A 14-storey residential flat building with 299 dwellings has been recommended and accepted for 6-14 Mona Vale Road and 8 and 10 Vineyard Street, Mona Vale. A 16-storey, $135 million shop-top housing development has been proposed for Fisher Street and Redman Road, Dee Why, partly on the site of The Builders Club. The Land and Environment Court approved an eight-storey shop-top housing development at 22-24 Raglan Street, Manly, the current site of Stoke Beach House. NSW Planning approved an Opal Healthcare residential care facility at Bayview despite 37 objections.
A 66-year-old woman has been charged with a hate crime after allegedly trying to snatch a teenage girl's hijab at Manly, in Brisbane's bayside. The woman, from Lakeland in far north Queensland, is accused of twice verbally harassing a group of people on February 21 at Bayside Park. It is also alleged she tried to remove a hijab from a teenager in the group. On September 22, counter terrorism police searched a Manly property and charged her with common assault with a serious vilification or hate crime circumstance of aggravation.
Northern Beaches councillors have voted to suspend the alcohol ban at Shelly Beach in Manly for a Chanel private event on 4 November. The fashion house's first Australian runway show will follow the next day at a location yet to be disclosed. A Crown land licence covers the beach from 6pm to 10pm, and the approved area now includes all access points. Public access will be restricted at times. Greens councillor Bonnie Harvey criticised the decision as one rule for the rich, but the majority voted in favour.
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A 66-year-old Lakeland woman faces court after allegedly assaulting a group at Manly on 21 February. Police allege the woman verbally harassed the group, attempted to remove religious clothing, and returned to continue the harassment. She was charged with common assault with a hate crime circumstance of aggravation. The woman is due to appear at Wynnum Magistrates Court on 26 October. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers.
Dee Why Beach will host the inaugural Aloha Festival on Saturday 6 March 2027, with Wolfmother, Ball Park Music and Yothu Yindi announced as headliners. Organisers expect up to 15,000 people and say it could be the largest music festival held on the Northern Beaches. The event will include surf films, shark safety education and a wellness zone. Festival founder Luke Campbell says the event aims to unite the community after recent incidents. Presale access opens Friday 23 October, with general tickets on sale Monday 26 October.
A 13-year-old boy has been charged over a series of alleged sexual touching incidents involving women and girls on walking trails around Narrabeen Lake. He was arrested after attending Mona Vale Police Station on Saturday 17 October, following a public appeal for information. He faces eight counts of sexually touching another person without consent and three counts of behaving in an offensive manner. Police allege the incidents occurred between 1 and 12 October and include an e-bike rider who approached women on the Narrabeen Lagoon trail.
Police have released CCTV images of a young man they want to speak to after a string of alleged sexual touching incidents involving women near Narrabeen Lagoon. In each case, a man allegedly touched women on the lagoon walking trail and rode off on an e-bike. Police Area Command investigations began after three incidents were reported on 7 and 8 October, with more reports since. A new report from Wheeler Heights and two incidents near Bilarong Reserve have also been linked to the investigation. Strike Force Mexvo has been established, and officers are investigating whether the incidents are connected.
A transport safety investigator has found a bus driver likely pressed the accelerator instead of the brake before a North Balgowlah crash last October. The bus struck a carport and retaining wall at Coramba Street and Taree Avenue. The Office of Transport Safety Investigations also found narrow streets and on-street parking made the route difficult for drivers. Nobody on the bus or in the home was physically injured. The findings do not assign blame or liability.
Silver Surfers, a program run by MWP Community Care, has started its third season of bodyboarding at Manly Beach for Northern Beaches residents aged 55 and over. Sessions now cost $25 each, down from $55, after new sponsorship from Northern Sydney Local Health District and Dee Why RSL. Each session is led by instructors from Manly Surf School, with water safety support. Bodyboards and wetsuits are provided, and participants receive free morning tea. Sessions run fortnightly until May 2027, with the next one on Friday, 23 October.
The Land and Environment Court has approved a McDonald's drive-thru restaurant at 37 Roseberry Street, Manly Vale, overturning a refusal by the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel. The decision came despite 740 submissions and a 4,000-signature petition opposing the development. Seven Miles Coffee, which has been on the site since the 1970s, says it holds a multi-year lease and has made no decisions to relocate. McDonald's says the restaurant will be operated by a local franchisee and create about 100 jobs once open.
Northern Beaches Council will run a new free event, Sounds of Manly, across the central business district on 31 October and 1 November. The two-day event features local performers at five locations, including the John Speight Stage in The Corso. Busker Ziggy McNeill, who has performed for 11 years, will play blues and rock music at Market Lane. Mayor Sue Heins says the event aims to encourage people to enjoy Manly while supporting local businesses. Music starts at 9am on both days.
