Northern Beaches Archives

Dee Why Commuters See Relief as Bendy Buses Return

Dee Why locals who’ve been stuck waiting for crowded, delayed buses are finally catching a break—those long bendy buses are making a comeback.

Bendy Buses Back in Dee Why After Long Absence

Commuters in Dee Why are finally seeing signs of relief as bendy buses begin returning to Northern Beaches routes after a six-month absence that caused widespread delays, overcrowding and frustration.

Bendy buses were pulled from service in October 2024 after cracks were found in the chassis of the 83-vehicle fleet, forcing key routes like the 190X to run fewer services and leaving areas like Dee Why feeling the impact.

Repairs Underway, Services Slowly Restoring

Transport for NSW launched a major rebuild of the buses, involving structural reinforcements and moving the rear doors to improve stability. As of April 2025, the first six repaired buses are back on the roads. The rest are expected to follow progressively over the coming months.

State officials say the return of bendy buses is key to easing pressure on busy routes like the 190X, which is slowly being restored. In Dee Why, where many rely on regular service to the city and nearby suburbs, it signals the start of a more stable commute.

Community Disruption in Dee Why

When the bendy buses were pulled, the 190X lost nearly a quarter of its trips, leading to longer waits and packed buses. In Dee Why, some commuters were left stranded by delays and cancellations.

Residents reported longer travel times and difficulty securing seats during peak hours. Bus operators scrambled to fill the gap with alternative vehicles, but without the same passenger capacity, these replacements struggled to meet demand.

New Buses Coming by Year’s End

To prevent future disruptions, the NSW Government is investing in 60 new buses, including 50 articulated models like the current bendy fleet and 10 double-deckers. Some of the new buses will be cleaner, low-emission or fully electric.

The first of these new buses are expected to roll out by the end of 2025. Transport for NSW has confirmed that the Northern Beaches will be a key focus area for these upgrades, ensuring that suburbs like Dee Why receive continued attention as one of the region’s busiest corridors.

Published 21-April-2025

Truck Torched in Alleged Insurance Scam in Dee Why

Photo Credit: Pexels

A man has admitted to deliberately setting fire to a truck in the car park of a club in Dee Why as part of an alleged $50,000 insurance fraud scheme.

Background and Context

A 21-year-old man, Bailey Chapman, has pleaded guilty to intentionally setting fire to a tipper truck in the car park of Dee Why Bowling Club. The fire occurred on the night of 2 April 2023. The truck, a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter, was jointly owned by a couple and used for a rubbish collection business operating on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Following the incident, police launched an investigation which included the release of CCTV footage in September 2024. The footage showed a man, later identified as Mr Chapman, fleeing the scene shortly after the vehicle caught fire.

Dee Why truck fire — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Insurance Fraud Allegation

According to court documents presented at Manly Local Court, Mr Chapman set the fire after reaching an agreement with one of the truck’s owners, a 38-year-old woman. Police allege the motive was financial gain. The woman lodged an insurance claim for $48,830 the day after the incident. No payout has been issued.

Mr Chapman, now in custody and residing in Mortons Creek, has admitted to the charge of intentionally damaging property by fire. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 23 April.

*Caption: A photo of* *a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter* *similar to the torched truck.*
*Photo Credit:* *Mitsubishi Fuso*

Events Leading to the Fire

On the day of the incident, Mr Chapman spent over five hours at Dee Why Bowling Club with the truck’s owners. After leaving the club, police allege he retrieved a jerry can from the owners’ garage and filled it with petrol at a nearby Shell service station at 8:39 p.m. Surveillance footage shows him wearing a face covering during the purchase.

At 8:45 p.m., he was dropped off near the bowling club. Phone records indicate he made calls to a mobile phone linked to the female owner before and after the fire. At 9:52 p.m., CCTV captured Mr Chapman igniting an object and throwing it under the vehicle, which immediately caught alight. He then ran south along Fisher Road North.

Additional Legal Proceedings

The female co-owner of the truck has been charged with dishonesty for gain and damage to property by fire. Her matter remains before the courts. The male co-owner is not facing any charges.

Police confirmed both arrests were made following a public appeal in September 2024, which included the release of CCTV footage.

The case remains ongoing with Mr Chapman awaiting sentencing and the female owner’s matter yet to be finalised. Investigations by NSW Police continue as the court process unfolds.

Published 22-Mar-2025

Dee Why Beach Incident Highlights Shark Net Controversy, Removal Being Considered

Photo Credit: WildLife Media/YouTube

A dramatic rescue of an endangered leatherback turtle off Dee Why Beach has reignited an ongoing debate over shark nets along the NSW coast, and whether a decision needs to be made to remove these controversial barriers.

Turtle Rescue at Dee Why

In March 2024, lifeguards at Dee Why Beach on Sydney’s Northern Beaches saved a possibly 100-year-old leatherback turtle entangled in shark nets about one kilometre offshore. The rescue, captured on drone footage, showed the exhausted animal struggling to free itself from the netting that covered its entire body.

Northern Beaches lifeguards David Hooper and Tiaan Cronje responded quickly to the distressed turtle. The lifeguards spent over 20 minutes carefully cutting away the netting to free the turtle.

Shark Net Program Changes

Following incidents like the one at Dee Why, the NSW government has announced plans to remove shark nets one month earlier than usual, on 31 March 2025. This decision is part of a broader initiative to reassess shark mitigation strategies along the NSW coast, including at popular beaches like Dee Why.

Recent data has highlighted the toll of shark nets on marine ecosystems. Of 255 marine animals caught in the 2023-24 season, only 15 were target shark species. Alarmingly, 65 endangered animals were caught, including green turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and a humpback whale.

Alternative Safety Measures

While some nets may be removed, other safety measures will remain in place at beaches like Dee Why. These include baited SMART drumlines, drone surveillance, listening stations, and community education programs.

“We will be working closely with local governments, SLSNSW and Surfing NSW over this season to ensure the future of this program works for the communities it operates in,” Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty stated.

Consultations with coastal councils will be scheduled, with measures potentially allowing them to choose how to keep their beaches safe up for discussion. This could mean the removal of nets at beaches like Dee Why in the future.

Published 2-Aug-2024

Dee Why: A Coastal Black Spot on the Northern Beaches

Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) has raised concerns about the Northern Beaches, especially Dee Why, as it highlights the suburb as a “coastal black spot” for the second consecutive year.

With six out of 48 drowning deaths in NSW happening on the Northern Beaches in the past year, SLSNSW Sydney Northern Beaches CEO Tracey Hare-Boyd emphasised the importance of swimming between flags at patrolled beaches during patrol hours.

“It is not a statistic that we are greatly proud of,” Ms Hare-Boyd stated, acknowledging various factors such as medical and mental health conditions contributing to these incidents.

Extended Patrol Hours and Dye Demonstrations

In response to the alarming statistics, Dee Why will extend patrol hours until 7:00 p.m. this summer, as many rescues occur after standard closing times.

Additionally, Clinton Rose, Northern Beaches Council Beach Services Coordinator, used environmentally friendly dye to show the rapid movement of rips from the shore. This demonstration underlines the new advice for those caught in rips: conserve energy, go with the flow, and signal for help.

Awareness Campaign by Northern Beaches Council

Mayor Sue Heins of the Northern Beaches Council announced a new campaign to raise beach safety awareness. This initiative will include informative videos, signage at high-risk areas, and practical tips for beachgoers.

“As we embrace the extreme weather, we are concerned our beaches will be extremely busy with locals and visitors seeking relief from the heat. More people on beaches could mean more rescues and drownings,” Ms Heins said.

“Last year, over 10.8 million people visited our beaches, with 1,427 rescues and 4,300 first aid cases requiring attention. Sadly, six people lost their lives in the Sydney Northern Beaches Surf Life Saving Branch area over the last year.

“We’re doing our bit to arm beachgoers with tips to stay safe this beach season with a new ‘Be Beach Safe’ campaign. Please do your bit by taking beach safety seriously and spreading the word with your visiting friends and relatives.”

Lifeguard Efforts and Visitor Statistics

Northern Beaches Council professional lifeguards, alongside volunteers from 21 Surf Life Saving Clubs, work tirelessly to ensure beach safety. A significant number of preventative actions (425k) were also taken to guide swimmers and boardriders to safer areas. Notably, no deaths were reported on patrolled beaches within the flagged areas during patrol hours.

With a heatwave warning issued, a surge in beachgoers is expected. In anticipation, safety measures and vigilance are being heightened to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors. The community is encouraged to stay informed and prepared, especially during these peak times.

Published 13-Dec-2023