Young people and families on the Barrenjoey Peninsula have cause for celebration with the significant expansion of the Avalon Youth Hub, now rebranded as the “Beaches Youth Hub“.
This expansion comes after an endorsed proposal to relocate the Hub to the former Avalon Customer Contact Centre. This would allow for a broader range of services and support for young people facing challenges.
This initiative has been years in the making, originating in 2017 when then-Barranjoey High School Principal Ian Bowsher recognised the need for a dedicated youth support service in the area. He partnered with The Burdekin Association, and they launched the Avalon Youth Hub in 2018 May.
At the time, Mr Bowsher stressed the importance of having a central location where young people could access help with various issues, from mental health to substance abuse, in an open and supportive environment.
He envisioned the Hub as a place to normalise conversations around youth wellbeing and bring together different community sectors—schools, health services, and government—to collaborate on this crucial mission.
The Northern Beaches Council’s decision to grant the former Customer Contact Centre to the Youth Hub followed a thorough viability review and an Expressions of Interest process.
The Burdekin Association, as the lead agency of the Avalon Youth Hub, was selected from several applicants. This move underscores the Council’s dedication to youth wellbeing and its proactive approach to addressing mental health concerns within the community.
A celebratory event marked this new chapter. The new “Beaches Youth Hub” identity was unveiled on Wednesday, 18 September. This rebranding reflects the Hub’s expanded reach and commitment to serving the broader community.
It is located at 59 Old Barrenjoey Road, Pittwater, and welcomes drop-in visitors on Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. You can also reach them by phone at 0487 936 875.
Concerned locals at Avalon Beach stand united against a controversial proposal that seeks to transform two cherished family homes on Kevin Avenue into a senior living complex, sparking fears of lost character, increased congestion, and the erosion of the area’s natural beauty.
The project (DA2024/0044), which is estimated to cost $8.6 million, aims to establish a 10-unit senior living facility at 25-27 Kevin Avenue. This development plan has caught the attention of Avalon Beach residents and stirred significant community opposition, highlighting concerns over the potential loss of the suburb’s unique “character and beauty.”
Photo Credit: DA2024/0044
Over 100 submissions from locals have been flooding the Northern Beaches Council, most of which express strong opposition to the development. The public notification period ran from 13 to 27 February 2024.
Critics have expressed their resistance to the development for several reasons. These include fears of increased traffic on already busy roads, loss of green spaces and tree canopies, and concerns over the adequacy of public transport options for seniors. The opposition is rooted in the belief that the development would significantly depart from the area’s current aesthetic and scale.
“I wish to object to this development taking place in Kevin Avenue. It is a difficult road to navigate at the best of times,” Brenda Haig said in her submission to Council. “Quite often it is highly congested with parked cars and traffic as it’s the only safe thoroughfare with lights to Barrenjoey road. The building of these units will be totally inappropriate by impacting the green corridor, water run off and privacy. The scale and density is an over development for this street.”
“The proposed development in Kevin Avenue, Avalon Beach will be a quick money-making venture for the developer,” says Jennifer Hall. “The proposal exceeds height limits & is high density in a low density residential area. The traffic is already like a dodgem race as the limited parking on both sides of Kevin Avenue restricts traffic visibility. The morning & afternoon is a traffic jam as people use the only lights allowing a safe right hand turn into BarrenjoeyRd! This is a disastrous proposal for Avalon!!”
“It’s too much and not needed here it will not alleviate the lack affordable housing in the in the area it will only compound it, the only people who will benefit are the developers,” wrote Les Manning, another resident.
Photo Credit: DA2024/0044
In response to the proposed development, locals have launched a social media campaign, spreading an “urgent appeal — protect our community” message across various platforms. The campaign reflects a broader apprehension regarding the “relentless pursuit of profit by developers” and the precedent such a project could set for future developments in Avalon Beach.
“Your support in objecting to this proposal will defend the very essence of Avalon and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come,” the campaign stated.
Following a decision that enjoys majority support, the centre will cease to operate by November 2023. However, the move has not been without its share of opposition.
The Avalon Preservation Association (APA) expressed concerns about the diminishing services available to the residents of Avalon and its surrounding areas.
Craig Boaden, President of the APA, highlighted that the closure of the customer service centre was part of a broader trend of service reductions that have been impacting the community. Boaden emphasized that not everyone relies on the internet for their transactions and questioned the decision to eliminate a service that served a vital role for many residents.
The recommendation to close the Avalon Customer Contact Centre was presented by Council staff, citing that the centre had an average footfall of only 13 people per day.
David Kerr, the Director of Community & Belonging at Northern Beaches Council, outlined that the cost of each visit to the centre was significantly higher compared to other locations, amounting to nearly $90 per visit as opposed to $16 at alternate centres, such as in Dee Why and Mona Vale. The closure is expected to result in an annual cost saving of approximately $270,000 for Council.
Cr Miranda Korzy (Greens) challenged the projected savings, expressing concerns about potential job redundancies and the allocation of the staff to handle incoming phone calls.
She argued that the cost savings might not be as significant as estimated. On the other hand, Cr Sarah Grattan (Manly Ward), pointed out the distribution of services across different Council wards and the relatively low footfall at the Avalon centre.
Ms Grattan underscored that the service will not be cancelled. Instead, it will be moved to a nearby location as there is convenient public transportation available between Avalon and Mona Vale.
She also said there’s a need to make challenging decisions occasionally to achieve cost savings and subsequently channel those funds back into the community. However, she believes that decisions should be made in consultation with the community to identify a more beneficial utilisation of this Council property.
Pittwater Ward Cr Michael Gencher, who was among those advocating for deferral, inserted a rider on the motion that opened the door for exploring alternative uses of the space once the customer service centre is closed. He emphasized the importance of making decisions in the community’s best interests and repurposing the space to cater to other community needs.
The final decision to close the Avalon Customer Service Centre, with the provision to explore alternative community services for the space, was approved by most of the councillors.
The amazing artwork is the handiwork of mural artist Daniel Hend who was tasked to paint the Australian Bush landscape and depict the stunning wildlife, flora and fauna of Avalon.
Mr Hend was contacted by Jasmine Hopcraft, who organised the fundraiser to get this project done. She saw a post from the artist offering his services at one of the community groups.
Ms Hopcraft thought that the Avalon community would be proud to have artwork depicting their amazing surrounding and believed they could raise $3,000 for the project. The Avalon RSL has contributed $1,000 to kickstart Hend’s work.
Ms Hopcraft also tapped local ecologist Jayden Walsh for the painting’s vision, which features some of the wonderful residents of Avalon, such as the owls, possums, bush turkey, kookaburra, and king parrots. The ghosts of koalas, wallabies and echidnas will also feature in the mural. These animals were once inhabitants of the suburb but are no longer missing due to the effects of development and human settlement.
As a child, Mr Hend, originally from Mullumbimby, learned to paint landscapes from his father, Len Hend and he developed his own style and familiarity with many mediums to become a multi-faceted visual artist.
Mr Hend has won heaps of recognition for his creativity and has raised funds by painting. He has murals and paintings in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania.
His work on the Avalon RSL mural is expected to be completed by the end of February 2023.
A pedestrian shared space trial in Avalon has recently received $500,000 in funding. The trial will provide expanded footpaths, more seating, and landscape, as well as a chance for the locals to connect.
The trial covers a shared pedestrian and vehicle zone between Avalon Parade and the car park at Woolworths.
This pedestrian shared space has been in the plans for decades but had previously met with funding issues. With the announced allocation, however, the concept can finally be launched as the Northern Beaches also recover from the lockdowns.
As a result of this plan, northbound vehicles between Avalon Parade and the Woolworth car park will only be limited to one lane during the trial. The travel speed for this section is 10 km/h.
“This area of the village can be particularly busy with people moving between the shops, Dunbar Park, community facilities and the beach,” Mr Rob Stokes, Member for Pittwater and Minister for Active Transport said.
“The opportunity to create additional open space for people to relax, dine and move around the village is really exciting.
“Throughout COVID-19 we’ve seen a resurgence of people wanting to shop local, sit outdoors and explore the community. This project supports all of these elements and will provide a great case study for how the concept could be expanded elsewhere,” he added.
Bus routes impacting this area will be adjusted to accommodate the changes. Traffic arrangements will also be coordinated and simplified as the Council works on a seamless integration of the project with the community.
Avalon, an endangered Hawksbill sea turtle that washed up on Avalon Beach in November 2020, has been nursed back to health and was recently released in Port Stephens.
Now weighing more than 13 kilograms, Avalon was extremely malnourished at 3.8 kilograms when it was discovered struggling to forage for food nearly two years ago. She had barnacles and algae growth on her, which suggested that she was on adrift for quite some time.
The turtle was placed under an intensive care program with SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium Curatorial Supervisor Ben Wynand and his team. She became healthy, strong and fit for release.
As soon as Avalon was in the water, she swam with all her strength at Zenith Beach, a natural turtle habitat around the Shoal Bay headland.
Also rescued and released at Port Stephens were Cutler and Warnie, a pair of Loggerhead Sea Turtles found in Victoria. The experts said that Cutler and Warnie suffered from Floater Syndrome, which prevented them from going underwater due to their buoyancy.
Sea Life Aquarium curator Laura Simmons said that they decided to bring the turtles to Zenith Beach as it had the perfect condition for Avalon, Cutler and Warnie to thrive.
Ms Simmons believes that the turtles could remain in Port Stephens for some time if there is great food and the water temperature is ideal. But turtles tend to travel a lot thus Avalon and the other turtles could be in Queensland’s water up north in no time.
Turtles wash up on the beach for many reasons but some have been unable to swim because they’ve gotten sick from ingesting plastic.
Robert Johnson painting under an umbrella, watched by Enid Rigby and Heather Johnson c. 1938 (Photo credit: Alan Rigby/Northern Beaches Council)
Well-known landscape artist Robert Johnson and his wife Olive bought land at Hilltop Rd in the late 1920s. They lived in a stone cottage they fondly called the ‘Ashlar.’
Ashlar, located at 32 Hilltop Rd, Avalon Beach is listed on NSW heritage list as an example of an early artists’ home in a bush setting.
As an artist, Robert was drawn to the landscape around the Northern Beaches. The couple’s daughter Heather recalled his father would pack up on weekends and paint. Some of Robert’s favourite subjects were the Pittwater, gum trees and the headlands of Avalon Beach.
At the time, many houses in Hilltop Rd were considered as a weekend home or a holiday home because the area was isolated. Two of the main factors were the lack of good roads and public transport.
Robert Johnson working on Hilltop Road (Photo credit: Alan Rigby/Northern Beaches Council)
In the 1930s, the Warringah Council received many complaints from residents but eventually, they had to take matters into their own hands.
Residents helped maintain the roads to keep the roads passable. They needed to be resourceful particularly when it comes to road maintenance as the services during that time were very limited.
Because refrigeration was unusual in the street until the early 1950s, bread and ice were being delivered down at the bottom of the hill. Those who had ice chests would need large blocks of ice to be delivered every second or third day.
The Rigby’s
Alan and Enid Rigby (Photo credit: Northern Beaches Council)
In 1935, the Johnsons introduced Avalon to their friends, artists and avid bushwalkers Alan and Enid Rigby. The couple purchased the block of land next door to the Johnsons.
Alan, who was also into photography, captured the photographic record of some early residents of Avalon Beach.
The Rigby house photographed in late 1950s (Photo credit: Northern Beaches Council)
The Rigby family lived in their stone cottage home along Hilltop Rd from 1935 to 1972.
The Rigby’s and Johnson’s stone cottages were both built by local stonemason Charlie Erikson. He constructed the stone cottage for the Johnsons in 1935 and another one for the Rigby’s nearly a year later.
Charlie Erikson splitting shingles for roof of Ashlar (Photo credit: Alan Rigby/Northern Beaches Council)
Robert Johnson’s children Heather and Brian Johnson helped Charlie by splitting the shingles and received 1 penny per dozen for their work.
Another family who became close friends with the Johnson’s and Rigby’s were the Sibley family. The Sibley family lived in a log cabin at 53 Hudson Pde Clareville, which is in close proximity to Hilltop.
The Sibley’s are American residents living in Sydney, who considered their cabin as a weekender.
What’s unique about the Sibleys’ home was they made the logs part of the cabin instead of removing them.
Today, the house has retained its rustic feature, though the new owners have incorporated modern touches to the historic home. Based on property records, it was last sold in May 2020 for $3.6 million.
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!”
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.”
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.
