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Giant ‘You Are Here’ Public Art Installation at North Mona Vale Headland Suspended

Plans to install a giant public art display, with the words “You Are Here” built in sandstone sculpture, at the North Mona Vale Headland has been suspended following significant community backlash.

Northern Beaches Council also did not push through with the Meet the Artist event scheduled for the 24th of February 2023 after listening to the feedback from the locals.

The Council was planning to spend $177,000 for the sculpture that did not receive public support. Instead, locals described the artwork as vandalism and a waste of public space and money.

“How to ruin a beautiful place. What does it add to the beauty of the place? The landscape is enough. This is all about ego and maybe tourism,” Elisabeth Lucy Moody said in the Mona Vale Facebook group.

“If it was covered areas with BBQ facilities underneath, perhaps that could be explained, but $44 thousand for just the sandstone is a joke and the artwork is not art,” Tracy Dellit said.

“Please stop the desecration of our green spaces by forcing these abominations upon us. The best way to pay homage to the traditional lands is leave it in its natural state, anything else is pure ego and a money grab for artists,” Garry Campbell said.

Claire Healy and Sean Cordeiro were commissioned for the sculpture as part of the Coast Walk Public Art project. They said that their ideas were inspired by things they saw in Mona Vale, the sandstone headlands that formed during the Triassic age and heaps of hand-painted signs of well-wishes to family or friends that are usually placed along Barrenjoey Road.

“We live in an age of ultimate distraction – You are Here locates people within the park,” the artists said. “The coast is traditionally a place for contemplation and recharging one’s energy. You are Here is an affirming phrase. The words remind us of the here and now, celebrating our existence in a beautiful setting.”

In November 2022, an art committee composed of councillors, council staff members, and public art experts, voted to proceed with the project. However, in February 2023, Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Reagan said he has asked the CEO to formally stop the process.

“We need to take onboard the feedback from the public and find a better way to engage,” the mayor said.

“Talking to a number of people over the weekend, the one thing that stopped me in my tracks was a particular resident explaining the relationship this proposal had with her and a close relative who had fallen from the headland and died.

“The lady was visibly upset and gave some compelling reasons over and above the aesthetics of the project. I appreciated her time and sentiments as I do for all those that have written to us.”

Published 28 February 2023

My Place: Mona Vale Place Plan Due for Public Exhibition Mid-2023

Photo credit: Northern Beaches Council / northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/

The draft plan for the new “My Place: Mona Vale Place Plan” that will tackle priorities for improvement in and around Mona Vale town centre over the next ten years is set for public exhibition in the first half of 2023.

Originally put forward by the former Pittwater Council in 2016 but was put on hold due to community resistance. A new Place Plan for Mona Vale is now being developed which will incorporate the new local, district and metropolitan plans.

The Mona Vale Place Plan comes following the identification of a number of priorities and directions for Northern Beaches centres. The new place plan will consider key elements including traffic, public domain, green and open space, and how all these can be improved according to the Towards 2040 Strategic Planning Statement and other related studies and strategies.

To kick start the planning process, a Project Working Group (PWG) was formed in February 2022 which is tasked with gathering a representative-based view of the community, providing a forum for discussion on issues related to the proposed Mona Vale Place Plan.

The PWG comprises 17 representatives from resident and business associations, representative bodies, community members and other special interest groups. Three PWG meetings, a community drop-in at Village Park and a survey have been conducted so far.

The results of these community engagement activities will form part of the draft place plan which will go on exhibition in the middle of this year.

Following the public exhibition of the draft place plan, the outcomes will be reviewed and will be considered in the revised plan in mid-late 2023 prior to submitting it to Council for endorsement.

Published 3 February 2023

The Basin Dining Room Now Open at Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club

Photo credit: Facebook / Basin Dining Room

Impressed with the newly rebuilt Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club? Check out the latest diner to open its doors at the new $10-million surf club building, featuring spectacular views of the beach and a mouth-watering seafood-focus menu.

The Basin Dining Room opened last November 2022 just in time for summer. The new 90-seat venue is located within the newly renovated Warren and Mahoney-designed Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club building and offers a menu that leans heavily on seafood dishes.

Photo credit: Facebook / Basin Dining Room

Chef Doug Fraser and his restaurateur wife Kylie had the idea of opening a Mona Vale restaurant after seeing the then-undergoing redevelopment during a visit for a swim. The Warren and Mahoney-designed club facility features three elevated glass pavilions and a terrace. It is now home to the Brightside Cafe by Nine Yards Coffee and the Cook Terrace bar.

As for Basin Dining Room Head chef Dan Weier’s menu, starter offerings include kingfish marinated in lemon, betel leaf, coconut, chilli and tamarind paste; fried calamari with green papaya salad & aioli; and duck liver parfait, port jelly and toasted brioche.

Rare tuna pasta, free-range egg spaghetti, Parmesan, rocket, chilli & capers | Photo credit: Facebook / Basin Dining Room

The mains, meanwhile, includes rare tuna pasta, free-range egg spaghetti, parmesan, rocket, chilli and caper; steamed hapuka with ginger, bok choi & soy broth; and free-range pork cutlet, agrodolce, salsa verde, preserved lemon & roasted witlof.

There are light meals and salads available as well including fish burger with lettuce, pickles, tartare sauce, milk bun and served with french fries; Angus beef burger with lettuce, pickles, onion relish, milk bun and french fries; and local flathead beer battered – chunky chips and tartar.

The Basin Dining Room is located at 1 Surfview Road, Mona Vale. For bookings, visit their website here.

Mona Vale Library Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Honours Woman Who Made It All Happen

Half a century ago, Olive Beaton dreamt of a library for the local community and made it happen! More than 100 guests recently paid tribute to the woman whose efforts gave rise to the Mona Vale Library, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Olive Beaton was a Mona Vale resident who was passionate about establishing a library in Mona Vale, after realising that the nearest library was at Warringah. For five years, she attended Council meetings and worked tirelessly to ensure that the creation of a local library was not overlooked.

Ms Beaton was on-site at Park St for the turning of the sod of the library’s construction in 1971. One year later, her dream had become a reality.

Designed by award-winning architect Col Madigan, the Mona Vale Library officially opened in 1072 to serve the Northern Beaches Community.

Olivia Beaton — *Photo Credit: NBC History Hub*

Linda Touw, Ms Beaton’s daughter, attended the celebration of her mother’s passion.

The North Narrabeen resident said that her mum “happily endorsed” the construction of the second building knowing it will provide more space for books, learning, and enrichment.

“With two children at primary school, (Olive) came to realise how important a library was to the whole community. Warringah Shire Library was so far to reach after school and it was even more difficult without a car,” Ms Touw said.

“Mum’s contribution to the establishment of the library was commemorated in a tree-planting ceremony to mark the commencement of construction of the new building,” she added.

Serving the Community

Now home to 44,500 collections, including media and audiobooks, the Mona Vale Library has been a huge benefit to the Pittwater community.

In 2021 alone, the library has loaned over 142,000 items and hosted nearly a hundred Storytime sessions for the children. It has consistently hosted reading groups, movie clubs, and other community activities.

Mona Vale Library 2004 — *Photo Credit: NBC History Hub*

During COVID-19 lockdowns, the library still provided service with home deliveries and drop-off borrowing. In recent times, its popularity has resurged with students and parents.

The Mona Vale Library has seen some changes in its 50 years, including the opening of a bigger second building in 2004. The main building is now the Customer Service Centre.

The Mona Vale Library is open seven days a week. Phone 02 8495 5024 for enquiries.

Sydney’s Super Ambulance Project Almost Complete Months After Mona Vale Site Opens

Editor’s Note: This article has been edited for accuracy and clarity. The Mona Vale facility is a traditional ambulance station, not a super ambulance station.

Did you know that the planned super ambulance stations under the Sydney Ambulance Metropolitan Infrastructure Strategy program are now almost complete? The final site in Central Sydney had its sod-turning ceremony recently, nearly six months after a new, traditional ambulance station in Mona Vale went live.

In May 2021, NSW Ambulance unveiled the new Mona Vale ambulance stationwithin the redeveloped Mona Vale Hospital campus following years of planning and construction work. The traditional ambulance station in Mona Vale is part of a series of constructions that include super ambulance stations located in Caringbah, Kogarah, Blacktown, Liverpool, Bankstown, Penrith, Artarmon, Northmead, Randwick, Haberfield, and Glebe. The last super ambulance station, located in Central Sydney, is expected to finish construction by 2023.

During the planning stages for the Mona Vale ambulance station, Pittwater MP Rob Stokes told residents that the emergency services facility will have the capacity to deliver helicopter services and other transport linkages to the Northern Beaches Hospital in Frenchs Forest and the Royal North Shore Hospital in St Leonards.

“When you look at figures over the last decade, the reality of ambulance transport is it goes to North Shore hospital,” Mr Stokes said. “This will actually make it easier to have an ambulance take you to the even closer Northern Beaches Hospital. It is a significant improvement on what we have at the moment.”

Work on the site was simultaneously done with the Randwick super ambulance station. The NSW Government invested $184 million into the SAMIS network.

“With all the new superstations and Paramedic Response Points, there will now be 55 operational facilities across metro Sydney to respond to emergencies,” NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dominic Morgan said.

The Sydney Ambulance Metropolitan Infrastructure Strategy (SAMIS) program covers:

• Ten superstations were completed at Bankstown, Blacktown, Kogarah, Liverpool, Penrith, Northmead, Artarmon, Caringbah, Haberfield, Randwick
• a traditional station at Mona Vale
• another superstation under construction in Central Sydney
• Seven PRPs completed at Kellyville, Mortdale, Bonnyrigg, Quakers Hill, Roselands, Leppington and Holroyd
• Fit-out of two Sector Offices at Werrington and Mascot

Mona Vale Couple Shares Free E-Books for Kids for the Lockdown

Since most establishments, including libraries, are closed during the Sydney lockdown, a couple from Mona Vale has generously shared free e-books online for parents to read to their children during this trying period.

Chris and Kate Stead, a pair of Mona Vale parents with young kids, have written over 20 children’s books together, including one insightful and timely story about COVID-19.

In Superheroes Wear Masks, the Stead couple imparts ways to let the children understand why people have to wear this protective gear and, in the process, appease their anxieties about the pandemic.

Chris and Kate have also created activity books and picture books for the children to while their time away as they stay cooped indoors. The couple first shared their creations for free in 2020, when the Northern Beaches was the hotspot for virus transmission.

Their e-books for kids are released via their own publishing house, Old Mate Media. They are available for free for a limited time. Parents can download the e-books on the official site and follow their Facebook page for updates and other offers.

*Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Council*

Meanwhile, adult bookworms in Mona Vale and the Northern Beaches LGU may also check out books during the lockdown, which will be conveniently delivered to their homes. The Northern Beaches Council has re-activated Library2U, which has expanded its collection with more books for all ages.

To take advantage of this service, Northern Beaches residents may download the library app. The service will remain in place amidst the extension of the stay-at-home orders in Sydney.

Organic Food Market: Popular Mona Vale Attraction Here to Stay

The weekly Organic Food Market that offers the Mona Vale community a wide variety of goods and produce is here to stay.

Following a final decision by the independent Northern Beaches Planning Panel, the Organic Food Market — which relocated to Mona Vale from French’s Forest in 2019 — will be able to remain and continue operating in their new home until 2024, where they will have to make another application to stay.

Earlier in 2019, the Organic Food Market from French’s Forest was forced to pack up and relocate after 25 years of being hosted in the same location — the car park of a local pub. The site had to be cleared to make room for new developments, leading to the demolishing of Parkway Hotel to build a new pub on top of a Dan Murphy’s liquor store.

Following their cancellation, the future of the market was uncertain. Later in the year, they had announced that they will be reopening 15 kilometres away in Mona Vale, specifically north of the Pittwater RSL car park on a trial basis.

Despite the Organic Food Market being set up as a mere trial, it managed to garner thousands of visitors who flock to the grounds every Sunday morning. In fact, the market still draws crowds to this day, allowing customers to purchase a variety of goods including fruits and vegetables, bread, and even have their children partake in bouncy castles.

The market can be found at Pittwater RSL, 82 Mona Vale Road every Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Those interested in learning more can visit their website here. Follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates and announcements concerning the market and produce available.

Mona Vale Hospital Opens New Palliative Care Unit

Mona Vale Hospital has officially opened its palliative care unit for patients with serious illnesses, allowing them to receive better healthcare while simultaneously being closer to friends and family. Mona Vale is the first suburb to have a specialised palliative care unit available in the Northern Beaches.

On the 4th of February, 2021, the Mona Vale Hospital opened its all-new purpose-built Palliative Care and Geriatric Evaluation and Management building.

Palliative care refers to specialised medical care for people with serious illnesses, providing them with relief from the symptoms and stress of their respective afflictions. Thus, patients in palliative care require specialised care that caters to both their physical and emotional needs.

The Mona Vale palliative care unit was constructed as part of the New South Wales’ Government’s multi-million dollar investment into palliative care and the reduction of avoidable hospital admissions. As of March 2021, the state government has invested an extra $145-M on top of an annual $220-M, and the 2020-21 NSW Budget also included an additional $56-M to boost palliative care services.

In total, the NSW government has invested $619-M into upgrading health facilities across the Northern Beaches. Health Minister Brad Hazzard comments, “The NSW Government is committed to providing best practice multidisciplinary palliative care services that give patients and their families real choice and support during what is undoubtedly one of the most difficult times.”

Prior to the installation of the new building, people would have to travel to Greenwich or Neringah which made it difficult for them to spend time with their loved ones. The Palliative Care and Geriatric Evaluation and Management building possesses two wings: a 10-bed palliative care unit, and a 10-bed Geriatric Evaluation and Management unit, both of which aim to diversify the medical care and services provided by the Mona Vale Hospital.

An estimated 50 members of staff will work at the facility, operating through disciplines of medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy, administration, and countless other personalised care services.

The Mona Vale Hospital can be found at 18 Coronation St, Mona Vale. For more information, visit their website. Follow their Facebook page for the latest updates, news, and announcements concerning their facilities and for inspirational stories.

Mona Vale Hospital Main Building Demolished as Private Health Providers Sought

Demolitions have begun at the main building of Mona Vale Hospital on Coronation Street. The asbestos-ridden site, which has been closed since October, will be replaced with a new ambulance station, while private health providers have been sought to revitalise the new health care centre.

“This demolition work will make way for the new NSW Ambulance station and is part of the largest investment in health services on the northern beaches in decades,” Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

Mr Hazzard also said that for years, regular air tests were conducted two-monthly at Mona Vale Hospital to ensure that there were no asbestos leaks. Mona Vale Hospital’s main building provided emergency care, maternity care, and other acute services.

“It’s for this exact reason we have commenced the essential process of building brand new facilities at Mona Vale Hospital,” the health minister said.

*Photo Credit: Mona Vale Hospital/Facebook*

Some residents, however, have staunchly opposed the revitalisation and privatisation as public hospital services around the Northern Beaches have been dwindling in numbers. The locals had hopes that the main building will be reinstated, not demolished, following the redevelopment.

The group Save Mona Vale Hospital has been campaigning to retain the main building “provide emergency, surgery, maternity and other acute services at a minimum of a Level 3 standard for the public good.”

Members of the group Mona Vale Hospital’s Emergency & Surgical Must Be Returned, on the other hand, have been writing government officials to retain the main hospital building.

“Mona Vale Hospital has been part of the Northern Beaches community since the early 1960s and is part of our modern heritage. The decision to knock down the main building after 2018 is opposed by the local community. The main Mona Vale Hospital building is the largest piece of infrastructure in the Pittwater area and still has value even if put to other uses,” Mark Horton said in his letter to Councillor Rob Stokes.

With the main building gone, acute, maternity and emergency care services are now being undertaken at the Northern Beaches Hospital some 13.2 kilometres away.

Mona Vale Surf Club New Building Construction Starts Winter

Construction of a new building for the Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) will finally start this winter. The Northern Beaches Council has approved the plans submitted last October 2018 to change its old building and improve its facilities.

The existing building on Surfview Road will be demolished to make way for a larger structure that will satisfy the needs of the club members for the next decades.

The old building of the Mona Vale Surf Club.
Photo Credit: Google Maps

The new building which will be completed in mid-2020.
Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Council

“The project will provide a fit for purpose facility that suits the needs of the surf club and the community. The new building will address ongoing storage issues, improve accessibility and safety, and provide commercial activities to generate revenue for Council,” the Development Application stated.

The new home of the Mona Vale Surf Club will be a two-storey building with the following amenities:

lift
commercial restaurant and cafes
gym
change rooms
function room
equipment storage room
first aid room
lifeguard room
administrative office

This is considered the first stage of the project. The Council expects that there will be another assessment by June 2020 for the next stage.

The projected cost of this refurbishment was at $6.7 million and the funds have been sourced from the Northern Beaches Council, the Pittwater Council SRV Program, the NSW Stronger Communities Fund, and through contributions from club members.