Just below Avalon’s famous hangout, Bar Elvina, is Sandy’s, the latest takeaway sandwich shop that has been earning raves from the beachgoing crowd for its simple but healthy choices of quick orders.
Once a retail store, the owners of Bar Elvina had been eyeing the street-facing space because of its very convenient location. At first, Andy Emerson thought they could open a bottle shop when they have secured the lease but then decided on a sandwich and salad bar with a focus on takeout orders.
Sandy’s offers just a handful of choices for customers who do not want a complicated menu. Whilst the menu is simple, it does have an interesting and highly-recommended Prawn Dog sandwich (King prawn dog, leaves, pickles & cocktail sauce) which will leave diners wanting more.
Admittedly, Andy said that first-timers will likely think twice about trying their seafood sandwich. However, most eventually trust that it’s going to be finger-licking good as it comes from the same team as Bar Elvina, which upholds the highest standards for its food and service.
Most of the ingredients for the sandwiches and salads — such as peppers, tomatoes, green beans, chillis, and lemon — are grown from the rooftop garden up the same building. Thus, diners ensure that they are not just eating healthy food but the ingredients are always fresh.
Sandys can’t be missed as its fit-out is a lovely and trendy pink shade with Turkish marble benchtops and cedar lift windows. The space reverbs a pleasant and casual beachside vibe.
Photo Credit: SandysAvalon/Facebook
The takeaway shop got its name from its sandy beachside location, where most people forego shoes and get cosy and comfortable in such a relaxed atmosphere.
“Finally a sandwich place, that just makes great sandwiches! Epic post-workout/ surf lunch that really hits the spot. Chicken schnitzel sanger is our go-to. Ingredients are always fresh and the bread quality is on point.”
Tessa
“Just had the most amazing sandwich at Sandy’s. Wagyu pastrami with, slaw, BBQ pineapple and wasabi mayo followed by the gooiest GF brownies. I’ve died and gone to heaven!”
Barrenjoey Swim School, a backyard swim school on Patrick Street in Avalon that was served with a notice of closure over a noise and traffic congestion complaint, has been offered a reprieve.
Barrenjoey Swim School is a home business owned and operated by Damian and Lucie Geyle and has been operating for more than ten years now. The backyard swim school was ordered by the council to close down following an inspection in December last year in response to a neighbour’s complaint about noise and traffic.
The inspection resulted in the home-business being re-classified as a “recreational facility” which means it cannot operate within an R2 zoned area. The owners were given 90 days to comply with the order.
“Northern Beaches Council has ordered us to stop running a swim school because it is making too much noise,” the swim school’s notice to their clients on 21 February reads.
They furthered that at this stage their only option is to bring the matter to the court and fight the council which would be “expensive, time-consuming and seriously stressful.”
The council explained that given that Barrenjoey Swim School interferes with the amenity of the neighbourhood, it doesn’t meet the definition of a “home business” that would have qualified it as an “exempt development” under the Northern Beaches planning rules.
Barrenjoey Swim School to continue operating
The owners recently met with Northern Beaches Council CEO Ray Brownlee and Planning and Place Director, Louise Kerr. The Geyles emerged from the meeting with a sigh of relief as they were offered a reprieve by Council and gave them two months to submit a proposal addressing the noise and traffic concerns.
Damian and Lucie Geyle will work with the stakeholders to come up with suggestions that will tackle the noise and traffic congestion.
Photo Credit: Barrenjoey Swim School / bjswimschool.com.au
Closure notice outraged locals and questioned future of home businesses
The notice of closure caused an uproar among the members of the community, particularly parents of children taking lessons at the swim school and sparked an online petition as well.. Outraged locals took to social media to express their anger and concern about the future of small home businesses.
“Not only does this mean a loss of livelihood for Damian and Lucie but seems like a dangerous loss for a community that revolves around water. Will this set a precedent for the handful of other swim schools in the area? Kids are already behind in swimming with all the closures the last few years….” writes Eliza Viney on her social media.
Photo Credit: Barrenjoey Swim School / bjswimschool.com.au
One of those who commented questioned how one complaint could cause the closure of the swim school. Whilst another could not reconcile the fact that the NSW Government has been encouraging parents to enrol their kids in swimming lessons with the $100 first lap vouchers but at the same time council is “thinking that closing a local swim school is the right thing to do.”
“I never share issues like this on my page, but this one is really close to my heart as it affects some lovely friends, and also creates a terrible precedent for any work from home business,” Running Under The Sprinkler Photography’s post reads.
“I can vouch for the family’s respectful use of their home as a business, having been there during class times, and knowing others who have been there at class times, and also because I live on the same block. I am also aware of what I think may be the catalyst for this action, and it’s definitely not noise from the swim school (which operates in small, and sensible, weekday hours).
“Kids need to learn to swim, and Barrenjoey Swim School is a very well-established, well-respected, family-run home business.”
A new twist to the story of prison escapee Darko “Dougie” Desic, who turned himself in after 30 years of living as a handyman in Northern Beaches, has been revealed.
Desic broke out of Grafton correctional facility on July 31, 1992, after serving 13 months of his three-and-a-half years of a prison sentence for growing marijuana, using hacksaw blade and bolt cutters; he was 35 years old then.
He said he escaped prison out of fear of being deported after completing his prison term to what used to be Yugoslavia, where he believes he would be punished for failing to complete his compulsory military service.
He remained under the radar for 30 years whilst living in Avalon and working as a cash-in-hand labourer, until the pandemic happened. Left with no means to support himself and homeless, the now 64-year-old opted to hand himself to Dee Why Police Station.
Grafton Correctional Centre | Photo Credit: Photographic Collection from Australia, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, / Wikimedia Commons
Before he was sent back to prison, Darko took the time to make one request that will end up touching someone’s life. He asked his friend Scott Matthewson to search for the owner of a gold medal that he found whilst living a life on the run in Northern Beaches. The rightful owner of the gold Victory Medal turned out to be Ernest Charles May from Melbourne.
May was awarded the gold medal in 1919 after serving in the Great War. He was wounded three times, had miraculously survived being buried in a collapsed trench before getting gassed with sulphur mustard.
The war veteran gave his World War I medal to his nephew John Paul Bell back in 1962 who had it hanging on his key ring when he lost it whilst walking on Avalon Beach. Mr Bell then learned about Desic’s story whilst reading his Pittwater Life magazine which showed a photo of his uncle’s medal.
Locals who have known “Dougie” for years rallied behind him upon learning that he was in jail and organised a GoFundMe to help him “rebuild his life”.
“Seems like he was a small offender and the laws were harsher back then for people growing pot. Meanwhile, he has stayed out of trouble and has had this problem hanging over his head for half his life. Also, he has helped our community and been a decent fellow,” the fundraiser stated.
“Remember he has been in our community for thirty years and ended up homeless on our beach at Avalon. Never did he hurt anybody. He is in jail now.”
“Dougie” is set to be granted parole as early as August 2022 but he could face deportation upon release.
The recent death of a dog due to illegal dog baiting activity in Hitchcock Park, near the Careel Bay playing fields, has sparked heightened security checks and sparked calls for the installation of CCTV cameras in the area.
It was a rainy Sunday afternoon on the 6th of February 2022. Stacey and her husband had to stay indoors with their dogs, Malu and Hector, but a brief break in the weather gave them the opportunity to take their pets to Careel Bay sports field and the nearby Hitchcock dog park for a 30-minute walk.
Malu was let off the leash and explored the park unsupervised for about five minutes. It was presumed that during that time Malu ingested the substance but she would not exhibit signs of poisoning until the day after.
“Our beautiful, gentle, wise and calm companion Malu died on Monday 7th of February after ingesting a poison last Sunday evening the 6th of February at Careel Bay fields and dog park. Understand clearly there was no other place she went that whole week, no one she met and she was an inside dog. It was poor weather on Sunday so she and her dog brother were inside our home and did not go out without supervision,” Stacey said.
Photo Credit: Stacey Demarco / Facebook
Their beloved companion was rushed to the local veterinarian but then had to be taken to the Northside Emergency Vet Service. Sadly, Malu succumbed to an anticoagulant, a common ingredient used in rodenticides.
“Malu fought hard. So hard. She had a team of incredible vets from two practices working on her but she succumbed to the poison which according to blood work was an anti-coagulant commonly found in rat poison.
“She was murdered. It wasn’t a kind death. From what I now know, other dogs have also fallen victim. This has to stop.
“To say my husband and I are devastated to lose her doesn’t scratch the surface of what we are currently experiencing, and as Malu was beloved by so many in our community, there has been an outpouring of support and grief from all who knew her from vets, trainers, walkers and dog people of all kinds. One person yesterday I know said to me that they ‘were not really a dog person, but I’m a ‘Malu person’.”
Photo Credit: Stacey Demarco / Facebook
Stacey had the incident reported to Northern Beaches Council who confirmed that it was not undertaking any fox baiting in the area but has proactively carried out patrol checks in the Careel Bay area to deter future illegal baiting activities. So far, no evidence of baiting has been found.
Northern Beaches Police has also been notified and said that it is “a difficult crime to solve” because of the lack of lighting at the fields and perpetrators would often come at night and take advantage of the darkness to accomplish their illegal activities.
“They agreed though better lighting and CCTV would be useful. They were aware of baitings over the last few years but not these new ones at Careel.”
Anticoagulant rodenticides prevent blood from clotting resulting in internal bleeding, however, it can take days for its toxic effects to manifest. Signs of bait poisoning include loss of appetite, blood in the stool, bleeding gums, blood in the urine, seizures, difficulty in breathing, weakness, and even sudden death. Call your vet or the Animal Poisons Centre on 1300 869 738 immediately if you suspect that your dog has eaten rat poison.
Property values in the Northern Beaches, particularly Avalon, are experiencing a surge in demand, with a 29 per cent uptick in median house price, as buyers realise that living away from the CBD, where space is not an issue and amenities abound, gives great value for money.
Highlights
The median house price in Avalon experienced a 29.19 per cent uptick from October 2020 to September 2021, as buyers finally see the value of living near the coast far away from the CBD.
Avalon’s unit market performed better than the housing market with a 54.65 per cent median increase.
The median house price during this period was at $2,777,500 whilst the median unit price was at $1,300,000. Despite the increase, these prices are still relatively more affordable for investors compared to the beachside properties in other Eastern Suburbs.
Avalon House Price Growth
According to Property Market Updates, the median house price in the Avalon property market grew by 29.19 per cent from October 2020 to September 2021, rising up to $2,777,500 from $2,150,000 in the previous year.
About 198 houses were sold for this period with an average of 32 days on market, reflecting an insatiable demand from buyers who have decided to move out of the city and enjoy the beachside lifestyle in Avalon.
Investors went for four-bedroom waterfront homes the most with 87 sold at under 30 days on market. Smaller-sized properties were also quickly snapped up with one or two-bedroom homes staying on the market for just less than three weeks.
Despite the increasing house prices, which is good news for the homeowners in this tightly-held market, a lot of Avalon properties are still priced lower than a number of beachside properties in the Eastern Suburbs. A property in Coogee, for example, may cost around $8 million and it won’t be nearly as expansive as the properties in Avalon.
In recent years, the Avalon demographic has shifted from older, independent individuals or families to mature and established families on their second or third home. In the past, investors looked to Avalon for holiday homes but now they want a place where they can permanently call their home to fill their need for more open spaces.
Avalon Unit Price Growth
Avalon’s apartment market performed exceedingly better than the housing market at 54.65 per cent median unit price increase. The median unit price has settled at $1,300,000 for this same period, up from $840,600 in the previous year.
Sixty-five units were sold in this suburb between October 2020 to September 2021 within an average of 46 days on market. Avalon has one of the strongest demands for apartment lifestyle across Sydney despite the gloom in the sector due to the pandemic, especially in the CBD and inner city areas.
Buyers who want a sea change or tree change but have budget constraints look to the Avalon unit market for options as it’s more affordable than detached dwellings. The commute to the city is no longer a hindrance as most residents work from home under the new normal.
More than 80 per cent of the dwelling options in this suburb are free-standing houses thus the lack of supply for apartments.
About Avalon
Once overlooked for being quite far from where the action is in the city, Avalon has a fresh appeal for buyers who now see the value of living where beaches, bushes and the coast are more accessible.
Avalon isn’t a completely remote area as there are ample establishments where residents can buy their essentials, enjoy a healthy meal at a restaurant, or send their kids to good schools.
Though not as congested and compact as other locales in Sydney, Old Barrenjoey Road and Avalon Parade are where the business centres thrive. Undoubtedly, however, Avalon Beach is the main attraction, where Surf Life Saving and Nippers have enjoyed a long tradition.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Avalon provides locals with a great sense of space where they can relax in the beauty of nature. Boating and other water sports are the most popular recreational activities in this suburb flanked by the beach on the eastern side and the Pittwater to the west, a unique waterway perfect for fishing, kayaking, sailing, and even bushwalking.
Avalon has a tight-knit community of long-time locals who regularly organise group and cultural events. Apart from surfing, Avalon has a thriving art scene and many locals adopt a sustainable green lifestyle.
“Old Barrenjoey Road and Avalon Parade are at the heart of Avalon. Over recent years there have been a number of (re)developments that have significantly improved the appeal of the area. The majority of housing in this central location comprises of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units making it ideal for young couples, downsizers or small families. Living in Old Barrenjoey Road means you are close to shops, cafes and public transport. The beach is also only a 3 minutes walk away. For people considering apartment living and who desire a central location then Old Barrenjoey Road is certainly worth consideration.”
Paul Towers
“Joseph Street is a quiet little cul de sac which is an oasis in the hustle and bustle of Avalon. Close to everything yet you feel like you are on holidays and you can hear the birds singing, not the traffic flowing.”
Kouls
“Central Road is a fairly lengthy street running from Avalon Parade (where it becomes Hudson Parade) to Barrenjoey Rd. The street is very green with many trees and is relatively level. There are many facilities within walking distance, including in the street itself. There are speed humps in the road – to slow down the occasional through-traffic.”
Construction works have resumed on the iconic Coast Walk, spanning 36 kilometres from Manly to Palm Beach including the Newport to Avalon link. Much of the construction work is already complete, despite previous unforeseen delays.
The coastal walkway is the centrepice project of the $32.6-million ‘Connecting the Northern Beaches’ initiative. The program will provide communities with an integrated link to major B-Line transport hubs and services whilst showcasing the breathtaking coastline views and artwork installations.
Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 restrictions and Council taking careful considerations of community inputs in finalising the designs, the Coast Walk is moving forward with the Manly to Newport pathway already open for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Newport to Avalon section of the project is divided into three sections in which draft concepts were exhibited for public feedback in late 2020.
Photo credit: Northern Beaches Council / northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
Newport Beach to The Serpentine, Bilgola Beach
This section of the pedestrian and cycle link spans from the northern end of Newport Beach carpark to The Serpentine, Bilgola Beach. To minimise the impact of the project on vegetation, the width of the pathway was reduced to three metres from 3.5 metres.
Streets As Shared Spaces: The Serpentine, Bilgola
Council proposed a 12-month trial of walking and cycling-friendly link within The Serpentine, Bilgola.
The proposed trial included:
more space for cycling with cycle lanes on the uphill sections of The Serpentine
a 10 km/h posted speed limit
planter boxes, pavement paintings and marked parking bays
regular check-ins with the community to monitor how the trial is going.
Community consultation was held in November 2020 and after considering the outcomes of the public engagement, council decided not to proceed with the trial.
The Serpentine, Bilgola Beach to Avalon Beach
This third section of the pedestrian and cycle link is between the northern intersection of The Serpentine and Barrenjoey Road and Avalon Parade in Avalon. The link will feature a 2.5m-wide shared path from The Serpentine to Surfside Avenue as well as a new path on eastern side of Surfside Avenue.
The Newport to Avalon link is expected to be completed by late 2022.
Funding for the Connecting Northern Beaches project was made possible through the Stronger Communities Fund – an NSW Government grant provided to the newly merged councils – and further investment by the NSW Government through its B-Line, walking, and cycling programs.
If you’re passing by Careel Creek, you’ll likely see a wonderful Avalon Beach local, Lionel Kools, who has made cleaning up Careel Creek his New Year’s resolution, after a cathartic realisation some months ago.
Lionel shared that he used to be ticked off seeing rubbish around Careel Creek each time he walked his dog at lunch. Around November 2021, he spotted a long-necked turtle in the water.
“She was the valid reason to buy a wader and jump into the water,” Lionel wrote.
Photo Credit: Lionel Kools/Facebook
Since then, Lionel has been voluntarily cleaning-up after gaining a deeper understanding of what Careel Creek represents for him.
“Careel Creek is somehow a mirror of our emotional content; It can be filled with content that we do not necessarily own, want and/or carry against our will. Careel Creek is tidal, and like our emotional content, it goes backwards and forwards without our permission and control.
“I picked the Careel Creek clean-up as a New Year resolution because this yearly goal is perfectly unachievable. Cleaning Careel Creek is a business of layers, not everything can be taken out in one go. The more you clean, the more you see, the more need to be addressed, just like our emotional content that requires attention – ongoing attention!”
“Before starting on this journey, I was getting pretty mad about strangers damaging our beautiful nature. This feeling is over! I can’t control people; I can only change and adjust how I relate to them.”
On 15 Jan 2022, Lionel joined the first Careel Creek Cleaning Session of the year and removed about 600 kilograms of wastes — from old bike parts, to signboards, to heaps of plastic — at the playing fields and the mangroves.
Earlier, he has inspired four people to join him in cleaning as well.
Photo Credit: Tom Borge McGee/Facebook
“Lionel ‘Creek Lord’ Cools (sorry mate 🤣) was back at it again this morning, cleaning up and promoting the aesthetics and ecological wellbeing of the valuable, but long term abused and neglected waterway… full of flora and fauna but also much polluting garbage,” shared Tom Borge McGee.
“Was great to join him this morning and together with Vicky and Michael, who literally went home and geared up to join us after stopping to chat on their morning walk (lords). We pulled a lot of ‘creek bounty’ including a large pram, scooters, bikes and an enormous array of mainly plastic garbage that must weigh above 30kg at least.”
But more needs to be done and Lionel will be there to do just that, whilst also encouraging the community to do their part. He has gotten in touch with the Northern Beaches Council to pick-up some of the rubbish that can’t be easily removed. He has also gotten in touch with Tony Hawk, one of the world’s best skateboarders, to “endorse” cleaning up Careel Creek.
Video Credit: Lionel Kools/Cameo
Far from being called a hero, Lionel said that he’s doing this New Year’s resolution for his love of nature…and that long-necked turtle.
“I do not have any political, religious or personal motivation behind my love for nature,” Lionel said. “My action does not make a hero, a God, a Lord, the Creek Lord or whatever. I thank you for your praises, but nature is the true hero here, and the turtle has touched the soft spot in my heart just like you do as a loving community.”
Great news, sustainability heroes! Popular online shopping site Nash & Banks has opened its flagship brick-and-mortar store in Avalon Beach.
As an online shopping platform, Nash & Banks features more than 3,000 carefully curated products with some only available in the store. They make sure that each beauty product, garment, and homeware item adheres to one or more of their core values: ethical, sustainable, minimal waste, artisan, vegan, Australian made, gives back, and natural.
Now, Nash & Banks takes a leap forward with a bigger and better project, their Avalon Beach shop, which will allow their loyal and new patrons to actually see, feel, and experience the products.
Photo credit: Nash_&_Banks / Facebook
Much like the online shop offerings, the physical store will feature home decors, vegan Australian-made personal care products, synthetic-free perfume and candles, vegan chocolates, clothing, jewellery and loads of other products specially made for its pro-sustainability customers.
Photo credit: Nash_&_Banks / Facebook
They also made sure that the store’s fit-out is consistent with the Nash & Banks brand. From choosing only a green energy supplier to utilizing reclaimed timber and eco-friendly non-toxic paint, each process ensured that sustainable materials were prioritised and minimal waste was produced wherever possible.
Photo credit: Nash_&_Banks / Facebook
Even the brickwork was handmade using traditional artisan methods and windows were covered with repurposed packaging paper prior to opening.
According to its founder, Niccii Kugler, who used to work for an NGO in Costa Rica, the idea of an environmentally-friendly store came after she gave birth to her child. It was at that time that she realised the escalating environmental cost of overconsumption and felt that she needed to do something in her own capacity to help bring about change.
Her search for alternative brands that align with her vision allowed her to connect with a like-minded community of artisans and innovators. Handpicking and vetting the creators and designers was a tedious process but it was all to ensure that they only deal with brands that demonstrate one or more of Nash & Banks’ core values.
The store is located at Shop 1 / Angophora Arcade 55 old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach. The store is open from 9.30 am to 5 pm.
Nash and Banks |Shop 1, ‘Angophora Arcade’ 55 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach, NSW 2107
Two Avalon community sites on Old Barrenjoey Road need volunteers to help sustain operations. Here’s your chance to give back during these trying times.
The Avalon Community Library on Old Barrenjoey Rd needs book lovers who can watch over the site for four hours a week. The volunteer’s task involves some people skills as you will be asked to assist visitors who may want to check out or return books or help out those who may want to use the library’s facilities, such as the photocopying machine and the internet.
Some alphabetising and organising are also required and the volunteer must know how to use certain computer software so that they can efficiently do their work. If this is something you think you can do in your spare time, email avalonlibrary@ozemail.com.au to inquire about the opportunity.
Opened in 1983, the Avalon Community Library has always been run by volunteers and one employed Library Coordinator.
Australian Red Cross Avalon Volunteers
Also found on Old Barrenjoey Rd, the Australian Red Cross Avalon needs dedicated volunteers who can help with the site’s merchandising and help out the customers. Though the site is like a retail store, volunteers do not need to have any retail experience. However, they will be trained to develop some skills in dealing with the customers in a positive manner, which could be helpful for their job-hunting.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
Aside from manning the shop, the volunteers will also help sort the donated items. Volunteers are expected to provide four hours of work a week for six months. Check the Australian Red Cross site to apply.
In-person volunteer work is still possible in the time of COVID-19 but organisations are expected to abide by the directives of NSW Health to ensure the safety of both visitors and workers. As such, establishments like the library and the Australian Red Cross have a COVID-19 safety plan in place so everyone can continue to be in the facility.
An unnamed laneway in Avalon, previously referred to as ‘rear lane of Bellevue Avenue ‘or ‘rear lane off Kempbridge Avenue’ may soon be called Murradjulbi Lane, the Aboriginal term for ‘Singing Bushlark.‘
The Northern Beaches Council had proposed a name for the laneway, following a request from a resident to name the road after suffering minor property damage in a car accident and seeking clarity regarding her exact location at the time.
The proposed Murradjulbi Lane provides access to the driveway of the residential property at 47 Bellevue Avenue, Avalon; access to Chakana Day Spa at the rear of 45A Avalon Parade; and is used by businesses from 47-55 Avalon Parade as a loading zone.
When naming or renaming a street, Council is required to follow the guidelines of the Geographical Names Board (GNB) of NSW Property Addressing Policies, Guidelines and Standards and Council’s Policy for the Naming of Reserves, Facilities and Roads.
Suitable road names, according to the GNB guidelines, are Aboriginal names and/or names of early settlers, war servicemen and women, and other persons who have contributed to the heritage of an area, local history themes, flora, fauna, and ships.
Location of ‘Murradjulbi Lane’
Photo credit: Northern Beaches Council
“Whilst the laneways are used to access various business premises for deliveries, the lack of street names hinders wayfinding. It is unlikely that businesses are able to refer to the unnamed laneways as a business address, or publish it on business correspondence such as letterheads, however there are a small number of instances referencing Rear Lane of Bellevue Avenue or rear lane off Kempbridge Avenue,” the Northern Beaches Council has stated on a report.
The name was put forward by the Aboriginal Heritage Office (AHO) and is in the local aboriginal language for road naming purposes within the Northern Beaches Local Government Area.
