Did you know that the Peninsular Firearm Academy in Terrey Hills plans to drastically change the shooting range’s operational hours? After ten years of operation, the Academy wants to expand from one Sunday session per month to five sessions per week, including an evening session, and some locals are not happy with the proposed change.
Under the new plan, the shooting range would be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with an extra session on Wednesday nights from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., if authorised. In order to minimise noise disturbances to nearby households, the proposal contains an 85dB noise restriction.
The 500 participants of the Academy would be accommodated and existing site constraints would be addressed in the proposed plan.
The increased use of the facility would put it in line with other outdoor recreational pursuits, including lawn bowls, equestrian sports, skateboarding, and go-karting, according to plans presented to Council.
Neighbours of the range have expressed worries about noise pollution, the consequences it may have on the environment, and possible repercussions on property prices.
Tony Garland, Chairman of the Academy, maintains that the main source of the resistance comes from people who have not even been to the premises and that have been no responses to his requests for residents to view the institution in order to alleviate their concerns.
He said that the Academy is dedicated to encouraging target shooting as a sport and the responsible use of firearms inspite of the controversy.
Duke, a spirited 5-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, found himself in unfamiliar territory in Terrey Hills but was eventually reunited with his elderly owner, just in time for Christmas, thanks to the efforts of a dutiful Northern Beaches Council ranger.
The dog’s journey began when he was discovered wandering around The Palms eatery in Terrey Hills on 18 Nov 2023. Taylor, one of the waitstaff on duty that day, took notice of the lost pup and inquired about his owner, yet no one stepped forward.
Compassionately, Taylor and her partner took the dog under their care, temporarily naming him Carlos, and provided him with a loving home until his true family could be located. The couple also reached out on social media as they were committed to reuniting “Carlos” with his rightful owner.
But it was a Council ranger’s persistent efforts that would ultimately solve the mystery. Upon scanning Duke’s microchip, the ranger made an astonishing discovery—it was linked to a landline in Narrabri, over 500+ kilometres away from Northern Beaches.
After five days of trying to get in touch with the dog’s owner, the ranger finally talked to Kevin, 86. He confirmed that Duke had been missing and was utterly baffled by how his furry friend had ventured so far from home.
“Duke didn’t come home around the usual time after he’d gotten out, so I went to his usual spots to have a look,” Kevin recalled.
“I checked the caravan park, which is a usual hot spot of his, but he wasn’t there, so I walked around the streets close to home and couldn’t find him.”
“I didn’t expect him to be all the way down there. I was surprised and shocked that Duke had actually got that far. I thought he’d only get as far as Gunnedah, not Sydney! Someone must have picked him up because he wouldn’t have gone on his own.”
Photo Credit: NorthernBeachesCouncil
With the mystery resolved, a new challenge presented itself—how to safely return Duke to his loving home in Narrabri. However, this was a task that Mona Vale Council was more than equipped to handle.
Pet Uber transported Duke to Newcastle, where he stayed with Kevin’s granddaughter for a few days. From there, Duke embarked on the final leg of his journey, as Kevin’s son-in-law drove him back to Narrabri.
As the holiday season approaches, Kevin and Duke are celebrating a heartwarming Christmas reunion. It’s clear that Kevin will be keeping a watchful eye on his adventurous companion in the days to come.
According to planning documents submitted to the Northern Beaches Council, the renovations would include a small area for brewing equipment to serve craft beers as part of a new licensed eatery that can seat up to 250 people.
The proposed microbrewery is just one component of the major redevelopment plans submitted to the council.
3D Perspective of proposed redevelopment (Photo credit: BN Group)
The plans, rendered by architects from the BN Group, also call for adding two new buildings to house a garden centre, rural supplies outlet, and a restaurant.
Photo credit: BN Group
Additionally, the space once occupied by Piemonte Cafe, which closed two years ago, would be reconfigured to expand the existing flower shop on site.
The Hills family has operated the flower business on the property at Mona Vale Rd since 1923, growing some flowers on site and selling directly to the public. The ground floor of the existing building would also see minor upgrades as part of the $9.8 million project.
Photo credit: www.hillsmarketplace.com.au
The proposed renovations involve demolishing several retail spaces to allow for an expanded garden centre, new restaurant, and additional retail tenancies. The redevelopment plans also call for relocating and adding more parking spaces. Upgrading the existing mechanical services to provide fresh air throughout the complex is also part of the planned works.
Photo credit: Hills The Flower Market/Google Maps
The proposed renovations and additions for The Hills Marketplace did not receive strong opposition during a public exhibition period last month. However, nearby residents have expressed hope that the works will fit with the local area and not negatively impact locals.
The council is currently reviewing the redevelopment plans and a decision on whether to approve the microbrewery and other proposed upgrades is expected in the coming months.
Construction has commenced on Wyvern Private Hospital, an $88-million, 84-bed private hospital in Terrey Hills. The facility is expected to undertake complex surgeries and provide acute health care services.
Land clearing has started on the 4-hectare site situated between Myoora and Larool Roads in Terry Hills, making way for the development that secured approval from the State Planning Panel in 2018.
Designed by Bureau SRH, the project is expected to deliver three pavilion-style buildings of up to three storeys separated by landscaped courtyards.
The development includes a range of high-end specialist and health services facilities including radiology, hydrotherapy, rehabilitation, ICU, operating theatre, plus associated administrative and front of house services.
There will be about 99 Staff at the hospital including 22 Doctors, 69 Nursing Staff, and 8 Administration Staff.
The hospital will provide acute health care with a total of 88 beds including surgical (56 beds), intensive care unit (8 beds) and rehabilitation (20 beds). Areas of focus include cardiology, vascular, spinal surgery, neurosurgery, and orthopedic.
The radiology department will come equipped with CT, MRI, X-Ray and ultrasound imaging capabilities whilst the physiotherapy and rehabilitation facility will have a hydrotherapy pool and a gymnasium.
Moreover, there will be a total of five large general operating theatres, one hybrid operating theatre, and one Cardiac Cath Lab operating theatre along with specialist consulting suites and staff support offices, a cafe, a pharmacy and a pathology department.
A total of 136 car parking spaces will be provided:
Basement Level – 69 spaces including 6 accessible car parking spaces
Wyvern Private Hospital artist impression | Photo Credit: ADP /adpconsulting.com.au Wyvern Private Hospital artist impression | Photo Credit: ADP /adpconsulting.com.au
To address concerns regarding the development’s impact on the flora and fauna as well as the pygmy-possum population on the Duffys Forest, the developer committed to protecting 35 per cent of the site in “perpetuity” by leaving it untouched and will only be accessible to arborists and ecologists.
“An extraordinary aspect of the new hospital will be the surrounding natural landscaped setting of Duffys Forest and the onsite coastal upland swamp. Steeped in Australian history and beauty it’s the home to the eastern pygmy-possum, one of the smallest possums in the world and currently noted under a vulnerable conservation status. The hospital has committed to being custodians of the land’s ecosystem and inhabitants, a commitment they hold with great pride, encapsulating Wyvern health’s mantra ‘Care without Compromise’,” the ADP Consulting wrote on its website about the project.
The project is expected to be completed in about 22 months.
