n the corner of Careel Head Road in Avalon Beach, the small, much-loved Careel Shopping Village has become the centre of a local storm. Plans to knock down the ageing cluster of shops and replace them with a two-storey building, featuring a Dan Murphy’s on the ground floor and a childcare centre just above it, have stirred up a wave of opposition among residents who say this is not what Avalon needs.
The plan, officially lodged as DA2024/1091, is still under review, with submissions open until 28 July. But for many locals, the debate isn’t just about bricks and mortar — it’s about what kind of place Avalon should be.
One Village, Two Stories
For decades, Careel Shopping Village has been a quiet stop for locals. It’s a place to grab a coffee, chat with neighbours and support small, family-run shops. Many residents say they were open to the idea of an upgrade. But when they heard that part of the plan included a 500-square-metre Dan Murphy’s liquor store right beneath a new early childhood education centre, the mood shifted quickly.
Locals worry that families dropping children off at daycare will now have to walk past racks of alcohol signs and delivery trucks unloading boxes of spirits and wine.
One resident wrote to Council, saying it just doesn’t make sense to mix young children and alcohol in one building. He’s not alone. Dozens of Avalon Beach residents have sent similar messages, urging the Council to reject the plan.
Safety and Traffic at the Heart
Others fear the change will push the quiet corner into chaos. They talk about the intersection where Careel Head Road meets busy Barrenjoey Road — already known to flood when it rains and clog with cars during beach season. With parents dropping off children, delivery trucks for the bottle shop and more cars fighting for parking, some say the streets could become dangerous for kids and pedestrians alike.
A traffic report backs this up. The Council’s own engineer stated that the current traffic plan doesn’t adequately mitigate risks, particularly when delivery trucks and family cars share the same narrow driveways.
Health Experts Warn of Long-Term Harm
While residents argue over traffic and parking, health experts are focused on what the kids inside the centre might see. NSW Health’s Northern Sydney Local Health District says the plan is a step backwards for community health. Avalon Beach already has higher rates of alcohol-related harm than other parts of NSW. Placing young children so close to daily alcohol advertising, they warn, could normalise drinking at an early age.
Their report points out that there are already four other bottle shops within Avalon Beach, so adding another big outlet doesn’t make sense if the goal is to reduce alcohol harm.
Design Panel Echoes Community Fears
The Council’s design panel took a close look at the project, too. They agreed that the plan doesn’t protect families enough. They raised alarms about flood risks to the basement car park meant for childcare drop-offs. They also pointed out that the building’s layout does little to separate the bottle shop from the childcare entrance, something they say must change to make it safer for families.
A Local Identity at Risk
Many residents say the issue goes beyond just this site. Avalon is known for its small shops, surf breaks and a strong sense of local character. People here say they’re not against change; they just want change that fits. For them, the idea of dropping their kids off at daycare and walking past a major bottle shop feels wrong and out of place.
The developer insists the childcare centre will have a separate lift and entrance to keep kids away from the bottle shop. They say they are following all planning rules because the alcohol is sold packaged, not drunk on site.
But the pushback shows no signs of fading. Residents and health experts are still lodging submissions, hoping Council will hear their message: Avalon wants improvements, but not at the cost of its community feel.
Published 3-July-2025
