Palm Beach Archives - Page 3 of 4

Palm Beach Becomes the First Urban Night Sky Place in Australia

Palm Beach Headland has been officially designated as Australia’s first Urban Night Sky Place by DarkSky International. The 62-hectare sanctuary is also heralded as the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

The newly minted Urban Night Sky Place (UNSP) at Palm Beach marks a significant milestone for local stargazers and conservationists. The place, incorporating Gov Phillip Park and Barrenjoey Headland, stands out due to its minimal light pollution despite its proximity to Sydney, promising pristine starry views amidst the urban sprawl.

Certified on 25 June 2024, the site has been the focus of years of community and expert preparation, involving extensive consultation with residents, local businesses, and the Northern Beaches Council.

Barrenjoey Headland and the surrounding parkland, known for their natural beauty, are now poised to serve as a responsible lighting and stargazing model. The area is well-positioned away from the city’s glare, sandwiched between the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the ocean, offering unparalleled views of celestial phenomena, including the Milky Way.

Community Efforts and Educational Goals

The push for Palm Beach’s designation was significantly influenced by local advocate Marnie Ogg, whose expertise in dark sky preservation through the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance played a crucial role.

Marnie Ogg Palm Beach — *Photo Credit: Dark Sky Alliance/Marnie Ogg*

The Northern Beaches Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and experts like astronomy lecturer Richard McDermid from Macquarie University highlighted the environmental and educational benefits of reducing light pollution.

The UNSP aims to offer breathtaking views of the stars and focuses on protecting local wildlife affected by artificial lighting, such as the area’s microbat colonies. Educational programs on the impacts of light pollution on the environment and human health are planned, hoping to foster a greater appreciation for the night sky.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse — *Photo Credit: Northern Beaches/YouTube*

Impact on Local Economy and Safety

Local businesses anticipate increased interest and economic benefits from events and tourism drawn to Palm Beach’s starry nights. Ausgrid’s involvement with new street lighting that aligns with Dark Sky requirements ensures that the area remains safe and accessible while preserving its nocturnal charm.

The operational lighthouse within Barrenjoey Headland will continue guiding ships, its functionality unimpeded by the designation, demonstrating a balance between safety and starlight.

Mayor Sue Heins expressed pride in the community’s achievement, underscoring the extensive collaborative efforts that made this designation possible. Palm Beach now joins an elite network of over 160,000 square kilometres of protected land and night skies across 22 countries, showcasing a global commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the night amidst growing urban development.

Published 11-July-2024

Locals Blame Construction Over Landslide Crushing Parked Car

Photo Credit: Facebook / Danielle Farrow-Pryke

A massive landslide caused by heavy rains struck Palm Beach this week, sending a six-tonne sandstone slab crushing a parked car.

The silver sedan was crushed under an enormous rock on Whale Beach Road after the landslide on Wednesday. While no one was injured, the incident has left locals shaken and fuming at nearby construction projects they believe are destabilising the area.

With up to 10 days of steady rainfall forecast across New South Wales, the incident has heightened safety concerns in the coastal suburb plagued by repeated landslips during heavy weather. Many residents were quick to blame the landslide on erosion caused by extensive construction projects occurring on the area’s cliffs and slopes.

Photo Credit: Facebook / Danielle Farrow-Pryke

“Many dwellings are being built into the rock face which affects groundwater flow and increases erosion,” said a resident.

“This is the result of hacking into the land to create homes that won’t fit without destruction of the environment,” another said.

However, a spokesperson for the Northern Beaches Council disputed claims that construction caused the landslide, stating “there are no construction sites directly adjoining or uphill of the landslip site that could have contributed to the landslips.” The council says its geotechnical experts assessed the area and implemented precautions like a concrete catch basin.

As the severe weather system pummels the NSW coast, many in Palm Beach remain on edge about the possibility of additional landslides in the coming days. Residents are calling on authorities to restrict over-development in the erosion-prone area before further incidents put lives at risk.

Published 3-May-2024

Palm Beach Tycoon Lets Go of $25 Million Mansion Due to Excess

Photo Credit: Website / Real Estate AU

Yacht broker Ian Malouf of Ahoy Club has relinquished one of his two coveted beachfront properties in Palm Beach.

The seven-bedroom, four-bathroom estate named Moondoggie, situated on a 617-square-metre block, recently went under offer for approximately $25 million through LJ Hooker agents David and BJ Edwards.

*Photo Credit: Website / Real Estate AU*

This transaction marks a significant turn since Malouf’s acquisition of the property in December 2021 for approximately $20 million from Joanna McNiven, widow of the late bond dealer John McNiven. Notably, Moondoggie had initially changed hands for a modest $2.06 million back in 1997.

The decision to part ways with Moondoggie comes amidst Malouf’s strategic real estate manoeuvres, as he had also listed his adjacent property, Gidget, for sale with LJ Hooker. Gidget, boasting a vibrant 1960s Palm Springs-inspired renovation since its acquisition for $18.6 million in early 2022, features five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and sits on a 613-square-metre plot adjacent to Snapperman Beach Reserve, adorned with leopard-patterned carpet.

Malouf, commenting on the rationale behind the listings, attributed the move to an excess of luxury properties within the same locale, stating, “It’s too many toys on one street.” He had initially aimed to fetch a combined sum of $65 million for both properties.

Despite the hefty price tags on Malouf’s properties, PropTrack reports that Palm Beach’s median house price has decreased modestly by 3% over the past year, coming in at $4.85 million.

However, this hasn’t deterred other high-profile transactions in the area, with the Roche family, renowned for their Nutrimetics empire, making notable acquisitions. Their purchase of a nearby weatherboard holiday home for $16 million this year, along with the $21 million acquisition of Palm Haven, the acclaimed Phillip Cox-designed residence, in 2020, further exemplifies Palm Beach’s allure among affluent buyers.

Malouf, renowned for his entrepreneurial ventures, notably selling his Dial-a-Dump business to Bingo Industries in 2018 for a staggering $577 million in cash and shares, has outlined his plans to retain his nearby double-block home, Anakela.

This property set the $40 million price record in late 2022, underscoring Malouf’s ongoing investment in prime real estate assets.

Moreover, Malouf and his wife Larissa have recently expanded their Double Bay compound with a $9.5 million addition to a two-lot cul-de-sac harborfront consolidation, further solidifying their footprint in Sydney’s prestigious real estate market.

With his entrepreneurial acumen and burgeoning wealth, Malouf’s ventures extend beyond residential real estate. Recently valued at $1.13 billion by The List: Richest 250 in The Australian, Malouf is venturing into the development arena with his first residential property project on the Gold Coast at Broadbeach.

REMI Developments, a Malouf family company in partnership with developer Peter Wilding, is poised to unveil a 30-level, 49-residence tower known as REMI Residences. Offering buyers the unique opportunity to experience the rental lifestyle before committing to purchase, units are priced at $2.5 million, catering to discerning buyers seeking luxury living on the Gold Coast waterfront.

Published Date 01-May-2024

Revamping Palm Beach: The Rise of The Joey

An up-market waterside eatery named The Joey has recently emerged as a focal point in the $7 million reconstruction of the Barrenjoey Boatshed, nestled along the revitalised Palm Beach jetty.

Spearheaded by hospitality veteran Rob Domjen and restaurateur Ben May, former owner of the Manly Wharf Hotel, this new dining destination aims to elevate Palm Beach’s culinary scene.

The Boatshed’s grand reopening on 15 February 2024 marked a significant milestone, replacing the deteriorating structure famously featured as Alf’s bait shop in the Channel 7 drama series “Home and Away,” which was demolished two years ago.

Despite initial expectations for The Boathouse Group to reclaim the cafe lease, local entrepreneurs, Mr Domjen and Mr May, seized the opportunity, who envision transforming the Barrenjoey Boatshed and The Joey into premier hospitality venues.

Efforts are underway to expand The Joey’s offerings beyond lunch, with a pending development application seeking approval for evening dining seven nights a week. The eatery only serves lunch daily, with dinner available exclusively on Friday and Saturday nights.

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The prospect of evening service at The Joey aligns with the duo’s aspiration to provide diverse culinary experiences reflective of Palm Beach’s allure as an iconic waterfront destination. Plans for additional amenities, such as high-end motorboat charters and recreational equipment rentals, underscore their commitment to enriching the local lifestyle.

Despite the modernisation efforts, preserving the rustic charm of the original boatshed remains a priority. Mr Domjen emphasises the owners’ dedication to retaining the essence of the beloved structure while enhancing its functionality and aesthetic appeal.

With ongoing discussions with Channel 7 regarding the continued use of the jetty for “Home and Away” filming, the revitalised Barrenjoey Boatshed is poised to maintain its cultural significance while embracing new growth opportunities.

Beyond its role as a dining destination, The Joey aims to become a community hub, offering various services and experiences for locals and visitors alike. Plans for paddle board and “retro” bicycle rentals complement the establishment’s commitment to providing recreational opportunities that harmonise with Palm Beach’s natural beauty.

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Follow The Joey on Facebook for updates.

Published 21-February-2024

No Decision Yet on Overnight Stays at Barrenjoey Lighthouse in Palm Beach

Photo Credit: Jeremy/Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

Deliberations are still being held on whether or not tourists may be allowed to stay overnight at the iconic Barrenjoey Lighthouse in Palm Beach, a location familiar to many as the filming location for the popular Australian TV series “Home And Away.”

The proposal to introduce paying tourists to the historic Northern Beaches lighthouse, situated in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is part of a comprehensive draft management plan. The plan, released prior to the recent election, has been met with opposition from the NSW Labor government, led by Penny Sharpe, the Minister for Environment and Heritage.

During a protest rally in January 2023, Ms Sharpe, who was the Opposition spokeswoman at the time, voiced her party’s stance against the commercialization of national parks. She emphasized that adequate funding for the National Parks and Wildlife Service could eliminate the need for commercial operations at Barrenjoey Headland.

The draft management plan proposed the conversion of the Assistant Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage into short-stay visitor accommodations and also suggested the possibility of mobile food and drinks services on the headland.

However, the Palm Beach and Whale Beach Association, a community lobby group, strongly oppose the plan, considering it tantamount to vandalism. They express concerns about potential noise, loud music, and unruly behaviour from visitors, as well as the negative impact on the natural heritage site and wildlife.

In response to the controversy, Ms Sharpe stated that the government’s primary objective is to ensure that national parks are open for everyone to enjoy, without prioritising commercial interests. She acknowledged that the previous government had deferred signing the draft plan and assured that she would consider the submissions and community feedback before finalising the new management plan.

Rory Amon, the newly elected Liberal MP for Pittwater, has supported the community’s opposition to short-stay accommodations at Barrenjoey Headland. He has raised questions in parliament about the removal of the proposal from the plan and the expected a finalised timeline.

The Barrenjoey Lighthouse, prominently featured in the closing credits and promotions of the TV series “Home And Away,” is a popular attraction for fans and tourists. It is often included in tours of the show’s filming locations. The lighthouse is referred to as the “Stewarts Point Lighthouse” in the series.

As the debate continues, residents, environmental groups, and political figures remain divided on the issue of commercialising heritage-listed buildings and the future of Barrenjoey Headland.

Published 21-June-2023

DA Rejected for $13-Million Palm Beach Apartment Block

Planning officials have rejected a bid to build a $13.5-million apartment block in the heart of Palm Beach because of its height and size.

The three-storey, five-block unit “shop-top” development on Barrenjoey Rd was proposed by tech entrepreneur Robin Khuda, Australia’s 207th richest man, but close to 100 public submissions opposing the development were lodged via DA2021/2362. A reworked development application was also submitted, which attracted approximately 70 opposing submissions.

The development was set to be built next door to the 98-year-old Barrenjoey House in the small retail strip opposite the Pittwater ferry wharf.

The original consent was granted in November 2014, but the new application was referred to the independent Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel due to a large number of opposing submissions and the fact that exceeded the local zoned height limit.

Palm Beach apartment block — *Photo Credit: DA2021/2362*

The council recommended the project be approved, but the panel deferred making a decision in February 2023 and requested the developer submit amended plans that reduced the overall height, bulk, and scale of the building.

In late April 2023, the developer was advised that the changes to the plans put forward to the panel were not satisfactory and the amended development application was rejected. Locals had argued that the proposed development would have dwarfed neighbouring properties and destroyed the area’s “seaside atmosphere.”

President of the Palm Beach & Whale Beach Association, Richard West, celebrated the decision, stating that the block would have been totally out of context with the local character and a gross overdevelopment of the site.

Published 12-May-2023

Planned Midget Farrelly Statue at Palm Beach Gets Greenlight

Photo Credit: Dendy Darma Satyazi / Unsplash

Did you know that a statue will be erected at Palm Beach as part of plans to immortalise Midget Farrelly’s legacy?

No less than surfing icons Kelly Slater, Layne Beachley, and Tom Carroll, along with the Midget Farrelly Recognition Committee, are spearheading the campaign to erect the life-sized bronze statue of the first men’s world surfing champion.

Through their efforts, the Northern Beaches Council agreed and gave permission to proceed with the statue design which will be commissioned by the Public Art Working Group.

A design concept of the bronze statue, which the group hopes to be installed at the Palm Beach Plaza, depicts Midget’s iconic surfing stance during his prime with his arm up in the air.

The Midget Farrelly Recognition Committee is led by Gordon Lang, Bruce Raymond, Christine Hopton OAM and Nick Carroll. They are now campaigning for financial support to go towards the project. The group hopes to raise at least $150,000 that will help cover the cost of its creation, installation and launching.

Born in Sydney in 1944, Bernard “Midget” Farrelly came to prominence when he won the inaugural World Surfing Championships held at Manly Beach in 1964, he was coming fresh from his Australian National Titles victory. His first major win was at the 1962 Makaha International at age 17, considered as the first unofficial world championship.

Midget, with his refined surfing style, would become the dominant figure in surfing during that decade winning again the Australian national title in 1965, bagging the runner-up world titles in 1968 and 1970, winning the Peruvian International Small Waves title in 1966 and the Bobby Brown memorial in 1968.

He established Surfblanks in Sydney in 1972, complementing his Farrelly Surfboard shaping business.

Farrelly was inducted into the Sports Australia Hall of Fame in 1985, into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame the following year and into the Surfing Walk of Fame at California’s Huntington Beach in 2007.

Midget died in 2016 due to stomach cancer at the age of 71. He was posthumously awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) the following year.

Lilypad Floating Villa in Palm Beach To Reopen with New Sauna and Cellar

The Lilypad floating villa in Palm Beach, one of Sydney’s most popular getaways, is reopening to the public with a new sauna and wine cellar to make those “escapes” truly relaxing and soothing.

Following a number of upgrades to the isolated floating accommodation, designer and owner Chuck Anderson said that the refurbished Lilypad will offer returning guests a different feeling whilst new visitors will appreciate the efficient use of space.

The luxe home now boasts of a seamless connection between the king-sized bedroom, the kitchen, the refurbished sauna, as well as the sleek new wine cellar stocked with Las Vino, Veuve Clicquot or Glenmorangie. Lilypad is also now running on solar power with some improved engineering as it drifts in the water.

First opened in a secluded part of the Northern Beaches in 2019, Lilypad gave guests a taste of a romantic luxury resort meant for two. The floating accommodation’s biggest appeal back then was its own living room deck where guests could marvel at the ocean’s beauty with a drink on hand.

For a maximum of a five-night stay, the villa also provided meals on request from a private chef, as well as onboard massages, use of a private boat for guests to go back and forth on the mainland, fishing tools, and paddled boards if they want to explore the water. However, the guests could also prepare the food themselves from the well-equipped modern kitchen.

Lilypad also offered a Wi-Fi connection and Netflix so that the guests may still feel connected to the digital space whilst isolated in paradise.

However, in September 2020, the houseboat was destroyed by a large blaze from its fireplace. Fire investigators determined it was accidental but this gave Mr Anderson a chance to rebuild the houseboat from a Scandinavian-style vacation venue into a Mediterranean villa.

The upgraded venue will be ready to welcome guests in February 2022. However, Mr Anderson said priority will be given to residents of Sydney, who are starving for a getaway but are concerned about the risks of travel.

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Sydney’s First Urban Night Sky Park Could Open in Palm Beach

Plans to open Sydney’s first internationally accredited Urban Night Sky Park for stargazing and picnics under the stars are in the works in Palm Beach if environmental advocates and residents arrive at an agreement.

Palm Beach is apparently a fantastic site for the Urban Night Sky Park because sections between Governor Phillip Park and Barrenjoey Headland have ideal dark spaces despite its proximity to the city. With water surrounding three sides of these areas, visitors here could see the beauty of the Milky Way without obstructions, as well as thousands of stars and planets like Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn with the naked eye on a clear night.

Twinkling stars were easy to spot before electricity and the progression of city life. Advocates said that low-lighted areas are also attractive to certain wildlife, making a well-maintained Urban Night Sky Park a habitable environment.

To gain international approval, the Urban Night Sky Park should be able to provide education and public outreach activities relating to astronomy and the environment at least four times every year. It should also maintain the night sky-friendly lights with the support of the local government. Northern Beaches Council has backed the proposal but has yet to see a formal submission.

However, residents have yet to warm up to the idea amidst concerns that an Urban Night Sky Park would raise safety and security risks. Mayor Michael Regan filed a motion to look for alternative sites but the councillors voted on the Palm Beach location winning 10 votes over five.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and businesses like the Palm Beach Golf Club and The Boathouse will be consulted on the plans before a formal application.

It comes as the Warrumbungle National Park in regional western NSW gained accreditation as a Dark Sky Park from the International Dark Sky Association in 2016.

Plans Pitched for a Midget Farrelly Statue in Palm Beach

Did you know that some of the world’s top surfers like Kelly Slater, Layne Beachley, and Barton Lynch are pooling $150,000 to build a statue of the first world champion in surfing, Midget Farrelly, in Palm Beach?

With the backing of Mr Farrelly’s wife, Beverlie, the surfers are working together with the Midget Farrelly Recognition Committee formed by Surfection retailer, Gordon Lang, and former Quicksilver boss, Bruce Raymond.

Mr Lang, a close friend of the Farrelly family, said that they hope to raise the funds to be added to the Public Art Working Group program of the Northern Beaches Council, which will approve the statue’s construction.

They plan to put the statue at the bus terminal along Ocean Rd and Ocean Pl to be in full view of the community if Council approves. According to Beverlie, her husband has always called Palm Beach his home although he earned his surfing titles in Manly.

Highlights

Friends and family of Midget Farrelly pitched as statue for the surfer in Palm Beach.
The group has been trying to raise $150,000 for the statue, which will be turned over to the Northern Beaches Council’s Public Art Working Group.
Mr Farrelly was hailed as the first surfing world champion in 1964, who died in 2016.

One of the statue’s design ideas features Mr Farrelly’s most popular photo taken by Jack Eden of his world championship win in 1964. However, Mr Lang has pitched a proposal to Council to launch a competition for a local artist to conceptualise the design.

Mr Farrelly died in 2016 at 71 years old due to a lingering illness. Aside from becoming the first world champion in surfing, he was also the inaugural president of the Dee Why Surfing Fraternity, one of the country’s oldest and still active surfboard riders clubs.

The legendary surfer also had a TV series in the 1960s and was inducted to the Hall of Fame of Sport Australia (1985) and World Surf League in Huntington Beach, California (2007).

He received a posthumous honour from Queen Elizabeth in 2017 as a Member of the Order of Australia.