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Protect Yourselves! Ross River and Barmah Forest Viruses Detected at the Narrabeen Lagoon

Residents of Narrabeen, along with the rest of the Northern Beaches, are urged to protect themselves against mosquito bites by wearing proper clothing as authorities detect the Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses at the Narrabeen Lagoon.

The Northern Beaches Council was advised by NSW Health about the presence of the Barmah Forest virus in May whilst the Ross River virus was detected in March. The viruses come from animals like kangaroos or wallabies but it can be passed to humans due to the mosquito bites.

Symptoms of the virus include joint pain or inflammation that are not fatal but can be debilitating for people of all ages. Additionally, those bitten by the mosquitoes may develop fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, weakness, and rashes that last for seven to 10 days. Many will recover after a week but some may still experience joint pains and tiredness for months.

The Council and NSW Health have established a Mosquito Management Plan given the number of mosquito species in the area. There is no vaccine for these viruses.

Instead, the experts advise the following protection and safety measures:

Cover up with a loose-fitting long-sleeved shirt and long pants when outside.
Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin.
Take special care during peak mosquito-biting hours, especially around dawn and dusk.
Remove potential mosquito breeding sites from around the home and screen windows and doors.
Take extra precautions when travelling or camping in areas with a higher risk of mosquito-borne diseases.

Mosquitoes also thrive in very small amounts of water pooling, such as in basins or pots left open in the backyard. To reduce the risks, Council advised the following:

Clean up your backyard and remove all water-holding rubbish, including tyres and containers.
Keep your lawn mowed.
Flush and wipe out birdbaths and water features once a week.
Fill pot plant bases with sand to avoid standing water.
Store anything that can hold water undercover or in a dry place, and keep bins covered.
Flush out the leaves of water-holding plants such as bromeliads once a week.
Keep drains and roof guttering clear to avoid standing water.
Cover or securely screen the openings of septic tanks and rainwater tanks.
Ensure tarpaulins covering boats or trailers do not collect water.
Use fly screens on doors, windows and consider screening chimneys, vents, and other entrances.

More details are on the NSW Health Mosquitoes Fact Sheet.

Works Progressing On New Narrabeen Lagoon Pedestrian Bridge

Commuters, walkers, and cyclists will soon enjoy a wider shared path as the construction of a pedestrian and cycle bridge at the Narrabeen Lagoon has finally started earlier in February 2022.

Read: Enjoy a Lovely Nature Hike Along Narrabeen Lagoon Trail

Works involve extending the bridge and widening the footpath at the western end to ensure that there are no bottlenecks created.

Due to the narrow width of the existing pedestrian path on the western side of the bridge along Pittwater Road, it is not suitable to be used as a shared path. The existing bridge was built in 1946 and has a limited lifespan.

Once the existing bridge is upgraded, it will be constructed to a higher flood level to comply with current bridge design standards (to the same level as the new pedestrian and cycle bridge).

The new pedestrian bridge, which will be 3m wide, was designed to comply with a 100-year flood level. The original concept estimated installation of six piers, however following detailed engineering, the Northern Beaches Council identified the need for additional piers to reduce flex and support the stability of the bridge.

narrabeen bridge design — Narrabeen bridge arrangement plan (Photo credit: Northern Beaches Council)

It was proposed back in 2018 as locals used to complain to Council about the narrow shared path being a ‘bottleneck’ and a ‘safety hazard’ for cyclists and walkers.

“At the moment, a one-metre wide section of the Pittwater Road bridge is shared by walkers, joggers and bike riders. It’s led to bottlenecks and become a bit of a safety hazard,” said Rob Stokes MP, Member for Pittwater, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Cities, and Minister for Active Transport.

“This project will make it safer and more inviting for people to walk, jog or ride along what is one of Sydney’s great waterfront links,” Mr Stokes added.

The $3-million bridge is funded through a grant from Transport for NSW and supplemented by funding from Councils Stronger Communities Fund. Depending on weather conditions, works are expected to be complete by May 2022.

Bereavement Walks Help People in Narrabeen Deal with Grief

Bereavement Walks, a new and unique outdoor counseling technique that helps people cope with the loss of loved ones, are now available in Narrabeen and Long Reef.

Set up by palliative and aged care provider HammondCare, specifically their Northern Beaches Palliative Care Service, the new outdoor counseling program dubbed The Bereavement Walks Group was created to let those dealing with grief meet up in an informal setting to share their feelings while getting some exercise.

The program was launched in July 2020, and each of these walks are facilitated by a trained counsellor as well as volunteers who are trained to help people cope with grief and loss. The walks themselves last one to two hours, and given their success, it is likely that HammondCare will expand their reach to cater to people in the lower and upper north shore.

These walks are particularly therapeutic as they allow people in need of counseling to seek help and assistance by themselves, giving them avenues to unwind and talk about their feelings with other people while simultaneously receiving professional help. Volunteer counsellors occasionally interact with runners even outside of the organised group settings to have chats.

One trait that differentiates Bereavement Walks from traditional counselling is the less formal and emotionally demanding setting than the average indoor sit-in counselling sessions people have. Physical activity such as exercise also improves moods by creating positive focuses during challenging times.

In order to participate in these walks, registration is mandatory, and the eligibility criteria for involvement was the loss of a partner, a child, or a parent following palliative care at a HammondCare Hospital or HammondCare Community Service, or at a Northern Sydney Health District Hospital.

It is estimated that two new Bereavement Walks groups will open in Wahroonga and the lower North Shore at the end of June 2021. For more information on HammondCare’s Northern Beaches Palliative Care Service, visit their website here.

Barmah Forest Virus Detected at Narrabeen Lagoon

A mosquito-borne virus has been detected at the Narrabeen Lagoon prompting the NSW Ministry of Health to issue an advisory for locals enjoying their outdoor activities within this Northern Beaches site to protect themselves against the Barmah Forest virus.

Nature enthusiasts visiting the Narrabeen Lagoon are encouraged to cover up properly and wear light-coloured clothes. They must also use an effective insect repellent and re-apply this every few hours if they have exposed skin. The effectiveness of mosquito repellants usually wears off with perspiration.

Narrabeen Lagoon is an ideal site for bushwalking, jogging, cycling, fishing and kayaking. There is also a small protected beach by the lake’s entrance, where families enjoy swimming or a picnic.

If the locals are bringing their babies and children for outdoor walks or play, their exposed skin must be protected as well. According to the health officials, repellants are safe for babies above three months but parents are advised to read the labels carefully for the products they use.

The Barmah Forest virus, named after a northern Victorian region where it was first detected in 1974, can cause joint pain and usually develop after seven to 10 days of exposure. Most people recover from the disease.

“These infections can cause symptoms including tiredness, rash, fever, and sore and swollen joints,” Dr Michael Staff, Director, Northern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit said.

“The symptoms usually resolve after several days, but some people may experience these symptoms for weeks or even months.”

Mr Staff also said that mosquitoes are more active during the “early and late parts of the day” so he recommends extra protection for locals going to the lagoon at these times.

“Preventing infection with these viruses depends on avoiding mosquito bites, especially as the mosquitoes have become active after recent rain, warm days and high tides,” Mr Staff added.

Permaculture Northern Beaches to Screen ‘A New Story for Humanity’ in Narrabeen

A special screen of the documentary “A New Story for Humanity” will happen for one night only in Narrabeen.

Set for Thursday, the 27th of June 2019, the event will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the Lakeview Room of the Narrabeen Tramshed Community Centre on Pittwater Road.

Hosted by the Permaculture Northern Beaches, the event will also have a discussion about the movie with ecologist Walden Berry.

“A New Story for Humanity” features the crossroads humans face as progress and globalisation escalate. Featuring Satish Kumar, the General Secretary of the Global Ecovillage Network Lua Bashana-Kekana, and spiritual educators like Dorothy Maclean and Puma Quispe Singona, this film delves on how humans can regain their spirituality and consciousness about the environment amid the current economic, political and business climate.

The movie also aims to enlighten a new generation to build a different future for mankind using adaptable solutions. After watching this film, viewers will find that the tools to change the world are already at their disposal.

Apart from film screening, a swap table will be set up for guests to drop or pick up plants and seeds for contribution or swapping. Soup, tea and coffee will be provided.

This event is part of Permaculture Northern Beaches’ winter soup and film night. Admission is for $5 for members and $8 for non-members, which will be collected at the door.

Enjoy a Lovely Nature Hike Along Narrabeen Lagoon Trail

Enjoy the natural beauty of Narrabeen lakes by hiking and cycling around the scenic Narrabeen Lagoon Trail.

The Narrabeen Lagoon Trail was completed last February 2015. Since then, visitors have enjoyed its stunning 8.4-kilometre track around the scenic Narrabeen lake and its surrounding bushlands.

It is quite a popular place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city life due to its idyllic and calming atmosphere. During weekends you will see people wandering and enjoying this place by either walking, jogging, or cycling around the circuit track. A number of exciting boardwalks and steel bridges were also built at the trail for everyone’s enjoyment.

Due to its popularity, the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail can get a bit crowded sometimes. But there is no need to worry or feel stressed about the crowd since visitors are typically friendly, accommodating, and respectful to one another.

5 Sections of the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail

The Narrabeen Lagoon trail is divided into 5 sections: Middle Creek to Bilarong Reserve, Bilarong Reserve to Berry Reserve, Berry Reserve to Jamieson Park, Jamieson Park to South Creek, and South Creek back to Middle Creek

Middle Creek to Bilarong Reserve

You may begin your trail adventure starting at Middle Creek Reserve. It is considered as a good starting point for the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail, and it has decent facilities such as a car park, toilet, and water fountain.

At Middle Creek, you shall make your way up north and follow the Wakehurst Parkway that will eventually lead you to the Bilarong Reserve. Make sure to keep an eye out for some historical features scattered along the trail whilst walking. You may spot some lime and cement remains from the construction works in the area back in 1930’s and 1940’s. The total distance covered from Middle Creek to Bilarong Reserve is 2.2 kilometre.

Bilarong Reserve to Berry Reserve

Coming from a 2-km hike, you may opt to have a short stopover at the Bilarong Reserve especially if you have kids with you since it has a huge playground and excellent barbecue facilities. Bilarong Reserve is also a great spot for boat enthusiasts to launch their boats.

After your stopover, head on for a short stroll around the corner to Berry Reserve. The distance covered from Bilarong to Berry Reserve is about 1.2 kilometre

Berry Reserve to Jamieson Park

If you’re in the mood for a quick snack or meal, Berry Reserve is also a great place for a stopover. You may either have a picnic at the park or go to any of the cafes nearby. Other facilities of the Berry Reserve include public toilets, playground, basketball court, and barbecue grill.

After filling in your hungry stomach at Berry Reserve, simply follow the shoreline of the lake that will lead you all the way to Jamieson Park. The hike distance from Berry Reserve to Jamieson Park is about 1.5 kilometre

Jamieson Park to South Creek

Jamieson Park offers a picturesque surrounding and sheltered waters that comes from the southern point of the Narrabeen Lagoon. It is an ideal place for some water sports activities such as kayaking and stand up paddling. Board and boat rentals are available at the park.

Narrabeen Lake — *Photo credit: www.bestsydneywalks.com*

The 2.3-km hike from Jamieson Park to South Creek will give you scenic views of the lake and its native bushland surroundings

South Creek to Middle Creek

The trail from South Creek to Middle Creek was only finished last 2015. A wooden boardwalk and steel bridges were built in order to connect these two creeks, making a full and uninterrupted loop around the Narrabeen lakes possible. The distance covered from South Creek to Middle Creek is 1.2 kilometre.

When passing through this area, you may spot the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, an organization that specializes on sports programs for schools and other community and sporting groups that are looking for some outdoor activities to do.

The trail at Narrabeen Lagoon is very easy and diverse, although it can be too long for young children. Dogs are allowed too on the trail but only when they are on leash.

The expected duration for completing the entire trail is between 2-3 hours depending on your pacing. But of course, you don’t have to finish the whole trail in one day to enjoy Narrabeen Lagoon. You may simply choose one or two of the five sections and do the rest on a different day.

Fox Bait Release in Narrabeen

Over a thousand fox baits have been laid out in several reserves along Northern Beaches, including Jamieson Park and Deep Creek Reserve at Narrabeen, starting 25 February until 15 March 2019.

The Northern Beaches Council has an ongoing program of fox baiting in five different reserves, namely Manly Dam in Many Vale, Allenby Park in Allambie Heights, Middle Creek Reserve in Oxford Falls, and Jamieson Park and Deep Creek Reserve in Narrabeen.

This fox baiting program runs from 25 February until 15 March 2019. Please be advised that all reserves listed for fox baiting will be closed to household pets such as cats and dogs during baiting period and also 4 weeks post baiting, specifically until 12 April 2019.

Warning signs were put out on display to all the affected areas for reminders and also to notify the public about the ongoing fox baiting program by the Council.

*Jamieson Park*
*Photo credit: www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au*

*Deep Creek Reserve*
*Photo credit: Mark Zambelli/ Facebook*

The Fox Factor

European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were first introduced in Australia during 1855 for recreational hunting. Since then, its population had expanded greatly in all states and territories of Australia except Tasmania.

Foxes are nocturnal, territorial, and naturally skilled hunters and scavengers. They are known to have a surplus killing behaviour, which means they may kill more prey than they can consume. They have also adapted well to urbanisation over the years. Today, foxes are widely considered as pests for they pose a major threat to the survival of many species of animals.

Over the years, the increase of the population of foxes have been observed to coincide with the regional extinctions of several species of wildlife including bettong, the greater bilby, numbat, bridled nail-tail wallaby and the quokka. At present, many of these species persist only on islands or areas of the mainland where foxes are rare or absent.

Foxes also threaten the livestock industry which includes poultry, lambs, and goats. And aside from its threat to the survival of animals, foxes may also pose a health risk to both household pets and humans through the transmission of diseases and parasites such as distemper, parvo virus, and mange.

Fox Control Programs

Red Fox — *Photo credit: www.pestsmart.org.au*

Fox control programs aim to control the expansion of foxes in order to protect native and domestic animals. More importantly, it strives to return native animals to their natural habitats where they were once considered locally extinct. Activities of the program include monitoring, baiting, having scientific surveys of native animals, and community notification.

Methods for controlling foxes include shooting, poisoning, trapping, fumigation, and fencing. However, fox baiting with 1080 poison is considered to be the most effective and also cost-effective method for controlling foxes.

1080 poison is made up of sodium monofluoroacetate, an organic salt that occurs naturally in a range of Australian plant species that is toxic to a broad range of animals including foxes and dogs.

All procedures for fox baiting must be done strictly in order to minimise the risk of other animals and domestic pets. Extra precautions must also be done by pet owners during fox baiting periods.

Click here to find out more about Fox control in New South Wales.

What’s On Harbord Diggers at Freshwater

Photo credit: Narrabeen RSL/ Facebook

Take a break from work. Come and visit Narrabeen RSL, and enjoy the fun activities and delicious dining they offer.

Know more about the upcoming events happening at Narrabeen RSL.

Top Events In Narrabeen

Looking for fun and interesting things to do? Check out upcoming events happening in and around Narrabeen, NSW.

Movies Now Showing at United Cinemas Collaroy

Relax and enjoy a movie. Find out what’s showing at United Cinemas in Collaroy.