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Avalon Sailing Club: Discover Sailing at Pittwater’s Community Hub

On the sheltered waters of Pittwater, Avalon Sailing Club stands as an accredited Discover Sailing Centre, offering children, adults and families a structured pathway into dinghy sailing. The club provides a welcoming environment where learners build confidence, acquire skills and enjoy being part of a wider sailing community.

Read: Local Reaction Over Avalon Beach Filming Puts Spotlight on NSW Film Fee Rules

Learning to sail, the Avalon way

Photo credit: Facebook/Avalon Sailing Club

The club’s Learn to Sail programmes begin with the Blue Group, covering Start Sailing 1 & 2, where absolute beginners gain foundational sailing skills using the club’s fleet of Nippas designed for junior trainees.

As sailors develop, they move into the Red Group, covering Better Sailing 3 and Start Racing 4. Older or more experienced juniors can then join the Gold Group and race in O’pen Skiffs, Manly Juniors or Flying 11s. For adults there is a four‑Saturday Learn to Sail course which leads into the Red or Gold groups, sailing classes including Spirals, Lasers or Aeros. Sailors register for the full season from September through to April, which supports continuity and participation over time.

The club also promotes coaching from within: many of the teenage coaches started as junior learners, and parents are encouraged to engage on the water, assist with safety launches or join the Adult Learn to Sail programme themselves.

A legacy on Pittwater

Photo credit: Google Maps/Avalon Sailing Club

Founded in 1938, Avalon Sailing Club has remained active on the Northern Beaches since its establishment. Located at Clareville, the club benefits from calm bay conditions ideal for learning alongside more open water for competitive sailing. Over the decades it has grown into a multigenerational community of sailors, from children first learning the ropes to older members enjoying regular racing and social events.

Building confidence and community

The clear progression from Blue to Gold creates more than a skill ladder — it fosters engagement. Many past participants return as coaches and helpers, strengthening the club’s sense of community and giving younger sailors role‑models from within the club. Parents who engage alongside their children contribute to a broader culture of sailing together.

Read: Locana Cullen Lands Perfect Score in Lennox Head Win

Since gaining accreditation as a Discover Sailing Centre in 2022, the club has maintained its focus on making sailing accessible. Notable alumni include Olympians and high‑performance sailors whose early experiences at the club reflect its impact beyond the local area. For the Avalon community, the club is more than a place to sail — it is a hub for learning, participation and long‑term engagement in sailing.

Published 11-November-2025

Avalon Beach Among Sydney’s Cleanest in 2025 Beachwatch Report

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Avalon Beach has been ranked among Sydney’s cleanest beaches in the NSW Environment Department’s 2025 Beachwatch report, confirming its excellent water quality and minimal stormwater runoff.

Clean Waters for Avalon

The 2025 Beachwatch report by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water assessed 249 swimming sites across New South Wales. The report found that 95 per cent of ocean beaches across the state had “very good” or “good” water quality. Avalon Beach ranked second overall in Sydney, following Whale Beach, based on consistently low levels of enterococci bacteria.

Avalon’s strong result was supported by its natural conditions and limited stormwater inflow. Local residents noted that the beach’s lack of stormwater drainage contributed to its cleanliness compared to other coastal areas.

Avalon Beach cleanliness — Photo Credit: Google Maps

Report Findings and Statewide Overview

The Beachwatch report graded beaches from “very good” to “very poor” based on microbial water quality. Among Sydney’s top-performing beaches were Whale Beach, Avalon Beach, Greenhills Beach, Palm Beach, The Basin, Wanda Beach, Shelly Beach (Sutherland), Elvina Bay, Bungan Beach, and Bilgola Beach.

The 2025 findings attributed improved beach conditions to below-average rainfall, which reduced runoff and pollution in urban waterways. Statewide, 23 swimming locations recorded improved water quality over the previous year.

Sydney beaches — Photo Credit: Google Maps

How Avalon Compares

Avalon’s ranking placed it ahead of many of Sydney’s well-known beaches such as Bondi, Bronte, and Coogee. Bondi and Bronte received “good” gradings, while Coogee was rated “poor”. Beaches in the Northern Beaches and Sutherland Shire dominated the top ten for water quality, reflecting lower population density and minimal urban runoff in these coastal areas.

In contrast, enclosed sites such as Foreshores Beach and Gymea Bay Baths received “very poor” gradings due to restricted water flow and higher contamination risk.

Beachwatch report — Photo Credit: Google Maps

Community Response

Social media users celebrated Avalon’s high ranking, attributing its success to its natural drainage and community care for the coastal environment. Comments from locals highlighted the absence of major stormwater outlets and the protection of dune systems as key reasons for the beach’s pristine condition.

Residents also praised neighbouring Bilgola Beach, which placed within Sydney’s top ten cleanest beaches, reinforcing the Northern Beaches’ reputation for maintaining strong environmental standards.

Ongoing Monitoring and Public Access

The Beachwatch program continues to provide public access to real-time water quality data through its website. Officials from the NSW environment department advised swimmers to check Beachwatch updates before entering the water, particularly after rainfall, as urban runoff can temporarily affect water quality.

Published 3-Nov-2025

Avalon To Protect Historic Telford Road With New Heritage Sign

Avalon will recognise one of its oldest road surfaces, with the planned installation of a heritage sign at Telford Lane, a surviving Telford-style section of the original Barrenjoey Road.

Community Preservation Efforts

Local historians and long-term residents have consistently advocated for the protection of the exposed stones at Telford Lane, viewing it as an important physical link to Avalon’s early road network.

*Photo Credit:* *Dodge Brothers Club of Australasia Inc.*/Facebook

Their focus has been on ensuring that historic infrastructure is not lost through maintenance oversights, and preserving it visibly rather than only through archival records. The area has been quietly monitored by local heritage volunteers for years to prevent unintentional resurfacing or removal.

Current Infrastructure Activity

Sydney Water’s renewal works on Old Barrenjoey Road will pause for the summer trading period, with compounds removed around November, then resume from March 2026 and target completion by mid-2026.

Council is also progressing an off-road cycle track beside Careel Creek and the Avalon Shared Space design process, with community discussion flagged for 2026. The sign will identify and explain the historic road surface and help avoid accidental resurfacing.

Local Historical Significance

The section sits off Barrenjoey Road near North Avalon Road, on an earlier alignment that once crossed Careel Creek. The Telford construction method used compacted stone layers for drainage and durability. This stretch is one of the few remaining examples on the peninsula.

The sign will explain the road’s history and prevent any future sealing of the exposed stones.

Published 22-October-2025

Avalon Volunteers Clean Up Holiday Mess Left in Dunes

Dedicated local volunteers and three visiting Argentine backpackers have taken it upon themselves to clean up multiple bags of rubbish carelessly left strewn across the Avalon beach dunes.

A Recurring Mess

The problem became particularly noticeable just before and during the recent winter school holidays. A group of young surfers had carried a table and chair into the dunes north of the Avalon surf club, creating a scenic hangout spot. While a great use of the outdoors, the area was unfortunately left in a mess, with rubbish accumulating over the holiday period.

Witnesses saw the three backpackers take it upon themselves to clear the area, carrying numerous bags of waste to the bins provided at the beach. Their actions highlighted the ongoing efforts of many locals who have been quietly cleaning up trashed community spots for years. People like Corey Kirk have been seen regularly cleaning the Avalon Beach dunes over a long period. This community spirit extends to other local areas, including Careel Creek and various lookouts around Bilgola and Palm Beach.

Damage and Disappointment

The issue is not confined to Avalon. Joe Mills, who voluntarily cleans Turimetta beach, reported extra work was needed after weekend parties during the same school holidays. He expressed his disappointment after spending several mornings picking up the aftermath of fires and drinking sessions.

He described one particularly bad morning where discarded cans and bottles were scattered over a 50-metre area. An emergency rescue surfboard had been taken from its rack and used as a seat very close to a fire, causing damage. Mills noted that those responsible often fail to return the board or clean up their rubbish, leaving the beach littered with charcoal and waste. This has raised concerns among residents about the need for better management of these natural reserves.

Searching for a Cause

The recurring issue has led many to question why these beautiful spots are not being looked after by the same people who enjoy them. The conversation has shifted towards the underlying reasons for this behaviour.

One long-time resident suggested that a lack of local, affordable, and engaging activities for teenagers could be a contributing factor. A look at school holiday programs often shows plenty of options for younger children but very few for those in their late teens. With limited places to go, especially at night, parks and dunes become default social hubs. The community is now exploring ideas, from installing more bins to creating better messaging about respecting shared spaces, and ultimately, providing more positive outlets for its young adults. The core belief shared by volunteers is that the greatest threat is thinking someone else will solve the problem.

Published Date 14-October-2025

Careel Bay Takes Centre Stage in National Bird Count

Photo Credit: JJ Harrison/CC BY-SA 4.0

Avalon’s coastal bushland and tidal flats are more than a backdrop for weekend walks. They are a living stage for some of Australia’s rarest and most recognisable birds. This month, the suburb will once again find itself at the centre of a nationwide effort as locals join the Aussie Bird Count, recording the feathered life of backyards, headlands, and the sheltered waters of Careel Bay.

Bird Week Brings Community Together

The Aussie Bird Count, run by BirdLife Australia, is one of the largest citizen science events in the country. From 20 to 26 October 2025, Australians are encouraged to stop for just 20 minutes, anywhere they choose, and count the birds they see. Using the free app or website, participants contribute sightings that form part of an ongoing database used by scientists to track trends in bird populations.

For Avalon, participation is more than symbolic. The suburb’s wetlands and nearby bushland provide food and shelter for species of local and international importance.

At Careel Bay, shorebirds such as the critically endangered Eastern Curlew and migratory Bar-tailed Godwit can be seen during spring as they travel from breeding grounds in the Northern Hemisphere. Each recorded sighting adds vital data to help monitor whether these long-distance travellers are surviving their journeys and holding onto their habitats.

Everyday Birds, Critical Information

While Avalon is home to threatened species, the Bird Count does not just focus on the rare. Familiar locals such as the Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy Miner, and Willie Wagtail are just as important to log. Shifts in their numbers can reveal much about the pressures of urbanisation, land clearing, and climate change.

BirdLife Australia notes that even a single observation contributes to science. When thousands of Australians join in, the collective data helps map population shifts across suburbs, towns, and entire states. This information informs conservation planning and guides councils on how to protect the natural spaces that communities rely on.

Avalon’s Link to Bird History

Avalon’s role in Australia’s birdwatching culture stretches back more than a century. Neville William Cayley, remembered as Australia’s first popular field guide author, made his home here. His 1931 book, What Bird is That?, offered full-colour illustrations and descriptions that opened the world of birdwatching to ordinary people.

Neville Cayley — Photo Credit: Public Domain

Cayley lived at “Ideal View,” a house on Marine Parade in Avalon, where he painted and wrote about the very species still common in the suburb today. His work bridged science and art, and laid the groundwork for a culture of everyday Australians participating in bird observation. The 2025 Aussie Bird Count continues that legacy, translating Cayley’s passion into a digital age where sightings from Avalon can be logged instantly via smartphone.

Why Avalon Matters in 2025

Conservation groups highlight Careel Bay as a key site on the Northern Beaches where community involvement has direct value. Tidal wetlands here provide feeding grounds for shorebirds that face global declines. Recording their presence, even in small numbers, helps track whether conservation measures are effective.

In recent years, residents and council initiatives have worked to maintain these habitats. Nesting platforms have been installed for Ospreys, while bushcare groups restore vegetation along foreshore areas. The Bird Count provides everyday residents with an opportunity to participate in this ongoing effort, whether by walking along the bay at low tide or observing the calls of lorikeets in street trees.

Getting Involved from Avalon

Joining the Aussie Bird Count is straightforward. Locals can register online at the official site or download the app via Apple or Google Play. Participants select a spot — whether in a backyard, at the beach, or along the Careel Bay foreshore — and spend 20 minutes observing. The app provides identification tools, making it easier for beginners to recognise common birds.

For Avalon residents, the Bird Count is not just about numbers. It’s a way to connect with local heritage, contribute to conservation, and deepen awareness of the living environment that defines the community. Every lorikeet, curlew, or magpie recorded becomes part of a much larger picture of Australia’s birdlife.

Published 2-Oct-2025

Careel Shopping Village Avalon Redevelopment Approved Despite Community Objections

Photo Credit: DA2024/1091

Childcare centre above Dan Murphy’s approved in Avalon’s Careel Shopping Village, despite community and health authority objections.

Background of the Proposal

Plans to redevelop Careel Shopping Village at 1 Careel Head Road, Avalon Beach, were lodged on 11 September 2024 as Development Application DA2024/1091. The proposal included demolition works and the construction of a new two-storey mixed-use complex with basement parking, retail space, and a childcare centre.

The application was placed on exhibition from 30 June to 28 July 2025, attracting significant public submissions. The estimated cost of the project was $7,246,888.

Community Objections

More than 220 submissions were lodged opposing the project. Local residents expressed concern about the location of a 500-square-metre Dan Murphy’s store directly beneath a childcare facility. Issues raised included the potential exposure of children to alcohol advertising, increased traffic near the intersection of Careel Head Road and Barrenjoey Road, and flooding risks affecting the proposed basement car park.

The Northern Sydney Local Health District advised against the proposal, citing links between alcohol marketing exposure and youth drinking. Community groups also argued that Avalon already had several liquor outlets nearby and that the redevelopment would be out of character for the area.

childcare centre — Photo Credit: DA2024/1091

The Ruling

Northern Beaches Council initially issued a deemed refusal of the application. The developer, Grex Holdings, appealed the decision to the Land and Environment Court. In early September 2025, the court upheld the appeal with amended plans following conciliation between the council and the developer.

The plans include a separate entrance and lift for the childcare centre, independent of the bottle shop, in response to concerns about access and safety.

Dan Murphy’s — Photo Credit: DA2024/1091

Current Retail Context

The Careel Shopping Village site also includes other retail spaces for lease, with tenants such as a pizza café and a pie shop. Leasing documents highlight multiple opportunities for shops ranging from 47 to 129 square metres, with off-street parking provided.

Looking Forward

With the court’s approval, the redevelopment of Careel Shopping Village will proceed, combining retail businesses with a 60-place childcare centre above a Dan Murphy’s store. The decision followed extended debate between community members, health authorities, and the developer, with changes made to address some concerns.

Published 22-Sep-2025

Search Continues For Avalon Beach Woman After Devastating House Fire

Emergency services are conducting an extensive search for a woman in her 70s who remains unaccounted for after a catastrophic house fire destroyed her Hilltop Road home in Avalon Beach during the early hours of Friday morning.

Fire and Rescue NSW crews were called to the scene around 1am after neighbours heard concerning sounds and discovered the two-storey timber property ablaze. In an act of remarkable courage, one neighbour attempted to kick down the front door to reach the resident but was forced back as flames rapidly consumed the structure.

The intensity of the fire, combined with an unusually large amount of possessions stored throughout the property, created extreme conditions that prevented firefighters from entering the building. Parts of the structure were already collapsing when emergency services arrived, with flames erupting through the roof and engulfing the entire home.

More than 20 Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters responded from stations across the Northern Beaches, including Avalon, Mona Vale, Narrabeen, Dee Why, Forestville and Lane Cove. The challenging terrain posed additional difficulties for crews, as the home was built on stilts on a steep hillside.

NSW Fire and Rescue Superintendent Adam Dewberry explained the complexities faced by emergency responders. The elevated position of the home and significant structural collapse created substantial risks for firefighters, with concerns about personnel falling through damaged floors into the gully below.

Despite the challenging water supply in the narrow street, crews successfully brought the fire under control just before 2am. However, firefighters continued battling spot fires well into the morning as flames kept reigniting within stored materials throughout the property. Ausgrid was required to disconnect power to the street after crews encountered difficulties accessing the home’s electrical supply.

Northern Beaches Police Area Command officers, including Inspector Vanessa Robinson, established a crime scene and closed Hilltop Road to assist emergency services. Four NSW Ambulance crews attended the scene, treating the neighbour who had attempted the rescue for possible smoke inhalation.

The woman’s vehicle was found parked in the driveway, intensifying concerns that she may have been inside when the blaze erupted. Neighbours described the resident as someone who had lived at the property for several years and was known for being quiet but kind to those around her.

By Saturday morning, Fire and Rescue NSW’s Urban Search and Rescue teams had taken over operations, working to stabilise the severely damaged structure. Drones were deployed to conduct aerial assessments and searches of the scene, while an aerial ladder platform from Manly assisted with stabilisation efforts.

The Fire Investigation and Research Unit has been called in to determine the cause of the blaze, though their work has been hampered by the extensive structural damage and ongoing safety concerns.

Police investigations into the incident remain ongoing.

Published 20-September-2025

Osprey Nesting Platform Installed in Avalon

Photo Credit: NBC

A 23-metre nesting platform has been installed at Hitchcock Park in Avalon to provide a safe habitat for Eastern Ospreys.

Background

On 1 September 2025, a 23-metre pole topped with a nesting basket was installed at Hitchcock Park in Avalon. The project aims to support the threatened Eastern Osprey, a bird of prey that prefers elevated sites near waterways to build large stick nests.

In recent years, ospreys on the Northern Beaches have been found nesting in unsuitable man-made structures, such as sports field lighting and cranes. One pair even established a nest on a construction crane in Pittwater in 2024, creating safety risks for both the birds and workers.

Osprey nesting platform Avalon — Photo Credit: NBC

Purpose of the Project

The new platform provides a safe alternative that replicates natural nesting habitats, which have declined due to urban development. Similar artificial nesting towers have been successfully used in northern New South Wales, South-east Queensland and South Australia.

The Avalon installation is among the first of its kind in Sydney and is expected to help breeding pairs raise their young in a secure environment above the tree canopy and close to local fishing grounds.

Community Involvement

From May to June 2025, consultation was held with residents, with 164 people sharing their views. Feedback was overwhelmingly supportive of the project. The platform was placed in a cleared area behind the Careel Bay sportsfields to minimise disruption to regular park use.

Project Delivery

The nesting platform was funded with the support of the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, along with Council. Installation works were carried out from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, with temporary fencing in place for safety.

The project followed an environmental assessment under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Once the installation was complete, an osprey was observed inspecting the new structure.

Next Steps

The platform will now be monitored to determine if it is taken up by a breeding pair. If successful, it could serve as a model for further installations across Sydney to assist in the long-term protection of the species.

Published 9-Sep-2025

Emergency Services Unite for After-Dark Rescue at Barrenjoey Lighthouse

Photo Credit: Facebook / Australian Geographic

A multi-agency rescue operation successfully evacuated a 19-year-old woman from Barrenjoey Lighthouse on Saturday evening after she collapsed near the recently completed amenities block.

NSW Ambulance received the emergency call at 5.45pm on 23 August, just as the sun was setting over Palm Beach. The young international visitor was part of a four-person group exploring the popular tourist destination when she began experiencing severe abdominal pain and became unable to walk.

With standard ambulances unable to navigate the steep, narrow track to the lighthouse, emergency services coordinated a complex rescue involving multiple agencies. NSW Ambulance Inspector Ronnie Mawhinney attended the scene alongside two Special Operations Paramedics and a NSW Ambulance 4WD vehicle.

Fire and Rescue NSW Avalon Station responded, along with NSW Rural Fire Service crews from Terrey Hills and Ingleside. However, the breakthrough came when Avalon firefighters contacted North Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club to inquire about accessing their all-terrain vehicle.

Fortune smiled on the rescue effort when the club’s president happened to be on-site and immediately responded with the ATV to the emergency services staging area at Station Beach car park.

A Special Operations Paramedic travelled up the headland via ATV just after 6.45pm, ascending the steep track in near-complete darkness with only the vehicle’s lights for guidance. The patient was located near the lighthouse shortly before 7pm and assessed as being in stable condition.

Rather than deploying the ground crews who were preparing to hike up on foot, the decision was made to transport the woman back via ATV. By 7.15pm, she had been safely evacuated to the beach where a full medical assessment was conducted before transport to Northern Beaches Hospital.

The rescue highlights ongoing challenges at the popular lighthouse destination, which attracts over 200,000 visitors annually to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Emergency services regularly respond to medical incidents at the location, often heat-related, though Saturday’s incident occurred as temperatures were cooling.

Emergency responders noted the narrow path from the car park makes it impossible for standard police or ambulance vehicles to reach the lighthouse, making ATVs essential for patient transport.

The successful rescue was particularly notable given the communication challenges posed by the international visitors’ limited English proficiency, which initially made it difficult for emergency services to assess the patient’s exact condition.

A new 4WD ambulance vehicle designed for patient transport is on order for the Northern Beaches area and is expected to be operational before summer. This specialised vehicle allows paramedics to provide treatment during transport, addressing a current capability gap in the standard 4WD vehicles available to the service.

The incident demonstrates the valuable community partnerships between emergency services and local volunteer organisations like North Palm Beach SLSC, whose local knowledge and specialised equipment proved crucial to the successful outcome.

Published 24-August-2025

Avalon Tree Battle Ends With Compromise As One Gum Tree Removed, Another Saved

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Poyt448 Peter Woodard

A contentious dispute over native trees in Avalon Beach has finally reached a resolution, with one 80-year-old Flooded Gum removed and another saved through pruning after a year-long community battle.

The saga began in June 2024 when local supporters formed a human blockade to prevent the removal of four large Eucalyptus grandis trees on public land at Ruskin Rowe.

The trees had been deemed hazardous following multiple incidents between October 2023 and May 2024, including reports of falling branches that damaged a vehicle, brought down power lines, and required after-hours emergency services to restore street access. Two trees were successfully removed before the protest action prevented work on the remaining pair.

The decision was based on assessments from multiple qualified arborists, including internal and external experts at Australian Qualifications Framework levels 5 and 8, all concluding the trees posed safety risks and required removal.

However, Cr Miranda Korzy (Greens) challenged these findings, commissioning her own expert assessment from a level 8 arborist with an environmental law degree, who disputed the original risk evaluation methodology.

A challenge was raised to these findings through an independent expert assessment, commissioned from a level 8 arborist with an environmental law degree. This arborist disputed the original risk evaluation methodology.

The dispute proved costly for ratepayers, with questions on notice revealing the council spent approximately $20,000 to reschedule contractors and a further $14,000 in additional arborist consulting fees.

After obtaining further independent expert advice, council determined that while both remaining trees posed risks of dropping significant branches, only one required complete removal. The tree located on public land in the turning circle at the end of Ruskin Rowe could be preserved through strategic pruning.

Contractors returned on 30 July 2025 to complete the work. The arborists also removed an estimated an 80-year-old specimen that could have lived another 15 years.

Community members reflected on the outcome. They voiced ongoing concerns about the conflicting conclusions reached by different arborists throughout the process, and called for state regulation of the arboricultural industry.

The resolution coincides with Northern Beaches Council’s adoption of a comprehensive new Tree Management Policy in July 2025, which replaces five existing tree-related policies from the former councils and aims to increase tree cover by enhancing protection measures, promoting new or replacement planting, and improving the retention and long-term survival of healthy trees.

The importance of the region’s urban forest was highlighted, with the Northern Beaches home to an estimated 12 million trees – the greatest tree canopy coverage in metropolitan Sydney. Since 2019, tree coverage has increased by 485 hectares, with more than 5,000 trees planted annually.

“Trees play a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of our community, and this policy ensures we continue to protect and grow our tree canopy, benefiting both current and future generations,” the statement read.

The new policy recognises the multiple benefits trees provide, including air quality improvement, soil protection, water quality enhancement, carbon sequestration, energy conservation, noise reduction, urban cooling, and wildlife habitat provision.

Further details about the Tree Management Policy, including guidelines for tree removal and pruning on private land, are available on Northern Beaches Council’s website.

Published 12-August-2025