New Private Surgical Hub Established in Terrey Hills

Terrey Hills has become the new focal point for private medical care as Wyvern Private Hospital steps in to provide local surgical options for residents and specialists navigating the recent changes at Northern Beaches Hospital.



A Growing Local Alternative

The healthcare landscape across the peninsula changed recently when the state government decided to take full control of the hospital at Frenchs Forest. This move followed the financial difficulties faced by the previous private operator, Healthscope. 

While the facility transitions to a public-only model, many private doctors have been left searching for a new place to treat their patients. Wyvern Private Hospital has emerged as a key solution for these specialists, offering a space where elective surgeries can continue without the pressure of a busy emergency department.

Designed for Recovery

The facility was built with a specific focus on how the physical environment helps people heal. Instead of following traditional hospital designs, the founders worked with architects who had never built a medical centre before. This resulted in a layout that emphasises natural light, large windows, and a sense of space. 

One of the founders, Dr Yanni Sergides, noted that the goal was to create a place where patients felt relaxed rather than rushed. Even when the building is at its busiest, it is meant to feel quiet and open to help lower patient stress during their stay.

Specialist Support and Capacity

More than 100 physicians are now accredited at the site, covering a wide range of surgeries including spinal, orthopaedic, and vascular procedures. Dr David Carmody, a surgeon who moved much of his work to the area, explained that having a dedicated private facility allows for better control over patient beds and recovery times. 

Because the hospital does not take emergency walk-ins, its intensive care beds are reserved specifically for people recovering from planned surgeries. This prevents the common issue of elective operations being delayed because of a sudden influx of emergency cases in the public system.



Patient Experiences and Local Care

Local residents have already begun sharing positive stories about the ease of accessing care so close to home. Bonnie Boezeman, a local patient who has undergone many surgeries over the years, described the process as remarkably smooth. She found that she could complete all her pre-surgery tests, such as blood work and X-rays, in one location without needing to book weeks in advance. 

The facility also features a large rehabilitation centre with a pool and a team of physiotherapists. Staff members, including Deputy Director Evelyn Coleman, say the focus remains on building a family-like culture that puts the needs of the local community first while supporting the wider healthcare network.

Published Date 24-April-2026

How a Belrose Student’s Speech on Neurodivergence Took the Internet by Storm

A Belrose schoolboy has captured the hearts of parents and children around the world after a speech he gave to his classmates about living with autism and ADHD racked up more than seven million views online.


Read: Safety Improvements On Forest Way Mark Win For Belrose Community


Leo Bird, now 12 and freshly into high school, delivered the presentation to his school community last September. What started as a speech to his classmates has since reached an audience of millions.

In the speech, Leo compared neurodivergence to chilli, ranging from mild to medium to super spicy depending on the person. He also compared himself to a limited-edition Lego set, built differently but unique. The message at the heart of it all was simple: he isn’t broken, just different.

Leo said he hoped other neurodivergent kids watching would feel less alone, knowing there are others out there just like them, kids who are different and special and awesome.

His classmates’ response on the day was overwhelmingly warm. Many of them hadn’t known about his diagnosis before, and Leo said they came away proud of him and full of admiration for his honesty.

Leo’s mother, Lara Bird, a customer service co-ordinator at Three Birds Renovations, said the family has been inundated with messages from parents of other neurodivergent children since the video went viral. Many of those parents expressed relief and gratitude. Their children, they said, finally felt like they weren’t the only ones.

Photo credit: Facebook/Lara Bird

Leo was first assessed in preschool, a process Lara described as relatively straightforward given that her husband Peter, a marine electrician, had lived with ADHD himself growing up. The diagnosis brought a sense of relief and opened the door to early intervention. 

At his most unsupported, Leo’s behaviour in the classroom had escalated to the point where he needed to be removed from the room entirely. Medication, Lara said, changed their lives. Leo himself described it well in his speech: before, his brain felt like 200 browser tabs open at once. Now, with the right support, he’s down to a manageable few.

Lara is passionate about destigmatising neurodivergence and believes that even if diagnoses are becoming more common, the effect is ultimately positive. More diagnosed kids means fewer kids feeling isolated and misunderstood. Her advice to other parents starting out on the same road is to pursue early intervention, listen to their therapist, take advice from professionals, and make their child feel like they are not alone.


Read: $200m Belrose Seniors Housing Redevelopment Approved


As for Leo, he’s already thinking about what comes next. He has his sights set on a career in television or acting. His parents are no strangers to the screen, having appeared on Channel 7’s Dream Home in 2024, and Leo’s viral speech has already introduced him to a global audience. He’s optimistic, and reckons people will spot him one day and remember him as the kid who did that speech about ADHD, the one they loved. Given the seven million people who’ve already watched it, he might just be right.

Published 18-April-2026

Second Rescue In Days At Belrose Bike Park After Teen Crash

A teenage boy has been rescued at night from Bare Creek Bike Park in Belrose after crashing his mountain bike over a large jump, prompting a coordinated emergency response in difficult conditions.



Crash On Belrose Trail Triggers Emergency Call

Emergency crews were called to Bare Creek Bike Park in Belrose shortly before 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 15 April after reports a teenage rider had been injured during a crash on the trails.

The 15-year-old boy had gone over a large jump, descending from a height estimated between five and ten metres before landing heavily on the front wheel. He was thrown over the handlebars and was found on the ground with a suspected broken left leg and possible spinal injuries.

Paramedics from Belrose Ambulance Station reached the location after being guided by the boy’s friends along the bike trails. The exact position had been identified using a mobile emergency application, allowing crews to navigate several hundred metres into the park.

mountain biking
Photo Credit: Pexels

Treated In Darkness As Light Fades

By the time responders arrived, daylight had already faded, leaving paramedics to assess the injured rider in darkness.

The boy was treated at the scene for a suspected broken left leg and possible spinal injuries. Additional specialist support was requested, including a special operations paramedic and a four-wheel-drive ambulance capable of accessing the terrain.

Fire crews also attended to provide lighting and assist with moving the patient safely from the track.

Extraction From Remote Belrose Terrain

Rescue efforts focused on transporting the injured rider from the trail to a point accessible by vehicle. He was placed into an all-terrain stretcher and carefully moved through the park before reaching the four-wheel-drive ambulance.

From there, he was taken back up to the car park and transferred into a standard ambulance. The boy was then transported to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, arriving in a stable condition shortly before 7:30 p.m.

Bare Creek Bike Park
Photo Credit: Pexels

Second Belrose Incident Within The Week

The rescue was the second at the Belrose bike park that week. Earlier, another 15-year-old rider was injured after falling on a jump on Sunday, 12 April and required assistance to be transported from the trails.

On that occasion, the same four-wheel-drive ambulance was used to retrieve the rider, who was later taken to Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick in a stable condition just after 4:00 p.m.

Increased Activity During School Holidays

Bare Creek Bike Park in Belrose features downhill tracks, jumps and skills areas that attract riders, particularly during school holiday periods.



Emergency crews are familiar with the terrain, having attended a number of incidents at the site. Riders, particularly younger users, are reminded to consider conditions and observe signage when using the facility.

Published 17-Apr-2026

Belrose Crash Leaves Driver Trapped After Car Hits Power Pole

A woman was freed from her vehicle and taken to hospital after a car crashed into a power pole at speed along Forest Way in Belrose, prompting a multi-agency emergency response.



Crash Unfolds Along Forest Way

Emergency services were called shortly before 4:00pm on Thursday, 2 April, after multiple reports of a car leaving the roadway and colliding with a power pole near Perentie Road in Belrose.

The vehicle, a gold 2003 Nissan Pulsar sedan, struck the pole at an estimated speed of 80km/h. The impact left the sole occupant, a 67-year-old local woman, trapped inside the vehicle.

Multiple Triple Zero calls reported that the driver was unable to exit due to her injuries.

Belrose car crash
Photo Credit: Pexels

Rapid Response From Nearby Crews

Paramedics and emergency crews responded quickly, with several ambulance units dispatched to the scene. An ambulance inspector who was nearby arrived within minutes, followed by additional paramedics and firefighters from surrounding stations.

Firefighters worked alongside paramedics to assess the situation as the woman’s condition appeared to deteriorate while she remained trapped. A specialist aeromedical team was requested to assist with her care.

A rescue helicopter was deployed and landed at a nearby oval, allowing critical care personnel to be transported to the scene.

Careful Rescue Amid Safety Risks

With the vehicle badly damaged, crews carried out a controlled extrication through the passenger side. Fire protection measures were established in case the vehicle caught alight, while fallen wires near the pole were assessed and confirmed to be non-live communication cables.

The woman remained conscious but was experiencing chest pain and difficulty breathing. She was also found to have a fractured ankle and possible internal injuries.

Emergency teams worked to free her from the vehicle, with the extraction completed just after 4:45pm.

CareFlight emergency response
Photo Credit: CareFlight

Transport To Hospital And Road Impact

After being placed into an intensive care ambulance, the woman was transported to Royal North Shore Hospital with the aeromedical team on board shortly before 5:00pm.

The crash occurred off Forest Way, though one southbound lane was temporarily closed while recovery operations were carried out. Crews also assessed the integrity of the impacted power pole following the collision.

Cause Remains Unclear

The circumstances leading up to the crash remain unclear. It is not known whether a medical episode may have contributed to the vehicle leaving the road.



Local online discussion has reflected interest in the reported speed and conditions at the time, though no confirmed cause has been identified.

Published 5-Apr-2026

NSW Eyes Belrose Bushland for New Homes in Statewide Housing Push

Three parcels of land tucked along the Belrose Corridor, a strip of native bushland that links Garigal National Park to surrounding green space, are on the chopping block, with the state announcing plans to sell the sites for residential development as part of a sweeping statewide housing push.


Read: 5 Reasons Why Belrose’s Garigal National Park is Worth Visiting


The blocks at 5 and 6 Elm Avenue and 106 Pringle Avenue have quietly become the talk of the Northern Beaches, earning the unofficial nickname the “giant schlong of Belrose.”

Together, the three sites have been flagged for up to 24 new dwellings. Because the sites fall within the Belrose Corridor, which is subject to strict biodiversity protections designed to safeguard wildlife movement into and out of Garigal National Park, only 16,940 square metres can actually be used for housing. The remainder must be retained as vegetation, public open space, and a functioning native wildlife eco-corridor.

Photo credit: property.com.au

Of the three sites, 6 Elm Avenue has been specifically identified as capable of accommodating five homes.

The land release forms part of the Building Homes for NSW program, which aims to deliver 30,000 homes across the state to address the ongoing housing shortage. In February 2026, nine sites across NSW were identified in the latest round of releases, collectively earmarked for more than 180 homes. The Belrose trio is among them.

Cr Jody Williams, moved quickly after the announcement, flagging concerns about what residential development could mean for the Corridor and the wildlife that depends on it. She and Cr Ethan Hrnjak have since indicated they will ask their fellow local officials to formally request that the state either hand the land over to council or sell it at a nominal fee, keeping it as public recreation space and preserving the integrity of the wildlife corridor.

“Save the schlong!” Cr Hrnjak urged on social media, rallying public support for the push.


Read: $200m Belrose Seniors Housing Redevelopment Approved


It’s a concern the councillors believe many residents share. Belrose sits on the edge of Garigal National Park, a defining feature of the suburb’s character. The idea of homes rising on land that currently serves as a buffer for native animals is one that Cr Williams and her colleague have flagged as a serious community issue.

What happens next remains unclear — council is yet to vote on the matter, and no final decision has been made. For now, the giant schlong of Belrose has the suburb’s attention. 

Published 1-March-2026

Safety Improvements On Forest Way Mark Win For Belrose Community

New pedestrian fencing and widened footpaths along Forest Way in Belrose are being welcomed locally as a practical safety improvement near Wakehurst Public School.



Belrose Pedestrian Safety Upgrade Delivered

Transport for NSW installed pedestrian fencing between Wearden Road and Glen Street to guide pedestrians toward signalised crossing points. The footpath at the northern corner of Glen Street and Forest Way was also widened to provide more space for people walking in the area.

Forest Way is a high foot-traffic corridor used by primary and secondary students, families and people accessing a nearby day care service.

Belrose pedestrian safety
Photo Credit: MichaelReganMP/Facebook

The works were carried out across night shifts scheduled between Sunday 30 November and Sunday 14 December 2025, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday to Thursday.

Background To Safety Concerns In Belrose

Concerns about pedestrian conditions were raised in September 2023, with reports of students walking in groups along narrow footpaths beside traffic travelling at 70 km/h, including near a blind corner.

In August 2023, a crash resulted in vehicles skidding onto the footpath near where students stand. High-traction asphalt was later installed on the roadway.

 Forest Way Belrose
Photo Credit: MichaelReganMP/Facebook

Transport for NSW recorded eight crashes in the area between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2023, including two involving pedestrians.

School Zone Extension And What Remains

A 40 km/h school zone was extended in August 2025 to include raised pedestrian crossings on Glen Street and Pringle Avenue. The section of Forest Way near the school remains outside the 40 km/h zone under current criteria.

Wakehurst Public School
Photo Credit: MichaelReganMP/Facebook

Further measures raised locally include additional fencing and the possibility of a pedestrian footbridge, which has been described as difficult and costly to install at the location.

The fencing and footpath upgrades form part of the Road Safety Program launched in early 2024, which includes $518 million allocated to road safety projects across NSW.



For many families, the installation of fencing and added footpath space along Forest Way in Belrose represents a tangible step toward safer daily travel, with further improvements still under consideration.

Published 17-Feb-2026

$200m Belrose Seniors Housing Redevelopment Approved

A $200 million redevelopment of the Uniting Wesley Gardens seniors housing precinct in Belrose has been approved under the State Significant Development process, paving the way for new independent living apartments, aged care beds and expanded on-site community facilities.



Housing Redevelopment Approved

The redevelopment of the Uniting Wesley Gardens seniors housing precinct in Belrose has been approved, clearing the way for a staged transformation of the long-running site.

The project was determined as approved on 5 February 2026 under State Significant Development application SSD-71378958, covering a 4.84-hectare property on Morgan Road in Belrose.

Uniting Wesley Gardens
Photo Credit: SSD-71378958

Long-Established Belrose Site

Uniting Wesley Gardens has operated in Belrose since the 1970s and currently provides retirement and residential aged care services. The approved redevelopment will modernise the precinct while retaining key community uses already located on the site.

The Forest Preschool and the Belrose Uniting Church are set to remain.

Belrose seniors housing
Photo Credit: SSD-71378958

What The Belrose Seniors Housing Plan Includes

The approval allows for six buildings of up to five storeys. Reporting on the project describes a mix of independent living and residential care accommodation, including 147 independent living apartments and 120 residential aged care places, with dementia support.

The planning portal summary for the same application lists 140 independent living units and 120 residential care facility beds, indicating a variation in the publicly available figures that will require clarification in detailed project documentation.

Planned shared amenities include a swimming pool, café, gym, library, cinema, hairdressing salon, clubhouse, Men’s Shed and chapel. Landscaped elements are to feature two outdoor recreation areas, a forest walk, rooftop courtyards, outdoor rooms and a yarning circle. A suite of medical and allied health consulting rooms is also proposed.

Northern Beaches development
Photo Credit: SSD-71378958

Assessment And Community Issues

During assessment, the local authorities raised concerns relating to height, bulk and scale, urban design, parking, stormwater and amenity impacts. The proposal nonetheless received approval following review.

seniors housing redevelopment
Photo Credit: SSD-71378958

Jobs And Next Steps

Construction is expected to create around 230 jobs, with about 100 ongoing roles once operational. Works will be staged, with existing residents supported during the construction period.



Detailed design is progressing, with tender documentation anticipated later in 2026. The Belrose seniors housing redevelopment represents a significant renewal of one of the area’s longest-operating seniors living communities.

Published 12-Feb-2026

Teenage Driver Hospitalised Following Forest Way Collision

A teenage provisional licence holder has been hospitalised following an early morning collision that saw a vehicle smash into the front of a residence on Forest Way in Belrose.



Emergency services responded to the incident at approximately 6.45am on Tuesday, 3 February, after reports of a crash were received.

Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended the scene and discovered a vehicle had collided with the front of a house on the busy thoroughfare.

The driver, aged 17, received medical treatment at the scene from paramedics before being transported to Royal North Shore Hospital. The teenager was reported to be in a stable condition.

Fortunately, the residents inside the home at the time of the collision were unharmed.

A crime scene has been established at the location, and police are conducting an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the crash.

The incident adds to ongoing concerns about road safety on Forest Way, a major arterial road connecting the northern beaches to other parts of Sydney.

Further details about the crash are expected to be released as the police investigation continues.



Residents with information about the incident are encouraged to contact Northern Beaches Police Area Command or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Published 3-February-2026

5 Reasons Why Belrose’s Garigal National Park is Worth Visiting

Located within the North Shore and Forest District of Sydney is Belrose’s Garigal National Park—a protected park that is ideal for several outdoor activities or quick getaway trips with family and friends.

If you are planning on having a picnic or maybe a short trip for fishing and bushwalking, but still haven’t decided where to go, here is a list of reasons why Garigal National Park is the place you must visit.

A Wildlife Haven

Female Eastern Water Dragon Physignathus lesueurii
Photo credit: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/

Garigal National Park serves as a natural habitat for a number of native and threatened animal species. Given the parks massive size that spans all the way from Sydney Harbour to Blue Mountains, it is no wonder that Garigal has a rich biological diversity of animals.

If you stay at the park for quite a while, you will definitely get to see animal species that are no longer sighted nor inhabit urban areas. Included amongst the animals you might encounter at the park are tiger quolls, broad-headed snakes, red-crowned toadlets, giant burrowing frog,swamp wallabies, echidna, southern brown Bandicoot, Rosenberg’s goanna, the powerful owl, the barking owl, and more.

Birds are also abundant at Garigal National Park, with birdwatchers to be on the lookout for lorikeets, sulfur-crested cockatoos, glossy black cockatoos, wrens, finches, firetails, king parrots, rosellas, lorikeets, honeyeaters, laughing kookaburras, and Azure kingfishers

Rich in Wartime Stories

Pipeline and Bungaroo tracks to Stepping Stones trail, Garigal National Park
Photo credit: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/

Bungaroo and former Bantry Bay Explosives Magazine complex are just two of the many places of historical interest that can be found at Garigal National Park. These two sites are more popular than other historical sites found at the park mainly because they serve a great role in the early establishment of Sydney. They also act as important reminders of the rich history of Sydney since colonisation.

Rich Aboriginal Heritage

Aboriginal Carving
Photo credit: Clytemnestra/ Wikimedia Commons

For thousands of years, the Guringai people have been the traditional custodians of the land that is now reserved as Garigal National Park. At present, evidence from the past is very much evident throughout the park.

There are over 100 Aboriginal sites, recorded to date, that are only found at Garigal. These sites display the past Aboriginal activities that took place in the area, which include shelters, cave art, rock engravings, middens, grinding grooves, and a few stone arrangements.

Several Outdoor Activities

Outdoor Activity
Photo credit: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/

Thinking of ways to pass the time whilst you are at Garigal National Park? No need to think further because there are countless activities that you may freely do and enjoy at the park.

Explore the trails and tracks of Garigal by riding horses, mountain bike, or simply on foot. Get to enjoy water activities such as canoeing or boat riding from the ramp at Davidson Park. Fishing is also great at Garigal National Park especially at the Middle Harbour where you can catch flathead, flounder, mullet and bream.

Abundance of Rare Plants

wildflower
Photo credit: Geoff Derrin/ Wikimedia Commons

Similar to the abundance of rare animals species that inhibit Garigal, rare plants and wildflowers also crop up along the tracks and throughout the park. Indeed, both fauna and flora are opulent at Garigal National Park.

Some of the rare plant species found at the park include: Tetratheca glandulosa, Genoplesium baueri, and Melaleuca deanei.  All these plants are listed as endangered and vulnerable to extinction in New South Wales.



Police Seize 3D-Printed Replica Firearms in Belrose

Police in Belrose have seized realistic 3D-printed replica firearms after images shared online prompted an investigation by local officers.



Social Media Images Triggered Police Inquiries

Officers attached to the Northern Beaches Police Area Command became aware of social media posts made in September 2025 that showed items resembling a rifle and a handgun. The images depicted objects similar in appearance to an AK-47-style rifle and a Glock-style pistol.

While the items were incapable of firing live ammunition, police initiated inquiries due to their realistic appearance. Investigators traced the origin of the images to a residential address in Belrose.

Belrose printed guns
Photo Credit: Pexels

Replica Firearms Located And Assessed

Police attended the Belrose address and located the items shown in the images. Officers confirmed the objects were plastic replicas produced using a three-dimensional printer. Further assessment determined the replicas were inert and not capable of being used as firearms.

Police established the items had been created by a teenage boy. Officers were satisfied the replicas were not produced with the intention of committing an offence. The teenager’s parents were cooperative throughout the investigation and surrendered the items to police.

Legal Context Under NSW Law

Police confirmed the replicas met the definition of imitation firearms under the NSW Firearms Act. The Act defines an imitation firearm as an object that substantially duplicates the appearance of a real firearm, regardless of its material, weight, or functionality, unless it is clearly identified as a children’s toy.

Police reiterated that possessing an imitation firearm without appropriate authorisation is an offence in NSW. This includes gel blasters, which remain illegal in the state despite being readily available for purchase online from interstate sellers.

printed guns
Photo Credit: Pexels

Community Reminder And Outcome

The replica firearms were destroyed by police, and no charges were laid in relation to the incident. Police used the matter as an opportunity to remind the community that realistic replica weapons can cause significant alarm and may be treated as real firearms during any police response.

Police also cautioned that carrying or displaying imitation firearms in public can create serious safety risks, regardless of whether the items are capable of firing.

Outlook



The Belrose investigation has concluded with no further action. Police have reiterated the importance of understanding imitation firearm laws and the potential consequences of creating or possessing realistic replicas, even when no criminal intent is involved.

Published 19-Dec-2025