Families in Avalon are being urged to check their pets daily after reports confirmed that life-threatening tick paralysis cases have tripled across the region.
Veterinary clinics on the Northern Beaches have reported a worrying trend where the number of pets affected by these parasites has tripled compared to this time last year. The surge is driven by unseasonably warm weather and high humidity, creating perfect breeding conditions earlier than usual.
While many owners assume their animals are safe if they stay inside, experts at Sydney Animal Hospitals, which operates in Newport and Avalon, warn that fences and walls are no longer enough protection.
Dr Ben Brown, a vet at the hospital, explained that ticks are incredibly opportunistic. He noted that staff members are seeing cats that have never left their property succumb to tick paralysis. These parasites easily hitch a ride indoors on human clothing, other household pets, or local wildlife. Dr Brown stressed that it takes only a single tick bite to cause severe paralysis, making vigilance essential even for animals that spend their days on the couch.
A Close Call for Tiggy
Photo Credit: Pexels
The danger became all too real for Newport resident Lily Hewitson and her eight-year-old tabby cat, Tiggy. The family rushed Tiggy to the hospital after she became lethargic, disoriented, and struggled to breathe. Ms Hewitson later recalled realising something was wrong when her cat refused food and could not walk properly the next morning.
Upon arrival, the veterinary team quickly located and removed a large paralysis tick near the cat’s shoulder blade. Tiggy required oxygen therapy and overnight hospitalisation to survive the ordeal. Ms Hewitson admitted that Tiggy had missed just one prevention tablet, which was all the opportunity the tick needed. She expressed relief at having her pet home and hoped her experience would remind others that tick prevention is vital for all pets, not just those who roam the bush.
Time is the most critical factor when dealing with tick paralysis. Dr Brown advised owners to watch closely for early warning signs, such as wobbliness in the back legs, a change in the pet’s bark or meow, vomiting, or laboured breathing. He stated that immediate veterinary treatment is necessary, often involving antiserum and oxygen support.
To keep pets safe, the veterinary team recommends consistent use of preventative measures like monthly chews, topicals, or collars. Dr Brown mentioned that dog owners can also ask about a yearly injection that offers continuous protection. To help the community stay ahead of this early season spike, Sydney Animal Hospitals is currently offering free lump checks throughout November.
Babylon House, an Avalon home nestled between Pittwater and Avalon Beach, has received one of Australia’s most prestigious interior architecture awards, recognising a remarkable transformation nearly a decade in the making.
Babylon House was awarded the Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2025 National Architecture Awards ceremony held at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra on Thursday, 6 November.
The property, perched on the ridge between Pittwater and Avalon Beach, represents an extraordinary collaboration between Casey Brown Architecture and its owners, who purchased the home in 2015. What followed was a nine-year journey to restore and reimagine a unique piece of local architectural history.
Originally constructed in 1953 to a design by architect Edwin Kingsbury, the home’s distinctive curved forms, stonework and unconventional character earned it the local nickname “The Castle”. After decades of neglect, the building has been meticulously repaired and thoughtfully transformed while preserving its eccentric spirit.
The jury praised the project’s attention to detail and experiential qualities. “Every space and detail has the heart of the architect and client in it,” the citation noted, highlighting features including integrated rock ledges, bathrooms accessed via a floor hatch, bespoke patterns in floor treatments, crafted handrails, hand-finished timbers, and even a stage in the lounge room.
The home’s design respects its modernist roots while adding contemporary elements. The living areas sit beneath a 320-square-metre kidney-shaped roof with no right angles, all featuring soaring ceilings over four metres high. Mysterious corridors and passageways wind through the property, leading to an expansive 80-square-metre free-span dining room that opens onto a substantial patio with sweeping Pacific Ocean and Pittwater views.
The renovation extended the original design language using materials including black timber, terrazzo, pickled timber panelling and dichroic glass louvres. Salvaged materials were reused throughout, and asymmetrical skylights now cast shafts of light across restored stone walls.
Practical improvements were carefully integrated without compromising the home’s character. A new driveway and cable car now provide step-free access to the property, while a new kitchen and laundry have been discreetly tucked beneath the existing roof. The new master suite wraps around the southern edge of the main living space, threading carefully between sandstone boulders and mature angophoras.
The jury described Babylon House as feeling “ancient and contemporary all at once” and commended it as “a truly beautiful example of working with the essence of an existing building and bringing it back from the brink.”
The project team included Casey Brown Architecture principals Rob Brown, project architect Thomas Monahan, and project lead Ryan Western, with construction by David Campbell Building and stonework by John Wittey.
Earlier this year, Babylon House also won two awards at the NSW Architecture Awards: the John Verge Award for Interior Architecture and the award for Alterations and Additions.
The Emil Sodersten Award is one of the highest honours for interior architecture in Australia, recognising projects that demonstrate excellence in the design and execution of interior spaces.
Dedicated local volunteers and three visiting Argentine backpackers have taken it upon themselves to clean up multiple bags of rubbish carelessly left strewn across the Avalon beach dunes.
The problem became particularly noticeable just before and during the recent winter school holidays. A group of young surfers had carried a table and chair into the dunes north of the Avalon surf club, creating a scenic hangout spot. While a great use of the outdoors, the area was unfortunately left in a mess, with rubbish accumulating over the holiday period.
Witnesses saw the three backpackers take it upon themselves to clear the area, carrying numerous bags of waste to the bins provided at the beach. Their actions highlighted the ongoing efforts of many locals who have been quietly cleaning up trashed community spots for years. People like Corey Kirk have been seen regularly cleaning the Avalon Beach dunes over a long period. This community spirit extends to other local areas, including Careel Creek and various lookouts around Bilgola and Palm Beach.
Damage and Disappointment
Photo Credit: Google Maps
The issue is not confined to Avalon. Joe Mills, who voluntarily cleans Turimetta beach, reported extra work was needed after weekend parties during the same school holidays. He expressed his disappointment after spending several mornings picking up the aftermath of fires and drinking sessions.
He described one particularly bad morning where discarded cans and bottles were scattered over a 50-metre area. An emergency rescue surfboard had been taken from its rack and used as a seat very close to a fire, causing damage. Mills noted that those responsible often fail to return the board or clean up their rubbish, leaving the beach littered with charcoal and waste. This has raised concerns among residents about the need for better management of these natural reserves.
The recurring issue has led many to question why these beautiful spots are not being looked after by the same people who enjoy them. The conversation has shifted towards the underlying reasons for this behaviour.
One long-time resident suggested that a lack of local, affordable, and engaging activities for teenagers could be a contributing factor. A look at school holiday programs often shows plenty of options for younger children but very few for those in their late teens. With limited places to go, especially at night, parks and dunes become default social hubs. The community is now exploring ideas, from installing more bins to creating better messaging about respecting shared spaces, and ultimately, providing more positive outlets for its young adults. The core belief shared by volunteers is that the greatest threat is thinking someone else will solve the problem.
Avalon’s coastal bushland and tidal flats are more than a backdrop for weekend walks. They are a living stage for some of Australia’s rarest and most recognisable birds. This month, the suburb will once again find itself at the centre of a nationwide effort as locals join the Aussie Bird Count, recording the feathered life of backyards, headlands, and the sheltered waters of Careel Bay.
The Aussie Bird Count, run by BirdLife Australia, is one of the largest citizen science events in the country. From 20 to 26 October 2025, Australians are encouraged to stop for just 20 minutes, anywhere they choose, and count the birds they see. Using the free app or website, participants contribute sightings that form part of an ongoing database used by scientists to track trends in bird populations.
For Avalon, participation is more than symbolic. The suburb’s wetlands and nearby bushland provide food and shelter for species of local and international importance.
At Careel Bay, shorebirds such as the critically endangered Eastern Curlew and migratory Bar-tailed Godwit can be seen during spring as they travel from breeding grounds in the Northern Hemisphere. Each recorded sighting adds vital data to help monitor whether these long-distance travellers are surviving their journeys and holding onto their habitats.
Everyday Birds, Critical Information
While Avalon is home to threatened species, the Bird Count does not just focus on the rare. Familiar locals such as the Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy Miner, and Willie Wagtail are just as important to log. Shifts in their numbers can reveal much about the pressures of urbanisation, land clearing, and climate change.
BirdLife Australia notes that even a single observation contributes to science. When thousands of Australians join in, the collective data helps map population shifts across suburbs, towns, and entire states. This information informs conservation planning and guides councils on how to protect the natural spaces that communities rely on.
Avalon’s Link to Bird History
Avalon’s role in Australia’s birdwatching culture stretches back more than a century. Neville William Cayley, remembered as Australia’s first popular field guide author, made his home here. His 1931 book, What Bird is That?, offered full-colour illustrations and descriptions that opened the world of birdwatching to ordinary people.
Cayley lived at “Ideal View,” a house on Marine Parade in Avalon, where he painted and wrote about the very species still common in the suburb today. His work bridged science and art, and laid the groundwork for a culture of everyday Australians participating in bird observation. The 2025 Aussie Bird Count continues that legacy, translating Cayley’s passion into a digital age where sightings from Avalon can be logged instantly via smartphone.
Why Avalon Matters in 2025
Conservation groups highlight Careel Bay as a key site on the Northern Beaches where community involvement has direct value. Tidal wetlands here provide feeding grounds for shorebirds that face global declines. Recording their presence, even in small numbers, helps track whether conservation measures are effective.
In recent years, residents and council initiatives have worked to maintain these habitats. Nesting platforms have been installed for Ospreys, while bushcare groups restore vegetation along foreshore areas. The Bird Count provides everyday residents with an opportunity to participate in this ongoing effort, whether by walking along the bay at low tide or observing the calls of lorikeets in street trees.
Getting Involved from Avalon
Joining the Aussie Bird Count is straightforward. Locals can register online at the official site or download the app via Apple or Google Play. Participants select a spot — whether in a backyard, at the beach, or along the Careel Bay foreshore — and spend 20 minutes observing. The app provides identification tools, making it easier for beginners to recognise common birds.
For Avalon residents, the Bird Count is not just about numbers. It’s a way to connect with local heritage, contribute to conservation, and deepen awareness of the living environment that defines the community. Every lorikeet, curlew, or magpie recorded becomes part of a much larger picture of Australia’s birdlife.
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.
