A tradie's ute was marked with pink spray paint in Freshwater, in Sydney's northern beaches, after it blocked a driveway. Tradie Rob Rakuc said the paint was likely permanent and would cost a couple of hundred dollars to remove. A Tesla on the same street was also reportedly sprayed. Online reaction was mixed, with some people backing the act and others saying it was illegal. Similar anger over parking has surfaced in Doonside and Narrabeen, where vehicles were also marked. Under NSW law, a basic graffiti offence carries a $440 fine.
Police arrested two people in Freshwater after a vehicle stop on 19 October. The driver allegedly returned positive drug tests and police allegedly seized drugs, knives and housebreaking tools. The driver was arrested and given a 24-hour licence suspension, and a 29-year-old passenger was charged with property, weapon and drug offences. Northern Beaches Police are also investigating alleged thefts at a Belrose store and warn residents about text message scams asking for money. An 81-year-old man transferred almost $10,000 after a scammer posed as his son.
A vigilante has spray-painted cars parked across driveways in Freshwater, on Sydney’s northern beaches. Tradie Rob Rakuc found his ute marked with a fluorescent stripe after parking on Moore Road. A Tesla driver on the same street was also targeted, with photos of the incident gaining traction on social media. Local bottle shop owner Steve Woodley acknowledged the parking frustrations in the area.
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A man has died after failing to resurface while swimming at Millaa Millaa Falls, a well-known tourist spot on the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland. Emergency services were called to the falls on Theresa Creek Rd shortly after 3pm on Monday after reports a swimmer was missing. Police, paramedics and fire crews carried out a major response before the man's body was recovered from the water. A Queensland Police Service spokesman said the death is being treated as non-suspicious. Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
Thirteen rescued turtles have been returned to the Gingham water hole in western New South Wales, which is full again. The turtles were rescued in April after environmental flows to the area were stopped following a landholder complaint, causing deaths of turtles, birds, frogs and sheep. Water was turned back on in May after the government changed legislation to protect WaterNSW from liability claims. Taronga zoo in Dubbo is incubating 281 eggs, with hatchlings expected early next year. Environment minister Penny Sharpe called the outcome a remarkable conservation opportunity.
A five-level family home in Queenscliff, built by Northern Beaches firm Dinkum Building, is a finalist for two 2026 HIA NSW awards. The project involved removing 1,000 tonnes of material from a steep site and is one of 12 finalists in the People’s Choice Home Award. The public can vote for the project until 9 October. The home features floor-to-ceiling glazing, a custom wine cellar, and panoramic ocean views. The builders have worked with the homeowners on three previous renovations.
