Friends of Freshwater
The March Edition of The Duke is out
Completed Childs Playground – Freshwater Beach end of Moore Rd
By the end of January, the Children’s Playground near Pilu Restaurant was fully completed, featuring a refreshed, inviting design. It’s now a popular spot for kids, while their parents keep an eye on the surf.
Beautifying Freshwater Village – adding the love to the concrete Pods outside the Chicken shop
Someone has been busy adding some beauty and colour to otherwise boring planters.
Some new beauty and colour added to the GARDEN PODS
Someone should be applauded for the work done to otherwise bland pods in front of the Freshwater Village Plaza.
Is this the start of the new Freshwater Beach Amenities Block
Spotted on site in early March: A meeting kicking off the early stages of work on the proposed Freshwater Beach Amenities Block. Exciting to see progress beginning!
Signal Fire Lighting ‘Black out’
Has anyone noticed that the evening lighting for the ‘Signal Fire’ installation in MacKillop Park has not been working for some time? We have raised the issue with Council and are currently awaiting a response on the cause and timing for repairs.
Footpath Grinding to reduce trip hazards
There have been ongoing concerns with sections of pathways in our area, particularly along Albert Road and Ocean View Road, where uneven surfaces have created trip hazards. In one instance, a member’s partner tripped and was badly injured on a raised section of the path where a protruding edge had formed.
Northern Beaches Council has recently undertaken works to grind down and repair these raised sections across a number of local pathways, helping to improve safety and reduce the risk of accidents. This is a welcome initiative—well done to Council for addressing the issue.
Pocket Park Artwork
Pocket Park receives a beautiful new addition
Pocket Park gets some beautification
We’re delighted to unveil this stunning artwork by Indigenous artists Kyle and Chantelle Nettleton. Commissioned and installed by Friends of Freshwater, the project was made possible through a Placemaking Grant from Northern Beaches Council, along with generous contributions from our members.
Invitations have been sent and details shared via our Facebook page for the Official Opening, to be held on Wednesday 1 April at 10:30am at Pocket Park, located behind the Aboriginal Heritage Office on Lawrence Street, Freshwater.
We look forward to sharing more in our next edition following the Official Opening event.
New Drone Patrols for Freshwater and Curl Curl after January Shark Attacks in Sydney
In our last edition of The Duke we provided an article on the tragic shark attacks in Sydney waters during January together with some of the environmental factors which may have led to them. We also called for positive measures to be taken to help avoid similar incidents in the future, including increased education, better environmental monitoring, improved warning systems and appropriate changes in public policy.
Since then, there have been a significant boost to the Shark Management Program run by the NSW Government and Surf Life Saving NSW.
The Drone Surveillance program has been expanded from 50 to 80 sites, including Drone Patrols operating from Freshwater Headland covering Freshwater, South Curl Curl and North Curl Curl Beaches.
Drone Launch site
The drones being used at Freshwater are a new larger model and are fascinating to watch. They have a range of about 1 kilometre and are fast enough to undertake a return trip from Freshwater headland across all three beaches in about 20 minutes. The drones have all weather capability and can operate in winds up to about 50 kilometres per hour. They are equipped with a siren so that swimmers can be alerted immediately if a shark sighting is confirmed and can slow down to monitor any threats identified.
Simple Visual Drone Launch
The Drone Patrols operate from 9am to 4pm, 7 days a week and are scheduled to run until at least 27 April 2026. Operations after that will be subject to review.
An added safety benefit is the ability to monitor other hazards and incidents. We understand that in early March when a walker fell from near the Freshwater to South Curl Curl boardwalk (Harry Elliffe Way) onto the rock platform below the drone patrol played a significant role in directing emergency services to his location. So there are benefits for fans of the water and landlubbers alike!
Another safety enhancement is the provision of an additional 150 Community Shark Bite Kits in NSW distributed to regional and unpatrolled beaches to improve immediate trauma response in the event of an incident. Each kit is designed for bystander use in the event of severe bleeding and typically includes:
- Tourniquets and compression bandages.
- Large dressings, an emergency thermal blanket, and a whistle.
- Gloves and a step-by-step Shark Bite Management Card.
There are now two kits in our region: one near the southern end of Harry Elliffe Way (pictured) and one at Shelley Beach near Manly. These kits are also attached to Emergency Response Beacons (ERBs), which provide a 24/7 direct link to the Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) State Operations Centre.
Shark Bite Rescue PODS – on Curl Curl Walk
As well as new measures there have been many steps to increase education and awareness. Much has been written since the attacks about shark behaviour and contributing environmental factors. This increased public discussion, heightened awareness and gathering of educational material serves to remind us of some of the simple guidelines for safe swimming
- The 72-Hour Rule:Avoid swimming in estuaries and river mouths for 3 days after heavy rain. For ocean beaches like Freshwater and Curl Curl, a 24- to 48-hour wait is recommended until the water is clear.
- Visual Indicators:If the water appears murky or has a distinct odour, or if you see significant debris or flowing stormwater drains, it is best to avoid the water
These commonsense guidelines only act as a backup. Please always seek additional information from websites such as the SharkSmart website for information on shark sightings and Beachwatch NSW for information on Beach conditions
And stay safe on our beaches this year!
Freshwater Pharmacy Sold
Freshwater Phramacy SOLD
Our longtime Freshwater Pharmacist, Martin Brook has announced his retirement and has sold the business. Martin has provided his expertise and services for decades at 2 locations in the Village, the above pictured being his last shop.
Martin Brook
Whilst it will continue as a Pharmacy, we will all really miss Martin and his friendly helpful manner.
THANKS MARTIN!
Beach Parking and Overflow Car Park management
Freshwater Beach Overflow Carpark and gate
For over 30 years the Overflow Car Park has been locked at night by a voluntary group of locals and opened in the morning mainly by the Life Savers on duty. This meant that on rainy days, dangerous surf and during Winter the gate on the Carpark remained locked.
This year Northern Beaches Council has engaged the services of a Security Company to open & close the Carpark (regardless of weather or demand) .This has lead to regular groups of young people using the Carpark to do “doughnuts” burnouts and car racing .
Luckily the number plates of the offenders have been photographed and at Council’s request, forwarded to NSW Police.
By the drop in activity this week it would appear that the Police have taken immediate action.
The number of cars involved in these activities are predominantly ‘P’ platers, and in some cases possibly driving their parents late model cars. As a parent of ‘P’ plate children it might be wise to check where they might be using your car.
We really appreciate the action of NSW Police and the attempt of Northern Beaches Council at simplifying the security of the Overflow Car Park.
The real purpose of the Overflow Car Park has always been to accommodate the excess vehicles when the main car park is full (hence the name “Overflow”).
E-Bikes in Freshwater: What’s Changing and What You Can Do
E-Bike Rules NSW
E-bikes are everywhere in Freshwater. Along Oliver Street, through the Village, past the schools, you see them daily. For many people they’re a great way to get around, but the growing number of powerful bikes on our footpaths has become a real safety concern for pedestrians. The good news is that the rules are finally catching up, and there are things happening locally that could make a genuine difference.
The Problem Is Real
According to Transport for NSW data, 233 people were injured in e-bike accidents across NSW in just the first seven months of 2025, a 77% increase on the year before. The Northern Beaches was in the top five council areas for injuries. Sydney Children’s Hospital Network reported 94 children hurt riding e-bikes in 2025, up from 60 in 2024. These are families in communities like ours.
The Rules Are Tightening
The NSW Government is moving fast. Here’s what you need to know:
New power limits from this month. NSW is adopting the European safety standard in March 2026, capping legal e-bikes at 250 watts, down from 500W. If you already own a 500W bike bought legally, there’s a three-year transition. From 1 March 2029, only EU-compliant bikes will be road legal.
Speed limit: 25 km/h. A legal e-bike’s motor must cut out at 25 km/h. Anything faster and police now have expanded powers to seize it on the spot.
Age limits are coming. A minimum riding age of somewhere between 12 and 16 will be introduced, with an expert review due by June. Transport Minister John Graham put it plainly: “At the moment it is legal for a primary school kid with no peripheral vision who can barely lift one of these bikes to ride it on NSW streets.”
Many bikes sold to kids are illegal. Some devices marketed as e-bikes are actually unregistered electric motorbikes. Fines start from $818 and the bike can be confiscated.
Adults can’t ride on footpaths. Only children under 16 may ride on footpaths, along with adults accompanying them. Fines start from $723.
Helmets are the law. Every rider must wear an approved helmet, properly fitted and fastened, including children on training wheels and passengers. Transport for NSW also recommends closed-toed shoes and bright clothing. At 25 km/h, a fall in thongs and a loose helmet can be serious. If your kids are riding, it’s worth having that conversation.
For the full detail on what’s changing, the Manly Observer has covered both the seize-and-crush powers and the age restrictions and EU standard announcement.
What else is on the horizon? The government has asked NSW Treasury to explore compulsory insurance for e-bike riders. There are growing calls for a registration or identification scheme. And legislation for the expanded police seizure powers is being drafted now. This space is moving fast.
What It Means for Freshwater
Here’s the gap that concerns us locally. Even under the current rules, children under 16 can legally ride e-bikes on footpaths at up to 25 km/h, past the shops, outside Harbord Public, along narrow stretches where elderly residents and families are walking.
The best solution is getting riders off footpaths and onto proper infrastructure.
A separated cycleway along Oliver Street has been planned for years, and there’s finally real progress.
In a letter to Friends of Freshwater dated 4 March 2026, Council’s Director of Transport & Assets confirmed that construction drawings are being finalised, procurement will begin shortly, and works are expected to start around the middle of this year. That’s encouraging, but we’ll be keeping a close eye on it.
Have Your Say!
Ivory Curls flower in Moore Road
A streetscape of ivory curl trees has been flowering along Moore Road in Freshwater.
Moore Road leading from Freshwater Village to the Beach is unusually wide due to the fact that a tramway operated along it for two decades taking passengers from Manly Wharf to the Beach. Until its introduction, there was no access by public transport to this iconic beach. The Tramway ceased after World War 2, although the turnaround is still in evidence at the Beach end of Moore Road.
Until the planting of these trees (27 in all) there were few trees on this road and in the heat of summer the lack of shade cover was palpable. A successful campaign by Friends of Freshwater calling for the installation of colourful and shady trees resulted in the planting of 27 Buckinghamia Celcissima, with a common name of Ivory Curls. These trees had been successfully planted in the streets of Manly and their prolific white flowers make a colourful display along the street. At maturity, they also provide shade for pedestrians making the hot walk from Beach to Village
