Pittwater Life December 2023 Issue

News
SEEN…
Council has assured us that
although its COVID-19 sign
at Palm Beach (Pit Life Nov)
has not been taken down (as
of this magazine going to
print), its removal is “imminent”.
While Council’s
Dee Why-based crew is out
and about in Pittwater, they
might want to take down
this redundant direction
sign at Mona Vale (pictured
right). Reader Sandra Mills
writes: “The Peninsular Nursing Home has been closed
and demolished for several years now and yet the signage
remains at the beginning of Golf Avenue. Many thanks
for forwarding this
to Council on my
behalf.”… Meanwhile,
reader David Riley
spied the jolly man in
red re-familiarising
himself with the local
Pittwater scene and
events in the lead-up
to Christmas Day.
(Hey, Santa – you might want
to check out page 41 for this
year’s Christmas diary!)…
Also spotted in November
was NSW Opposition Leader
Mark Speakman who toured
the Pittwater electorate with
local MP Rory Amon to hear
from residents, businesses
and community groups. Along
HEARD…
the way Mr Speakman visited
Johnson Bros Mitre 10 Mona
Vale, which was recently
named the Best Large Hardware
Store in NSW. Mr Amon
and Mr Speakman presented
Johnson Bros with a certificate
of recognition. They also
attended the abandoned Mona
Vale Road West upgrade site
(pictured), confirming the
location will remain more
dangerous if not recommitted
for upgrade by the Labor
Government.
Pittwater Greens Councillor Miranda Korzy has pushed
for a moratorium on vertical seawalls, raising the matter at
Council’s November meeting. Ms Korzy said her motion was
triggered by the recent approval of a third section of seawall
at Collaroy Beach, despite what she said was an overwhelming
majority of residents opposing it. “The current seven-metrehigh
vertical seawall at Collaroy Beach is widely detested by
residents,” she said. “It forms a massive concrete fortification
rising above the beach, topped with a glass fence… and
complete with surveillance cameras. I don’t want this wall
to become a precedent for any other beaches prone to
erosion, either on the Northern Beaches or elsewhere.”
She added that the moratorium would not prevent the
recently approved seawall at Collaroy from going ahead
– and could not interfere with assessment of any further
DAs that might be submitted. “It aims, however, to pause
any Council proposals for vertical seawalls until we have
reviewed our current situation and other possibilities.”
ABSURD…
Council has announced the proposal to extend public usage
of Rowland Reserve Dog Park at Bayview by providing
night lighting will not proceed – two years after it was
placed on public exhibition in November 2021. Almost 350
comments from residents, park users and groups were
received, with feedback indicating a “moderate level of support”.
Opponents though felt the proposed lighting would
cause unnecessary light pollution, impact on nocturnal
animals and would also affect nearby residents, with local
neighbours concerned about additional noise. “Many
thought the budget should be spent on other priorities,”
Council noted. Which is ironic, given Council concluded: “As
this project is currently unfunded, we will reconsider in future
years when the appropriate funding becomes available.”
34 DECEMBER 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991