a result of the incident the force of the vehicle impact meant they were taken to Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick for assessment and observation shortly before 10.30am Dec 26, 2024 | , A woman was arrested for drink driving at Dee Why after crashing her car into parked vehicles NSW Police responded to a report of a single car collision into parked vehicles at The Crescent officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command found a damaged white 2012 Audi Q5 stopped in nearby Pacific Parade The Audi had collided with a white 2005 Subaru station wagon parked in The Crescent which had then been pushed forward into another parked vehicle The woman was subjected to a roadside breath test which allegedly returned a positive result placed into a paddy wagon and taken to Dee Why Police Station where she underwent a breath analysis which a NSW Police spokesperson alleged returned a reading of 0.11 She was issued with a Court Attendance Notice for mid range drink driving and her driver licence was suspended A mid range Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol (PCA) offence occurs when a driver records a blood alcohol content between 0.08 and 0.15 A first offence carries a maximum fine of $2,200 up to nine months in prison and a minimum driver licence disqualification period of six months The two parked vehicles were not occupied at the time of the collision and no injuries were reported Crash and dash at Collaroy DUI crash at Narrabeen Woman charged over DUI Drunk driver rolls car Teen arrested for drink driving Call for tougher road rules Duo of daytime drunk drivers Drug driver arrested at Narrabeen Woman charged over Dee Why DUI Cromer rollover driver charged Taxi driver arrested at Bayview Rollover at Palm Beach Manly Vale hit-and-run Dee Why DUI Jan 23, 2025 | , A man has been arrested after allegedly exposing himself at a Dee Why service station Just before 2.00pm yesterday afternoon (Wednesday patrons at the United Petroleum service station at Pittwater Road called NSW Police after a man and woman got out of a green 2004 Mazda 3 and were seen arguing The pair were behaving in an erratic manner according to a witness who said the shirtless man became agitated towards bystanders the man allegedly removed clothing and exposed himself in front of shocked onlookers Arriving promptly from nearby Dee Why Police Station officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command They found the 46-year-old man nearby at Mooramba Road whose underwear was riding higher than his beltline A search was also conducted of the vehicle which was left by the pair at the service station when they fled the scene The 46-year-old man was taken to Dee Why Police Station where he was charged with offensive behaviour He was released from custody and is set to appear before Manly Local Court on Wednesday Northern Beaches Police Area Command issued an update surrounding the circumstances of the 46-year-old man’s arrest on Wednesday afternoon the man was seen acting erratically by members of the public allegedly running around a stationary vehicle in a car park at Pittwater Road Shocked bystanders contacted police and officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended the scene The man then allegedly took off his underpants The man was arrested at the scene and taken to Dee Why Police Station where he was charged with wilful and obscene exposure to appear before Manly Local Court next month (Wednesday Charged with obscene exposure Stir at Dee Why servo A string of Sydney beaches have been shut down after marble-sized grey balls washed up on the sand - just months after similar balls closed some of the city's most popular beaches North Steyne and North Narrabeen beaches in the city's north were closed on Tuesday 'Council was alerted to the debris via the EPA and is working closely with the state agency to collect samples for testing,' Northern Beaches Council said most samples identified are marble-sized with a few larger in size 'The Council is organising the safe removal of the matter and is inspecting other beaches.' It comes after seven iconic beaches including Bondi, Coogee and Maroubra in the city's east were closed in October when dozens of black balls washed up The incident sparked a massive clean-up by Randwick Council which initially thought the balls were toxic 'tar balls' created by an oil spill or ship leakage But scientists later revealed that their origins were far more disgusting Researchers from the University of New South Wales said that the balls were actually a foul mixture of raw sewage This suggested that the balls were chunks of a 'fatberg' typically found in city sewers Questions around the origin of the debris remained - researchers were unsure if they came from local sewerage systems they were certain the balls all came from the same place A small number of the balls also washed up at Silver Beach in the city's south in December.  Anyone who notices the debris on other beaches in the city's north is encouraged to contact Northern Beaches Council on 1300 434 434.  Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:... 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Manly, Dee Why beaches are closed after grey balls wash upComments are subject to our House rules and TermsNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}} No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first. {{message}} Aug 8, 2024 | , Two youths have been caught in the act of defacing a public amenity at Dee Why with a swastika Graffiti has been an ongoing issue of public concern across the Northern Beaches, with Councillor Michael Gencher forming a ‘graffiti taskforce’ to address the issue Yesterday evening’s incident (Wednesday 07 August) involved two male youths who were observed at the toilet block at Dee Why Beach clearly defacing the structure with marker pens with a number of marker pens in their possession Northern Beaches Police Area Command has been dealing with a spate of criminal activity from youths assaults and other antisocial and disorderly behaviour Many of those involved are known to police The crackdown appears to have been related to last night’s arrest there were satanic and anti-police messages Those involved in last night’s vandalism appear not to have spent much time in school however unable to correctly spell ‘Dee Why’ The member of the public who observed the two teenage males defacing the amenity building called police just after 8.30pm and officers who were on patrol nearby arrived within minutes Arriving without sirens to not alert the pair of their approach police were able to apprehend a 16-year-old boy on the e-bike thanks to the assistance of a bystander who cut off his escape path The second youth was able to slip away into the sand dunes behind the lagoon having spotted the approach of police a few seconds before his friend Video evidence of the incident has been handed to police and a NSW Police spokesperson confirmed the youth had been apprehended “Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command have commenced an investigation after public toilets on Pittwater Road were graffitied about 8.30pm yesterday (Wednesday “Police were told two males were seen allegedly using markers to draw on the walls officers arrested a 16-year-old boy and he is assisting police with inquiries “Investigations into the incident are ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” said the NSW Police spokesperson the youth’s parents were called by police to Dee Why Beach It is understood both of the teens are Northern Beaches locals but it is unknown if they are affiliated with any far-right or neo-Nazi groups the display of a Nazi symbol by public act without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence in NSW Having pushed for Council to establish an anti-graffiti taskforce Councillor Michael Gencher (image above) is also a prominent member of Sydney’s Jewish community He expressed concern at what may have motivated last night’s vandalism “I am deeply troubled by the proliferation of graffiti we are seeing on the Northern Beaches anti-Semitic graffiti is far more alarming and threatening It goes beyond the run-of-the-mill vandalism our community is subjected to striking at the heart of our values and safety,” said Cr Gencher shortly after 10.00am this morning (Thursday the 16-year-old returned to the scene to survey his handiwork While TV news crews from Nine and Seven were at the scene the youth was observed filming the graffiti He quickly attempted to leave when pursued by the news media (main image) and was seen pushing a Channel Nine camera as he attempted to evade the media Images and video: Northern Beaches Advocate Editorial note: Display of Nazi symbolism is an offence under s93ZA of the NSW Crimes Act 1900 The Northern Beaches Advocate has chosen to show the vandalism in full to convey the specific crime and does so under the public interest exemption granted by the Act under s93ZA(3b) Council taskforce tackles graffiti Graffiti to go Mona Vale mural discord Night fire at Newport Police nab teen vandals Mona Vale mural complete Mural to combat graffiti The students have been learning about surf zones identify rips and what to do if caught in one The students were also shown basic survival skills and learnt how to paddle a foam surfboard and catch the waves back into shore Some of the Year 7 students have reflected on the day below: Term 2 Parents and Carers Meeting 😀 All parents and carers are invited This meeting will be a chance to hear what is happening at the school The Catherine McAuley Weekly Review for Thursday 1st May is now available: LEST WE FORGET 🌹 Year 11 Modern History students led the school this morning in an ANZAC Reflection Students and staff were asked to remember the Australian men and women who died or suffered in the great tragedy of war YEAR 7 😀 Year 7 returned for their second term at high school today this time wearing their winter uniforms for the first time Remember that students must wear their blazer to and from school and that stockings are part of the winter uniform #year7 #winteruniform #catherinemcauley #catherinemcauleywestmead WELCOME TO TERM 2 😀 Welcome to all students returning today for Term 2 2025 The autumn colours are beginning to show in Mercy Square Year 11 Catherine McAuley students joined Donna Davis MP at a community engagement event to discuss plans for North Parramatta Year 9 MAG Leaders (Mercy in Action Group) and the Environment Student Leaders attended the Mercy 5 Eco-Justice Retreat Day at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer Two writing examples from Year 8 English students A Year 11 Legal Studies student has been selected for an online media internship program Feb 16, 2025 | , A 13-year-old boy was arrested after a group of teens robbed a Dee Why convenience store Shortly after 4.30pm yesterday afternoon (Saturday NSW Police were called to the ‘Ginger Cat Mart’ They were responding to reports the store had been robbed by a group of youths Officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended the convenience store where they were shown CCTV footage and told that a group of male youths had entered the store and allegedly threatened staff before stealing goods and leaving It is understood that after viewing CCTV footage from the store police recognised the youths allegedly involved police located four teens nearby who they suspected were involved in the alleged robbery of the store A 13-year-old boy was arrested (main image and above) and taken to Dee Why Police Station where he was charged with stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal) and larceny The boy was granted conditional bail to appear before a Children’s Court on Wednesday The 13-year-old boy arrested yesterday was also taken into custody by police following the alleged robbery of another convenience store at The Strand one of whom was allegedly armed with a knife stole goods and fled from the store after a confrontation with a staff member were later taken into custody after being apprehended at Collaroy (image above) Police have made no connection of yesterday’s alleged robbery of the Ginger Cat Mart to last Sunday’s violent assault of a shopkeeper at the same store by a group of four teens that police may be investigating whether the group was returning in an attempt to intimidate the shopkeeper Shopkeeper viciously mobbed Oct 5, 2024 | , A unit block at Dee Why was evacuated after a barbeque (BBQ) caught fire on the top floor of the building Shortly after 7.00pm this evening (Saturday responded to a report of flames coming from the balcony of a top floor unit at Pacific Parade Around 40 people were evacuated from the eight-storey building As firefighters in breathing apparatus made their way to the top floor of the building the occupant of the apartment involved in the fire was brought out for assessment by NSW Ambulance paramedics The 68-year-old man had singed facial and arm hair but did not appear to have suffered direct burns to his skin and did not appear to have suffered any damage to his airway he was taken to Northern Beaches Hospital in a stable condition for further assessment shortly after 7.45pm Firefighters gained entry to the apartment at the northern end of the building that was also spreading inside the apartment and the fire hose reel from inside the building complex they were able to rapidly extinguish the fire before it took hold inside the building The interior of the unit suffered minor damage from the fire but smoke had filled the premises and was cleared out by firefighters Additional firefighting resources called to the scene were released just before 8.00pm as it became clear the fire had been contained and residents from the other levels were also allowed to return to their apartments To ensure your gas bottle is in good working order, follow the FRNSW Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) Cylinder Safety Check List and the Barbeque Fire Safety Tips More info & tickets here. Jan 15, 2025 | , , , Dee Why Beach remains closed as the NSW EPA continues to investigate contamination a member of the public noticed marble-sized balls on a beach and concerned they may be tar balls similar to those found on Sydney’s Eastern Beaches late last year contacted the NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) Northern Beaches Council was contacted by the NSW EPA the following morning (Tuesday marble-sized white/grey balls were found on nine beaches in the Local Government Area Shortly before 12.45pm yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, 14 January), Northern Beaches Council announced all nine beaches were closed until further notice representatives of the NSW EPA (image above) were observed at Dee Why Beach conducting investigations and collecting samples of the material Council workers were subsequently deployed to the various locations to start the clean-up process workers were observed painstakingly picking up one ball at a time using reach extenders (image below) Northern Beaches Council issued the following update on the nine beaches stating seven had been cleaned and reopened but two remained closed until further notice “Northern Beaches Council this morning has reopened all beaches apart from South Curl Curl and Dee Why following the clean-up of marble-sized ball-shaped debris “Council was notified of the debris on Tuesday morning (14 January 2025) and found evidence of the balls “The decision to reopen was made on criteria provided by the EPA “South Curl Curl and Dee Why are still being assessed and the clean-up is continuing at these locations,” said the Council statement Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said the Council clean-up was organised swiftly to allow the beaches to be cleared of the debris and reopened as quickly as possible “I congratulate the crews for a fast clean-up so we could get beachgoers back in the water today “We will continue to monitor the beaches condition especially following the high tide this morning,” said Mayor Heins Shortly before 3.00pm this afternoon (Wednesday Northern Beaches Council issued a brief but positive update on the remaining two closed beaches All other beaches are open,” said the Council statement some more of the tar balls were reportedly found there this morning Additional reports were also heard of balls floating in the water off Fairy Bower earlier today Beachgoers are asked to keep away from the material while the clean-up and investigations continue Council encourages anyone who notices this kind of debris on any beaches in the Northern Beaches area to contact Northern Beaches Council on 1300 434 434 There is an updated version of this article with more up to date information Large swells hamper access to Avalon Beach The ocean sure put on a great show over the last week with huge swells crashing onto our beaches and headlands.  The 5m plus waves, caused by a large low pressure system in the Tasman Sea may have created a great spectacle and temporarily closed the walkway to Shelly Beach but they also caused some significant erosion on our beaches.  Your favourite beach may have been reduced by up to 20metres over the week as much of the sand was collected by the waves and dragged out beyond the surf zone.  This is part of the natural cycle and many of beaches are already beginning to recover as the sand is naturally returned to the beach.  Some beaches will take longer to naturally recover than others Council will provide help to accelerate the natural recovery by undertaking beach scraping where we move sand from the intertidal zone to higher up the beach This will also help improve damaged access to a range of beaches including Dee Why The system has now moved off and conditions have returned to normal but always keep an eye on Bureau of Meteorology for warnings. If you are ever concerned about your safety or damage to your property during a storm event contact the NSW State Emergency Service.   Nov 29, 2024 | , A woman has been hit by a car while on a pedestrian crossing at Dee Why NSW Police and NSW Ambulance were called to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at Campbell Avenue A woman in her 30s was crossing Campbell Avenue on a pedestrian crossing near the Time and Tide Hotel when she was hit by a white 2015 Hyundai Accent hatchback that failed to stop in time It was reported the female pedestrian was sent flying and spun around in the air as she also appeared to have tyre marks on her left leg Shocked bystanders rushed to assist the injured woman including an off duty paramedic who provided first aid The woman’s husband was seen at the scene after being notified of the incident including Intensive Care Paramedics and NSW Ambulance Inspector Karen Nichols (image below) Paramedics treated the dazed woman for a head injury and loaded her into a NSW Ambulance before taking her to Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition just before 2.15pm Officers attached to NSW Police Traffic and Highway Patrol Command closed Campbell Avenue between Fisher Road and South Creek Road while the woman was being treated on the roadway for her injuries Police were seen speaking to the driver and sole occupant of the Hyundai Editorial note: This report initially relied on information that the injured woman and her husband were together at the time of the collision An eyewitness subsequently said that he was contacted and arrived very soon afterwards Fireworks light up the sky at Manly Wharf on New Year's Eve  There’s no better way to ring in the New Year than with a fireworks display and we have the complete guide to where to get the best vantage points across the Northern Beaches.  Northern Beaches Council and local businesses are hosting several free family-friendly sites for the community to enjoy the festivities - some with great water views Fireworks will light up the night skies for approximately 10-12 minutes at the following locations: Families are encouraged to bring your own picnic or purchase takeaway from one of the many local restaurants and enjoy the fireworks spectacular For the safety of the public, there will be road closures in place around Dee Why and Manly. Please be mindful of the road closures when planning your journey and get public transport where possible Please be aware there are alcohol prohibited areas and alcohol free zones in place at all locations There is no glass permitted at Lionel Watts Reserve This event is subject to weather conditions For updates on the day follow @beachescouncil on Facebook and Instagram Council will be offsetting the emissions from the NYE fireworks displays Note: We recommend that you keep pets indoors during the fireworks We welcome everyone to our events. If you have any accessibility or inclusion requirements in order to participate fully, please let us know prior to attending on 1300 434 434 or events@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au Find out more details on the 2024 New Year’s Eve celebrations. Dee Why and South Curl Curl remain closed but seven others reopen after marble-sized debris washed up at multiple locations Sydney’s Northern Beaches council says it has reopened seven of the nine beaches that were closed to the public after marble-sized “grease balls” washed ashore Queenscliff, Freshwater, North Curl Curl, North Steyne and North Narrabeen beaches reopened on Wednesday morning, the day after they were closed after the discovery of the debris Dee Why and South Curl Curl beaches remained closed The council said the composition and source of the balls had not been determined but it had sent debris samples for testing A spokesperson for Sydney Water on Tuesday described the debris as “grease balls” congratulated the council’s clean-up crews for getting the beaches ready to reopen quickly “We will continue to monitor the beaches’ condition especially following the high tide this morning,” she said The council said the decision to reopen the beaches was made on criteria provided by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Sydney Water on Tuesday said there had been no issues with the normal operations of the Warriewood Malabar and Cronulla water resource recovery plants “We comply with our licences as set by the NSW EPA and only discharge compliant wastewater during normal operations,” the spokesperson said They said they were working with the EPA to investigate where the balls came from Thousands of pieces of spherical debris washed up on many eastern suburbs beaches including Coogee and Bronte in October last year Those balls were initially widely reported to be “tar balls” comprising crude oil until testing coordinated with the EPA revealed they were consistent with human-generated waste – or “likely lumps of fatberg” 0:36Coogee beach suspected oil slick: beachgoers warned after black balls wash ashore – videoMore ball-shaped debris washed up in Kiama in November, before green, grey and black balls washed up on Silver beach in Kurnell in Sydney’s south in early December The EPA on Tuesday said the balls that washed up on Sydney’s eastern suburbs beaches in October were found to consist mostly of fatty acids and petroleum hydrocarbons But the regulator said testing could not “pinpoint a source” or identify what caused them to form because “there was no source sample available for comparison” The EPA said analysis of the balls that washed up in Kiama found they had a similar composition to those that washed up on the eastern beaches and it was “still awaiting” the final results of the Kurnell debris It said the balls found on the northern beaches this week had a similar appearance to those found in the eastern beaches Aug 23, 2024 | , Police are searching for a group of teens who allegedly ransacked a store and assaulted staff at Dee Why Just after 8.00pm yesterday evening (Thursday NSW Police and NSW Ambulance responded to a report of a male staff member injured at the Dee Why Mart Tobacco Station at 21 Oaks Avenue after he had been assaulted by a group of up to six teens officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command were told that a group of five teenage males had entered the store and shortly after they began throwing stock off the shelves onto the floor The staff member tried to stop the teens from ransacking the store It is understood he was struck in the head and on the arm Officers established a crime scene at the store and began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident as the 22-year-old male staff member was treated by paramedics for his injuries The staff member was taken to Northern Beaches Hospital in a stable condition for further assessment A review of CCTV footage from the event was shown to police and it is understood the teens may be locals who are known to the area command Police have asked that anyone who may have information about the incident, particularly anyone who may have footage of the incident or immediate aftermath on their phone, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 Teen brawl at Narrabeen Unruly youths at Forestville Arrests after brawl at Manly Shop owner’s crime plea Mayhem at Mona Vale Teens released on bail