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Belrose North Landowners Fear New Planning Rules Could Limit Building Rights

Landowners in Belrose North are concerned that proposed planning changes could leave them with fewer options for developing their properties, as Northern Beaches reviews feedback on a new framework for the area known as the Deferred Lands.

Read: Belrose Targeted for Housing Diversity Rules

The draft Local Environmental Plan (LEP) would introduce standard land-use zones across Belrose North and Oxford Falls Valley, where property owners have faced decades of uncertainty over planning controls. While local officials said the changes will create clearer rules and protect environmentally significant land, affected property owners argued the proposed controls could significantly restrict what they can build.

The dispute centres on the Deferred Lands, where residents say they have been campaigning over planning restrictions since 1974. The Warringah Urban Fringe Association (WUFA), which represents affected owners, supports consolidating outdated planning documents but argues the new framework should not come at the expense of existing development opportunities.

Concerns over building potential

Photo credit: northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Under the draft LEP, the number of permissible land uses across the Deferred Lands would fall from about 170 to between 23 and 44, depending on the proposed zoning. The draft LEP would introduce lot-size restrictions that could prevent new homes from being built on some smaller properties. Although dwelling houses would be permitted in the proposed zones, separate lot-size provisions could prevent new homes on properties that do not meet the draft LEP’s requirements.

WUFA argued that the proposed restrictions could prevent owners of some smaller properties from building new homes, depending on the applicable lot-size and zoning requirements.

The association has recommended smaller minimum lot sizes, including 1,000 square metres for R5 land and 20,000 square metres for RU4 land. It has also raised concerns about environmental mapping used to identify biodiversity areas, wildlife corridors, waterways and wetlands, arguing that some classifications may not accurately reflect conditions on individual properties.

Development footprint limits are another point of contention. WUFA argues the proposed controls could reduce the permitted development footprint to 10 per cent on affected properties, compared with existing allowances it identifies as 70 per cent in Oxford Falls and 50 per cent in Belrose North. The potential impact would vary by property, and these figures have not been independently verified for every affected block.

Northern Beaches reviews community feedback

Northern Beaches said the new planning framework is intended to bring four sets of planning controls into one system, making requirements easier to understand while protecting environmental values and directing development to appropriate locations.

The Deferred Lands are among the areas where the draft introduces standard zoning, reflecting existing land uses and environmental considerations in line with state planning requirements. Council has indicated that the proposed changes would guide future development rather than automatically making existing lawful dwellings illegal. Future development applications would be assessed under the applicable planning rules, with transitional provisions for certain applications already lodged.

Public exhibition of the draft LEP and Development Control Plan closed on September 30, 2026. In an October 1 update, Council said it was reviewing approximately 700 submissions and considering community feedback before finalising the documents. The figure is indicative and subject to confirmation in the final report.

The draft plans are expected to go before Northern Beaches for endorsement in early 2027. If endorsed, the LEP would be forwarded to the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for final approval. Council anticipates the new planning framework will begin taking effect in mid-2027.

Read: Belrose Bushland Sites Cleared for Private Market

The outcome could shape how future development is managed across Belrose North properties that have been subject to longstanding planning uncertainty. The challenge is to establish a consistent planning framework while taking into account the circumstances and development rights of existing landowners.

Published 10-October-2026

At least 10 crews respond as woman, 77, is freed from rolled car at Belrose

Drivers at Belrose faced heavy delays on Mona Vale Road while four agencies worked to free a 77-year-old woman from her rolled car.

Counting the Response

The crash happened on Thursday, 24 September Just before 10:30 a.m., Triple Zero (000) operators began taking calls about a car that had left the road near the Greenwood Landfill & Waste Recovery Facility, the Northern Beaches Advocate reported. Four ambulance crews, three police units, crews from two Rural Fire Service stations and one specialist rescue team from Fire and Rescue NSW went to the scene. Four agencies, one stretch of road, and a lot of people with different jobs to do.

NSW Ambulance’s four crews included Intensive Care Paramedics and Inspector Melissa McGovern. The police units came from Northern Beaches Police Area Command. Rural Fire Service volunteers arrived from the Terrey Hills and Ku-ring-gai stations, and the rescue specialists were from Fire and Rescue NSW’s Gordon station.

What the Crews Found

The car was reported to be heading east when it went through the median strip. It then rolled across the westbound lanes and hit trees beside the road, setting off every airbag. It came to rest in bushes just before the waste facility’s entry. The woman was alone in the car, semiconscious and trapped.

What does a rescue like this look like from the roadside? Three things were happening at the same time. Volunteers ran out a hose line in case the car caught fire. Paramedics checked the woman’s condition. Rescue firefighters worked out how to reach her. Once the plan was set, hydraulic tools pried open the driver’s door, and crews moved her onto an ambulance stretcher.

Hospital and Injuries

Paramedics assessed a severe crush and amputation injury to her right hand, along with injuries to her lower legs. They were also concerned about possible internal and spinal injuries, so Intensive Care Paramedics treated her at the roadside before she was moved. Shortly after 11 a.m., she was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious condition. The Advocate’s report did not give a later update.

NSW Police are investigating the cause. No other vehicles appear to have been involved. It is suspected the woman may have had a medical episode before the car left the road, though police have not released any findings.

Slow Going on Mona Vale Road

One westbound lane was closed during the rescue and the police investigation. Heavy traffic built up from the Forest Way end of the road and lasted into the afternoon. The scene was cleared just after 3 p.m.

This is general guidance and is not linked to any finding about this crash. Drivers in NSW must tell Transport for NSW as soon as possible about medical conditions recommended for notification, and the agency may add licence conditions or ask for a medical assessment. A GP is the best first stop for anyone unsure whether a health condition affects their driving.

Published Date 01-October-2026

Duffys Forest Truck Destroyed as Terrey Hills Crew Caught in Hazard Reduction Fire

Photo Credit: NSW Rural Fire Service - Cumberland/Macarthur District/Facebook

A Duffys Forest fire truck has been destroyed and a near-new Terrey Hills tanker has been damaged after Northern Beaches RFS volunteers were caught in a hazard-reduction fire that escaped containment in Sydney’s south-west.

The planned 41-hectare burn between Katanna Road and Minerva Road at Wedderburn began at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, 26 September, after two successful test fires. About 100 firefighters were involved, including crews from Duffys Forest, Terrey Hills, Davidson and Tumbledown Dick.

Crews retreat as fire intensifies

Conditions changed at about 4:00 p.m., when a sudden wind change intensified the fire. Northern Beaches crews were working near Winton Close at the time, with local reporting saying 19 firefighters were forced into a rapid retreat as the flames approached.

RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said some firefighters were away from their tankers when the fire came through and withdrew to a nearby property. Emergency spray systems on the tankers were activated, and firefighters resumed operations after retreating from the area.

Additional resources, including two helicopters, were sent in. One volunteer firefighter suffered smoke inhalation and chest pain and was taken to hospital as a precaution before being released, while 17 others were assessed and cleared by paramedics.

Duffys tanker lost to flames

Three Northern Beaches firefighting vehicles were directly affected. The destroyed vehicle was reported to be Duffys Forest Rural Fire Brigade’s large Category 1 tanker, which was about two years old. A near-new Terrey Hills truck and an appliance from Tumbledown Dick were also damaged but were believed to be salvageable.

About 20 Northern Beaches firefighters had been deployed to the operation. Around a dozen volunteers were later collected from Wedderburn RFS Station by RFS buses and returned to the Northern Beaches at about 9:00 p.m.

*Photo Credit: NSW Rural Fire Service – Cumberland/Macarthur District/Facebook*

Pittwater MP Jacqui Scruby said she had been in contact with affected RFS members and understood the Duffys Forest crew had been cleared following assessments by ambulance teams. She thanked the volunteers involved and called for a new truck for the brigade following the loss.

Brigade loses key appliance

Duffys Forest Rural Fire Brigade operates from a $2.4 million station opened in 2023 with four truck bays. The facility also serves as a base for the Northern Beaches Remote Area Firefighting Team. At the time of its opening, the RFS recorded more than 160 volunteers with the brigade.

Details of replacement arrangements for the destroyed Duffys Forest tanker had not been announced by the RFS at the time of publication.

Investigation follows containment breach

Commissioner Curtin has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Wedderburn burn, with the safety regulator also notified. He said it was too early to determine whether the incident could have been prevented. Minor damage was later identified at two properties.

The investigation comes as the RFS prepares for potentially heightened bushfire risk after what Curtin described as the driest winter on record and confirmed strong El Niño conditions. High temperatures and dry conditions are expected through spring and could extend into summer.

Fire fleet overhaul approaches

The truck loss comes days after legislation was introduced to NSW Parliament to transfer ownership of more than 6,000 RFS vehicles, known as the Red Fleet, from councils to the RFS from 1 July 2027.

The transition is backed by $470 million over 10 years, while a further $106 million over four years has been allocated for critical maintenance and safety upgrades. The NSW Government says centralised ownership is intended to improve fleet reliability, statewide standards and management over the working life of vehicles.

Scruby said the Wedderburn incident reinforced the need for RFS brigades to have reliable equipment as they prepare for the bushfire season.

The investigation into how the planned hazard reduction escaped containment is continuing.

Published 29-Sept-2026

County Road Reserve Transfer Clears Way For Future Sports Upgrades

County Road Reserve in Belrose is set to be transferred to Northern Beaches authorities, removing a key land ownership barrier and clearing the way for future planning and investment at one of the area’s important sporting spaces.

Read: Upgrades at County Road Reserve Left in Limbo

The 1.72-hectare reserve on Forest Way is the home ground of Wakehurst Football Club, which has around 2,000 players, and forms part of the Northern Beaches’ wider open space network. The transfer is intended to place the reserve under local ownership, opening the door to upgrading and expanding its recreational use as demand for quality sporting infrastructure grows across the Northern Beaches.

A Key Sporting Space For Belrose

Photo credit: Arjan Dalebout/Google Maps

County Road Reserve has long been identified as an important sporting asset and an opportunity to help meet growing demand for quality sporting infrastructure. The reserve is used by Wakehurst Football Club, while local sporting organisations have identified the site as a key opportunity as participation in community sport continues to rise.

The NSW announcement also highlighted increasing participation among women and girls across the Northern Beaches. Local ownership is expected to provide greater scope for the reserve’s recreational use to be upgraded and expanded.

The announcement does not specify that individual upgrades at the reserve have already been approved or funded. Instead, the transfer is intended to remove an ownership barrier that has affected plans for improved sports facilities at the site. The immediate change is the proposed transfer of ownership, while the scope and timing of future improvements have yet to be detailed.

Transfer Clears A Barrier To Future Investment

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully described County Road Reserve as the type of community asset that could thrive under local ownership, pointing to its use by local families, players, and volunteers. He said putting the reserve into local hands would allow the site to grow alongside the needs of the Northern Beaches community.

Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan described the transfer as an important step, saying State ownership had been a key barrier to progressing better sports facilities at County Road. According to Mr Regan, the change removes that barrier and clears the way for further planning and investment.

The NSW announcement also linked the transfer to wider open-space initiatives across Sydney, including $40 million through the Better Open Spaces Program and $520 million for open space and active transport in Transport Oriented Development precincts. For Belrose, the transfer puts the focus on what comes next for County Road Reserve.

Read: Belrose Bushland Sites Cleared for Private Market

The change would give local authorities ownership of the Forest Way sporting site, while future planning and investment will shape any changes to its recreational use and sporting facilities.

With State ownership identified as a key barrier to improved sports facilities, the transfer marks a change in how the reserve will be managed. The NSW announcement says it clears the way for planning and investment at the site.

Published 20-September-2026

Belrose Ambulance Station Becomes Base For New Command Vehicle

Belrose Ambulance Station is now home to a new 4WD command vehicle designed to give NSW Ambulance inspectors a dedicated mobile base for coordinating major incidents across northern Sydney.

Command Capability Based At Belrose

The vehicle has been positioned at the Wearden Road station, which is located roughly in the middle of the Northern Sydney zone for NSW Ambulance.

Rather than transporting patients, its primary role is to support scene management when an incident requires multiple crews, communications channels and resources to be coordinated from one location.

The vehicle will operate daily and will generally be driven by an NSW Ambulance Inspector.

Belrose is also one of the ambulance stations serving the wider Northern Beaches, alongside Balgowlah, Mona Vale and Avalon. NSW Ambulance resources can be moved across the area according to operational requirements.

Communications At The Centre Of The Fit-Out

The command vehicle was developed with input from paramedics and managers, with its internal layout built around the practical requirements of incident coordination.

Several radio channels can be monitored at the same time. These can include the main ambulance channel, communications dedicated to a particular incident and contact involving aeromedical helicopters.

Portable radios can also be charged simultaneously inside the vehicle, allowing communications equipment to remain available while an operation is underway.

A workspace and whiteboard provide room for organising information at the scene, while the vehicle is also equipped with lighting and power. A small fridge forms part of the fit-out, with equipment assigned its own space inside the command area.

4WD Access Extends Where It Can Operate

The vehicle’s four-wheel-drive capability allows it to reach difficult-to-access locations, giving NSW Ambulance another option when a command point needs to be established away from easier road access.

That capability is relevant to an area where emergency responses can extend beyond suburban streets into bushland and trail environments. The vehicle itself is intended as a command resource rather than a dedicated patient-transport ambulance.

From its Belrose base, it can be deployed across Sydney’s north when a larger response requires an inspector to oversee communications and coordinate resources from a single location.

Its permanent placement at Belrose Ambulance Station means the vehicle will be available for daily operations within the Northern Sydney zone.

Published 10-September-2026

Lizard Rock Housing Bid Withdrawn After Years of Planning Debate

A proposal to build up to 450 homes on Aboriginal-owned land at Morgan Road, Belrose, has been withdrawn, bringing the current planning process for the site known as Lizard Rock to an end.

Read: Preserving Patyegarang: Opposition Mounts to Belrose Housing Plan

The Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council’s Patyegarang planning proposal is listed as “Not Proceeding” on the NSW Planning Portal. The proposal covered a 71-hectare site and sought rezoning for residential development, a cultural centre, and other land uses.

The withdrawal follows years of debate over the future of the site, with bushfire risk, environmental impacts, and potential loss of bushland among the concerns raised during the planning process.

Bushfire and environmental concerns

Bushfire risk was a significant issue surrounding the proposal. Northern Beaches authorities had previously raised concerns about whether the proposal adequately addressed access and evacuation issues associated with the proposed development. The site is bushfire-prone, making emergency access and evacuation important considerations in the planning process.

Northern Beaches had also argued the proposal was inconsistent with relevant planning strategies and its Conservation Zones Review, while raising concerns about the environmental values of the site.

The scale of the land involved was another point of concern. Northern Beaches estimated the proposal could result in the loss of bushland equivalent to about 45 football fields.

Masterplan (Photo credit: NSW Planning Portal)

The planning documents covered more than residential development. The proposal included a cultural centre, conservation areas and other proposed land uses.

The site is owned by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, making the proposal part of a broader discussion about Aboriginal land rights and the economic use of Aboriginal-owned land. The land council had sought to develop the site to generate revenue for its broader objectives, including programs benefiting Aboriginal people and social housing initiatives.

Northern Beaches has acknowledged the importance of Aboriginal land rights and economic self-determination while maintaining that another approach should be found for the Morgan Road site.

Future of the Morgan Road site remains open

The withdrawal removes the current proposal for up to 450 homes from the planning process, while the longer-term future of the site remains unresolved.

Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said the withdrawal created an opportunity to pursue an alternative outcome that recognises the rights and aspirations of Aboriginal landowners while protecting the site’s bushland values.

Northern Beaches authorities have previously sought an alternative financial model that could allow the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council to benefit from its land while protecting the bushland. This included discussions involving federal and NSW representatives and the land council.

The latest development has been welcomed by Northern Beaches, which also acknowledged community members and Wakehurst independent MP Michael Regan for their advocacy during the planning debate.

The Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council’s withdrawal means the current Patyegarang proposal will not proceed in its existing form. The NSW Planning Portal records the application as “Not Proceeding” and lists a withdrawal letter from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council dated July 2026.

Read: Belrose Bushland Sites Cleared for Private Market

The withdrawal does not establish a new use for the land. Any future proposal for the Morgan Road site would be a separate planning matter.

Published 5-September-2026

7 of the Best Restaurants In or Around Belrose

Belrose isn’t the suburb people usually think of first when it comes to eating out on the northern beaches — but spend a bit of time around Glenrose Village and Forest Way and you’ll find a surprisingly solid spread of options, from a cafe locals rank as the best restaurant in the suburb to a pub with the area’s biggest indoor playground.

We’ve pulled together seven of the best restaurants in and around Belrose, including a couple of near-neighbours in Terrey Hills and Forestville worth the short drive. As always, this isn’t a definitive ranking, just a solid list based on what locals keep coming back for.

1. Acacia Eatery

⭐ 4.4/5 (146 Google reviews)

Ranked the number one restaurant in Belrose on Tripadvisor, Acacia Eatery has built its reputation on restaurant-quality food at genuinely suburban prices. It’s a fully licensed all-day dining spot doing brunch, dinner and drinks well, with reviewers regularly praising the warm service and the thoughtful handling of dietary requirements, including solid gluten-free options.

Try: Eggs Benedict, Salted Caramel Tart, Latte

📍 Address: 58 Glen St, Belrose NSW 2085

🗺️ View on Google Maps →

Price guide: $20–40 per person · Bookings via nowbookit.com or (02) 8283 0749

2. Belrose Hotel

⭐ 4.1/5 (1,462 Google reviews)

The local pub and then some, Belrose Hotel is a genuine family destination thanks to Sydney’s biggest indoor playground alongside a full bistro menu, live music and a solid drinks list. Reviews are mixed on consistency, as you’d expect from a busy all-rounder, but the winter menu and classics like the nachos and chicken wings get regular praise.

Try: Nachos, Chicken Wings, Chicken Parmi, Sunday Roast, Fish Tacos

📍 Address: 5 Hews Parade, Belrose NSW 2085

🗺️ View on Google Maps →

Price guide: $20–40 per person · Bookings via belrosehotel.com.au or (02) 9451 8585

3. Urban Tadka (Terrey Hills)

⭐ 4.5/5 (1,610 Google reviews)

Worth the short drive over to Terrey Hills, Urban Tadka is upscale Indian dining done properly, with a menu that stretches well beyond the usual curry-house staples into lobster, lamb chops and Bollywood-style function dining. Reviewers consistently rate the food, ambience and service as exceptional, making it a genuine special-occasion pick for the wider area.

Try: Lamb Chops, Tandoori Chicken, Taco Chaat, Scallops Lychee Lasana, Mango & Pistachio Kulfi Falooda

📍 Address: 321 Mona Vale Rd, Terrey Hills NSW 2084

🗺️ View on Google Maps →

Price guide: $40–140 per person · Bookings via urbantadka.com.au or (02) 9986 1040

4. Inakaya Japanese Restaurant

⭐ 4.2/5 (226 Google reviews)

A modern Japanese spot in Glenrose Village offering a broad menu spanning tempura, sushi and sizzling wagyu beef. Reviewers appreciate the variety on offer and the clean, comfortable dining space, making it a solid pick for a casual Japanese dinner without needing to head further afield.

Try: Tempura, Premium Wagyu Beef, Sushi & Sashimi Bento, Salt & Pepper King Prawn

📍 Address: 31/56-58 Glen St, Belrose NSW 2085

🗺️ View on Google Maps →

Price guide: $20–40 per person · 0448 203 526

5. Ember Sourdough Pizza (Forestville)

⭐ 4.8/5 (189 Google reviews)

A short drive into Forestville, this cosy sourdough pizza spot has developed a loyal following in a short space of time. Reviewers consistently highlight the warm, personal service and the quality of the wood-fired sourdough base, whether you’re dining in or grabbing takeaway — with the classic tiramisu getting a regular mention as the dessert to order.

Try: Wood-Fired Sourdough Pizza, Beef Arancini, Classic Tiramisu

📍 Address: 6/51 Arthur St, Forestville NSW 2087

🗺️ View on Google Maps →

Price guide: $20–40 per person · Bookings via OpenTable or 0466 670 555

6. Club Belrose

⭐ 4.2/5 (335 Google reviews)

The local bowling club is also a reliable spot for an affordable feed, with its Cascade Dining room turning out everything from schnitzel nights to seafood specials and Sunday roasts. Reviewers rate the food, service and value highly, and it’s a genuinely social option with regular live music and members’ events alongside the dining room.

Try: Chicken Schnitzel, Sunday Roast, Seafood Specials

📍 Address: 146 Forest Way, Belrose NSW 2085

🗺️ View on Google Maps →

Price guide: Budget-friendly club dining · (02) 9451 5803

7. Fish Delish

⭐ 4.0/5 (62 Google reviews)

A modern seafood restaurant in Glenrose Village bringing coastal-style dining inland. Reviewers praise the friendly, fast service and reasonable pricing, with the grilled barramundi singled out as cooked to perfection — though it’s worth checking ahead if you’re after cocktails or dessert, as a couple of reviews flag inconsistency there.

Try: Grilled Barramundi, Calamari, Fish and Chips

📍 Address: Shop 33, 56/58 Glen St, Belrose NSW 2085

🗺️ View on Google Maps →

Price guide: $20–40 per person · (02) 8387 8958

That’s our pick of seven standout spots in and around Belrose — proof there’s more going on around Glenrose Village than most people realise. Got a favourite we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments, or drop us a line — we’re always keen to hear where locals are eating.

Belrose Bushland Sites Cleared for Private Market

Three parcels of Belrose bushland covering almost 62,000 square metres are set to enter the private market after the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure confirmed the sites had been approved for open-market sale.

Read: NSW Eyes Belrose Bushland for New Homes in Statewide Housing Push

The properties at 5 and 6 Elm Avenue and 106 Pringle Avenue had previously been identified for potential housing, but development across the sites is subject to planning and environmental constraints.

Housing potential tightly restricted

Garigal National Park (Photo credit: Google Maps/Matthew Dunn)

Up to 24 homes could be accommodated across the three properties. Only 16,940 square metres of the combined holding has been identified for housing development. The remaining land is subject to requirements covering vegetation, public open space, and a native wildlife eco-corridor.

The sites sit within the Belrose Corridor, a bushland area near Garigal National Park. The restrictions significantly limit the portion of the holding that can be used for housing. The properties had previously been identified as surplus NSW-owned land with potential for housing.

Homes NSW and Landcom pass on opportunity

The move to the private market follows Homes NSW and Landcom not proceeding with the opportunity to acquire the sites.

The Manly Observer reported on August 26 that DPHI had confirmed the three surplus properties were approved for open-market sale for housing delivery. It also reported that an expression-of-interest campaign was expected to commence in the near future to identify a suitable proponent.

The unusually shaped 106 Pringle Avenue parcel has previously attracted the informal nickname “giant schlong of Belrose,” a description that has appeared in local political and media discussion.

What happens next?

With Homes NSW and Landcom not proceeding, the next step is an expression-of-interest process for the sites. The housing component remains constrained by the existing requirements covering vegetation, public open space and the wildlife corridor.

Any future development proposal would need to be considered against the planning and environmental requirements applying to the site.

Read: Belrose Targeted for Housing Diversity Rules

For now, the immediate question is who will express interest in the land and what kind of proposal could eventually emerge. DPHI expects the expression-of-interest campaign to commence in the near future, providing a pathway for private proponents to express interest in the three Belrose properties.

Published 29-August-2026

Belrose Targeted for Housing Diversity Rules

Belrose residents are being urged to review proposed planning changes that could reshape dual-occupancy developments, housing diversity, and local zoning. The draft Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP)—on public exhibition until Sunday, 30 August 2026—aim to replace legacy controls from the former Manly, Pittwater, and Warringah councils with a unified framework for the Northern Beaches.

While Northern Beaches Council maintains that most areas will experience limited change, Belrose could see a more noticeable impact due to overlapping proposals within the suburb.

Dual-Occupancy Standards on R2 Land

To consolidate local standards within the broader NSW planning framework, the draft sets new minimum lot sizes for R2 Low Density Residential land:

Attached dual occupancies (e.g., duplexes): Minimum 800 m²
Detached dual occupancies: Minimum 900 m²

Development applications will still require consent and assessment against standard requirements, including landscaping, setbacks, parking, tree retention, and bushfire risk.

Housing Diversity Around Belrose Centre

Belrose is one of five identified centres—alongside Avalon, Newport, North Narrabeen, and Freshwater—proposed for a ‘Housing Diversity Area’.

Under the draft, mapped low-density residential properties within 400 metres of the Belrose local centre could accommodate boarding houses and hostels. Council selected these locations to improve access to services and transport, though any development remains subject to consent and strict design controls covering privacy, scale, and neighbourhood amenity.

CHECK PROPERTY MAP

Major Zoning Shifts for Belrose North

Distinct from the local centre proposals, Belrose North and Oxford Falls Valley (the ‘Deferred Lands’) are transitioning out of the Warringah LEP 2000 framework.

Driven largely by Council’s Conservation Zones Review, these areas will adopt standard NSW planning zones, including Primary Production Small Lots (RU4), Environmental Conservation (C2), Environmental Management (C3), and Large Lot Residential (R5).

Many of the proposed zoning changes follow Council’s Conservation Zones Review and its analysis of existing land uses, environmental values and local character.

An earlier version included a two-year provision that would have retained some currently permitted uses after the new LEP commenced. However, the NSW Department’s Gateway conditions required Council to remove that provision before the proposal went on formal public exhibition.

Broader Controls and Next Steps

Beyond land use, the unified framework introduces broader controls, such as floor-space ratios for low-density areas, alongside updated DCP guidance for overshadowing, stormwater, and environmental hazards.

Because impacts vary considerably by site, Council strongly advises residents to inspect the NSW Planning Portal to check their specific property dimensions, zoning maps, and hazard overlays.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Submissions Close: 11:59 pm, Sunday 30 August 2026.

Published 29-July-2026

Contraband Shipment Theory Emerges After Terrey Hills Robbery

Photo Credit: NSW Police/Facebook

An alleged robbery at a Terrey Hills industrial unit is reported to be under examination for possible links to an international organised crime group and contraband concealed in a legitimate shipment.

Masked Men Threaten Staff At Tepko Road

NSW Police were called to the commercial premises shortly after 6:30am on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, after workers reported a robbery.

Staff told officers that two men wearing black balaclavas had entered at about 6am. The pair allegedly made demands and threatened workers before taking several items and leaving a short time later.

No injuries were reported. Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command established a crime scene, and detectives were seen conducting inquiries later that morning.

Police have not disclosed what was taken or identified any vehicles being sought in connection with the incident.

Possible Terrey Hills Robbery Link To Contraband

The incident was later reported to have involved a firearm. The investigation is also reported to be considering whether an international criminal group was involved and whether contraband had been placed inside a legitimate shipment without the importer’s knowledge.

That possible method is known as piggybacking. It involves prohibited goods being inserted into a commercial shipping container at its point of origin or destination, then removed by people with access to the freight network.

The reported theory in the Terrey Hills robbery is that trusted insiders were expected to retrieve concealed goods at Port Botany before the legitimate cargo continued to the business on Tepko Road.

Arrests involving port workers, along with the May arrest of a 29-year-old Sydney man alleged to have coordinated activity for criminal groups, may have disrupted that plan.

Under the unconfirmed scenario, the container instead reached the Terrey Hills business intact and the group allegedly arranged the robbery to recover the concealed items.

The nature of any suspected contraband has not been disclosed. The possible connection between the Tepko Road incident, the shipment and the earlier arrests forms part of the reported theory and has not been established as fact.

Taskforce Targets Trusted Insiders

NSW Police is part of the Multi Agency Strike Team, which targets international crime groups that use insiders with access to shipping containers, freight systems and restricted premises.

The taskforce also includes the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, NSW Crime Commission, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AUSTRAC and the Australian Taxation Office.

Its work has disrupted several alleged importation plots involving trusted insiders at Port Botany. Criminal groups are alleged to have paid insiders as much as $200,000 in cash, depending on the access or assistance provided.

Contraband can be removed while a container remains at the port. When goods are concealed within the container’s structure, they may instead be retrieved after the legitimate cargo has been delivered and the empty container has returned to a freight facility.

The taskforce examines how prohibited goods bypass border controls, identifies weaknesses used by criminal networks and seeks to prevent the same access from being exploited again.

Police asked anyone with information about the Tepko Road robbery to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Published 8-July-2026