Northern Beaches Archives

Police Flag Safety Response After E-Bike Rideouts Affect Collaroy Area

Police have flagged enforcement action across Sydney’s Northern Beaches following a series of mass e-bike rideouts, including an incident at a Collaroy golf course that raised safety and compliance concerns.

Collaroy Golf Course Incident

In January, a large group of young e-bike riders entered Long Reef Golf Club during daylight hours. Riders were filmed moving across course areas and riding over grass mounds, disrupting play.

Golfers contacted police after reporting dozens of riders on the course. Officers conducted patrols, but the group had already left by the time police arrived. Reporting differs on the exact size and timing of the group, with estimates ranging from more than 30 to about 60 riders on a Friday in January.

Club representatives later said the damage was not extensive, but the incident caused significant disruption.

Rideouts Draw Attention Across Northern Beaches

Large e-bike rideouts involving groups of young riders have been occurring across the Northern Beaches, with gatherings organised through social media and digital flyers. Some rideouts have drawn dozens of participants, with reports indicating crowds of up to about 100 riders in certain cases.

Footage described in reporting shows groups riding together on public roads and near intersections, prompting concerns about traffic disruption and rider safety. Police say they have been monitoring planned rideouts for several weeks.

Police Compliance Activity

Northern Beaches Police confirmed officers attended the advertised starting point of a planned rideout at Brookvale Oval, where police maintained a visible presence.

Police conducted compliance checks focusing on helmet use, adherence to road rules, and whether e-bikes had been illegally modified to exceed the legal 25 km/h speed limit.

Under current road laws, e-bikes altered beyond legal limits may be treated as unregistered and uninsured motor vehicles. Police reiterated that offences such as speeding or riding without a helmet can attract fines of up to $3,000.

Collaroy e-bike rideouts — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Broader Safety Concerns

Similar e-bike gatherings were reported in other Northern Beaches suburbs, including Manly, Dee Why and Manly Vale. National reporting also highlighted comparable incidents in Cronulla and Melbourne, indicating the issue extended beyond the local area.

Cycling industry representatives noted that while e-bikes offer mobility benefits, unsafe riding behaviour and the use of high-powered or modified bikes increase risks for riders, pedestrians and other road users.

e-bike rideouts — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Ongoing Monitoring

Police said monitoring of e-bike activity across the Northern Beaches remained ongoing, with enforcement action taken where unsafe or anti-social behaviour was identified.

Members of the public with information about dangerous e-bike use were encouraged to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

Published 3-Feb-2026

Collaroy Tennis Club Named NSW’s Best Community Sports Club

Photo Credit: Collaroy Tennis Club/Facebook

Collaroy Tennis Club has been named NSW’s top community sports club, winning Community Club of the Year at the 2025 NSW Community Sports Awards. Located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the club was recognised for its inclusive programs, upgraded facilities and strong community connections.

A Century of Local Sport and Service

The announcement was made on 30 June at a ceremony attended by sporting officials, local leaders and community representatives. Organised by Sport NSW and backed by the NSW Government, the award honours volunteer-run clubs that impact grassroots sport. Founded in 1922, Collaroy Tennis Club now supports over 200 members with six courts and solar-powered LED lighting.

*Photo Credit: Collaroy Tennis Club/Facebook*

More than $500,000 in upgrades over the past decade have improved accessibility, sustainability and facilities. The club’s inclusive programs, run in partnership with Evolve Tennis Academy, earned it recognition as one of only three Inclusion Development Hubs in NSW.

Leading the Way in Equity and Access

In 2023, Collaroy hosted its first wheelchair tennis championship and added new sports wheelchairs for hire. These changes reflect the club’s drive to make tennis a game for everyone. They also joined Tennis NSW’s gender equity pilot program, guided by former professional player Casey Dellacqua, to build better participation pathways for women and girls.

Collaroy’s clubhouse now includes inclusive bathrooms, shaded seating areas and even table tennis facilities. Their work in creating a welcoming space for all earned them finalist status not only for Club of the Year, but also in the Inclusion Achievement and Sport Administrator categories.

Recognition Across the Board

Tennis NSW CEO Darren Simpson said the award reflected the club’s outstanding efforts across a range of programs. The 2025 NSW Community Sports Awards considered clubs from every sport in the state, not just tennis, making the win especially meaningful.

Joining Collaroy at the ceremony were Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins and Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan MP, who congratulated the club’s leadership and volunteers for their dedication. Their names lit up on the stadium’s giant screen during the event, marking a proud moment for everyone involved.

A Club Built on Community

The club credits its success to the dedicated volunteers, players, coaches and supporters who make Collaroy more than just a place to play. Members benefit from free social sessions, subsidised competition entry and a welcoming, family-friendly environment.

Previously recognised as Tennis Australia’s Most Outstanding Club in 2022 and earning silver status in the 2025 Pride in Sport Index, Collaroy is no stranger to awards. This latest honour, however, highlights its deeper commitment to inclusion, community and grassroots sport.

Published 29-July-2025

Collaroy Man Charged After Elderly Woman Injured in Laundry Room Dispute

A Collaroy man is facing serious charges after allegedly injuring two elderly neighbours during a heated argument over a shirt in a shared laundry room of their apartment complex.

Police Response and Timeline

The incident happened on the morning of June 5 at a unit block in Collaroy on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Police say 36-year-old Andrew Jason Cunliff accused a neighbour of stealing his shirt, sparking a heated argument.

*Photo Credit: Canva / For Illustration Purpose Only*

The dispute turned physical, leaving a 79-year-old woman in hospital and a 74-year-old man with an elbow injury. Cunliff was arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of common assault.

Allegations of Aggressive Behaviour

Police say Cunliff first shouted abuse at a 57-year-old neighbour in the laundry room. When the man tried to leave, Cunliff allegedly shoved the door into him, causing him to fall into a 79-year-old woman. She hit her head in the fall, and a second elderly neighbour who tried to help was also pushed, landing on her.

Paramedics treated the woman for a head injury before taking both elderly residents to hospital. In court, police described Cunliff’s actions as aggressive and erratic, which the magistrate called deeply disturbing.

Bail Refused Due to Past Behaviour

Cunliff was refused bail after the court heard about his past breaches and a history of violent and intimidating behaviour. His legal team said he suffers from PTSD and a personality disorder, which may have influenced his actions.

Magistrate Daniel Reiss said the risk was too great to grant release. He called the incident “very disturbing” and pointed to Cunliff’s ongoing issues with conflict in shared living areas. The case will return to court on June 11.

Community Reaction

The incident has raised concern among Collaroy residents, especially due to the victims’ ages. It has sparked discussion about safety and shared living arrangements for older people in the area.

Some neighbours are now reconsidering how spaces like communal laundries are managed. Authorities have urged locals to report disputes early and assured them that support services are available.

Published 6-June-2025

Collaroy Seawall Sparks Fears Over Beach Loss and Surf Impact

Photo Credit: Tim Doubleday/Facebook

The construction of a controversial seawall at Collaroy has reignited debate among residents and environmental experts, with concerns that the structure could accelerate beach erosion and alter local surf conditions.

While proponents argue the wall is necessary to protect multimillion-dollar homes from future storm damage, critics warn it could lead to the beach’s eventual disappearance.

Storms and Seawall Controversy

The Northern Beaches suburb of Collaroy has long been vulnerable to coastal erosion. In 2016, severe storms stripped away 50 metres of sand and threatened to wash away beachfront homes.

In response, local authorities and property owners initiated constructing a seven-metre-high seawall to safeguard properties from future extreme weather events. However, the project has remained divisive, and there are ongoing concerns about its long-term environmental impact.

Collaroy seawall — *Photo Credit: Tim Doubleday/Facebook*

Seawall and Sand: Will Collaroy’s Beach Disappear?

Coastal scientist Professor Andrew Short has warned that Collaroy has historically undergone natural erosion and recovery cycles. A concrete seawall could disrupt this balance. He explained that seawalls prevent sand from replenishing naturally, leading to a scenario where the beach could progressively shrink until it is completely eroded.

New research from the Surfrider Foundation predicts that a 66cm rise in sea levels before the end of the century could exacerbate the problem, potentially submerging key surf spots like North Narrabeen.

Financial Burden and Construction Challenges

The seawall construction has come at a significant cost, with affected homeowners contributing 80 per cent of expenses, amounting to over $300,000 per property. While 1.3 kilometres of seawalls have been planned along Collaroy and Narrabeen, only 750 metres have been completed, with certain sections made from rock revetments instead of concrete. Some residents expressed frustration at being forced to fund the wall, with one anonymous homeowner stating they would have preferred alternative solutions.

Community Reaction: Division Among Residents

Opinions within the Collaroy community remain sharply divided. Some residents believe the seawall has provided security against future coastal threats. Another stated that water has only reached the structure once in four years.

Others, including long-time locals, argue that the erosion has worsened. It reduced the beach’s size and usability. Surfers have reported deteriorating wave quality, while fishers and beachgoers fear the loss of sand will impact recreational use.

Seawall Controversy — *Photo Credit: Soil Conservation Service/YouTube*

The Bigger Picture: Climate Change and Coastal Erosion

Experts warn that the challenges faced at Collaroy are not unique. Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities nationwide. Professor Short has called for federal intervention to address the growing issue. He highlighted that many other beachfront locations could face similar dilemmas in the coming decades.

NBC, however, maintains that seawalls have been used successfully in other areas, such as Manly and Dee Why. They assert that the beach will continue undergoing natural cycles of erosion and recovery.

What Lies Ahead for Collaroy?

With the seawall in place, Collaroy’s future remains uncertain. The structure currently offers protection for homes. However, its long-term impact on the beach and local surf conditions has yet to be fully realised.

Published 20-Mar-2025