Pittwater Life September 2020 Issue

News
SEEN…
Poor old Council can’t take a trick; consider this classic
case of “damned if they do and damned if they don’t”:
Having apparently been flooded by concerns from locals
about pedestrian safety along busy Barrenjoey Rd at Avalon,
Council proposed to install a green metal pedestrian safety
fence, similar to the one introduced alongside the Skate Park
at Mona Vale (photo right), in the section between Avalon
Parade and Central Road. All because pedestrians were not
using designated safe crossing points between Avalon shops
and the beach, resulting in some injuries and near misses.
But it seems there have been more ‘nays’ than ‘ayes’ during
community consultation, with the latest posting on Council’s
website: “Based on community comments received we
have decided to pause consultation until early next year to
consider this proposal in the context of the broader Avalon
area. The comments received will be kept on record and
included in future consultation.” For the record, any reader
with questions can contact Phil Devon, Manager Transport
Network on 0466 136 560.
HEARD…
As Pittwater Life headed to press, it was apparent the future
of the Avalon Palm Beach Business Chamber hinged on
whether or not the group could rally enough figureheads
to continue operation. As the Chamber prepared to meet
via Zoom for its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday
August 26, nominations were flung open for a new President,
Treasurer and Secretary after long-serving executive
members Sam Garner and Vanessa Tiernan stepped down.
Tiernan informed members: “At the AGM, apart from
voting in the new Committee, the future of the Chamber
will be discussed. There has been around a 50% drop out
of membership renewals, most likely due to COVID-19 and
the businesses taking precautions on expenditure. If we are
unable to fill the roles of President, Secretary and Treasurer
then the Chamber will cease to exist as it is. The Committee
is currently investigating options on how the Chamber can
survive by rebranding and repurpose itself into a working
group made up of businesses, community groups, sporting
groups, schools in partnership with Council.” She added the
future of Avalon Market Day would be decided on once the
future of the Chamber had been resolved.
ABSURD...?
The start of work on this September issue of Pittwater Life
coincided with the Stage 4 Lockdown in Victoria. Which got us
thinking about whether Council might be considering limitedaccess
measures for ultra-popular Palm Beach and surrounds
when it starts bursting at the seams in December. Instead,
we learned Council has hitched its wagon to Manly MP James
Griffin’s new ‘Tourism & Economic Recovery Taskforce’ aimed
at… wait for it… encouraging more people from across Sydney to
visit Manly and the Northern Beaches to stay not just a day but
a few days. The taskforce includes Council CEO Ray Brownlee,
who told us: “With about a quarter of all jobs on the Northern
Beaches engaged in the hospitality and retail sectors, Council
recognises the importance of the visitor economy in supporting
our businesses through the impact of COVID-19, while heading
the latest health advice. In principle, the Council supports the
Taskforce’s proposed marketing initiative for summer, providing
that the prevailing health circumstances are suitable.” We just
hope it doesn’t all end in one massive cluster you-know-what...
28 SEPTEMBER 2020
The Local Voice Since 1991