Antisocial Behaviour in Dee Why Town Centre Ends in Arrest of 12-Year-Old

A group of boys aged around 12 to 13 caused serious concern in the Dee Why town centre on Tuesday evening, 4 August, with a spate of antisocial behaviour that escalated over roughly half an hour before police stepped in and made an arrest.



The trouble began shortly after 5.30pm at the Woolworths on Howard Avenue, where roughly six boys were reported to have been yelling and acting in a confrontational manner toward others in the store. From there, the group allegedly attempted to gain access to the residential section of the Lighthouse building nearby before moving on when they were challenged.

What followed unfolded along Howard Avenue and into Dee Why Parade. A particularly alarming moment came when one of the boys allegedly hurled a rock toward a pregnant woman walking on Howard Avenue. The rock missed, and when her partner stepped in to confront the group, the boys offered an apology and moved on. By around 6.00pm, police had been called after the group was reported to be throwing objects at both vehicles and pedestrians along Dee Why Parade.

The situation took a more serious turn when the boys gathered in an alleyway behind the Howard Avenue shops. A local convenience store owner discovered several of them going through goods in the laneway — including a delivery apparently intended for a nearby mobile phone retailer. When he confronted them, the boys allegedly attacked him and fled with his mobile phone.

Police, who had already been alerted by a passer-by, located the group near the southbound B-Line bus stop on Pittwater Road. The shopkeeper’s phone was recovered close to the bus stop, and one 12-year-old from the group was taken into custody and brought to Dee Why Police Station.

Following inquiries, NSW Police released the boy with a formal caution under the Young Offenders Act 1997 (NSW). Under that legislation, the Act is designed to provide an alternative to court proceedings for children who commit certain offences, promoting the exercise of police discretion to divert young people away from the criminal justice system. A maximum of three cautions can be issued to any one young person under the Act.



The incident has stirred conversation in the local community, particularly on social media, where residents have been voicing frustration about what they see as a lack of accountability for young offenders and questions about parental supervision.

Published 5-August-2026

Free Family Festival in Dee Why to Celebrate Oceania Food, Music and Culture

Dee Why is set to host music, food and family activities this July as the Northern Beaches Oceana Fun Festival comes to James Meehan Reserve on Clyde Road.



The free community event will be held on Saturday, 25 July 2026, from 12 pm to 6 pm, offering locals a chance to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavours of the Pacific and Oceania in Dee Why.

A day for families, culture and connection

The festival is designed as a welcoming day out for all ages, with a program that celebrates the rich cultures, traditions and communities that make up Oceania.

Visitors can expect cultural performances, live entertainment, food vendors, artisan market stalls, children’s activities, community showcases and interactive experiences throughout the afternoon.

For Dee Why families, the event offers a local afternoon of children’s activities, food, music, dance and cultural traditions from the Pacific region.

Supporting local businesses and performers

Beyond the entertainment, the Oceana Fun Festival also aims to support local small businesses, performers, food vendors, market stallholders and community groups.

Organisers hope the event will help strengthen community connections, encourage cultural understanding and bring more visitors into Dee Why, supporting the local economy along the way.

Oceana Fun Festival in Dee Why
Photo Credit: Google Map

With its mix of food, arts, music and family-friendly activities, the festival is also intended to create opportunities for youth, performers, community groups and cultural organisations.

An inclusive community celebration

Partially funded through the Northern Beaches Council Event Grants and Sponsorship Program, the festival aims to become an annual celebration for the area.

For locals, it offers a chance to gather, celebrate cultural diversity and enjoy a community event at James Meehan Reserve.



The Northern Beaches Oceana Fun Festival is free to attend and open to the whole community. Families, friends and neighbours are encouraged to come along, support local stallholders and enjoy a celebration of Oceania’s cultures, food, music and traditions.

Published 21-July-2026

Teenager Arrested After Dee Why Bus Stop Assault

A Dee Why bus stop assault on Saturday night has left a young woman injured and a teenage boy in police custody, after a confrontation at one of the suburb’s busiest transit points escalated into physical violence.



Just before 9.45pm on 4 July, NSW Police were called to the northbound B-Line bus stop on Pittwater Road — a stop located just metres from Dee Why Police Station on St David Avenue. Officers from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command were on scene quickly and were told that a 17-year-old male had allegedly assaulted a 27-year-old woman.

According to witnesses who spoke with the Northern Beaches Advocate, the trouble started among people getting off a bus. A verbal argument broke out and then took a violent turn, with the teenager allegedly throwing the woman to the ground.

The woman suffered minor cuts to her face but declined further medical treatment at the scene. It is understood she was with at least a couple of people she knew when the incident occurred. The teenager and the woman are not believed to have known one another beforehand, and observers at the scene indicated that alcohol may have been a factor.

Police arrested the boy and took him to Manly Police Station, where he continued to assist with inquiries. A NSW Police spokesperson confirmed the matter remains under investigation and that no charges have been laid at this stage.

The area around the bus stop is understood to be well covered by CCTV, which police will review as part of their investigation. Depending on what the footage shows, officers may consider charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm under Section 59 of the NSW Crimes Act — which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment — or the more serious charge of affray under Section 93C, which carries a maximum of ten years. The affray charge is generally applied where conduct in a public place would cause a reasonable person present to fear for their safety.

Because the alleged offender is 17, any action taken against him would be handled within the framework of the NSW Young Offenders Act 1997. That legislation covers young people aged between 10 and 17 and recognises that they should not be treated the same as adults when they break the law. Among its guiding principles is that the least restrictive form of sanction should be applied, and that criminal proceedings should not be commenced against a child if there is an alternative and appropriate means of dealing with the matter. Under the Act, police may divert a young offender away from court through a warning, a caution, or a referral to a youth justice conference — but only if the young person has admitted the offence and consented to diversion, and if they are eligible for it. Whether any of those pathways apply will depend on the evidence gathered and the seriousness with which police ultimately view the alleged conduct.



The B-Line stop at Dee Why is one of nine stops on the B1 route, which runs between Mona Vale and Wynyard Station in Sydney’s CBD and is operated by double-deck buses. It is a busy interchange point, with connections to local bus services throughout the Northern Beaches.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Northern Beaches Police Area Command or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Published 9-July-2026

More Than 40 New Trees Planted at Dee Why’s James Meehan Reserve

More than 40 advanced native and coastal trees have been planted at James Meehan Reserve in Dee Why as part of a larger canopy-building programme targeting Northern Beaches suburbs identified as having lower-than-average tree cover.



The new plantings, completed over the past month, include a mix of five species chosen for their suitability to the local environment: banksia integrifolia, eucalyptus robusta, melaleuca quinquenervia, araucaria heterophylla and ficus rubiginosa.

For anyone walking through James Meehan Reserve on the way to the beach, heading out for a dog walk, or watching sport on the weekend, the change is already visible — and the benefits will compound considerably as the trees mature over coming years.

Dee Why is one of four suburbs prioritised in the current round of planting alongside Brookvale, Warriewood and North Curl Curl. The programme is funded through a special variation in rates and sits within a broader Tree Canopy Plan aimed at building urban greenery across the Northern Beaches over the long term.

Photo Credit: NBC

Shade that does real work on hot days

The new plantings will boost canopy cover and help reduce the impacts of urban heat on public land. Trees act as natural air conditioners, providing shade and cooling on hot days, and streets with trees can be several degrees cooler in summer.

On a suburb like Dee Why, where the built environment and coastal exposure combine to concentrate heat during summer afternoons, that temperature difference is felt directly by anyone spending time outdoors.

Photo Credit: NBC

Urban heat is not just a comfort issue. It affects how long people can safely spend outside, how walkable a neighbourhood feels during warmer months, and what kinds of outdoor activity are realistic for older residents and young children.

Increasing canopy cover in areas where it has historically been lower addresses that problem at a neighbourhood scale, rather than expecting individuals to manage it on their own.

Greener streets people actually want to spend time in

People are drawn to greener places. Green streets and neighbourhoods provide privacy, local character and places to play and spend time. It is the kind of thing that is easy to overlook until the trees are there, and then immediately obvious. A reserve with established canopy draws different foot traffic than an open, exposed one.

Trees
Photo Credit: NBC

It encourages slower movement, longer visits and the kind of incidental social contact that gives a suburb its sense of community.

For Dee Why, a suburb that has been developing at pace with new residential density along Pittwater Road and the surrounding streets, the addition of mature vegetation in public reserves plays a practical role in making shared outdoor spaces feel worth using.

A habitat, not just a landscape feature

Trees provide food and homes to birds, insects and wildlife. A mature gum tree can be home to many hundreds of different species, helping sustain ecosystems. The species selected for the James Meehan Reserve planting include natives well suited to supporting local wildlife corridors on the Northern Beaches.

Photo Credit: NBC

Banksia integrifolia, the coast banksia, is a particularly significant food source for honeyeaters and flying foxes. Ficus rubiginosa, the Port Jackson fig, supports fruit-eating birds and provides dense canopy as it matures.

The Dee Why planting connects to a broader effort to maintain biodiversity across the Northern Beaches’ urban landscape, where native vegetation has been progressively replaced by development over decades.

Part of a longer plan for the Northern Beaches

The James Meehan Reserve planting is one element of a larger-scale programme that targets low-canopy suburbs across the Northern Beaches with substantial numbers of trees rather than token additions.

The Tree Canopy Plan sets out preferred species, planting locations and long-term targets, and the current programme is executing against those priorities in a concentrated way.

Residents can learn more about the tree planting programme, preferred local species and the Tree Canopy Plan at the Northern Beaches website.



Published 26-June-2026

Dee Why Restaurant Stella Blu Nears Final Service After 34 Years

Stella Blu at Dee Why Beach will close after 34 years on The Strand, bringing an end to a beachfront restaurant remembered through decades of meals, milestones and familiar local routines.



For more than three decades, Stella Blu has been part of the rhythm of Dee Why Beach.

The Italian restaurant at 18 The Strand opened in 1992, when the beachfront had only a handful of eateries. It began as a 40-seat cafe serving pizza, focaccia, pasta, coffee and desserts, before growing into a larger restaurant known to generations of diners on the northern beaches.

That long run will end on 28 June, when Stella Blu closes after its final lunch service.

Co-owners Nick Salerno and Pino Salerno announced the closure as impending redevelopment of the site brings the restaurant’s time at The Strand to an end. The business looked at other options, but no alternative was found that felt right for Stella Blu.

Stella Blu restaurant at Dee Why Beach
Photo Credit: Stella Blu Restaurant & Bar/Facebook

From Small Cafe to Long-Running Ristorante

Stella Blu’s story at Dee Why Beach began with modest offerings and a small dining room, but the venue quickly became a favourite among locals.

Over time, it expanded into adjoining premises and was renovated as the owners worked to create an Italian ristorante shaped by food, hospitality and its beachside location.

The site also carries an earlier family history. Umberto and Stella Russo, Italian immigrants, built two shops with a flat above after an older shop on the site burnt down in 1977. They operated a cafe on the corner of The Strand and Howard Avenue called Donna Stella.

Their son Victor later took over the restaurant and renamed it Stella Blu in honour of his mother.

When Nick Salerno became part of the business, Stella Blu was still known for simpler cafe-style meals. With Pino Salerno later joining as partner, the restaurant grew into the venue many diners came to know across the following decades.

Outdoor tables at Stella Blu Dee Why
Photo Credit: Stella Blu Restaurant & Bar/Facebook

Milestones Around the Table

Stella Blu became more than a place for lunch or dinner for many of its regulars.

Across 34 years, the restaurant became a setting for proposals, birthdays, wedding receptions, anniversaries, Mother’s Day meals, farewell drinks and wakes. Customers have remembered favourite dishes, family lunches, long meals with friends and occasions that became attached to the restaurant’s beachfront tables.

Former staff have also recalled busy services, long shifts and the people they worked with over the years. Others remembered the early days of the restaurant, when it was smaller, simpler and already becoming part of Dee Why Beach life.

Since the closure was announced, customers and former staff have shared memories of the restaurant’s food, service, staff and place on The Strand.

The Strand dining strip in Dee Why
Photo Credit: Stella Blu Restaurant & Bar/Facebook

Redevelopment Ends the Restaurant’s Time on The Strand

The decision to close follows plans to redevelop the building into a shop-top apartment complex.

Nick Salerno had initially intended to work with the property owners through the redevelopment, with the possibility of continuing Stella Blu in the renewed premises. However, the process continued for a long period, leaving the business without certainty about whether it would return to the site.

He has said there was no acrimony over the redevelopment decision, but the lack of security around the restaurant’s future made it difficult to keep waiting.

The business also considered another premises on The Strand, but no suitable site was available. Moving Stella Blu away from Dee Why was not considered the right fit for a restaurant so closely associated with the suburb.

Final Meals by the Beach

The restaurant’s final week has been marked as a last chance for diners to return before Stella Blu closes its doors.

For some, that means one more meal at a familiar table. For others, it is a final visit to a place linked with birthdays, family gatherings, old work memories or evenings by the water.



Nick Salerno has said he is closing the restaurant while he still enjoys the work and the interaction with customers. After Stella Blu closes, he has said he will explore other potential interests in hospitality.

Published 24-June-2026

Hunt Continues for Second Man After Dee Why Convenience Store Robbery and Assault

A Dee Why convenience store robbery that left a young staff member assaulted has resulted in one arrest, while police are still searching for a second man involved in the incident.



Just after 1:00pm on Thursday, 11 June 2026, officers from the Northern Beaches Police Area Command — including Inspector Matthew Patterson — responded to a call from Prime Dee Why Mart on Howard Avenue. The station is barely 100 metres from the store, meaning police were on scene quickly.

Two men had allegedly entered the shop and attempted to get behind the counter and into a storage area. When a 22-year-old male employee confronted them, the pair allegedly attacked him, kicking him in the head and leaving him with scratches and bruising. It is understood the men were attempting to take vapes and cigarettes, though police have not confirmed whether anything was actually stolen — and it is believed the pair left without any goods.

CCTV footage reviewed at the scene helped officers identify one of the two men almost immediately. A 20-year-old from Narrabeen was recognised by police, who are described as knowing him well. Despite being aware that officers were looking for him, he evaded police for approximately a week before handing himself in at Chatswood Police Station on Thursday, 18 June 2026.

He has since been charged with one count of common assault under Section 61 of the NSW Crimes Act, which carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Manly Local Court on Tuesday, 28 July 2026.

Investigators have indicated that further charges may follow. Police are reportedly considering whether to also charge him under Section 60G of the Crimes Act, a provision specifically aimed at protecting retail workers from assault, which carries a maximum penalty of four years’ imprisonment.

The second man remains unidentified. He is described as Caucasian, approximately 30 years old, and was wearing a black hoodie and black shorts at the time of the incident. He has a distinctive tattoo of cursive writing above his right eyebrow.



Anyone who recognises this description or has information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Dee Why Police Station on 02 9971 3399 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Published 20-June-2026

Dee Why Garden Plan To Bring Fresh Produce To Arthur Reserve

A new Dee Why community garden has been approved for Arthur Reserve, giving residents a planned shared space for fresh produce, gardening knowledge and local connection.



New Garden Planned For Arthur Reserve

Dee Why residents are set to gain a new community garden at Arthur Reserve after Northern Beaches Council approved the locally led proposal.

The garden will occupy a 300 square metre section of community land near the Cromer-Dee Why Scout Hall. It will be established, operated and maintained by a community garden group.

The proposal was endorsed at a recent meeting after strong public support. In late 2025, 145 submissions were received, with most backing the plan.

Many submissions referred to the proposed garden’s social, health, educational and environmental benefits.

Dee Why community garden
Photo Credit: NBC/YouTube

Dee Why Community Garden To Include Raised Beds

The Dee Why community garden will feature raised garden beds and be designed for inclusive use.

The layout will also keep pedestrian movement through Arthur Reserve open, allowing people to move through the reserve while the garden operates nearby.

Community gardens are shared areas of land managed by groups of people. Garden beds may be individual or shared, with produce divided according to how each garden is organised.

A Shared Place To Grow And Learn

Community gardens provide space for residents to produce food locally, reduce household waste through composting and worm farming, and learn about permaculture and organic gardening.

They also bring together people with a shared interest in gardening and community-based growing.

Across the Northern Beaches, community gardens are generally located in parks or school grounds. They operate as separate incorporated associations, with volunteer members and elected committees.

Their running costs are covered through membership and annual fees, fundraising and grants.

The Dee Why site will be managed by the community garden group responsible for its establishment, operation and maintenance.

NBC sustainable gardening
Photo Credit: NBC/YouTube

More Community Gardens Across The Northern Beaches

The new Arthur Reserve garden will add to existing community gardens across the Northern Beaches.

Active gardens already operate at Balgowlah, Seaforth, Freshwater, North Curl Curl, Manly Vale and Newport.

Balgowlah Community Garden is located behind the children’s playground at 100 Griffiths Street. The North Curl Curl garden is based on the western bowling green of the North Curl Curl Community Centre, at the corner of Abbott and Griffin Roads.

Freshie Community Garden is used for growing fruit trees, vegetables and flowers through sustainable gardening practices. Manly Vale Community Garden brings children, families and neighbours together to learn about more sustainable living.



The planned garden at Arthur Reserve will extend that network into Dee Why, near the Cromer-Dee Why Scout Hall.

Published 18-June-2026

Dee Why Driver Fined After Alleged Drink-Driving Crash 

A 74-year-old woman has been fined and had her licence suspended after an alleged low-range drink-driving crash at Dee Why, where her car hit a parked trailer and blocked May Road. 



Hyundai Hits Parked Trailer In Dee Why

Police were called to May Road at Dee Why shortly after 6:45 pm on Wednesday, 10 June, following reports of a single-vehicle collision involving a parked trailer.

Residents who heard the impact came outside and found a silver 2016 Hyundai i30 hatchback had struck an unattended box trailer. The trailer was carrying building materials for a nearby construction project.

The vehicle hit the trailer on the passenger side. The 74-year-old woman driving the car did not appear injured, but the car and trailer were left blocking the road after the crash.

Police Attend Dee Why Drink-Driving Crash

Police attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command attended the scene and spoke with the driver.

The woman was directed to take a roadside breath test. She was reported to have had difficulty providing a sample before a reading was recorded. The roadside result was allegedly 0.07.

She was arrested and taken to Dee Why Police Station, where a further breath analysis allegedly returned a reading of 0.051, just above the legal limit.

Fines And Licence Suspension Issued

The woman was issued infringement notices for negligent driving and low-range prescribed concentration of alcohol as a first offence.

The negligent driving infringement carried a $562 fine and three demerit points. The low-range PCA infringement carried a $704 fine and a three-month licence suspension.

Her vehicle was later removed by tow truck.

Trailer Owner Called To May Road

The owner of the box trailer, a builder from Western Sydney, was contacted after the crash and arrived about 45 minutes later to move it.

Some residents criticised the trailer being left parked on the street rather than removed from the area each day.



The incident left May Road briefly disrupted while the vehicle and trailer were dealt with.

Published 12-June-2026

Dee Why Assault Victim In ICU As Footage Appeal Continues 

A Dee Why man remains in a critical condition after being assaulted at James Meehan Reserve, with an appeal for dashcam and surveillance footage as police continue to investigate the incident. 



Dee Why Assault Victim Remains In Critical Condition

A 47-year-old Dee Why man remains in a critical condition after he was assaulted at James Meehan Reserve, near the corner of Clyde Road and Richmond Avenue.

The man, identified by his partner as Nick, was attacked late on Friday night, 29 May, after reportedly approaching a group in the park area over noise. His partner has said he had gone to ask the group to lower the volume after loud music late at night.

Dee Why assault
Photo Credit: Tracey Posa/Facebook

He was later found severely injured and taken to hospital. His condition has since deteriorated, and he remains in the intensive care unit at Royal North Shore Hospital, where he is unconscious, intubated and on life support.

His partner has described serious injuries, including bleeding to the head, facial fractures, injuries to his ears and face, and extensive bruising.

Appeal For Dee Why Footage After Park Attack

The man’s partner has appealed for help from anyone who was parked or driving near the area on Friday night.

People with dashcam footage from around James Meehan Reserve have been asked to check recordings between about 10:00 pm and midnight. Anyone who was travelling between Pittwater Road and Dee Why Beach between 7:00 pm and midnight has also been asked to review footage that may show movement in the area.

Footage showing vehicles, headlights, people, or a group moving through the area may assist the investigation. The reserve was dark at the time, and there was no CCTV covering the immediate location.

The partner has remained anonymous because of concerns for her safety.

Ambulance response in Dee Why
Photo Credit: Pexels

Police Continue James Meehan Reserve Investigation

Police have confirmed the investigation is continuing, with no further update available. Evidence was collected from the park after the assault, but the man’s condition means he has not been able to speak with police or provide his account of what happened.

A bystander reported seeing a rowdy group of youths returning from the beach area along Howard Avenue between about 10:30 pm and 11:00 pm before boarding a bus. That information has been passed to police, but there has been no confirmation that the group was involved in the assault.

The investigation remains focused on piecing together movements before and after the incident. Any dashcam, vehicle, home security or other footage from nearby streets may assist police as they continue their inquiries.



Anyone with information that may assist has been asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Published 2-June-2026

Northern Beaches Transport Review Sparks Push for Metro Rail to Dee Why and Brookvale

A major transport review covering the Northern Beaches is open for public feedback, triggering a fierce local push to get a metro rail line to Dee Why and Brookvale onto the dynamic planning agenda for the first time.



The Northern Beaches Network Review examines how the peninsula’s main road and public transport networks are performing. The official scope targets five key arterial corridors: Mona Vale Road, Warringah Road, Military and Spit roads, Pittwater Road, and the Pacific Highway.

But local community advocates, business groups, and regional leaders are hitting back, warning that the official strategy focuses too heavily on short-term fixes while ignoring the massive structural changes the peninsula desperately needs.

The case for metro rail

The Northern Beaches still has no rail connection. Buses and private cars fight for space on the same gridlocked corridors, and while the B-Line has made a massive dent in transit times since launching in late 2017, the network is hitting its absolute ceiling.

Photo Credit: Transport NSW Blog

A formal community backlash is now gathering momentum, demanding that planners fast-track the “investigation of a mass transport solution such as a Metro rail to Dee Why and Brookvale” before the region bottlenecks completely.

Local submissions are also calling for aggressive bus priority upgrades north of Mona Vale, grade-separated cycleways, and immediate engineering fixes for notorious intersection logjams that the current official review largely glides over.

Photo Credit: NSWGov

For Dee Why commuters heading south to the CBD, daily trips remain an exercise in frustration due to shifting bus reliability and relentless Pittwater Road gridlock. The notorious Officeworks intersection in Dee Why stands out as a prime pain point in local feedback.

What is currently on the table?

The official review sticks to practical, medium-term adjustments. Key proposals include an east-west B-Line link connecting Dee Why to Chatswood’s existing Metro station, alongside stronger bus priority lanes along Pittwater, Military, and Spit roads.

Several major road upgrades are also rolling out across the region simultaneously:

  • Mona Vale Road West: Detailed design work and site investigations are moving forward to widen a 3.4-kilometre stretch from two lanes to four between Terrey Hills and Ingleside, which includes a new northern shared path.
  • Wakehurst Parkway: Safety works, intersection upgrades, and flood mitigation projects are progressing between Frenchs Forest Road and Pittwater Road in North Narrabeen.

While these projects offer welcome relief, residents argue they are minor Band-Aids on a much larger systemic problem.

Density is coming, and the roads aren’t ready

The clock is ticking for the peninsula’s transport infrastructure. High-density residential zoning is ramping up across major hubs, with Mona Vale, Frenchs Forest, Brookvale, and Dee Why all locked in as designated growth zones. New planning reforms mean developments can now scale up to six storeys along these transit corridors.

Photo Credit: NSWGov

Locals are warning that piling thousands of new residents into these areas without heavy mass transit infrastructure will completely paralyze local roads. The message from community leaders to infrastructure planners is clear: critical enabling infrastructure must pave the way for density, not trail behind it by a decade.

Tinkering around the edges simply will not cut it anymore when there are only a few bottleneck roads in and out of the peninsula.

Have your say by June 15

The community feedback window has been extended to Monday, 15 June 2026, to give residents more time to log their experiences. Locals can pinpoint exact problem intersections or congested corridors using the interactive map on the official Have Your Say platform, complete a travel survey, and download the full 30-page summary report.

To submit your feedback online, head to NSW Gov before the June 15 deadline.



Published 29-May-2026