Manly Observer

03/03/2025

☘️ WIN A TRIP TO IRELAND 🇮🇪

Say whaaaaa?

Yep, you could Win a Trip for 2 to Dublin!

Do you have the luck of the Irish? Battery House is giving away an incredible trip for two to Dublin, Ireland, where you’ll get to visit the birthplace of Guinness at the iconic Guinness Storehouse and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Dublin!

Where is I hear you ask? Well, it’s the sports bar that’s pulled up a stool at the Dee Why RSL of course 🍺

How to Enter:

Purchase a pint of Guinness at Battery House throughout March for your chance to win.

Prize Includes:
– A $6,000 travel voucher to get you there
– Two connoisseur experience tickets to visit the Guinness storehouse
– Stacks of Guinness merch

The winner will be drawn on Tuesday 1 April, so get those entries in. This is one adventure you won’t want to miss!

Learn more https://bit.ly/4imW3kt

ℹ️ A sponsored post in support of local news and international travel 🍻

Do you have the luck of the Irish? Buy a pint of Guinness at Battery House throughout March for your chance to win a trip for 2 to Dublin!

02/03/2025

Northern Beaches Council’s transport team has had to stop works at Cromer after it was apparent they had organised a series of major street changes not part of the plans they consulted the community on. Council has since apologised for the lack of consultation and placed three options for public comment regarding the roads around popular sports fields at St Matthew Farm.

Cromer residents are up in arms about the construction of a ‘rogue’ sidewalk undertaken by Council at the foot of their busy street.

02/03/2025

CHANGES TO SHARK NETS PROGRAM 🦈

A note to the many who have enquired, removing shark nets during the “off season” is standard government (DPI) practice. What is new is the removal of nets one month earlier than usual.

Removing shark nets one month earlier is due to the increase turtle activity in April each year.

More than 90 per cent of marine animals caught in shark nets across New South Wales during the on season are “non-target” species such as whales, turtles and dolphins.

In the most recent data we saw for the Northern Beaches that included about 40 whales, dolphins, turtles and rays, almost half of which died. We understand no target sharks were caught during that period.

The shark mesh nets do not act as a complete barrier to sharks reaching beaches as they are not permanently set in the water, do not cover the whole length of the beach, and do not extend from the water surface to the seabed. In fact, approximately 40% of shark entanglements occur on the beach side of the nets, because sharks are able to swim over and around the nets.

While the government has not yet made any commitment to removing the nets, some efforts are being made to reduce the number of entangled marine creatures killed on the nets. This includes the date change, increasing the frequency of net inspections by the net contractors during February and March from every third day to every second day and using SLS NSW drones to inspect the nets during March on the days the net Contractors aren’t inspecting, effectively providing daily net inspections, and the trial of lights on nets to deter turtles and prevent their entanglement (February-March 2025).

If you’re interested in the topic search “shark nets” on our website (manlyobserver.com.au or visit https://www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au/shark-nets

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02/03/2025

RATE RISE BID UNDER REVIEW

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is now formally accepting feedback on Northern Beaches Council’s bid for a 39.6% rate increase.

Northern Beaches residents and ratepayers can make a submission or fill in a survey to inform IPART on community sentiment on the matter until 17 March.

For more details, visit https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/Home/Industries/Local-Government/Reviews/Special-Variations-Minimum-Rates/Special-Variations-and-Minimum-Rates-2025-26

Full article here: https://manlyobserver.com.au/rate-rise-bid-under-review/

02/03/2025

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is now formally accepting feedback on Northern Beaches Council’s bid for a 39.6% rate increase.

Northern Beaches residents and ratepayers can make a submission or fill in a survey to inform IPART on community sentiment on the matter until 17 March.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is now formally accepting feedback on Northern Beaches Council’s bid for a 39.6% rate increase. Northern Beaches residents and ratepayers can make a […]

28/02/2025

Congratulation to Natalie from NSW SES Manly Unit who is now one of the trainers at the Large Animal Awareness and Relocation course which teaches NSW SES volunteers how to rescue livestock from flood waters.

And thanks to Nugget, Mister and Cloud, wonderfully patient horses.

28/02/2025

SUN SETS ON THE SEASON

Farewell summer, you’ve been a treat 🫡

☀️

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28/02/2025

SMELL SMOKE? HAZARD REDUCTION BLITZ STARTS NOW

More than 200 hectares of bush will be burned in a planned hazard reduction blitz on the Northern Beaches commencing tonight, 28 February.

The burns, at Mona Vale Road in Belrose and a large section of of the National park at Terrey Hills, are scheduled from now until 7 March.

The burns will be conducted by the Rural Fire Service with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Specifically the burns include:

• Pistol Club burn – covering approximately 20 hectares (already underway as at 9pm this evening)

• Neverfail burn – covering approximately 206 hectares

Most of the burns will be this evening and into tomorrow to make way or favourable conditions.

More info and updates in the story on our website. We will of course advise if there’s any unexpected change in events via the Manly Observer news app.

The hazards near me app is always a great resrouce to check fires. Only call triple zero if you see a fire that is unattended.

🔗 https://manlyobserver.com.au/fire-on-the-northern-beaches-planned-burns-underway/

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28/02/2025

28/02/2025

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28/02/2025

27/02/2025

Wishing you a Friday as spectacular as today’s sunrise at Fairlight.

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27/02/2025

RORY AMON TO STAND TRIAL

A former state Liberal MP and Northern Beaches councillor has been branded a “child abuser” as he left court ahead of his trial on allegations he repeatedly s*xually assaulted a teenage boy.

The 35-year-old former MP for the seat of Pittwater appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court today, Thursday 27 February, (pictured) when pleas of not guilty to all of the charges were formally acknowledged.

Full story and credits on website 🔗 https://manlyobserver.com.au/former-pittwater-mp-rory-amon-to-fight-child-s*x-charges-at-trial/

27/02/2025

HEAR HER STORY

Just ten years ago, when Sahira Al Younany, now of Dee Why, was 17 years old, Islamic State tanks rolled into the ancient northern Iraqi city of Mosul flying their victorious black and white flags, just 20 kilometres from the town where she lived. It was an ominous day that would change her life forever.

Sahira will share her remarkable journey of heartbreak, courage and resilience at the Manly Writers Festival in a session on the 28th of March. She will be joined on the panel by author Melinda Ham, who featured Sahira in her book The Lucky Ones Stories of Australian Refugee Journeys published by Affirm Press.

Learn more in the article now on our website or pop over to

27/02/2025

A “Joe’s Rule” has been promised to protect families from needless heartache after a toddler died following critical failings at Northern Beaches Hospital.

A “Joe’s Rule” has been promised to protect families from needless heartache after a toddler died following critical failings at Northern Beaches Hospital. NSW Premier Chris Minns has also not […]

27/02/2025

RORY AMON TO STAND TRIAL

A former state Liberal MP and Northern Beaches councillor has been branded a “child abuser” as he left court ahead of his trial on allegations he repeatedly s*xually assaulted a teenage boy.

The 35-year-old former MP for the seat of Pittwater appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court today, Thursday 27 February, (pictured) when pleas of not guilty to all of the charges were formally acknowledged.

Full story and credits on website 🔗

A former state Liberal MP and Northern Beaches councillor has been branded a “child abuser” as he left court ahead of his trial on allegations he repeatedly s*xually assaulted a […]

26/02/2025

HEAR HER STORY

Just ten years ago, when Sahira Al Younany, now of Dee Why, was 17 years old, Islamic State tanks rolled into the ancient northern Iraqi city of Mosul flying their victorious black and white flags, just 20 kilometres from the town where she lived. It was an ominous day that would change her life forever.

Just ten years ago, when Sahira Al Younany, now of Dee Why, was 17 years old, Islamic State tanks rolled into the ancient northern Iraqi city of Mosul flying their victorious black and white flags, just 20 kilometres from the town where she lived. It was an ominous day that would change her life for...

26/02/2025

Readers reported queues longer than they’ve ever seen up the line (Collaroy, Narrabeen and Mona Vale) this morning, and one one B-line at Mona had to be abruptly abandoned after it filled up with smoke and broke down…

We’ve heard fewer complaints further down the line this morning and have asked bus operator Keolis Downer if they instead started most trips at Dee Why today and if there are broader mechanical issues with the buses (aside from the 40 odd bendy buses already out for repairs), that need attention.

Meanwhile our local pollies- and reckon newly announced increased density plans for Dee Why Brooky and Mona Vale, among others, are shelved til some form of functional public transport is available.

Are we having fun yet, folks ? 🚌