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.
Photo Credit: DA2024/1091
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Photo Credit: NBC
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.
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.
Avalon has been included in a new series of alcohol-free zones across the Northern Beaches, aimed at reducing street drinking and related anti-social behaviour.
NBC, in consultation with NSW Police, reviewed all existing alcohol-free zones (AFZs) across the area ahead of their staggered expiry dates between August 2025 and June 2026. This review sought to identify which zones should be re-established, altered, or discontinued based on current community needs and behavioural patterns.
The public exhibition period ran from 21 March to 27 April 2025, during which 193 submissions were received. Feedback informed a report presented at the NBC meeting on 15 July 2025, where officials endorsed the revised list of AFZs.
As part of the update, an AFZ was established in Avalon covering the town centre and surrounding roads. Specific areas include Old Barrenjoey Road from The Crescent to the intersection with Barrenjoey Road, continuing south along Barrenjoey Road and east along Avalon Parade.
This decision aligns Avalon with other newly designated zones including Collaroy, Mona Vale, and two sections of Newport, and is set to be in place from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2029.
Ongoing Zones and Locations Removed
Six zones were re-established, including Narrabeen (Pittwater Road between Ocean Street and the lagoon bridge, plus the Wellington Street carpark) and nearby Church Point. In contrast, eight zones—such as those in Belrose, Cromer, Forestville, and a second Freshwater area—were not renewed due to decreased incident reports or non-compliance with updated criteria under the Ministerial Guidelines for Alcohol-Free Zones.
Public feedback on the AFZ expansion was divided. Some community members supported the zones as effective tools to manage alcohol-related incidents and maintain the safety of public spaces. Others raised concerns about over-regulation and the perceived restriction of public freedoms.
The established and re-established zones across the Northern Beaches, including Avalon, will remain in effect until August 2029. NBC and police will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these measures, using incident data and complaints to assess future needs.
Babylon House, an Avalon castle that has captured imaginations for more than seven decades, has claimed two prestigious awards at the recent NSW Architecture Awards, cementing its status as one of Sydney’s most extraordinary homes.
It won two awards: The John Verge Award for Interior Architecture and the award for Alterations and Additions, recognising the masterful restoration and expansion that has brought this iconic structure into the modern era.
The property, which locals have long dubbed ‘The Castle’ due to its fortress-like appearance, sits dramatically on Bilgola Plateau between Pittwater and Avalon Beach. Built in the early 1950s by architect Edwin Kingsberry, the house was originally christened Götterdämmerung – a reference to Wagner’s Ring Cycle that reflected the opera-loving architect’s theatrical sensibilities.
The property’s colourful past reads like something from a novel. It was the opera devotee architect Edwin Kingsberry’s idea, who sold the land on the condition he could build exactly the house he envisioned. The arrangement became more complicated when Kingsberry began a relationship with the buyer’s wife, adding an element of scandal to the home’s early years.
During the 1960s and 70s, the house gained notoriety as a bohemian gathering place, with the owners’ son – a member of the Bilgola Bop Band – hosting legendary parties that attracted Sydney’s creative crowd. Among those who climbed the property’s distinctive stone steps during this era was interior designer Fiona Spence, who would decades later become the home’s current owner.
Spence and her husband, former concert production manager Morris Lyda, purchased the deteriorating property in 2015. Despite its neglected state, they recognised the potential to restore its unique character while adapting it for contemporary living.
The couple engaged Casey Brown Architecture’s Rob Brown to lead the restoration, which proved to be an exercise in balancing respect for the original architecture with practical modern needs. The project required sensitive handling of the building’s eclectic mix of styles – combining modernist elements with what architectural circles term the ‘Sydney School’ approach.
The restoration began with essential infrastructure improvements, including the installation of a cable car system to ease access from a new solar-powered carport and the careful restoration of the property’s dramatic stone steps with handcrafted wrought-iron handrails.
The existing three-storey structure, complete with its unusual trapdoor entrance to a basement bathroom, underwent comprehensive renovation. Workers repointed the sandstone walls, restored the central fireplace, and replaced the extensive roof system that spans multiple wings and outdoor areas.
Among the most striking new elements is a four-metre pivoting wall in the east wing and a guillotine-style steel shutter that dramatically separates the bar area from the terrace. However, the project’s most significant addition was an entirely new southern wing housing bedroom, ensuite, walk-in robe, study and powder room.
This new section showcases perhaps the most innovative aspect of the renovation – its integration with the natural landscape. Rather than removing the site’s massive boulders and established trees, the architects built around them, allowing living rock to extend into the interior spaces.
The flooring throughout the new areas represents a particularly personal touch from Spence, who designed intricate terrazzo surfaces embedded with recycled marble and granite pieces. Drawing inspiration from Canberra’s Monster Kitchen and Bar and the original bathroom, she arranged the stone elements like an abstract artwork before the terrazzo was poured around them.
The material palette throughout celebrates both old and new, featuring black-painted ceilings and Tasmanian blackwood walls that Spence treated with a custom vinegar-and-steel-wool solution to achieve a distinctive ‘pickled’ finish.
Now called Babylon is a residential property built over four levels on a sheltered promontory west of Avalon Beach, and the completed renovation has attracted significant attention from the architecture community. Beyond its recent NSW Architecture Awards success, the project has also been shortlisted for this year’s Houses Awards in the alteration and addition under 200 square metres category.
The recognition reflects not only the technical achievement of the restoration but also the way it has preserved and enhanced a building that has long held a special place in the Northern Beaches community’s imagination.
For residents of Avalon and the broader peninsula, Babylon House represents both a connection to the area’s creative past and an inspiring example of how thoughtful renovation can breathe new life into architecturally significant buildings while respecting their essential character.
The property’s journey from Kingsberry’s operatic vision through its bohemian heyday to its current incarnation as an award-winning family home demonstrates the enduring appeal of bold architectural choices and the importance of owners who understand the responsibility that comes with stewarding such unique properties.
Avalon residents are reporting unsolicited parcel deliveries as part of a global “brushing” scam. In this scam, unknown senders post low-value items to boost fake online reviews.
Residents across Avalon and surrounding suburbs have received unsolicited parcels containing junk items such as socks, soft toys and rags. The deliveries are part of a growing e-commerce scam tactic known as “brushing”, used by dishonest online retailers to manipulate product rankings through fake verified reviews.
Caption: For Illustration Purposes Only Photo Credit: Pexels
What Is a ‘Brushing’ Scam?
“Brushing” scams involve retailers sending packages to real addresses—often with names and contact information collected online or through data breaches. Once the item is delivered, the scammer can mark the order as “verified” and post fake product reviews under the recipient’s name, helping to falsely boost the seller’s reputation and visibility on online marketplaces.
According to cybercrime expert Simon Smith, the practice is less a security breach and more a deceptive marketing ploy. He warned that it underscores the need for consumers to be cautious about sharing personal data online.
Local Reports on the Northern Beaches
In Avalon, Narrabeen and Newport, residents have posted images of parcels containing unwanted and sometimes soiled goods. One Avalon local, Tamara Sloper-Harding, received a large parcel at her doorstep containing dirty dolls and stuffed animals. Initially, she believed it could have been a charitable donation due to her involvement with a not-for-profit supporting Timor Leste.
Other residents reported receiving socks, plastic helicopter toys, and old fabric. A North Narrabeen woman expressed concern after receiving two such parcels, both with her full name, address and telephone number displayed.
Many packages listed return addresses in Victoria, including Dingley Village, an outer-Melbourne suburb.
Caption: For Illustration Purposes Only Photo Credit: Pexels
Community Concerns
Residents have voiced concerns, questioning how their information was obtained and the intent behind the unsolicited parcels. Though the items appear harmless, the exposure of personal data without consent has raised privacy concerns among locals.
Northern Beaches Police have confirmed they are aware of the scam and encouraged anyone who receives similar parcels to report the incident to Crime Stoppers. The Scamwatch website also provides guidance on identifying and reporting such scams.
While the scam does not appear to involve financial fraud or stolen goods, authorities stress that it is a reminder for the public to review how their personal details are stored and shared online. No direct link has been made to theft or broader cybercrime beyond the delivery manipulation tactic.
An open public consultation on the new Draft Tree Management Policy seeks to unify existing policies and enhance tree protection across the region, including in Avalon. The community is encouraged to input as part of efforts to manage the area’s extensive tree canopy.
The proposed Draft Tree Management Policy replaces five separate policies from the former authorities, aiming to create a consistent and strategic approach to tree preservation. According to the city officials, the policy aligns with the Northern Beaches Tree Canopy Plan (2023) and prioritises sustainable management, public safety, and biodiversity.
The outlined key objectives of the draft policy include:
Strengthening tree assessment and protection requirements.
Expanding green links between natural areas.
Managing public trees through succession planting and maintenance programs.
Prioritising alternative solutions before tree removal.
Preferring locally occurring native species for new plantings.
Once adopted, the policies of the three former city authorities will be revoked in favour of a single streamlined policy.
Photo Credit: Just Two Trees/YouTube
Just Two Trees: The Ruskin Rowe Dispute in Avalon
The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions in Avalon, where removing historic Flooded Gums on Ruskin Rowe has sparked community backlash. In May 2024, NBC informed Ruskin Rowe residents of its plan to remove four trees following a fallen branch incident that damaged a parked vehicle.
While two trees were removed, the final two were protected through a month-long blockade by local residents and community groups. The dispute highlights the broader debate over risk versus environmental benefits, with many locals arguing that Avalon’s tree canopy is an irreplaceable asset.
Award-winning filmmaker Bruce Walters has documented the Ruskin Rowe fight in his latest work, “Just Two Trees”, showcasing the passion of Pittwater residents defending their local landscape.
How and When to Participate
Community members are encouraged to review the Draft Tree Management Policy and submit their feedback.
Avalon residents are struggling to get to work. Significant reductions to the 190X bus service, with some services cut by a quarter, have left commuters stranded and late.
Changes to the 190X bus route directly linking Avalon Beach and Sydney’s central business district have sparked widespread anger among locals. Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby has voiced strong concerns about the impact of these cuts, highlighting the frustration of commuters who rely on the service. The issues have come to light as the NSW Auditor-General pointed out problems with managing bus contracts.
People who use the 190X service report that the buses are often cancelled or delayed, making it difficult to get to work on time. One commuter, Adam Radcliffe, who has used the service for 16 years, said that the reliability of the buses has worsened since Keolis Downer took over operations. Another commuter, Stephanie Lamacchia, expressed concern that the unreliability of the service is putting her job at risk. A regular commuter, Shell Morgan, explained that even the B-Line service, a fast and reliable option, has experienced problems, including drivers stopping unexpectedly and leaving passengers stranded.
The problems are not limited to cancellations. One resident, Margaret Perusich, believes the bus service is being sabotaged to reduce the number of passengers and, therefore, the route needs. Another resident, Eamonn Murray, has pointed out that even with the new timetable, multiple buses are being cancelled and the queues at bus stops are longer than ever.
Ms Scruby is actively collecting feedback from the community to present to the Minister for Transport and the bus operator. She stated that the cuts to the 190X service are unacceptable, especially given the existing challenges faced by commuters in the area. She also noted that the problem is not isolated to Avalon but is a symptom of wider issues within the privatised bus network.
Transport for NSW Coordinator-General Howard Collins attributed the service reductions to the removal of articulated buses due to chassis failures and a shortage of bus drivers. He explained that efforts are being made to minimise the impact on passengers. However, some timetable adjustments were necessary to ensure that the busiest services and school buses operate normally. An industry insider stated that repairs to the articulated buses are proving more difficult than expected and may require significant re-engineering.
Ms Scruby acknowledged that the B-Line service has improved but maintained that the cuts to the 190X service are unjustified. She urges commuters to share their experiences to help her push for action. The 190X service, which ran 12 buses Monday to Thursday mornings, is now reduced to nine. Monday, 3 March saw 3 of the 9 inbound 190x services cancelled.
Community Concerns and Historical Context
Frank Locallad, a long-time resident, expressed concern about losing other local express bus services. He stated that the current problems are part of a long-term decline in public transport in the area and highlighted that travel times have increased significantly over the years.
In a significant display of environmental activism in Avalon, northern beaches residents have mounted an extraordinary campaign to save two 60-year-old flooded gums (Eucalyptus grandis) from removal by Northern Beaches Council.
The dispute began in May last year when council ordered the removal of two trees in the tree-lined Ruskin Rowe following a risk assessment. Two additional trees were marked for removal after a branch damaged a Mercedes, but determined Avalon locals quickly organised to prevent further cutting.
Deb Collins, convener of local group Canopy Keepers, noted that the “owner of the damaged car to our knowledge didn’t take umbrage with council” or seek to have the trees removed. She emphasised that while “quite possibly those [first two] trees did have issues,” the community was “not convinced the next two trees had to come down.”
The response from Avalon residents was unprecedented, with a peaceful blockade halting the planned felling, followed by a month-long community vigil throughout June. “I’ve lived in Avalon about 12 years, and I’ve never seen… that level of interest,” Collins said, noting that over 50 people from various environmental groups and local residents participated in the action.
The community’s commitment extended to crowdfunding an independent arborist assessment by Mark Hartley, who found “nothing that suggests that the risk associated with either of these trees is outside the broadly acceptable range.”
Award-winning Avalon filmmaker Bruce Walters, who has called the northern beaches home for 20 years, documented the controversy in “Just Two Trees,” released Monday. Walters, now living in nearby Bilgola Plateau, said he has become accustomed to “the sound of chainsaws” in the area.
Greens councillor Miranda Korzy, who represents the Pittwater ward including Avalon, said the campaign “wasn’t just about” those two “magnificent” trees but represented “the community putting a stake in the ground” for stronger tree protections.
The Northern Beaches Council is expected to make a final decision following another independent arborist assessment due next month, while a new tree management policy was set for public comment release.
An Avalon woman’s routine trip to the local shops turned into a community-wide search when her car was stolen with her beloved dog, Amico, still inside. The incident, which unfolded across several Northern Beaches suburbs, left residents both shocked and captivated by the strange sequence of events that followed.
The unsettling discovery occurred on Sunday, 19 January, when Virginia, an Avalon local, left her Hilux Dual Cab briefly unattended outside Palm Beach Wine Co., with her keys in the ignition and Amico, a Kelpie crossed Border Collie, in the backseat. Within ten minutes, her car was gone, sparking an emotional ordeal that stretched over two tense days.
A Strange Phone Call and a Car Left Behind
Despite immediate police involvement, no trace of the vehicle or Amico was found that day. But the mystery deepened the next morning when Virginia received an unexpected call on her landline—a number known only to those with access to her missing phone, which had been inside the stolen vehicle.
The man on the line claimed to have seen a black dog jumping in and out of a car at Nolan Reserve, Manly, before abruptly hanging up. Although his identity remains unknown, Virginia suspects he may have been the car thief himself. Acting on the tip, she located her Hilux thoughtfully parked under a tree near the reserve. However, Amico was nowhere to be seen.
Photo Credit: What’s On Avalon/Facebooka
A Community Comes Together
The search for Amico took a hopeful turn the next day when Annie Johnson, a local social worker, spotted a distressed black dog darting around Oliver Street in Freshwater. Exhausted and visibly shaken, the dog willingly jumped into Annie’s car. Realising the dog was far from home, she brought him to Harbord Vet and posted a photo in the popular Facebook group, ‘Avalon What’s On.’
By the time Annie arrived at work, her post had exploded with comments from concerned community members. It wasn’t long before the connection was made to Virginia’s earlier plea for help, leading to a heartwarming reunion between Virginia and her beloved Amico. Despite being shaken, Amico was safe, ending the ordeal with relief and gratitude.
Photo Credit: What’s On Avalon/Facebooka
Unanswered Questions Linger
While Amico’s return brought joy, the case remains unsolved. Police examined Virginia’s vehicle for fingerprints and reviewed CCTV footage from Palm Beach Wine Co., but no solid leads have emerged. The identity of the mysterious caller—whether a good Samaritan or the thief with a guilty conscience—remains unknown.
Virginia has since reflected on the incident with a simple but stern message to her community: never leave your keys in the car, even in familiar places.
This small but stylish wine bar, nestled in the heart of Avalon Beach, offers locals a way to socialise without breaking the bank this summer. Formerly known as Sandy’s, the venue has been transformed by the team behind the popular Bar Elvina.
Randy’s Wine offers a special aperitivo hour from Wednesday to Friday, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.. During this time, patrons can indulge in $3 oysters, $10 glasses of wine, $7 schooners of Estrella, and $12 margaritas. This provides a perfect opportunity to relax and unwind after a long day or catch up with friends while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.
While the name suggests a focus on wine, Randy’s offers a diverse menu with something for everyone. They have a curated selection of wines from around the world, including reds, whites, and even skin-contact varieties (also known as orange wines). For those who prefer cocktails, Randy’s has unique options like the oyster shell martini and a special zero-alcohol cocktail.
A Taste of the Sea (and Land!): Randy’s Food Offerings
The food menu at Randy’s is just as impressive. Seafood lovers can enjoy fresh Sydney rock oysters, Clarence River octopus, and fried calamari with tarragon mayo. If seafood isn’t your preference, there are other delicious options like chicken liver parfait and burrata with peach vinegar. Randy’s also offers a “let us feed you” menu for $50 per person, allowing diners to sample their best dishes.
Randy’s Wine has quickly become a favourite among locals with its cosy atmosphere, delicious food, and extensive drinks menu. Reviewers praised the bar for its outstanding food, wine recommendations, and service. One customer even declared it has the “best food in Avalon,” highlighting the fantastic service and wine recommendations.
