Avalon Beach Archives

Sextortion Scams Hit Close to Home as Avalon Teen Among Local Victims

Two Northern Beaches teenage boys — including a 17-year-old from Avalon Beach — have been targeted in sextortion scams within a single week, prompting a warning from Northern Beaches Police Area Command for parents and young people to be alert to the growing threat online.

The incidents, both investigated by local police, follow a pattern that authorities say is becoming increasingly common. A scammer makes contact through a social media platform while posing as a young woman, builds a romantic conversation, and eventually persuades the target to share intimate images. Once that material is in the scammer’s hands, the mask drops — and the demands begin.

In the first case, on 3 July 2026, a scammer reached out to the Avalon Beach teenager via Instagram. After the conversation turned sexual, the boy shared private photos, at which point the person on the other end revealed himself to be a man. He demanded $500 and threatened to send the images to everyone in the boy’s contact list. The boy was directed to pay via Amazon gift card, but Amazon flagged the transaction as suspicious and blocked it. As the scammer continued pressing for money, police were called and officers attended the teen’s home — listening in as the conversation continued. Based on what was heard, police believe the offender was located in Texas, in the United States.

A second incident followed just two days later, on 5 July. A 17-year-old from Beacon Hill had been in contact with someone he believed to be a girl on social media, before the conversation was moved to the encrypted messaging app Telegram. After intimate images were exchanged, the scammer demanded $300 or threatened to forward the images to the boy’s contacts. This time, it was the teen’s parents who stepped in — blocking the offender and alerting police before any payment was made. Officers believe the person behind this scam was operating out of the Philippines.

In both cases, the boys reported the incidents to police and blocked the scammers from making any further contact.

The timing of these local incidents coincides with growing national concern. Australia’s online safety regulator received more than 3,300 reports of sexual extortion last year, with young men the most targeted group. A separate eSafety report covering the second half of 2025 found Instagram and WhatsApp were mentioned in more than 1,300 sextortion complaints during a six-month reporting period, with offenders commonly using those platforms to contact victims before requesting intimate material. The Daily Aus iTech Post

Research jointly conducted by eSafety and the Australian Institute of Criminology found one in three adolescents had experienced sextortion, with more than half having that experience before they turned 16. Head Topics

The Australian eSafety Commissioner defines sextortion as a form of blackmail where someone threatens to share a nude or sexual image or video unless their demands are met. Police and the eSafety Commissioner advise anyone targeted to stop all contact immediately and not to pay any money or provide further images.

If you or someone you know has been affected, support is available:

Kids Helpline (for those under 25): 1800 551 800
Lifeline (for those 18 and over): 13 11 14 — by call, text, or chat

Further information and guidance on responding to sexual extortion is available through the Australian Government eSafety Commissioner website.

Published 13-July-2026

Sand Dune Vandalism at Northern Beaches Prompts Call for Council Crackdown

Photo Credit: NSW Landcare Gateway

Escalating sand dune vandalism at Northern Beaches is pushing community groups and local councillors to demand stronger action, after years of night-time parties left a trail of broken glass, discarded furniture and bonfire remnants across some of Sydney’s most beloved coastal reserves — including at Avalon, Narrabeen and Freshwater.

The Surfrider Foundation Northern Beaches, based at the Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club at 50 Ocean St, has formally called on Northern Beaches Council to address what it describes as ongoing anti-social behaviour and environmental damage in the dunes. The group runs the local Adopt A Beach program, which coordinates community clean-up efforts along the coastline.

Program manager Jude Furniss said the damage extends well beyond litter. Volunteers have documented revellers pulling out the timber stakes used to support newly planted native seedlings — part of the council’s own dune restoration work — and throwing them onto bonfires. North Avalon, Mona Vale, Narrabeen and Freshwater have all been identified as trouble spots.

So far in 2026, Adopt A Beach volunteers have hauled more than 300 kilograms of bottles and cans out of the dunes, alongside bulky items including chairs, sofas, a barbecue, tents, clothing and even discarded surfboards. Furniss described the behaviour as showing “disrespect” for fragile ecosystems that support native plant and animal life.

“As much as we want places for different parts of the community to gather, they also need to respect the environment,” Furniss said. “Take your waste with you — don’t show disrespect for our natural environment.”

Greens councillor Kristyn Glanville has lodged a council motion seeking options to tackle the problem within six months. The motion calls on council staff to investigate an awareness campaign — potentially including social media — to raise public understanding of why the dunes matter. Cr Glanville noted in council agenda papers that the dunes provide habitat for local wildlife and contribute to the scenic character of beachside neighbourhoods.

“Options to respond to this issue could include education, signage and monitoring,” the motion states.

Northern Beaches Council has already erected warning signs at some beaches, including Freshwater, advising people to stay out of dunes currently undergoing regeneration.

It is worth noting where the legal responsibilities lie. Lighting fires on beaches and in sand dunes is prohibited, but enforcement sits with the police rather than the council. The council can, however, issue fines of $110 under the Local Government Act for failing to comply with dune protection notices or “No Entry” signs. For dumping rubbish or leaving hazardous material such as glass and charcoal, the state’s Protection of the Environment Operations Act applies — with on-the-spot fines of up to $1,000 and court-imposed penalties of up to $25,000 for serious offences.

The Surfrider Foundation says the problem is being driven largely by younger beachgoers, and that education will need to be part of any solution — alongside tougher enforcement.

Published 13-July-2026

Busways Founder Richard Rowe’s Long-Held Avalon Oceanfront Home Heads to Auction

Photo Credit: LJ Hooker Avalon Beach

The sprawling oceanfront estate of late transport legend Richard Rowe is set to change hands for the first time in over five decades, offering a rare glimpse into one of Avalon’s most exclusive and tightly held coastal enclaves.

Perched in a quiet cul-de-sac, the property at 2 Surfside Ave stands as a local icon, occupying a position that few people ever get to own. The home features a six-bedroom layout designed to capture sweeping 180-degree views across the entire stretch of Avalon Beach.

Constructed by the Busways founder himself back in 1973, the double-brick residence has served as a private family retreat for generations, maintaining its character while offering an uninterrupted connection to the shoreline. With a self-contained studio and expansive terraces, the home was built to balance large-scale family living with the relaxed lifestyle that defines the northern beaches.

Beyond the house itself, the appeal of the site lies in its rare accessibility. While many oceanfront homes in the region require a steep trek, this residence provides level access from the street, making the journey to the local surf break, ocean rockpool, and village centre a simple walk of just over 100 metres.

According to Jonothan Gosselin of L.J. Hooker Avalon, the local community has long recognised the property for its unique privacy and sun-drenched orientation. It remains one of only four homes that can claim a true oceanfront position on this specific stretch of the coastline.

The house serves as a physical record of the life of Richard “Dick” Rowe, a man who transformed Australian transport. After starting his career at age 17 with a single five-seater bus serving the route between Rooty Hill and Plumpton, Rowe grew his business into the largest family-owned bus company in the country.

He maintained his connection to this coastal home from the year it was built until his passing at 100 years of age. As the property prepares for a new chapter, it marks the end of an era for a home that stood witness to the rise of one of Australia’s most successful private transport networks.

The auction for 2 Surfside Ave is scheduled for Tuesday, 14 July.

Published Date 06-July-2026

Avalon Public School Turns 75: A Diamond Jubilee in Avalon Beach

Photo Credit: Avalon Public School

Avalon Public School is marking 75 years in Avalon Beach, with its Diamond Jubilee carrying the school’s story from its first pupils and early classrooms through to alumni memories and present-day celebrations.

The anniversary year will continue with an Open Day on Thursday, 17 September 2026, followed by the Avalon Public School fete on Sunday, 20 September 2026.

The fete will run from 10am to 3pm at Avalon Public School, 11 Old Barrenjoey Road, and will be open to past students, current families, local residents, friends of the school and visitors.

The event will include rides, laser tag, sideshow alley, a petting zoo, live music, a silent disco, an art auction, tombolas, games, food trucks, a community barbecue, market stalls, craft stalls and a photo booth.

Avalon Public School anniversary fete — Photo Credit: Avalon Public School

Local sponsors and partners have also been announced, with the P&C inviting people to contribute memories, ideas, volunteer time, sponsorship and other support.

These events form part of a broader anniversary program that brings together generations of the Avalon community, linking present-day celebrations with the school’s long history.

From Newport Pupils to a New Avalon School

Avalon Public School was established on 26 May 1951, but its beginnings reach back to the year before.

In August 1950, 66 pupils who had been travelling to Newport Public School from areas north of Newport became the first pupils of the new Avalon school.

Early Avalon school building — Photo Credit: Avalon Public School

By late 1950, the first school building was in place. Doss McGuire, the headmaster’s wife, taught Kindergarten to Year 3 in one half of the building, with teacher Bonnie Kissen also part of the school’s early story.

The school’s first attendance book recorded some of the children who moved from Newport Public School to Avalon, marking the start of a local school community that would continue to grow through the decades.

Avalon pupils on opening day — Caption: Pupils march along Old Barrenjoey Road towards Avalon Public School on its official opening day, 26 May 1951. The procession passed through the shopping centre, including the site now occupied by Woolworths near Avalon Parade. The teacher pictured is believed to be Mr Jim Lane.
Photo Credit: Avalon Public School/*Photo and information from the Avalon Beach Historical Society written by Geoff Searl*

Early Days on Old Barrenjoey Road

The school’s official opening followed on 26 May 1951, when pupils walked south along Old Barrenjoey Road through the shopping centre towards the school.

At that time, the route passed parts of Avalon that have since changed, including the former Avalon Milk Bar and General Store site near Avalon Parade.

Avalon Public School pupils — Caption: Avalon Public School’s first building in late 1950, after 66 pupils from Newport Public School became the first students of the new Avalon school. Doss McGuire, the headmaster’s wife, taught Kindergarten to Year 3 in one half of the building, with teacher Bonnie Kissen standing behind her.
Photo Credit: Avalon Public School/*Photo and information from the Avalon Beach Historical Society written by Geoff Searl*

The first years were shaped by simple buildings, wet weather challenges and steady growth. Heavy rain had delayed the assembly of the first demountable in 1949, before the school’s first classrooms became part of daily life for local children.

By around 1952, the first two school buildings were established, along with a flagpole gifted by A.J. Small. The school grounds also included the beginnings of an open-air theatre and an activity room used by performers.

Traditions That Carried Forward

The school’s early life was not only about classrooms. By the mid-1950s, school events were already becoming part of Avalon Public School’s identity.

In 1956, school captain Jim Small lit a flame during the school’s own version of the Olympic Games, adding another moment to the school’s growing record of assemblies, performances and shared activities.

Caption: Around 1952, Avalon Public School’s first two buildings were established, with the flagpole gifted by A.J. Small in place. The beginnings of the open-air theatre can be seen above the first classroom roof, with the Activity Room, also used as a dressing room for performers, further to the right. Sanders Lane had only recently been formalised.
*Photo Credit: Avalon Public School/Photo and information from the Avalon Beach Historical Society written by Geoff Searl*

Those traditions have continued into the anniversary year, with current students working on poems for a special 75th anniversary edition of We Sing a Song, a school tradition that was also recreated for the 50th anniversary.

A K–6 assembly has also marked the milestone, featuring teacher performances, a combined choir performance and school captains as comperes.

Alumni Memories Return to Avalon Public School

The anniversary has invited past students and families to share memorabilia, photographs, stories and keepsakes, adding personal memories to the school’s formal records.

Former students are also being featured as part of the celebrations, including Katja Davis-Raiss, Class of 2003, founder of Katapult Performing Arts. Her alumni feature connects her time at Avalon Public School with dance, leadership, friendships and memories of a Year 6 musical.

Avalon Public School Alumni — Photo Credit: Avalon Public School

Other alumni listed as part of the anniversary material include Bec and Sam Watson, Mathias Macallister, Simon Herfort, Sam Verrils, Jim Colley, Zac Meatchem, Morgan Webster and Tim Cruickshank.

Students, staff and P&C members have also formed the school crest and the number 75 as part of the anniversary program. The moment was captured in a timelapse video by Tim Seaton, a former Avalon student.

From its first pupils and early buildings to its alumni memories and September events, Avalon Public School’s 75th anniversary places the school’s history at the centre of a year of celebration in Avalon Beach.

Published 25-June-2026

Avalon Beach Named in Police Warning After Reports of Objects Thrown at Passing Cars

Avalon Beach has become a focus of a police warning following reports that objects were thrown at passing vehicles near the suburb’s skate park precinct. Northern Beaches Police say incidents involving eggs, rocks and water balloons have prompted an operation targeting offenders and renewed concerns about youth behaviour across parts of the Northern Beaches.

Police Respond to Reports Across the Northern Beaches

Local police are cracking down on a dangerous trend of youths throwing eggs, rocks, and water balloons at moving vehicles, warning that the behavior is a serious crime, not a harmless prank.

The warning follows months of growing community concern regarding large groups of teenagers gathering around skate parks, shopping precincts, and popular local hangouts during evening hours.

Northern Beaches Police Area Command Superintendent John Duncan stated that officers are currently investigating multiple reports, with a heavy focus on community awareness and prevention.

The Real Danger: Crashes and Confrontations

Police emphasise that the risk extends far beyond minor property damage. The primary danger is the unpredictable reaction of a startled driver. A sudden swerve, harsh braking, or temporary loss of concentration can easily trigger a serious crash involving other motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians.

Furthermore, authorities reported several volatile incidents where drivers stopped their cars after being hit, leading to direct confrontations between motorists and groups of young people.

A Call to Parents and Witnesses

With investigations ongoing, Northern Beaches Police are urging parents to step in and have serious conversations with their children about the severe legal penalties and physical consequences of these actions.

Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Police Command/Facebook

Can you help? Police are asking anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of these incidents to contact local authorities immediately.

Published 15-June-2026

Avalon Public Safety Round-Up: 30 May to 5 June Incidents

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Police, fire, ambulance and surf lifesaving crews dealt with a series of reported incidents across Avalon Beach, Palm Beach, Bilgola Beach, Bilgola Plateau and Newport from Saturday, 30 May to Friday, 5 June, according to reports received by authorities.

Disorder Reports

A disturbance involving an intoxicated person was reported on Riviera Avenue, Avalon Beach, just after 12:30am on Sunday, 31 May. NSW Police attended the area.

Another disorder matter was recorded shortly after 8:00pm on Friday, 5 June, when NSW Police received information about a group of youths gathered near Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach.

Assault Report

NSW Police attended Plateau Road, Avalon Beach, shortly after 9:30am on Sunday, 31 May, after a person was reportedly assaulted.

Theft And Break-In Matters

A reported break-in on Central Road, Avalon Beach, was referred to NSW Police shortly after 11:00am on Sunday, 31 May.

In Newport, police received a report shortly before 1:30pm on Sunday, 31 May, that goods had been stolen from a store on Barrenjoey Road.

Police were also sent to Livingstone Place, Newport, just before midday on Tuesday, 2 June, following a reported break-in.

A vehicle parked on Bardo Road, Newport, was the subject of a property theft report made to NSW Police just after 5:00am on Thursday, 4 June.

Traffic Incidents

On Ocean Road, Palm Beach, NSW Police and firefighters from Avalon Station responded just before 12:30am on Saturday, 30 May, after a single vehicle hit a parked car. No injuries were reported, and the vehicles were later towed.

A separate collision report was made to NSW Police just before 9:45am on Saturday, 30 May, on Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach.

In Avalon Beach, NSW Police received a report just before 4:30pm on Wednesday, 3 June, about a motor vehicle collision on Elouera Road.

Fire and Rescue NSW Avalon Station and NSW Ambulance attended Plateau Road, Bilgola Plateau, shortly after 1:00pm on Monday, 1 June, after a vehicle hit a parked car. A man in his 80s was assessed by paramedics for a chest injury and taken to Northern Beaches Hospital in a stable condition. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

On Barrenjoey Road, Newport, near Bramley Avenue, NSW Ambulance came across a two-car collision shortly after 6:00pm on Thursday, 4 June. No injuries were reported.

Fire And Hazard Responses

Firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW Avalon Station were called to Bilgola Beach just after 10:15am on Sunday, 31 May, after a fire was reported in the sand dunes. Crews found a campfire and put it out with sand.

A gas leak was reported on Queens Parade, Newport, just before 9:00am on Monday, 1 June. Fire and Rescue NSW Mona Vale Station attended and found that street works had damaged a gas line. The road was closed until Jemena arrived to carry out repairs.

Later that day, just after 4:00pm, Fire and Rescue NSW Mona Vale Station responded to smoke reported at a Grandview Drive property in Newport. Firefighters found a small section of bush alight near a home and extinguished it using a hose reel from their truck.

Beach Reports

A Surf Life Saving NSW drone patrol detected a two-metre shark off the southern end of Bilgola Beach just after 11:30am on Monday, 1 June. No swimmers were at risk, and the beach was not patrolled at the time.

Another shark sighting was recorded just before 2:00pm the same day, when a Surf Life Saving NSW drone patrol identified a one-metre shark about 100 metres off the northern end of Bilgola Beach. No swimmers were at risk, and the beach remained unpatrolled.

Authorities responded to each reported matter according to the circumstances, with further inquiries continuing where required.

Published 6-June-2026

Award-Winning Piemaker Still Baking at Avalon Beach’s Careel Bay Shops

Photo Credit: Oliver's Pies/Facebook

At Careel Bay Shops in Avalon Beach, Oliver’s Pies remains open while the rest of the site moves towards change, with award-winning piemaker Daniel Roberts continuing to trade from 1 Careel Head Road until the end of his current lease.

Roberts has said he intends to keep making pies at the shop until the lease ends, which at this stage is the end of August 2026. No discussions have yet taken place with the owners about renewing the lease.

The bakery is now the last remaining trader at the site after other retailers left the premises because of an approved development application. Cranzgots Pizza Cafe has recently closed, leaving Roberts and his team continuing to serve customers from the Careel Bay Shops location.

Careel Bay Shops — Photo Credit: Oliver’s Pies/Facebook

Oliver’s Pies Remains Open in Avalon Beach

Oliver’s Pies continues to operate seven days a week from 6 am, offering pies, cakes, breakfast quiches and vegetarian options. The shop remains a morning stop for tradies heading north, with the business still trading as the colder months approach.

Roberts has operated Oliver’s Pies for 13 years and has worked in baking for 26 years. He began baking at 16 with his father, and his three brothers are also bakers.

Avalon Beach bakery — Photo Credit: Oliver’s Pies/Facebook

The Avalon Beach business has built a strong awards record over that time. In 2017, Oliver’s Pies won five gold medals, including first place in the seafood pie category at the Great Aussie Pie Competition for its smoked fish pie. Roberts also received another four gold medals and five silver medals in that edition.

The bakery’s award history was again marked in 2023, when Roberts was pictured with gold medal certificates for his pies. His ideas come from home-style recipes, observing other bakeries and following trends in the pie industry.

Careel Bay Shops Site Set For Redevelopment

The future of the broader Careel Bay Shops site is tied to Development Application DA2024/1091, which covers demolition works and construction of a mixed-use development with basement parking, retail uses and a childcare centre at 1–3 Careel Head Road, Avalon Beach.

The application was submitted on 11 September 2024 and placed on exhibition from 30 June 2025 to 28 July 2025. It was determined on 4 September 2025, with approval granted after amended plans. The listed cost of work is $7,246,888.

The approved proposal includes one childcare centre and three retail premises. A separate entry for the childcare centre is now part of the plans.

A packaged liquor application for a Dan Murphy’s at 1–3 Careel Head Road was posted on 16 December 2025, with the submission period closing on 15 January 2026. That application remains under assessment.

Oliver’s Pies continues to trade from Careel Bay Shops, keeping the bakery open while the next stage for the Avalon Beach site remains ahead.

Published 27-May-2026

Avalon Beach Public Safety Round-Up: 09–14 May Incidents

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Police, ambulance, fire and surf lifesaving crews responded to several reported incidents in Avalon Beach between 09 May and 14 May, according to reports received by authorities.

Disorderly Behaviour

Just after 3:45 pm on Saturday, 09 May, NSW Police and NSW Ambulance attended Therry Street, Avalon Beach, following a report of an armed man threatening to harm himself and others.

Specialist police and tactical paramedics were sent to the area. Police used a taser to restrain the man just after 5:45 pm before he was taken to Northern Beaches Hospital for a mental health assessment.

At about 6:00 pm on Tuesday, 12 May, NSW Police were notified of a group of youths behaving in a disorderly manner near Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach.

Shortly before 8:45 am on Thursday, 14 May, NSW Police were notified of a separate group of youths behaving in a disorderly manner near Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach.

Assault

Shortly after 10:30 pm on Saturday, 09 May, NSW Police were called to Simmonds Lane, Avalon Beach, following a report of a fight.

Theft and Intruder Reports

Shortly before 8:30 pm on Sunday, 10 May, NSW Police attended Patterson Lane, Avalon Beach, after an intruder was reported.

Just after 9:30 am on Tuesday, 12 May, NSW Police were notified that goods had been stolen from a store on Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach.

Injury

Shortly before 1:45pm on Monday, 11 May, NSW Police and NSW Ambulance were called to Hilltop Road, Avalon Beach, where a man had reportedly fallen from a home’s roof.

Paramedics assessed a 77-year-old man who had fallen about three metres onto concrete. He was treated for a head injury and taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition.

Beach Hazard

Just after 10:15 am on Tuesday, 12 May, Surf Life Saving NSW’s drone patrol detected a shark measuring about two metres near the northern end of Avalon Beach.

Surfers were warned to leave the water.

Fire and Infrastructure Response

Shortly before 10:30 am on Wednesday, 13 May, Fire and Rescue NSW Avalon Station responded to Whale Beach Road, Avalon Beach, after a report that powerlines had been brought down by a truck.

Firefighters found the pole had been damaged, but the powerlines remained in place. Ausgrid was contacted to assess the damage.

No further details were listed for the remaining reports.

Published 15-May-2026

Major Police Operation in Avalon Ends With Man Taken to Hospital

Photo Credit: NSW Police/Facebook

A major police operation in Avalon ended with a 44-year-old man taken to hospital for a mental health assessment after specialist officers responded to a residential property in Therry Street.

Specialist Units Called To Therry Street

NSW Police and NSW Ambulance were called to the Avalon Beach property shortly after 3:45 pm on Saturday, 9 May, following reports of an armed man making threats of harm to himself and others.

The incident took place at a home in Therry Street, a cul-de-sac off George Street. As the response developed, officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were joined by specialist police, including the Tactical Operations Unit, the Public Order and Riot Unit, and police negotiators.

NSW Ambulance paramedics equipped for tactical operations also attended the scene.

The street was blocked off while emergency crews managed the response. Nearby residents reported hearing yelling from the property before police arrived, but the position of the home up a steep driveway limited visibility from the street.

Avalon Police Operation Draws Local Attention

The number of sirens and emergency vehicles drew residents and other locals towards the area as the operation continued. People gathered nearby on foot, on e-bikes and in cars, with Therry Street becoming congested at one stage.

Police directed onlookers to move well away from the scene while officers worked to bring the incident under control.

Police later clarified that the man was alone inside the property and that the public was not at risk. They also indicated that mental health was a significant factor in the incident.

Man Taken For Assessment After Taser Deployment

Negotiators were used during the operation, which continued for about two hours. Shortly after 5:45 pm, the man was subdued with a taser, restrained and brought out of the property.

He was placed into an intensive care ambulance and taken under police escort to Northern Beaches Hospital shortly after 6 pm for a mental health assessment.

No injuries were reported.

Police later said the matter had concluded with the man taken for assessment, and indicated that no further details would be provided due to the sensitive nature of the incident.

Published 11-May-2026

Avalon Beach To Palm Beach Road Safety Works Set To Start

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Road safety works are set to begin across the Avalon to Palm Beach route, with upgrades planned in Avalon Beach, Whale Beach and Palm Beach to improve local streets for pedestrians, school children and other road users.

Avalon To Palm Beach Works Move Into Construction

Road safety upgrades across Avalon Beach, Whale Beach and Palm Beach are moving into construction, with works planned across the designated zones from May to July 2026.

The works form part of the Safer Neighbourhoods Program for the Avalon Beach to Palm Beach route. The program is focused on improving road safety and access for road users travelling to key local destinations, including Palm Beach and Whale Beach.

The construction program includes flat top speed humps and roundabouts across the planned areas. The broader package has also included traffic calming devices, signage, a raised pedestrian crossing at Whale Beach Road near Barrenjoey Road, new street lighting, pram ramp realignment, lane width improvements and line marking.

The upgrades follow consultation held in October and November 2024, when feedback was sought on proposed road safety changes across Avalon Beach, Whale Beach and Palm Beach. Revised plans were reported on 15 April 2025 after community feedback and an independent road safety audit.

Traffic Control Planned Across Work Areas

Kelbon Project Services Pty Ltd will carry out the construction works on behalf of the project team.

Works are expected to take place at different times across the planned zones between May and July 2026. Standard construction hours will usually be Monday to Friday, between 7am and 5pm.

Some night works may be required to reduce daytime traffic impacts. Where this occurs, nearby residents will receive advance notice from the contractor.

Traffic control will be present to help pedestrians, school children and road users move safely around work areas. Drivers have been asked to slow down near construction sites and follow warning signs and directions from traffic controllers.

Construction Noise Expected During Road Safety Works

Construction activity may create noise from demolition, formwork and concrete pouring. The project team has advised that disruption will be reduced where possible while the upgrades are delivered.

The earlier proposal for the Avalon Beach to Palm Beach route included a 30km/h speed limit in some sections east of Barrenjoey Road, along with a 10km/h zone in high pedestrian beachfront parking areas. Those changes were presented alongside infrastructure treatments intended to support safer speeds through local streets.

Safer Neighbourhoods Program — *Photo Credit: NBC*

Works Expected To Finish In July

The works are expected to be completed in July 2026, weather permitting.

Once finished, the Avalon to Palm Beach upgrades will add new road safety infrastructure across the route, including traffic calming treatments designed for local streets and pedestrian areas.

The construction period will bring temporary traffic and noise impacts, but the project is now moving into its delivery stage after earlier consultation, design revisions and safety review.

Published 28-Apr-2026