Water quality at the swimming spot was rated "Very Poor" in the last two State of the Beaches reports, deteriorating from "Poor" in the previous two years. The promised funding would go to Sutherland Shire Council, which is responsible for storm water run-off and baths infrastructure. Sydney Water has responsibility for sewage leaks and overflows, which many residents blame mostly for the dire situation. Water quality at the swimming spot was rated "Very Poor" in the last two State of the Beaches reports, deteriorating from "Poor" in the previous two years. Picture by John VeageGymea Bay resident Peter Williamson, in a letter to the Leader in November 2024, wrote, "If more people actually saw the sewage floating on top of the water on a weekly basis as I do in Gymea Bay they would be shocked we let this happen in 2024". Mr Kennedy said the council and Sydney Water needed to work together on a solution in liaison with local stakeholders and community groups, including Gymea Baycare and Gymea Bay Swimming Club. He said required action included repairing and upgrading sewer lines to address leaks and chokes, and improving emergency overflow containment systems to reduce the risk of untreated sewage entering the river during heavy rainfall. Gymea Bay Baths. Picture by Chris LaneThe 2023-2024 State of the Beaches Report said there had been a decline in overall water quality across the Sydney region from the previous year, "and reflects the wet weather impacts, including significant rainfall and flooding in April". "Microbial water quality at Gymea Bay Baths has shown trends of declining microbial assessments over the last five years," the report said. "This site is susceptible to faecal contamination with many potential sources including stormwater, sewer chokes and from elsewhere within Port Hacking. "Swimming should be avoided during and for up to three days following light rainfall at all estuarine swimming sites, or if there are signs of pollution such as discoloured water, odours or floating debris." Mr Kennedy said the promised federal government grant would be made to the council to upgrade infrastructure at and around the baths. "During the by-election the local community were very vocal that they wanted to see action taken to restore the baths," he said. Water quality at the swimming spot was rated "Very Poor" in the last two State of the Beaches reports, deteriorating from "Poor" in the previous two years. Picture by John VeageA petition set up by Mr Kennedy has hundreds of signatures. "Matt Hunt and the dedicated team of community volunteers at Gymea Bay Care came to see me during the byelection about the state of the baths," Mr Kennedy said. "These volunteers sacrifice their time twice a week to clean the baths, but were fighting a losing battle. I listened to their concerns and am now fighting to address them. Mr Hunt said Mr Kennedy had "listened to the community and and is delivering on his promise to fight for Gymea Bay Baths". "This funding is a fantastic step toward restoring the baths, but we also need ongoing collaboration between all levels of government to ensure lasting improvements," he said. Cr Melanie Gibbons, a local resident, said the baths were "a treasured part of our community, but its current state is deeply concerning". "The once vibrant swimming community is no more, and the baths are no longer an option for local families during the holidays," she said. Cr Kal Glanznig, who also lives locally, said, "Our waterways are an integral part of our way of life in the shire, and it's fantastic to see this announcement recognising the need to keep them clean and safe for the community." Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy A home seller in Sydney’s inner west has walked away from auction with a massive win after their modest three-bedroom house built in the 1930s sold for just over $4m This stunning result put the humble brick house in Concord up there among some of the priciest auction sales in the country and level with many of the nation’s luxury homes The vendors had bought the Alton St home in 2009 for $1.22m equivalent to about $1.82m in today’s spending power The home resold under the hammer on Saturday for $4.024m MORE: Aussie landlord’s horror after 12 homes stolen This is what $4m+ now gets you: 8 Alton Ave The sellers had struggled to offload the 801 sqm property back in 2023 with no offers coming in close to the $3.5m advertised price at the time Selling agent Arthur Syrios of McGrath-Strathfield said the main appeal of the property was the larger land size which meant it could be developed into a duplex The 2023 sale had been an uphill battle because parts of the block had turned builders off power pole and stormwater drain that blocked where future driveways would need to be placed The sellers solved this issue by getting DA approval to build over some of these obstacles “That saved a builder having to spend a year dealing with council MORE: Wild reason these homes cost as little as $35k Auctioneer Emanuel Comino received an opening bid for the Concord home at the $3.9m reserve price It’s understood the buyers were brothers living locally who teamed up for the purchase with the intention of building a duplex on site The plan is to have their respective families each occupy one side of the duplex upon its completion Other strong sales in the inner west included a three-bedroom unit in Rozelle sold for $1.95m after spirited bidding from three registered parties The sellers (left) and buyers (right) of the Alfred St unit in Rozelle All three of the parties vying for the Alfred St unit home were reported to have been first-home buyers Selling agent David Meadowcroft of Ray White Rozelle would not discuss details of the reserve but an observer revealed it was near $1.8m A Gymea Bay home sold for nearly $200,000 above expectations after a crowd of 50 people swarmed the auction MORE: Aussie fast food worker turns $40k wage into 5 homes Gymea Bay sold nearly $200,000 higher than expected The strong competition drove up the price of the four-bedroom Coonong Rd home to $1,772,500 Auctioneer Andrew Cooley said feedback during the campaign had suggested the home would sell for much lower than it did “I’d say it’s a decent market right now,” Mr Cooley said A dated two-bedroom house in North Ryde sold under the hammer for $2.55m – $250,000 over reserve – just to be bulldozed to make way for a duplex Three builders registered to bid for the Clarence St home on a 575 sqm block and auctioneer Michael Garofolo of Cooleys received an opening bid of $1.8m “These kinds of sites sell well in Ryde because the builders can make about $1m profit with a duplex,” Mr Garofolo said “These are probably the strongest sales in the area right now.” Cooleys director and auctioneer Michael Garofolo said sites with scope for development were attracting the stiffest competition in the current Sydney market Properties that lacked this factor could attract vastly different levels of demand depending on the price points Auctioneer Michael Garofolo said demand varied greatly by price point in the current market Homes priced under $2.5m were attracting a lot of buyer competition while properties priced over this level were “hitting a handbrake” Mr Garofolo explained that this was because of a difference in the types of buyers for these homes Sales of pricier listings relied on discretionary buyers who could delay purchases while demand for cheaper homes was driven by “need” “Buyers who would be spending above $3m are a lot more cautious They’re questioning whether they should go into that much more debt at this time,” Mr Garofolo said “They don’t have to move and they don’t feel like it’s a good time to do it Building sites were an exception to this rule because developers could make a lot of profit third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. Picture suppliedIdentifying a demand in the community Gymea Bay Public School has opened its new autism space to support students with additional needs The Inclusive Education Hub has three classes from Kindergarten to Year 6 The classes are funded and staffed by the NSW Department of Education Inclusive Education Teacher Alisha Zahra said it was a massive milestone for the school and the community "The Department of Education asked our principal if she would be interested in opening up the hub at our school and it's something she's very passionate about," Ms Zahra said "She's come from schools in Campbelltown where there are about seven classrooms for children with additional needs." the school had a significant renovation to convert its current learning spaces into three purpose-built learning areas Director of Educational Leadership for Sutherland Principals Network Katherine Horner Education Secretary Murat Dizdar and Gymea Bay Public School principal Cara Davidson with students Adonis Picture supplied"We have two classes at the moment for students from Kindergarten to Year 1 with high-functioning autism," Ms Zahra said "They're in small classes with specialised teachers and learning support teachers We want to integrate them into the schooling system so we do sport together and have buddy classes with the mainstream students but the students in our hub need a lot more support and flexible learning environments." The hub has tables with rounded corners and a small breakout room designed for students who may need withdrawal space after a sensory overload There are also slightly modified toilet facilities "We also have a trampoline if a student needs that physical release because jumping and rocking help them regulate," Ms Zahra said and there is more knowledge about autism," she said "More parents are asking questions before their child starts school and it's nice for our mainstream students to learn about inclusion." "There aren't many of these spaces in Sutherland Shire We've been lucky and proud that we can offer this to our community," she said "We've brought together a group of autistic children who need individualised support with a committed It's about integrating students across all aspects of our school I'm proud to have this available in our area It doesn't only support students at Gymea Bay but also students beyond and we've had no pushback from the community NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said the department was proud to offer an inclusive learning environment to 800,000 students "Gymea Bay Public School believes that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in a supportive educational setting and this hub represents the school's commitment to that vision," he said The school hall was packed for the opening of the Inclusive Education Hub Picture suppliedIt is estimated that at least one in 40 Australians have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum For Autism Awareness Day (April 2), Aspect/Autism Spectrum Australia launched a campaign to enhance the public's understanding of autism and provide practical guidance on how Australians could better support people on the autism spectrum A recent world-first study from the University of South Australia conducted in partnership with Flinders University revealed autistic students needed more support to fit in at school and experience positive relationships Lead researcher Kobie Boshoff said a school's physical and social environment played a crucial role crowded spaces and unpredictable routines can bullying interpersonal difficulties and academic struggles often marred autistic students' school experiences Sensory-friendly spaces and flexibility are crucial to a more inclusive experience." He said autistic students' school experiences were often marred by bullying "Schools must prioritise social inclusion alongside academic success," he said caring and supportive school staff can make a significant difference." St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering education, health and general community news. Email: ekolimar@theleader.com.au 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 Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time It was a modest fibro cottage in Sydney’s south that eventually sold for an immodest $1.5 million But beyond the predictable tale of sky-high property prices was a legal mystery about its ownership This is how one man became its owner under so-called “squatter’s rights” The cottage in Gymea Bay was sold this year for almost $1.5 million.Credit: Kate Geraghty At the heart of the mystery were two men who lived in near-adjacent suburbs in the Sutherland Shire Croatian migrant and ship’s engineer Joseph Louis Saric aged in his mid-40s when he died of cancer was the original owner of the one-bedroom cottage The court found the divorcee had lost contact with his family and did not leave a will notified authorities of Saric’s death in hospital in July 1968 and organised his funeral He said “perhaps” because the nature of the relationship between Saric and Paul was “not apparent from the evidence” “What has been proven is that Mr Paul arranged Mr Saric’s funeral and then treated Mr Saric’s fibro cottage at Gymea Bay as his (Mr Paul’s) for the next nearly 50 years until his own death in 2018,” the judge said the executor of his estate applied to the court for orders enabling him to sell the property on the basis that Paul had become the owner of the cottage by adverse possession The judge found Paul did all the things a homeowner might: he split the cost of a fence with a neighbour While there was no documentary evidence before 1995 Kunc said it was “highly unlikely that Mr Paul would have .. delayed in taking possession of the cottage as his own” in light of the “substantial windfall or gift” it represented He found Paul took possession from January 1 The judge referred to “the possibility … that Mr Saric may have told Mr Paul that the latter could have the cottage perhaps in return for care provided by Mr Paul” The court found that “any right to possession of the cottage that may have existed in Mr Saric’s heirs has been definitively extinguished” from January 2009 The property was sold by the executor of Paul’s estate in June for almost $1.5 million a senior lecturer at the University of Sydney and property law expert said that “the rights to land are based loosely on a concept of “The economic value of land is such that the law essentially preserves the ability to buy and sell land … by saying that if you do not exercise rights as owner and somebody else does that other person will actually wind up with something: the title to the land,” Lane said Lane said that “you start with the proposition that the person who’s in adverse possession is actually in possession [and renting it out] as occurred in this case” The owner would have a right to get an order for possession “but the law also says you don’t have forever to do that and the normal position is that people have 12 years from the date on which they were dispossessed or on which they could with reasonable diligence have discovered the fact they had been dispossessed” There is also a “back-stop period” of 30 years that applies even if the 12-year limitation period cannot start running for various reasons such as if the owner were under a mental incapacity or such as if the property was remote or inaccessible The back-stop period extinguishes any claims by the original owner or their heirs after this date a limitation period of 20 years with a 40-year back-stop period applied The shorter 12- and 30-year periods only became law in 1971 Kunc said the result of the 40-year back-stop period was that “any cause of action to recover possession of the cottage by Mr Saric’s legal personal representatives was completely extinguished from 1 January 2009” Macquarie Law School Professor Cathy Sherry said that this was “a fairly typical adverse possession case” It illustrated that people “can lose track of land The court heard Saric may have been survived by his mother and at least one sibling There was “no doubt” his family would have had a claim to the cottage after his death there’s a time limit – and they didn’t assert it in the necessary period of time” “Mr Paul definitely acted as though he was the owner,” she said “Tenants are not occupying adversely to the true owner because they’re there with permission.” Saric’s heirs could have taken steps to remove him by seeking an order for possession The judge said there was “no evidence that Mr Paul went into possession under a lease licence or any other form of consensual relationship with Mr Saric’s estate or heirs” It was a modest fibro cottage in Sydney\\u2019s south that eventually sold for an immodest $1.5 million This is how one man became its owner under so-called \\u201Csquatter\\u2019s rights\\u201D NSW Supreme Court Justice Francois Kunc examined reams of evidence and dating to the 1830s that paints an intriguing portrait of the former owner of the lucrative Gymea Bay property Croatian migrant and ship\\u2019s engineer Joseph Louis Saric notified authorities of Saric\\u2019s death in hospital in July 1968 and organised his funeral \\u201Cwhich took place only two days later\\u201D He said \\u201Cperhaps\\u201D because the nature of the relationship between Saric and Paul was \\u201Cnot apparent from the evidence\\u201D \\u201CWhat has been proven is that Mr Paul arranged Mr Saric\\u2019s funeral and then treated Mr Saric\\u2019s fibro cottage at Gymea Bay as his (Mr Paul\\u2019s) for the next nearly 50 years until his own death in 2018,\\u201D the judge said Kunc said it was \\u201Chighly unlikely that Mr Paul would have .. delayed in taking possession of the cottage as his own\\u201D in light of the \\u201Csubstantial windfall or gift\\u201D it represented The judge referred to \\u201Cthe possibility \\u2026 that Mr Saric may have told Mr Paul that the latter could have the cottage perhaps in return for care provided by Mr Paul\\u201D The court found that \\u201Cany right to possession of the cottage that may have existed in Mr Saric\\u2019s heirs has been definitively extinguished\\u201D from January 2009 The cottage formed part of Paul\\u2019s estate The property was sold by the executor of Paul\\u2019s estate in June for almost $1.5 million said that \\u201Cthe rights to land are based loosely on a concept of \\u201CThe economic value of land is such that the law essentially preserves the ability to buy and sell land \\u2026 by saying that if you do not exercise rights as owner and somebody else does that other person will actually wind up with something: the title to the land,\\u201D Lane said Lane said that \\u201Cyou start with the proposition that the person who\\u2019s in adverse possession is actually in possession [and renting it out] as occurred in this case\\u201D \\u201Cbut the law also says you don\\u2019t have forever to do that or on which they could with reasonable diligence have discovered the fact they had been dispossessed\\u201D There is also a \\u201Cback-stop period\\u201D of that applies even if the 12-year limitation period cannot start running for various reasons Kunc said the result of the 40-year back-stop period was that \\u201Cany cause of action to recover possession of the cottage by Mr Saric\\u2019s legal personal representatives was completely extinguished from 1 January 2009\\u201D Macquarie Law School Professor Cathy Sherry said that this was \\u201Ca fairly typical adverse possession case\\u201D It illustrated that people \\u201Ccan lose track of land There was \\u201Cno doubt\\u201D his family would have had a claim to the cottage after his death there\\u2019s a time limit \\u2013 and they didn\\u2019t assert it in the necessary period of time\\u201D \\u201CMr Paul definitely acted as though he was the owner,\\u201D she said \\u201CTenants are not occupying adversely to the true owner because they\\u2019re there with permission.\\u201D Saric\\u2019s heirs could have taken steps to remove him by seeking an order for possession The judge said there was \\u201Cno evidence that Mr Paul went into possession under a lease licence or any other form of consensual relationship with Mr Saric\\u2019s estate or heirs\\u201D Positioned 26 kilometres south of the CBD, Gymea rubs shoulders with the Royal National Park while Gymea Bay fronts the Port Hacking River. Pulse Property Agents director Ben Pike says the lack of development when compared with the likes of Kirrawee, Sutherland and Miranda has been a real positive for the suburbs, which attract large numbers of young families. Pike says the fact many homes are zoned within the area’s two most sought-after schools, Gymea Bay Public School and Kirrawee High School, only adds to the area’s appeal. “People will sell a home in the surrounding suburbs just to get into that catchment area,” he says. The tree-lined Gymea Village shopping strip is another drawcard. “It’s got the best shopping precinct outside of Cronulla,” Pike says. “There are good restaurants, good coffee shops. It’s quiet, well-presented, it’s got the train line, it’s got everything.” Property prices start at $650,000 for an older-style apartment and range up to $4.5 million for a waterview home on exclusive Ellesmere Road. From a ‘timber town’ to a tree-changer’s paradise 85 per cent of locals are apartment dwellers in this suburb The best homes for sale in Sydney right now While there are plenty of locals who trade within Gymea and Gymea Bay, 43 per cent of homes priced upwards of $1.5 million go to out-of-area buyers, with many hailing from the inner west, eastern suburbs and St George regions. 3 Baths3 ParkingView listing A flexible floor plan, triple garage and pool make this home ideal for families young and old. You’ll find two living zones and a main bedroom with en suite at the entry level; a multipurpose, upper-level retreat with a bathroom; and a separate studio ideal as a home office or gym. The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate Former NRL star Josh Dugan has earned a very handy payday with the sale of his home in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire The former Australia and NSW star offloaded his Gymea Bay house earlier this month for well above the sought-after southern suburb’s median price of $1.874m home that came complete with a rear studio or granny flat fetched $2.1 million for Dugan with strong interest in the beautifully renovated home driving the price up beyond its $1.8m to $2m guide Josh Dugan has sold his impressive Gymea Bay home The ex-NRL star enjoyed a profit of around $1m on the home in just six years The sale was first reported by Phil Rothfield in his Sunday Telegraph gossip column What’s the Buzz who retired from professional football at the end of last season after 215 games and 14 seasons in the NRL for the Canberra Raiders St George Illawarra and the Cronulla Sharks paid $1.220 million for the property in 2016 The at-times controversial 31-year-old made minimal improvements to the home meaning Dugan enjoyed a profit on the home in the vicinity of $1 million in just six years A figure equal to the annual salary of the highest paid NRL players MORE: Is this Australia’s best sporting venue? ‘At peace’: Inside millionaire influence Tammy Hembrow’s stunning river home Josh Dugan during his playing days in the NRL Selling agent Kieran Bresnahan of McGrath — Brighton Le Sands said buying the home had paid off well for Dugan when the market had dipped slightly,” Mr Bresnahan said it was a nice result and the strength of the market helped “The home was very well inspected and initially we were quoting between $1.8 and $2m but we got a strong offer from a buyer out of the area from the eastern suburbs who was looking for more for his money buyers coming down here from the eastern suburbs looking for better value for their money.” Mr Bresnahan also sold another Gymea Bay home in Joffre St earlier this month for $2.075m He said the suburb was proving very attractive for prospective homebuyers “Gymea Bay is one of the most popular areas in the Shire outside of Cronulla,” he said it has its own little village along with plenty of other amenities and recreation options After a successful career that included 12 matches for Australia and 12 State of Origin appearances for NSW Dugan’s NRL career looks to be over after his contract with the Sharks finished up last year He was linked to a move to country football with Mittagong in Group 6 but that hasn’t eventuated Josh Dugan in action for Australia in London in 2016 MORE: Sydney’s 20 most tenant-friendly suburbs Famous designer sells for huge price in ‘Glamarama’ Kim Kardashian reveals her $32m post-divorce mansion Picture by Murray TrembathGloria Jean's at Gymea has closed its doors leaving business owner Sayeed Haque with a heavy debt to repay who came to Australia from Bangladesh and lives locally with his family which has occurred a few weeks before Christmas After working overseas and saving a substantial sum Mr Haque invested in a franchise for the once thriving coffee shop in the heart of Gymea Village about five years ago The premises occupied by Gloria Jean's in Gymea Bay Road is for lease "there was never enough money in the business" "I was losing a lot of money because I wasn't earning much and the rent was high," he said [the landlord] sent an eviction notice and asked me to shut down." Mr Haque said he was also told he must pay the remainder of his lease - a total amount of $248,000 "Gloria Jean's has the master lease with them so maybe they will pay it out and ask the money from me "I will have to go on a payment plan and work for the next 30 years to pay this debt regret they did not have the opportunity to say goodbye to customers The closure means Gloria Jean's at Engadine is the only remaining outlet in the chain in Sutherland Shire The first Gloria Jean's in Australia opened in 1996 in the Miranda shopping complex Further stores opened in other parts of the shire By 2004 there were more than 200 Gloria Jean's stores in Australia Picture by Murray TrembathSophia and Frank Houllis are looking forward to building their "forever home" at Gymea Bay after success at a weekend auction The couple outbid a strong field to snare the late 1950s cottage on a 523 square metre block at 9 Ballar Avenue for $1.805 million the real estate market in Sutherland Shire is springing back with a bigger than normal increase in homes for sale for this time of the year and this is supported by CoreLogic data revealing a 21.6 per cent increase over the four weeks to August 25 compared to the previous five-year average 'People sick of waiting': Shire real estate market springs back The outcome of auctions last weekend in the shire was "a mixed bag" five sold prior to auction and six were withdrawn Interested spectators at the auction of 9 Ballar Avenue Picture by Murray TrembathThe Ballar Avenue property where the land size does not allow a dual occupancy attracted prospective buyers keen to undertake major renovations or a "knock down-rebuild" Ms Houllis said she and her husband had been looking since February this year for a property like this "It has a very sunny position and the surroundings are amazing," she said "We are going to knock it down and build our forever home for our four children." said the price of $1.805 million was "well above the owner's expectations" Mr Salvatore said the price guide of around $1.5 million was based on recent sales in nearby Fletcher Avenue and Vernon Avenue There were six registered bidders on the day This near level waterfront property presents an opportunity for those seeking a lifestyle of tranquillity and natural beauty With breathtaking water views from nearly every room you will discover an absolute gem that is bursting with potential Listing agent Adam Payne from Luxe Real Estate said this is the first time the home has been available for sale "Its prime location on the water's edge invites you to create your family's dream home." The excellent floor plan allows for seamless renovation and includes five bedrooms and three bathrooms The heart of the home lies in the large kitchen which seamlessly adjoins the dining and lounge areas step out onto the full-width balcony where you can savour your morning coffee or enjoy evening sunsets while gazing across the bay The downstairs rumpus room offers versatility - a haven for kids' playtime or an ideal self-contained retreat for in-laws The double carport ensures convenient parking while additional off-street parking accommodates visitors Entertaining is a breeze with the in-ground pool overlooking the water Imagine hosting gatherings with the bay as your backdrop the concrete slipway provides direct access to deep water "With a land size of approximately 847 square metres this property beckons you to explore its brilliant potential." If you have a story for me email ndavey@austcommunitymedia.com.au I enjoy highlighting businesses and events in our community through features and special publications and have been doing so for more than 21 years Neville Edmonds (Gymea Hotel) and Nicholas Tynan (Tynan Hyundai) Organisers of the 41st Gymea Village Festival with new features for an expected crowd of about 50,000 people Last year's festival was also unforgettable - because of the rain which bucketed down in the morning Gymea Chamber of Commerce president Esna Lee said many stallholders packed up and went home but those who stuck around were "smashed" when the sun came out in the afternoon and drew about 20,000 people "People are crying out for events like this," she said Crowds line Gymea Bay Road for the 11th Gymea Lily Festival on October 13 Sutherland Shire Libraries Gymea Bay Road between President Avenue and Kinsgway will be closed for the festival has been given the job of managing the festival and has made a number of changes including a different layout for the 200 stalls to give existing shops more exposure pony rides and go-karts in the hotel car park are other attractions The main stage will be near Kingsway and amusement rides near President Avenue Gymea Bay Hotel will also have a reptile show and live music - a soloist through the day and a band OMG Decadent Donuts Sutherland Shire and C3 Training Gymea will have special displays Roving entertainers will include Beeswax and Bottlecaps -Jerry Hatricks Gymea Bay Hotel and Sutherland Shire Council A young fair-goer vindicates the chamber of commerce's determination to go ahead in 2023 despite the early downpours Picture by John VeageTynan Hyundai will be displaying seven to eight cars Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 5N and the Tucson hybrid "The festival gives people an opportunity not necessarily to buy an electric car but to look see and feel it and get an idea of what's coming in the future" for a range of cost-of-living relief vouchers valued at more than $1000 "We have gone to local businesses such as the butcher Tickets are free - come and see us at the booth." can still drop a line from Gymea Bay Baths Gymea Bay Baths may be reopened for swimming by Christmas Sutherland Shire Council closed the tidal baths for safety reasons after severe damage was caused by a major storm on February 13 this year A council spokeswoman said about 10 tonne of flood debris and 180 metres of netting was removed from the baths and around the site after the storm Picture by Murray Trembath"A set of stairs adjacent to the club rooms was also damaged requiring demolition and removal," she said a new net has been designed and fabricated and is ready for installation and a new set of stairs has been fabricated and installed divers also noted a section of the baths had failed and was sagging and there was evidence of deterioration of some of the timber piles." Picture by Murray Trembath The spokeswoman said the council commissioned a marine engineer's report to determine the requirements to safely re-open the baths and was finalising the engagement of a contractor to undertake the remaining works "This will include replacement of damaged structural elements of the baths and installation of new piles and decking in the section of walkway being replaced as well as maintenance of piles and decking in other areas around the baths," she said "We anticipate safety barriers restricting swimming access may be able to be removed by Christmas pending the securing of the required materials and a contractor to complete the remaining works." Water quality at Gymea Bay Baths downgraded to Very Poor Sutherland Shire Council decided at this week's meeting to fast track a masterplan for the steep bushland reserve and tidal baths A staff report said issues raised by residents included parking The council is carrying out works to improve the road access at present Water quality in the baths was rate rated only "Fair" in the last two annual State of the Beaches reports Council staff recommended a masterplan be developed in 2022-23 but B Ward councillors Jack Boyd and Barry Collier won unanimous support for the planning to be done this financial year Cr Boyd said the baths and bushland reserve were "a hidden gem of the shire" "There is a lot of work that needs to be done and it's high time that we invest in this important public recreation facility," he said Cr Boyd requested that a stakeholder reference group be established and encouraged the council to apply for state government funding under the Coastal and Estuary Grants Program to help with the masterplan cost Cr Collier said the reserve had been neglected for many years and was desperately in need of a comprehensive Plan of Management along with substantial improvements and upgrades "The issues associated with this important public recreation facility have been put in the 'too hard basket' by council for far too long," he said Cr Collier said water quality in the baths was an important public health issue "One resident who contacted me believes the most likely source of the contamination is the council toilets set on rocky ground high above the baths in which children and families swim regularly," he said "Given the location of the toilets and the topography this is not an unreasonable conclusion to draw." The staff report said the reserve was about 270 metres long and 30 metres wide with a fall of 42 metres from street entry to the waterline "The swimming baths are an important public recreation facility that has been in continual use by the Gymea Bay Baths Amateur Swimming Club and the local community for over 60 years," the report said "There is a long history of works undertaken by council to develop and maintain the facility," the report said "In 2010 the baths were almost completely reconstructed and a new footbridge built to link the baths with Coonong Creek Bushland Reserve on the northern side of the bay." a popular school celebration returned with a budding bang this year Gymea Bay Public School's annual Lily Festival was a huge success on Sunday Although the last festival in 2019 seemed like a distant memory you wouldn't know it - festivities went to plan and crowds flocked to attractions as if nothing had changed since COVID-19 halted previous events The Lily Festival is the school's major fundraiser for the year usually raking in thousands - with all money going straight back into the school for the benefit of children This year the plan is to fund solar panels on the school buildings Kids were delighted with a variety of rides - a giant slide face painting and plenty of stalls and coffee for parents "It looks like we had between 5000 and 6000 visitors through the gates and we've exceeded all expectations on fundraising - raising well over $30,000," P&C vice president Rachel McDougall said "It was such an amazing day, with incredible support from the community, especially our army of parent volunteers. A big thank you to our generous sponsors." hopes to hear from his fellow ex-peers.From square-dancing lessons to planting trees in the playground this was life as a young pupil in the 6th class of 1955 at Gymea Bay Public School Former student John Wright now hopes to relive those memories with his former peers in person Mr Wright wants to hear from anyone pictured in this photograph taken at the school that was steered by charismatic headmaster Vic “Sponny” Sponberg “It was the last and only 6th class of the old Gymea Bay school and the first 6th class of the new school in 1955,” Mr Wright said “Moving schools mid year was an eventful time for pupils and teachers alike “Even though it was only a short distance down the same road lots of space and scarcely any remaining trees “It was our class that talked our teacher into allowing us to clear the five or so acre grounds of all small eucalypt stumps and pile them into a heap “The deal was that in return the school would bung-on a special super-sized parents and friends bonfire “There were stories of the smoke being visible from Sutherland and of the Sutherland Fire Brigade receiving numerous calls but we kids weren’t all that interested in the trifling new shade trees were provided and we all pitched-in to plant them along the Gymea Bay Road boundary.” Get in touch: Jonolyn@gmail.com or phone 4339 7762 An angler has died after being pulled from the water at Gymea Bay the second fisherman to die in Sydney waters in two days The 27-year-old man had been fishing with a 28-year-old friend near Gymea Bay Baths He jumped into the water for a swim before 5am The friend jumped into the water and pulled him to the water's edge Residents began CPR until emergency services took over A 23-year-old foreign national drowned at Manly on Sunday when he was swept off rocks while fishing His death has reignited calls for rock anglers to be forced to wear lifejackets The friend jumped into the water and pulled him to the water's edge Picture: Chris LaneTalent was on show for children at Bay Road Kindy this week when nearby primary school Gymea Bay Public put on a performance for their junior peers Watch and learn: A day of performing was part of a school transition program between Bay Road Kindy and Gymea Bay Public School Picture: Chris LanePupils visited the Gymea kindergarten to showcase their skills and to support children who will be starting primary school next year The choir and dance groups performed in unison and children built social connections through a buddy system Bay Road Kindy director Jamie Byrne says it is a significant part of the school’s transition program “Traditionally we organise an event each year and our Kindy kids have many siblings at the school so it makes them less nervous about starting big school,” she said “Events like this take away the pressure and make children feel secure “They embrace creativity and extend on that in primary school.” This is probably not the page you’re looking for put their fashionable feet forward at family day at Stakes Day The pupils from St Catherine Laboure in Gymea won best dressed in their age groups at the Junior Fashion Chute floral headpiece and her mother’s gloves and parasol Jordan wore a linen suit and a white Havana hat Development anger: Scott and Shirley Phillips say sunbaking around the pool will be over when townhouses are built on the site in background where the old house is about to be removed Picture: Chris LaneGymea Bay couple Scott and Shirley Phillips have a message for other Sutherland Shire residents “This could happen to anyone,” Mr Phillips said as they looked over the block next door to their home where a line of town houses will soon replace an old cottage Privacy problem: Shirley and Scott Phillips (front) and Judy and Graeme Doble with the old house on the development site behind them has become the focal point of growing protests over changes in Sutherland Shire Council’s draft Development Control Plan (DCP) and further proposed amendments which the council is already using to assess development applications, town houses can extend right down a block they would have been much more restricted by floor space ratio requirements Proposed further amendments would allow the top level of two storey single dwellings and dual occupancies to also extend right down a block The impact the townhouse development will have on privacy in the backyard of the Phillips’ home in Arcadia Avenue will be enormous who won't be able to sunbake around the pool in future Windows of the back town houses will look directly over the Phillips’s backyard and swimming pool who won’t be able to sunbake around the pool in future,” Mr Phillips said “They told us that trees would be planted along the boundary to provide privacy but they will take six to eight years to grow.” said he and his wife moved from the waterfront to an area which was better for their grandchildren “We are not against reasonable development but this development is totally out of character in the area,” he said and we need to let everyone know that this can happen next door to you “There seems to be a common thread right across the shire “Council is favouring developers over the local residents [who] have either lived here for years or that have chosen to reside here.” “If this council cannot deliver what the residents deserve perhaps it’s time for a change come election time in September” Mayor Carmelo Pesce said the development was “an unusual case”, and residents should have taken their concerns to elected councillors and not just council staff I believe there would have been a different outcome,” he said Cr Pesce said approval was given before it could be reviewed 'Aunty' Deanna Schreiber and Mandarin teacher Picture: John VeageA Gymea Bay early childhood provider is encouraging children to appreciate and celebrate diversity while having fun at the same time has developed strong community connections which is supporting children’s educating in understanding culture has painted an art mural in the children’s yard She nominated the kindergarten for the Narragunnawali Awards 2017 for its efforts in respecting and promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and customs says community partnerships are significant to building solid family relationships “This topic is close to my heart as it focuses on the importance of embedding meaningful practices to promote and celebrate diversity and inclusion,” she said “We recognise the benefits and effectiveness of enhancing our educational program through collaborating with community and family members.” which recently rated ‘exceeding’ in the National Quality Standard was also invited to participate in an educators study funded by the Australian Research Council skills and knowledge of exemplary educators Picture: Winkipop MediaWith bright smiles and sparkly costumes to match Gymea Bay Public School and Mater Dei Catholic Primary School are in the running to win a major school performance award The primary schools are nominated for national story of the year in the annual performing arts festival, Wakakirri – Australia’s largest performing arts event It tells stories that express the thoughts ideas and aspirations of thousands of students.  A total of 22 schools from across Sydney were invited to Sydney Olympic Park across two nights on September 18 and 19) to perform their award-winning Wakakirri Story Dance productions A story dance is a 3-7 minute performance telling a story through dance and drama. Students theatrically tell a story using a combination of dancing acting and creative movement to pre-recorded music.  After a knock-out performance at the Sydney primary awards this month the schools were announced as among the seven regional winners and are now in the running for the national award social responsibility and individuality.  Gymea Bay pupils put on a blockbuster performance called Believing Gives You Wings to Fly diversity and acceptance. When a baby elephant is born at a circus that is not quite like the rest of the herd he is befriended by a tiny ringmaster who makes it his mission to make Dumbo the star of the circus The school received the Best Musical Story award Wakakirri’s judge Wayne Scott Kermond called it “a highly energetic professional musical and visual spectacle Mater Dei Catholic Primary School impresses at the Sydney awards Picture: Winkipop MediaAlso regional challenge standouts and best comedy story award recipients Mater Dei told the energetic story of BEE Happy where busy bees get into trouble among the anthills where they compete against flies and leave audiences wondering who will pollinate the flowers It was described as a “very clever witty tale with significant relevance to a serious situation.” “The performances the story the tongue and check approach was very endearing and thoroughly enjoying to watch a very polished performance from all the cast,” Wayne Scott Kermond said Voting for People’s Choice is now open Picture: suppliedTwo changes are proposed to upgrade the intersection of President Avenue and Gymea Bay Road The southern side of President Avenue will be widened to provide a dedicated left turn bay into Gymea Bay Road southbound The existing right turn lane from President Avenue into Gymea Bay Road northbound will be extended Miranda MP Eleni Petinos and Cronulla MP Mark Speakman said the work was expected to start later this year An upgrade of the intersection was promised before the last state election in March Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has been working with Sutherland Shire Council on the design for the intersection which handles 40,000 traffic movements a day with congestion occurring in the morning and afternoon peak periods The improvements will be delivered under the state government’s $100 million Congestion and Safety Program Picture suppliedA new Irish dance school is coming to Sutherland Shire Gymea Bay will be home to the latest offering of Irish dance lessons headed up by dance teacher Fiona Gaye Moore who has recently received a global teaching award There will be classes starting at Gymea Bay Community and Recreation Centre from February 8 a worldwide publication dedicated to the world of Irish Dance announced the recipients of the Global Excellence in Teaching Awards who is also the driving force behind the Fiona Gaye Moore Academy of Irish Dance at Padstow shines a spotlight on exceptional dance educators These accolades honour individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the world of Irish Dance fostering a deep appreciation for this art form and its positive influence on students Ms Moore was honoured for her contributions to the art and her dedication to nurturing young talent It's a dance legacy deeply rooted in family tradition she was introduced to Irish Dance at the Ransley Studio while her mother played the piano during classes Her initial steps in the world of Irish Dance were marked by familial guidance and a profound love for the art Her journey took a historic turn in 1980 when she achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first female outside of the UK to secure the 15-16 years Senior Girls World Championships title Her children embarked on their own Irish Dance journeys under the tutelage of Geraldine French a renowned figure in the Irish Dance world Mr Moore stepped forward to carry on the legacy and her daughter Ceili and son Jonty subsequently attained the title of World Champions making them the only family with three world champions to their name Ms Moore's daughter Danae was also a fierce competitor winning nationals and securing high placements at the worlds Email for more details: info@fgmairishdancingsydney.com Want more local news? Sign up for your free weekly newsletter. Job done: Gymea Bay Public School's longest-serving teacher won't be far from the front gates after he clocks off this month His retirement from teaching comes after 35 years — a record of service for the school "I'm the dinosaur of the town," Mr Parker said "I've taught the children [and] their parents." The year 5 maths teacher has heavily supported the school's performing arts department "I started getting the children into musicals and we've won the dance festival "I also had the unfortunate incident of teaching kindergarten for three days Assistant principal Sandra Nakkan said Mr Parker's contributions to the school extended beyond the classroom "If you asked any adult [aged] 20 to 40 who their favourite teacher was it will always be Don," she said "He could have a handful of 500 children spellbound by his stories for hours He has a magic ability to talk with children encourage them and share a joke with them." Mr Parker said the children were always a hoot One came to my door and said he had a message for me but he forgot the message and who gave it to him I reckon I've been gold panning on the Bathurst excursion a hundred times." Mr Parker will remain part of the school community until mid-next year "I'm far better out of the classroom now," he said "I just don't want to be teaching maths formulas again "I was the last person teaching with a chalkboard there "When the children yell out 'not that button this one' you know it's time for a younger person who is tech-savvy to come in." Leave a congratulations message for him below is St George and Sutherland Shire IVF fertility specialist Shadi Khashaba and a Gymea Bay couple which follows couples on the journey of having their happy ever after - a child which airs on Monday nights and is narrated by Lisa McCune was filmed exclusively in Virtus Health's clinics IVF Australia The team was instrumental in creating the original idea for the show to help increase awareness about the detail surrounding IVF It introduces the viewers to 10 couples and individuals as they experience the highs and determination of trying to become a parent but each story captures the process of IVF showcasing the medical advances and how far IVF has come in Australia From women with endometriosis to men with low sperm counts or same sex couples that rely on surrogacy the unique journeys are told with raw emotion One if 18 babies born in Australia is now conceived via IVF One of the couples selected for Big Miracles a skydiving instructor and expat from the UK met six years ago in the Swiss Alps while Courtney was backpacking on her travel adventures They had been trying to conceive for the past two years The couple are trying a less invasive type of fertility treatment called 'ovulation induction' whereby Courtney takes medication to stimulate ovulation so the couple can try to conceive naturally who makes his first appearance on the show in coming episodes says he is proud to be part of the televised process A flyer posted in his clinic encouraged patients to volunteer for the show "Almost everyone who comes in to see me says they have been watching the show For the couples who go put themselves out there helps normalise their experience for others - it's great and shows them they aren't alone," he said "It's a very difficult journey for a lot of couples and every bit of help will lead to great impacts." We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy. All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinue5 bed 4 bath 2 car Auction: Saturday June 17Agency: First National Port StephensAgents: Rebecca Dean 0421 169 922; Meg Dean 0403 271 539Inspect: By appointmentHouse of the week: 2 Gymea Way Nelson BayThis magnificent property certainly lives up to its name - Grandview tranquil vistas of surrounding greenery and hinterland and a bushland hilltop location all combine to create a paradise of peace The stunning views are matched by a showstopper of a house one of sheer luxury and architectural splendour Nelson BayA deluxe holiday rental until now Grandview was purpose built with entertaining and relaxation in mind The double-height entry with golden- hued timber floors and a grand curvilinear staircase set the tone for what is in store: beautifully designed spaces Nelson BayOn the ground floor are the cinema room with nine electric leather recliners and LED stair lighting; a bedroom bathroom and laundry; a large games room with spectacular floor-to-ceiling curved windows (repeated in the room above); and expansive open-plan living Nelson BayThe gourmet kitchen is a dream: not only fully equipped but just a pleasure to look at and be in with expanses of stone benchtops and stylish cabinetry Indoors flows seamlessly to the most amazing deck with water It is large enough for a dining setting beneath the canopy lounge setting and barbecue - and then some Nelson BayUpstairs is a second lounge room the main bedroom suite with ensuite and gorgeous views; and another bedroom also with ensuite Other features of this luxe property include stylish bathrooms Grandview really is all about the breathtaking views: of the glistening Port Stephens waterways Yacaaba Headland and ocean beyond to the east Boat Harbour and the spectacular Stockton Bight Sand Dunes to the south and more of Port Stephens and distant mountain ranges to the west Perched as it is among the treetops in a quiet cul-de-sac Grandview is not isolated from conveniences Picture: Lisa McMahonUpset: Gymea business owners including representatives from Cafe 12 Gymea Newsagency and other stores claim the Gymea upgrade has left them struggling to make ends meet Picture: Lisa McMahonThe ongoing $6 million upgrade of Gymea Bay Road with its shiny new tiling and gleaming street furniture has enticed at least one new trader to the well-known shopping strip but many of the street’s long-term business owners said the project had been the worst thing ever to happen to the area MANY small business owners up and down Gymea Bay Road claim Sutherland Shire Council's upgrade has done nothing less than destroy the Gymea shopping strip and is now estimated to be running nine months late with the completion date revised from August this year to May 2013 While some shops have been attracted to the area because of the upgrade (see page 5) other business owners are anxious to tell their stories about its negative impact said they hardly knew where to start in describing the dramatic effect the works have had Ms Coutts said since the upgrade she was forced to start working two jobs just to pay the rent at her business "The only thing I'm going to get out of this is a huge debt Ms Coutts now gets up at 3.30am to work her second job at the airport until lunchtime Most business owners who spoke to the Leader said the delays to the project the parking places taken up by workers employed to undertake the upgrade and poor planning in terms of the timing of the works were the main problems Ms Coutts said workers began digging holes in the footpath outside her store four days before Christmas last year leaving her with no option but simply to close her doors during what should have been the busiest time of year Christine Brewer of Wright's Select Meats also relies on a second job to make ends meet since the upgrade began "We've lost a lot of customers and everyone is the same," Mrs Brewer said "You can see the impact with the all empty shops then triple that by 1000 and that is what we've been through with the upgrade." She and her husband were now able to take only one day off a week and relied on their second business in catering to pay the bills Mrs Brewer approached Sutherland Shire Council asking for compensation and from when they started [the upgrade] to now [the strip] has just become a ghost town," Mrs Brewer said There were many other similar stories up and down the street said he was terrified because works would soon start outside his shop "I can't wait to see how they try and ruin this side of the road," Mr Levy said Gymea Pharmacy owner Bianca Wong said the last year was the worst she had experienced WHILE long-term shop owners have despaired about the impact of the upgrade Valerie Ferris has moved her business to Gymea Bay Road and is banking on the upgrade delivering more customers to her interior design and soft furnishings store Anna Livia is the traditional name for the river Liffey which runs through Mrs Ferris’s home town of Dublin in Ireland bed spreads and other soft furnishings featured in the store She said the upgrade was one of the things that attracted her to Gymea ‘‘This particular strip is a really good shopping precinct,’’ Mrs Ferris said ‘‘I think even me coming here shows things are turning around.’’ Mrs Ferris said she was not expecting too much disruption from the works as the section outside her store was complete ‘‘The attraction of this end of the street is that it is finished,’’ she said ‘‘Once it is done the whole thing will be sensational.’’ Gymea Chamber of Commerce president Kevin Jefferee said he had no doubt the upgrade would be ‘‘a positive’’ for the area once complete but that communication breakdowns between the contractors had been a major problem on completion our unique shopping village atmosphere will spring back to life and draw our locals back to see us,’’ Mr Jefferee said Sutherland Shire mayor Carol Provan attended the opening of and thanked Mrs Ferris for choosing to relocate her business to Gymea she acknowledged to the Leader that the upgrade had upset some retailers ‘‘It really isn’t all council’s fault; our contractors have also let us down at times,’’ Cr Provan said Slow progress on the Gymea upgrade was caused by delays in achieving AusGrid certification for electrical works and was not Sutherland Shire Council’s fault She said further delays were caused when the design of the underground cabling had to be altered when ‘‘underground conditions other than expected’’ were discovered Despite the council inking a contract for the underground work six months before the start of the civil works the spokeswoman said certification delays meant this particular work was started only one month before the civil works meaning both electrical and civil contractors had to share the site She said the council had never offered financial compensation during other shopping upgrades and had not done so this time ‘‘The council asks that business proprietors consider the long-term benefits the upgrade will bring,’’ the spokeswoman said ‘‘The council regrets the disruption caused by the works and is working with its contractors to limit disruption.’’ There will be no work from mid-November to mid-January to reduce the impact on Christmas trade there - Moving overhead power cables underground emergency services were called to Gymea Bay Road after reports a child had been hit by a car Police have been told the 12-year-old boy was riding a bicycle when he was struck by a Chrysler 300C He was treated at the scene for suspected head injuries before being taken to Sydney Children's Hospital in a serious condition He was breath tested at the scene and returned a negative result Officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command attended and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is treated in strict confidence The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages rather than the toilet block used by swimmers The issue is being debated after Sutherland Shire Council decided to accelerate a masterplan for the bushland reserve to address problems including water quality in the tidal baths which has been rated only "Fair" in the last two annual State of the Beaches reports the smell of sewage along the lower part of Coonong Creek was common," said the resident "We used to regularly have sewage overflows into the street it runs down the gutter to the storm water pipes and straight into the creek Complaints to Sydney Water resulted in clean up crews hosing everything down (into the creek) and saying "They eventually fixed the dislodged sewer pit covers and repaired the storm water overflow valve that someone had deliberately blocked That process took something like three years because a maintenance access pit was not where the plans said it was and it couldn't be found "It'll probably take years for rain and tides to wash away the contaminated soil." A Sydney Water spokeswoman said crews inspected 72 locations in the wastewater network surrounding Coonong Creek during 2019-20 Sydney Water has been notified of one overflow in the Coonong Creek area," she said "The site underwent a clean-up by Sydney Water crews which involved hosing the area into a containment for the wastewater to be collected before it was pumped back into the wastewater network including removing rocks blocking the outlet of an emergency relief structure and replacing displaced manholes in 2018 and 2020." You can now click/tap WATCH to start the live stream You can now click/tap LISTEN to start the live stream You can now click/tap LATEST NEWS to start the live stream A listener has sent in a photo of a deer spotted roaming around Sydney’s south checking out the luscious grass and suburban houses a new study shows that outdoor spaces are what modern home buyers are searching for New research by Yates indicates that home buyers in Australia now prioritise the outdoor space over the kitchen and bathroom 39 per cent of Australian home buyers prioritise balconies decks and courtyards over a tiny 12 per cent that focus on kitchens and a teensy 3 per cent who prioritise the bathroom “We wanted to understand the role of outdoor and green spaces for home buyers and sellers,” says Yates marketing director Paddy Bryans “Especially within the context of more apartments and smaller land sizes as is happening in many capital cities The research highlights the importance of great outdoor spaces when looking to sell.” It’s no secret Australians love spending time on the deck. Photo: Byron Bay Adobes  lives in a home with a small courtyard in Gymea Bay The couple are currently hunting for a home and outdoor space is “The boys need space to burn energy,” says Abeleven The couple also want the outdoor space so they can entertain decent grass area for future pets and our kids plus a nice patio area for big family barbecues and family Easter egg hunts.” he maintains that an outdoor area is an important selling point “Everyone has the desire to open the window or walk out onto a balcony or walk into a garden if you don’t have that in a property – whether that be an apartment or a house – it will be harder to sell.” The outdoor space is becoming more important to buyers. Photo: Domain listing Buyers’ advocate Sam Lally, from Buyers Advocate, agrees with Yates’ findings that the outdoor space is the most important element. “I’ve been in real estate for 20 years. When a client comes in and says, I am looking for a property, they never really mention what the functionality of the kitchen must be, but they always say, ‘Must have some form of outdoor space’,” Lally says. “You can always change a kitchen. But if you don’t have outdoor space – you can’t make it.” Lally has also observed a new selling trend. In the past, vendors would only stage their interiors (that is, have professional furniture and decor temporarily installed to enhance the saleability of the property), but now many sellers – even those on the lowest end of the market – are staging their outdoor spaces. “Even the shed!” Lally says.  He has also observed sellers taking more care with the presentation of their outdoor spaces. “People are actually taking the time to make sure their grass is green, to make sure there are flowers in the pot plants, to make sure the veranda tiles are nice. First impressions count.” Ellis agrees with this. “To show how the garden and outdoor area is part of the home – that’s very important.”