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

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

Avalon Pet Owners Warned as Tick Cases Triple in Early Season Surge

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.



The Invisible Intruder

tick
Photo Credit: Pexels

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

tick
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.



Recognising the Signs

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.

Published Date 24-November-2025

Around the Bends: Avalon Beach’s Iconic Swim Challenge Returns

Avalon Beach SLSC is gearing up for the return of Around the Bends, the annual swim challenge from Newport to Avalon. This year’s event, however, will have a few changes but it will still be a fun workout for adults and kids with the beautiful Northern Beaches as the backdrop. 



Set for Sunday, 21 March 2021, Around the Bends will start at Newport at 8:00 a.m. with the 2.5 kilometres swim challenge to Avalon, whilst another competition will kick off at 9:30 a.m. with a shorter distance of 1.2 kilometres.

Participants must take note of the courses:

DISTANCEROUTE
Newport to Avalon (2.5km)– Starts at the northern end of Newport Beach
– Head out around the headland, past Bilgola Beach, then past another headland into Avalon
Avalon (1.2km)– Starts at the northern end of the beach
– North Avalon Express
– Head out to southern headland to around the middle of the beach and then straight in towards the clubhouse

The Newport to Avalon route is open for swimmers above 13 years old, whilst the journey off Avalon Beach is perfect for 10-year-old kids and above. 

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Parents who are swimming with minors will need to fill out an online entry for their children before the event. Due to the pandemic threats, this year’s Around the Bends will be strictly registered. Swimmers who have not submitted their online confirmation by Saturday, 20 March 2021, at 3:00 p.m., will not be allowed to join on race day. 



A special division will be opened for Back of the Pack, for groups who want to enjoy a more relaxing time in the water as their time won’t be recorded. The Back of the Pack won’t be eligible for prizes at the end of the event. 

Around the Bends has a $40 entry fee, whether participants are swimming in one or both challenges. Register online to join.