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New Council Proposal Calls for Single Lane Road Along Seafront

A proposal has been put in motion calling for the widening of the Dee Why seafront footpath to reduce traffic to a single lane. The Northern Beaches Council is inviting the local community to attend their information sessions and provide feedback about the project.

The proposed widening of the foot path, which spans the 220-metre seaside strip, will make space for a two-way bike path as well as additional public seating. With the new changes in mind, the Dee Why Beach car park will only be accessible through the seafront road.

The seafront also has the potential to become much safer. The implementation of a 30km per hour speed limit between Oaks Ave and Dee Why Pde, in tandem with a single lane road, could reduce the odds of traffic accidents occurring significantly. To accommodate road modifications, bus services from the Strand to Clyde Rd between Howard Ave and Oaks Ave will be re-routed.

These changes are currently under consideration, and the Northern Beaches Council proposes they trial the single lane seafront road over the span of six months from July to December. It will be funded entirely by the NSW Government’s Streets and Shared Spaces Program.

To guarantee public satisfaction with the proposal, the Dee Why community is invited to attend information sessions to ask questions and learn more about the planned changes. These sessions will be held at Dee Why Surf Club at the Strand on the following dates:

Thursday, April 8. 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 10. 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 15. 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 22. 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Bookings will be mandatory, and those interested in registering can visit their website. Those interested in providing feedback or giving voice to their concerns can also leave comment forms via the same link. Comments are set to close on Monday, the 26th of April.

Should the proposal’s trial pull through, it will be implemented in the latter half of 2021, starting July and ending in December.

‘Blue Fleet’ of Rare Sea Creatures Wash Ashore in Dee Why

Rare ocean critters recently surfaced along the beaches of Dee Why, creating the ‘blue fleet’ — a mass of blue sea creatures that have washed up mostly along the shores of Australia’s east coast.

Nudibranchs, jellyfish, bubble-rafting snails and other floating azure marine creatures found themselves miles away from the ocean after washing along the shores of the Long Reef Beach in Dee Why, forming what is known as the ‘blue fleet’.

Among these specimens is the rare blue glaucus, also known as a blue dragon. The bright blue color warns of its venomous nature, designed to ward off predators while simultaneously acting as camouflage.

Photo credit: CC-BY-SA/Sylke Rohrlach from Sydney/Wikimedia Commons

Unlike most venomous creatures, however, the blue glaucus doesn’t produce toxins on its own. Instead, it feeds on other venomous creatures and stockpiles their toxins to use against predators. The creature floats upside-down on the water, with its bright blue side facing the ocean backdrop while its darker side blends with the ocean floor.

Other creatures that washed ashore include the violet snail, which floats using bubbly secretions of mucus. Like blue dragons, violet snails also feed on venomous creatures such as the bluebottle — another member of the blue fleet, albeit significantly more common in Sydney’s beaches than the blue dragon and the violet snail.

The bluebottle, which is also commonly known as the Portuguese man o’war, happens to be the most common member of the blue fleet. It can be typically found beached and washed adrift along Australian shores. Bluebottles are not singular animals, but rather colonies of four different kinds of organisms that have evolved to perform specific functions.

Comprising a bluebottle are the pneumatophores, dactylozooids, gastrozooids, and gonozooids. Pneumatophores, also known as the float, is a single entity that keeps the colony afloat. Dactylozooids, on the other hand, make up the tentacles of the man o’war, which detect and capture prey. Gastrozooids digest the food captured by the tentacles, and gonozooids carry out the reproductive functions of the colony.

Photo credit: CC-BY-SA/Biusch/Wikimedia Commons

The creatures of the ‘blue fleet’ have adapted to take on these colours for numerous reasons, though the most common factor across them is how the color blue helps them blend with their surroundings by matching the color of the ocean. Sea dragons in particular tend to visit the beach a few days after a full moon, and though it’s unclear why, it is speculated that it is related to how moon phases affect the reproduction cycles of marine life.

Fascinating Facts about Dee Why’s Rock Pool

Know more about the rich history of Dee Why’s 50-metre rock pool and toddlers area located at the southern end of Dee Why Beach.

There are 14 rock pools found at the northern beaches in Sydney. Each of these rock pools is unique in its own way. But more importantly, all rock pools serve as an important part of seaside living.

One of the most popular rock pools that people often visit is located at Dee Why. Compared to others, the Dee Why rock pools are bigger, with more facilities placed within the pool’s vicinity. There are also a number of cafes and restaurants nearby; hence, drawing more people into the area.

History of Dee Why Rock Pool

Have you ever wondered how these rock pools at Dee Why came to be?

According to some of the remaining compiled files from the Warringah Council, the first pool at Dee Why was created by nature itself. At that time, the first pool was in a form of a broad shallow basin located in the rock shelf of what is now known as the main pool.

This basin was called the Bogey Hole. However, the heritage consultants back in 1990 refer to this basin as the first beginner’s pool.

Following the natural creation of the shallow basin, different local community organisations then decided upon themselves to create a man-made pool by excavating further the basin. This was the first man-made pool at Dee Why, and it was excavated by members of Dee Why surf club in 1915.

When the first pool opened, it had a size of 5-metre square, and it was also less than 1 metre deep. The small pool size was definitely ideal for parents who do not want their young children swimming off in the ocean. But a few years after its opening, in 1919 the pool was expanded further by the Council- making it 33.5 metres long.

In 1923 the Council appointed trustees called the Dee Why Improvement League, to overlook the maintenance and future improvements of the pool.

The League contributed significant funds for the regular improvement of the facility. In fact, they have even hosted several events such as Christmas Carnivals in order to gain sufficient funding for improvements of the rock pool, the seawall, the dressing sheds and kiosks at Dee Why Beach, Dee Why Park and Stony Range Reserve.

Some of the money allocated for the rock pool was used to build a second children’s pool which opened in October 1930. It was also during this period when Dee Why rock pool had an upgrade of 50-metre length and 21-metre width.

Due to the limited stored information about some of the developments of the rock pool, there were zero to few records that show or prove when and how the stilling pool – one of the elements at the rock pool- was formed.

The stilling pool or what the heritage consultants in the 1990s refer to as “the dam” or the catchment pool is located at the eastern end of the main pool. Despite its small size at 17 meteres by 6 meteres, the stilling pool is able to absorb some of the impacts of the waves that roll towards the main pool in heavy seas. Up until today the stilling pool remains and does its job effectively.

In 1973, a new pool was built for children by the Council. The heritage consultants call it the third beginners’ pool. The third pool was built specifically and immediately at the west of the main pool since the second beginners’ pool that was built a couple of decades back can no longer be used.

Later on, the Council named the new children’s pool after John Morison in honour of his countless hours of teaching children how to swim. The Northern Beaches Council also renamed the main pool after Isa Wye, former president of the Dee Why Amateur Ladies’ Swimming Club.

Former Prime Minister Marvels at Street Library in Dee Why

Photo Credit: Pexels/Pixabay

A street library in Dee Why has earned praises from former prime minister Tony Abbot. Found along the quiet stretch of Tango Avenue, the community initiative has apparently existed for years but Mr Abbot said he has “never seen anything like this before.”

In a post on Twitter, Mr Abbot shared a video where he talked about the Tango Avenue Street Library in Dee Why.

“You read a book, you put it in here, and you take a book out,” Mr Abbot said.

“Reading is such a wonderful way of broadening the mind, it’s such a wonderful way of exploring parts of the world that you can never personally see, and, you know, isn’t it a great comment on the people of Warringah, something like this, which is an exercise in self-help.”

The former prime minister further described this commendable community effort as an “exercise in building social capital.”

It’s amazing the things you see and learn when you’re door knocking. The Tango Avenue street library is a testament to the strong community we have throughout Warringah. pic.twitter.com/njDpFinFWl
— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) March 21, 2019

Following Mr Abbot’s viral video, a men’s walking group from Sydney decided to drop by the Tango Avenue Street Library last April to check out what books are currently for borrowing. Among the choices were “Baby Love,” “Las Vegas Babylon” and “Reboot.”

Hundreds of street libraries are actually found in Australia. There are at least 630 known sites in existence in Sydney alone, as per Street Library Organization.

People who borrow books from these street libraries can pass it on to their friends or put back in other networks. They may also unload their own stash if they are decluttering their book collection.

*Photo Credit: Street Library Organization Map*

Delight Your Taste Buds with Nepalese Dumplings & Hawaiian Poké Bowls at Dee Why

Get your taste buds ready for a unique fusion of Nepalese dumplings and Hawaiian poke bowls at Momo Bar in Dee Why.

Who would have thought that combining dumplings and poke bowls would be such a big hit? The co-owners of Momo Bar, Damien Dellala and Archana Dellala, were surprised that their experiment of combining two diverse cuisines captured the market so well in Manly that they are now having their second venue at Dee Why Grand.

The newly opened Momo Bar at Dee Why is four times bigger than the Manly shop. It was beautifully made by an architect who is also their current third business partner for this casual restaurant.

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THANKYOU @longblackwave 🙏🙏 “Congratulations on your first week of opening @momobar_ Deewhy, we’re proud to be supporting you on your journey.” #allpress #coffeelover #coffeeroasters #specialtycoffee #coffeesydney #sydneycafes #northernbeaches #deewhy

A post shared by Momo Bar Dumplings & Poké (@momobar_) on Dec 14, 2018 at 5:02pm PST

But aside from its size and interiors, Momo Bar at Dee Why now has an onsite kitchen, unlike the shop at Manly which operates on a rented kitchen above their actual shop. By having an onsite kitchen at Momo Bar Dee Why, production of dumplings is now made easier and more efficient.

Momos and Poke

Momo Bar is known for their mouthwatering steamed Momos (Nepalese dumplings) filled with herbs and spices, a traditional Himalayan delicacy in Nepal. The dumplings they serve vary from chicken, lamb, and pork. Gluten free and vegan options for dumplings such as organic lentil and mixed vegetables are also available.

Vegan dumpling — *Photo credit: Momo Bar/ Facebook*

Hawaiian poke options include Volcano, Tiki, and Aloha. Vegan bowls and build your own poke bowls from a selection of Japanese inspired base are also available.

Aside from Momo Bar’s dumplings and healthy poke bowls, they also serve delicious veggie juices, with a range of ingredients to choose from. Organic coffee and tea are also listed on their menu.

Extended Menu

Momo Bar at Dee Why offers hearty meals that are not only available during lunch or dinner, but also for breakfast. Just imagine, dumplings for breakfast? Yes, you imagined it right! Momo Bar is bringing Sydney locals closer to the culture of Nepal in terms of eating momos all day and not just for snacks, lunch or dinner.

Breakfast momos’ fillings include salmon, mixed berries, potato and egg, and mushroom. These dumplings are served with a dollop of natural yogurt to enhance more the flavours of the dumplings.

Other must try breakfast options at Momo Bar are bacon and egg rolls on roti, Nepalese Omelette, and Pokado— smashed avo on soy-and-linseed toast with poached eggs and a BYO poke ingredients on top.

You may visit Momo Bar’s official Facebook page to know more about their latest offerings.

Join the Weekly Free Heartfulness Yoga and Meditation Classes at Dee Why

Photo Credit: Ataner007/Pixabay

Are you interested in learning to meditate? Would you like to try out a yoga and meditation class in Dee Why?

A free session takes place every Saturday at The Strand near the Dee Why Parade and the Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club. The yoga and medication class take place from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and it’s expected to be an ongoing session until the 12th of December 2019.

*Photo Credit:* *Heartfulness Meditation Australia/Facebook*

Anyone above 15 years old may join the free yoga and meditation class. There’s no need to make an advanced booking since this is a walk-in assembly. Just come to class at least 10 minutes before the session starts for the introduction and orientation.

Heartfulness yoga and meditation is a global movement that promotes a healthy lifestyle. When you learn the basics of the sessions and continue to practice it, you’ll be able to improve the quality of your sleep, boost your immune system and learn how to cope with everyday stress better.

You can further refine your yoga and meditation techniques by downloading the Heartsapp on Google Play Store, if you have an Android device. Use this app for meditating at home or when you can’t make it to the weekly session.

Check out the video below for an idea on what to expect from the free class.

The free yoga and meditation class is at the function hall located on the second floor of The Strand.

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