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Northern Beaches Bus Passengers to Travel Fare-Free From 18 June

Bus passengers across Frenchs Forest and the wider Northern Beaches will travel without paying a fare for up to a fortnight from Thursday, after drivers switch off Opal readers as the latest step in an ongoing industrial dispute with private operator Keolis Downer.

From 12.01am on Thursday 18 June until 11.59pm on Thursday 2 July, drivers will switch off most Opal readers on Region 8 services, which cover the entire Northern Beaches network including Frenchs Forest, Belrose and Allambie Heights. Passengers will not be charged for the duration of the action.

Not every driver is expected to join in, so some services will continue running as normal with Opal readers active. Commuters won’t necessarily know in advance which services are affected.

Fare-free travel begins this week

The action forms part of protected industrial action by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU), which represents Keolis drivers, in a dispute centred on a new enterprise agreement. The union points to driver shortages, service cancellations and reliability problems that have affected the region for months as the underlying issue.

RTBU NSW Tram and Bus Division President Peter Grech said the move follows unsuccessful negotiations. “Northern Beaches commuters know better than anyone that the local bus network is not working the way it should. Services are regularly cancelled, buses are overcrowded and driver shortages continue to impact reliability across the region,” he said.

Grech said drivers deliberately selected an action designed to minimise disruption for passengers. “We understand commuters are already dealing with an unreliable bus network and we don’t want to make life harder for them. That’s why drivers have chosen an action that puts pressure on the company while delivering a benefit to passengers. For the next two weeks, commuters will be able to travel for free on Northern Beaches bus services.”

Real-time tracking and hidden costs affect commuters

Beyond the fare-free period, the action also compromises onboard systems used for real-time service tracking. Some drivers will refuse to operate this equipment alongside the Opal validation system. Consequently, transport apps may display scheduled timetables rather than accurate, live GPS updates regarding traffic delays.

While operators manually log pre-planned cancellations into travel apps, sudden last-minute or traffic-induced cancellations may fail to appear accurately.

Commuters also face hidden fare and parking penalties due to the switched-off readers:

Transfer and Cap Penalties: Because passengers cannot tap on, those transferring from a bus to another mode of transport—such as a ferry or train—will miss out on their $2.00 multi-modal transfer discount. Furthermore, these unrecorded trips will not count toward their weekly Opal travel cap.
Park & Ride Charges: Commuter car parks linked to the B-Line network require a valid, matching Opal tap-on to grant free parking. Without an active bus trip logged on their card, commuters may face unexpected parking fees or barrier issues if boom gates are strictly enforced.

Keolis Northern Beaches confirmed it remains committed to reaching an agreement and described the union’s decision to escalate as disappointing. The company said it has not stepped away from the bargaining table at any point, with the next scheduled meeting locked in for 26 June.

“Our focus is on constructive discussions,” the company said in a statement, adding it was ready to meet “at any time” to reach an outcome that supports both employees and the community.

Keolis disputed the union’s characterisation of the action as low-impact. “While this RTBU action is presented as minimising disruption, it removes important systems that passengers rely on for real-time information and certainty when planning their journeys,” the company said.

What Frenchs Forest commuters should do

Passengers travelling through Frenchs Forest and across the Northern Beaches network should plan ahead and click here or other official channels for the latest service updates, given the reduced visibility around real-time delays.

The fare-free period runs until 11.59pm on Thursday 2 July, after which standard Opal fares will resume unless the dispute escalates further.

Published 18-June-2026

Classroom Air Quality Under Scrutiny at Davidson High School

Davidson High School was among 59 public schools selected for a major NSW air quality study that found some classrooms across the state were not meeting ventilation levels considered optimal for student learning.

The Frenchs Forest school participated in the Clean Air Schools Program, a joint initiative between the NSW Department of Education and UNSW Sydney that monitored indoor and outdoor air quality between 2023 and 2025.

The final report examined carbon dioxide (CO₂), fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels at schools across Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Researchers collected air quality data from one classroom and one outdoor area at each participating school.

While the study identified 17 schools where the monitored classroom recorded carbon dioxide levels above the recommended 850 parts per million threshold for much of the school day, individual school results have not been publicly released. As a result, it is not known whether the classroom monitored at Davidson High School was among those identified by researchers.

A school in an area affected by traffic and bushfire smoke events

Davidson High School is located in Frenchs Forest, an area that sits between major transport corridors and bushland reserves on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

The school is close to Wakehurst Parkway and the Northern Beaches Hospital precinct, both of which generate significant daily traffic movements. At the same time, the area has experienced the impacts of major bushfire smoke events that have affected northern Sydney during previous fire seasons.

One of the report’s key findings was that pollution sources near schools are often highly localised, with traffic and industry among the factors that can influence outdoor nitrogen dioxide levels.

Researchers also noted that the monitoring period occurred during a time of relatively good air quality, with few major bushfires, prescribed burns or dust storms affecting NSW. As a result, the study was unable to assess how well classrooms protected students during severe smoke events.

While individual results for Davidson High School were not published, the report highlights the importance of understanding how both local traffic and seasonal smoke events may influence air quality around schools.

What researchers found across NSW schools

The study also found that most classrooms exceeded the recommended carbon dioxide threshold at some point during the day, although these exceedances were often short-lived.

Three schools — Condell Park High School, Hebersham Public School and Mayfield East Public School — consistently recorded carbon dioxide levels above 1000 parts per million throughout much of the school day.

Researchers concluded there was evidence that some NSW classrooms were exceeding levels considered optimal for student learning and health. Carbon dioxide is commonly used as an indicator of ventilation performance. Elevated levels do not necessarily mean a classroom is unsafe, but they can indicate that fresh air is not entering a room quickly enough.

The NSW Department of Education has stated that the report did not find that classrooms were unsafe and has begun follow-up assessments.

One classroom, one school

An important limitation of the study was that only a single classroom was monitored at each participating school. Researchers acknowledged this means the results may not be representative of conditions elsewhere on the same campus.

The report noted that understanding air quality across an entire school would require monitoring a wider range of classrooms over a longer period.

Ventilation emerged as a key finding

One of the strongest findings in the report was the role of classroom design and ventilation.

Researchers found classrooms with cross-ventilation — where windows can be opened on multiple sides of a room — generally recorded lower carbon dioxide levels than classrooms without cross-ventilation.

Schools participating in the NSW Government’s Cooler Classrooms Program also tended to record lower carbon dioxide levels than schools relying primarily on split-system air-conditioning.

The report found that classrooms without cross-ventilation and without Cooler Classrooms upgrades recorded the highest average carbon dioxide levels.

Researchers recommended accelerating the installation of mechanical filtered ventilation systems, particularly in schools identified as having consistently poor natural ventilation.

Clean Air Schools Program: Final Report

Published 10-June-2026

Northern Beaches Hospital Nurses Gain New Career Pathways Under NSW Health

Nurses and midwives at Northern Beaches Hospital in now have access to a range of career development programs available across the NSW public health system, opening up new training, research and leadership opportunities previously unavailable to them.

The change follows the hospital’s transition to public ownership, which saw more than 1,800 staff join NSW Health after nearly eight years under private operator Healthscope.

For nursing and midwifery staff who built careers at the hospital since it opened in 2018, the move opens professional pathways that were previously unavailable to them.

New opportunities for nurses and midwives

A range of specialty development programs in critical care, aged care, neonatal intensive care, acute care and palliative care are now available, ensuring nurses can gain expertise relevant to their field and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

Nurses now also have access to professional development days, which provide opportunities to connect, share knowledge and build expertise. Early career nurses will benefit from leadership programs, structured mentorship, clinical supervision, coaching and teaching across Northern Sydney Local Health District.

Additional funding supports nursing and midwifery-led projects, and scholarship opportunities through Northern Sydney Local Health District and NSW Health are also available. Research is supported through access to the NSLHD Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre, which provides masterclasses in research development, statistics, writing and publication.

Professional recognition includes opportunities to secure funding to attend professional conferences and entry into the Mary Chiarella Research Medal, the only award of its kind in NSW.

Nurses and midwives also now have access to internal conferences and showcases, including the Person-Centred Care Showcase, Nursing and Midwifery Research Conference, and specialty-specific development days for areas such as neonatal and renal nursing.

The annual leave tax resolution

One of the more practical concerns for staff during the transition was the tax treatment of accrued annual leave. The Commissioner of Taxation has approved a variation allowing staff to transfer unused annual leave balances to NSW Health without the balance being treated as a lump-sum taxable payout at the point of transfer, ensuring it is only taxed normally via PAYG when the leave is actually taken.

The arrangement ensures staff are not financially disadvantaged when transferring leave balances as they move to NSW Health employment.

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association described the tax ruling as a key win for its members, noting that staff are now looking forward to improving conditions, including nurse-to-patient ratios in line with their public hospital colleagues, which the association argues will lead to a safer workplace and better patient care.

Future plans for the hospital

Following the transition to public ownership, the Northern Beaches community will continue to have access to private services until 30 June 2027, while the longer-term plan for private services is finalised with clinicians and the community.

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NSW Health is also establishing the state’s first High Volume Planned Surgery Centre at Northern Beaches Hospital, expanding the hospital’s role and helping reduce surgery wait times across NSW.

The Northern Beaches Hospital Clinical Services Plan update aims to integrate the hospital into the Northern Sydney Local Health District network and future planning, confirming role delineation for each specialty, assessing service capacity and identifying opportunities for service delivery.

For patients, the day-to-day experience of attending the hospital on Warringah Road in Frenchs Forest remains largely unchanged. Emergency, maternity, surgical and specialist services continue operating, with the hospital now classified as a level 5 public facility within the NSW Health system.

Further information for staff and patients is available at nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au or by contacting Northern Sydney Local Health District on (02) 9462 9488.

Published 3-June-2026

Frenchs Forest Medical Centre Proposal Moves Closer To Decision

Photo Credit: NSW Gov

Frenchs Forest Medical Centre Plan Moves Ahead

A long-unused carpark beside the Skyline shops in Frenchs Forest could be replaced by a $9.5 million medical centre, with approval recommended for a multi-level development now awaiting a planning panel decision. The development application, listed as DA2025/1403, seeks consent for the construction and operation of a medical centre at 12 Frenchs Forest Road East, Frenchs Forest. The proposal has an estimated cost of $9,472,498 and remains listed as under assessment.

The site is currently occupied by an open bitumen carpark and sits on the northern side of Frenchs Forest Road East. It is beside the Skyline Shops local centre, with residential properties to the east and north, and Northern Beaches Hospital located about 970 metres to the west.

If approved, the project would deliver a multi-level building with six tenancies, including medical consulting rooms, general practitioner consulting rooms, a future cafe tenancy and a professional consulting office. The plans also include 24 car parking spaces, two motorcycle spaces, bicycle parking and end-of-trip facilities.

Frenchs Forest medical centre — *Photo Credit: NSW Gov*

From Carpark To Medical Centre On Frenchs Forest Road East

The proposal would change a site that has been used for many years as an informal carpark. The assessment report describes the land as dormant and not directly contributing to the activity of the local centre.

Plans for the building include ground-floor parking, access ramps, services and landscaping. A mezzanine level would include further access, a waste truck collection area, an ambulance zone, end-of-trip facilities, bicycle parking and a future cafe tenancy. Medical consulting rooms would occupy the upper levels, with a roof garden, atrium, lift and roof plant also included in the design.

The proposed operating hours are 8 am to 6 pm from Monday to Saturday, with no operation on Sundays or public holidays. Waste collection would occur twice weekly outside operating hours.

The application does not specify a maximum number of staff, although parking has been provided for 10 staff members.

development application — *Photo Credit: NSW Gov*

Approval Recommended Despite Local Concerns

The application has been referred to the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel because it received more than 10 objections and involves a height variation of more than 10 per cent.

The proposal seeks a 38.59 per cent variation to the height of building standard under the Warringah Local Environmental Plan 2011. The assessment report states the maximum building height would reach 10.81 metres at the parapet level at the rear of the upper floor and 11.78 metres for the roof plant screening.

The applicant’s written request argues that the proposed height is consistent with the adjoining commercial development at 14 Frenchs Forest Road East and would not cause unacceptable impacts on nearby residential properties.

The assessment report recommends approval, subject to conditions. It states the proposed medical centre is permissible on the E1 Local Centre zoned land and considers the site suitable for the scale and use proposed.

Submissions Raised Parking, Traffic And Height Issues

The application was lodged on 2 October 2025 and exhibited from 16 October 2025 to 30 October 2025.

A total of 13 submissions were received, including 12 objections, although one late objection was not counted for referral purposes. Concerns raised included off-street parking, traffic generation, building height, privacy, noise, outlook, structural impacts and site suitability.

Parking was a key issue. The assessment report notes a seven-space shortfall in off-street parking, but states the variation was considered acceptable due to nearby public on-street parking spaces within walking distance.

Traffic concerns were also assessed. The report refers to a predicted peak traffic load of 94 vehicle trips per hour, although it notes the likely volumes may be lower if all consulting rooms are not operating at the same time. The road network was assessed as having adequate capacity for the predicted traffic.

Other concerns, including privacy, overshadowing and operational noise, were considered as part of the assessment. The report states these matters could be managed through the design changes and recommended conditions.

Design Changes Made During Assessment

The plans were amended during the assessment process after further information was requested.

Changes included reducing the overall building height, adding a landscaped buffer along the eastern boundary, revising waste collection arrangements, increasing waste storage, adding privacy measures and clarifying the proposed building materials. End-of-trip facilities and bicycle parking were also included.

The assessment report states the amended proposal reduced environmental impacts and addressed the concerns raised through the request for further information.

No related applications are listed for DA2025/1403. However, the site has had previous applications, including a 2014 development application for a commercial medical centre and a 2009 application for tree removal

Published 2-June-2026

Construction Has Started on Wakehurst Parkway — Here’s What Frenchs Forest Residents Need to Know

Transport for NSW

An $85.1 million improvement project on Wakehurst Parkway is now under way, with crews working along the southern section between Frenchs Forest Road and Oxford Falls Road.

Construction began on 1 June. The project has been in planning and design for several years and aims to address two of the road’s most persistent problems: flooding that has repeatedly closed the parkway and traffic bottlenecks at key intersections. For Frenchs Forest residents who use the route daily to reach Northern Beaches Hospital, Warringah Road and the broader road network, the works represent the most significant upgrade to the corridor in decades.

Construction contractor Ertech Pty Ltd is carrying out the works on behalf of Transport for NSW.

Current works and traffic changes

June works are concentrated in the southern section between Frenchs Forest Road and Oxford Falls Road. Crews are installing safety barriers and temporary fencing, clearing vegetation, carrying out earthworks and excavation, installing temporary asphalt to allow barrier placement, and carrying out drainage work.

Standard working hours run Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm and Saturday from 8am to 1pm. Up to ten night shifts are scheduled for June, running Sunday to Thursday from 8pm to 6am, with noisy work completed before midnight. Oversized deliveries will be scheduled for later at night when traffic is lighter.

Some temporary traffic changes will be in place during night works. Access to all properties will be maintained throughout.

The full scope of improvements

The project delivers upgrades across two geographic sections of the parkway. In the southern section, key works include:

Intersection upgrades at Dreadnought Road
New bus stops and a signalised pedestrian crossing
A new southbound left-turn slip lane and extended right-turn bay
New lanes in both directions between Dreadnought Road and Oxford Falls Road
Intersection upgrades at Oxford Falls Road, including a new southbound right-turn bay and a dedicated northbound left-turn lane
Flood mitigation works in the southern section
Widening of the southbound lane between Oxford Falls Road and Frenchs Forest Road to create dual lanes

In the northern section at Elanora Road and Mirrool Street, the project includes shoulder widening in both directions, a relocated give-way line at Elanora Road to improve sight lines, and conversion of the service road near Palm Terrace to left-out only to direct traffic through Mirrool Street.

Following community feedback received last year, the Elanora Road design was refined to keep the informal holding bay in place, shift the centre line slightly (by up to 1.5 metres) to improve separation between traffic directions, and add painted chevron medians to encourage lower speeds. The staged approach means if safety improves the holding bay can remain, and if it does not, more substantial treatments can be added.

Wildlife protection built into the works

The parkway corridor runs through bushland that supports a range of native species, and the project includes significant fauna measures.

Fauna fencing will create a continuous protected corridor from Trefoil Creek to Oxford Falls Road. Concrete ramps inside culverts between Oxford Falls Road and Dreadnought Road will allow safe fauna movement beneath the road. Self-closing latches on pedestrian gates will prevent gaps in the fencing line.

*Bridge Option. Photo Credit: Transport for NSW*

Species that will benefit include swamp wallabies, possums, echidnas, bandicoots, reptiles and the threatened red-crowned toadlet.

More than 450 trees will be replanted across the project area, including Scribbly Gum, Coast Banksia, Long-Leaved Wattle and Sydney Peppermint. Cleared vegetation will be redirected for reuse in consultation with wildlife organisations.

Stay updated

The project is being staged to manage impact on the community and the environment, with activities scheduled during lower traffic periods where possible. Noise curtains and non-tonal reversing beepers will be used on site.

For updates, residents can call the project information line on 1800 684 490, email projects@transport.nsw.gov.au or visit click here.

Published 2-June-2026

Freshwater Vandalism Incident and Curl Curl Rollover Crash Keep Police Busy

NSW Police received reports shortly after midnight on Sunday, 24 May, that property had allegedly been vandalised at Robert Street, Freshwater.

The incident was one of several recent police and emergency service callouts across the Freshwater and neighbouring Curl Curl area.

Police were later called on Friday, 29 May, shortly after 8.30am, to investigate an alleged break-in at Farnell Street, Curl Curl.

That evening, just before 7.30pm, police, paramedics and firefighters from Dee Why and Narrabeen stations responded to a single-vehicle rollover at Curl Curl Parade.

Authorities said a white 2000 Toyota LandCruiser collided with two parked vehicles before rolling onto its passenger side.

The male driver, believed to be in his 20s, was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries before being transported to Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition.

Firefighters worked to neutralise spilled fuel at the scene while the damaged vehicle was later towed away.

The incidents form part of a broader snapshot of recent police and emergency service activity across Freshwater and neighbouring suburbs.

Published 30-May-2026

113-unit Tower for Frenchs Forest Misses out on State Fast-track as Planners Cite Zoning Concerns

A plan to build a 48-metre high residential tower in Frenchs Forest has hit a significant planning hurdle after the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) recommended the project not be granted a fast-tracked approval pathway.

Read: Local Residents Invited to View Plans for Major Frenchs Forest Development

The proposal, for 12-14 Gladys Avenue, Frenchs Forest, sought to have the development declared State Significant Development (SSD). Under NSW planning law, SSD is a classification reserved for projects deemed to have significant economic, social, or environmental impacts.

All development applications for state significant development go through a comprehensive assessment process with extensive community participation. Being declared SSD unlocks a streamlined, state-level assessment process rather than requiring the applicant to go through the local council route.

The Gladys Avenue project proposed a residential flat building delivering 113 units, with 15 per cent allocated as affordable housing for a period of 15 years. The HDA did not recommend the project be declared SSD under the HDA pathway.

Why the proposal fell short

The HDA determined the proposal would require significant departures from existing planning rules, could not be assessed within the authority’s required timeframes, and did not align with the strategic direction for the area in terms of zoning and land use.

At the HDA briefing held in April, Deputy Secretary Kiersten Fishburn noted that the yield may not be achievable, pointing to previous Land and Environment Court decisions about yield. She also cited significant access issues and noted the site falls outside the land identified for strategic uplift in the area.

The HDA advised that alternative approval pathways remain available for the site, including a development application following a planning proposal.

The site already carries some development history. The Land and Environment Court has previously approved a development on the same site for 32 apartments under DA2025/1263 via Northern Beaches Council. Two other proposals on Gladys Avenue were recommended for SSD declaration at the same briefing.

Read: Frenchs Forest Included In Wider Public Land Sale Review

A separate proposal for 1, 3, 5, 5a, 7, 9, 9a and 9b Gladys Avenue was recommended by the HDA to be declared SSD. That proposal involves a 10-storey residential flat building for 290 dwellings with 10 per cent affordable housing for 15 years. A third proposal, for 116, 118 and 120 Frenchs Forest Road West and 11 Gladys Avenue, was also recommended for declaration.

The HDA’s April 2026 briefing considered 34 EOI applications from across NSW. Of those, 10 were recommended for SSD declaration, 23 were not recommended, and one was deferred.

Published 30-May-2026

Frenchs Forest Apartment Site Enters New SSD Stage Near Hospital

Photo Credit: DA2024/0499

A Frenchs Forest housing site near Northern Beaches Hospital is moving through a new planning stage, with a newer SSD listing outlining about 160 apartments after an earlier approval for 124 dwellings on the same land.

Frenchs Forest Site Enters A New Chapter

A housing site at 116, 118 and 120 Frenchs Forest Road West and 11 Gladys Avenue has become one of the area’s more notable apartment proposals, after a newer SSD listing appeared for a larger residential development on land that already has an approved 124-dwelling scheme.

The site sits near Northern Beaches Hospital, placing it close to healthcare services, public transport and nearby retail amenities. For locals, the change is important because the land is no longer only tied to the approved DA2024/0499. It is now also listed under SSD-89863968 for a proposal described as approximately 160 apartments with in-fill affordable housing.

The newer proposal is still at the Prepare EIS stage, meaning it has not been approved. It includes demolition of existing structures, earthworks and tree removal, with further assessment still required before any final outcome.

Frenchs Forest SSD — *Photo Credit: DA2024/0499*

Earlier Approval Covered 124 Apartments

Before the newer SSD listing, the same Frenchs Forest site had already received approval for a separate residential project.

DA2024/0499 was approved in 2025 for demolition works and the construction of three residential flat buildings. The approved scheme included 124 dwellings, made up of nine one-bedroom apartments, 58 two-bedroom apartments and 57 three-bedroom apartments.

The consent began operating on 16 June 2025 and is due to lapse on 16 June 2030 if not acted on within that period.

That approved version also included affordable housing requirements. At least 17 dwellings must be used for affordable housing for a minimum of 15 years from the issue of the relevant occupation certificate.

Earlier project material described the 124-apartment scheme as a $71 million residential development across three six-storey buildings. It also referred to apartments for community public housing and affordable housing, with some affordable housing aimed at key workers such as hospital staff and teachers.

Northern Beaches Hospital — *Photo Credit: SSD-89863968*

What Changes For Nearby Residents

The newer SSD listing points to a different scale for the Frenchs Forest site. Instead of the approved 124-dwelling scheme alone, the land is now also connected to a proposal for about 160 apartments.

That does not mean the newer proposal has been approved, and it does not confirm that construction is starting. It means the site has entered another planning track, with more information and assessment still to come.

For residents around Frenchs Forest Road West and Gladys Avenue, the practical matters are likely to centre on scale, access, construction activity and how the project fits into the surrounding streets.

The approved DA already contains conditions dealing with parking, traffic management, waste facilities, stormwater, tree protection and construction impacts. Under the approved 124-dwelling scheme, parking included 140 residential spaces, 13 visitor spaces, 17 car-share spaces, three car wash bays, three electric vehicle charging spaces and 62 motorcycle spaces. Resident and visitor bicycle parking was also included.

Construction-related conditions also required traffic management planning, restrictions on truck movements during busy periods, dilapidation reports for nearby properties, and measures for sediment, erosion, stormwater and vegetation management.

affordable housing — *Photo Credit: SSD-89863968*

A Larger Housing Shift In Frenchs Forest

The Frenchs Forest apartment proposal sits within a broader period of housing activity in the suburb. Other nearby proposals have also been raised around Gladys Avenue and Frenchs Forest Road West, showing how the area is changing from mostly lower-scale residential lots into a location attracting larger apartment projects.

The site’s position near Northern Beaches Hospital gives the proposal extra local relevance. Earlier material linked the approved scheme to access to healthcare, transport, retail amenities and housing for key workers.

The site already has approval for 124 dwellings, but a newer listing now describes a larger proposal of approximately 160 apartments. The SSD proposal remains at an early stage and has not been determined.

As the process continues, the Frenchs Forest Road West and Gladys Avenue site will remain important for nearby residents watching how new housing, affordable housing and construction impacts may unfold around the hospital precinct.

Published 28-May-2026

Decoding the Indian Menu: Beyond Butter Chicken at Phulkari

Photo Credit: Phulkari Indian Cuisine/Instagram

For many Australians, an Indian menu can feel intimidating at first glance. Makhani. Rogan josh. Saag. Vindaloo. While these words are familiar, they aren’t always easy to decode. Phulkari Indian Cuisine are changing that for diners in Frenchs Forest, Mosman, and Balgowlah.

Beyond the butter chicken and garlic naan most diners already know, Phulkari’s venues showcase how North Indian cuisine actually works—through smoke, spice, texture, slow cooking, and balance.

The Phulkari story began at its flagship Balgowlah location on Sydney Road, a neighborhood hub built on a multi-generational family restaurant legacy. While Balgowlah anchors the brand’s heritage with its relaxed courtyard setting, its sister venues branch out into distinct directions: the Frenchs Forest location leans heavily into vibrant street food and sharing-style plates, while the Mosman restaurant presents many of the same flavours through a contemporary evening dining experience, pairing classic curries with cocktails and wine.

Across all three locations, Phulkari dispels a common myth: North Indian food is not built around extreme heat. Instead, it focuses on warmth, aroma, and richness, layered through cream, tomatoes, yogurt, lentils, charcoal smoke, and balanced spice blends.

Learning the “Language” of the Menu

Once you understand the terminology behind North Indian cooking, ordering becomes second nature. Certain words immediately signal how a dish is prepared:

Tikka: Refers to marinated meat or paneer cooked inside a tandoor (clay oven), giving it a smoky edge. Chicken tikka is served grilled, while chicken tikka masala folds those smoky pieces into a rich sauce.
Makhani: Derived from the Hindi word for butter, these dishes feature rich, tomato-based sauces layered with cream and aromatic spices.
Korma: A softer, creamier curry built around a cashew paste designed to mellow the spices rather than intensify them.

Vindaloo & Madras: Signals higher heat and sharper spice, with Madras often carrying warmth from chilli and coconut.
Paneer: Refers to the use of fresh, unaged cheese, with a mild, milky flavor and a dense, chewy texture similar to firm tofu. Paneer absorbs flavors beautifully and does not melt when cooked, it is a primary source of protein in Indian vegetarian cooking.

Rogan Josh: Features deep, aromatic flavours rooted in Kashmiri traditions.

Saag: Refers to blended leafy greens (usually spinach). Dishes like lamb saag or palak paneer develop richness through greens and gentle spice rather than tomato gravies.
Aloo: Refers to the inclusion of potato in the dish. Saag aloo, for example, features leafy greens (saag) and potatoes (aloo). Not to be confused with vindaloo.

A Rich Vegetarian Tradition

North Indian cuisine treats lentils and vegetables as centrepieces rather than meat substitutes. This is best seen in dal makhani, where black lentils and kidney beans are slow-cooked for hours until thick, creamy, and deeply savory.

The Art of Chaat and the Tandoor

To truly understand North Indian dining, you have to look at two culinary pillars: the street-food culture and the clay oven.

1. The World of Chaat

While available as popular starters at Balgowlah, chaat (street food) takes center stage at Frenchs Forest. Built entirely on contrast, dishes like samosa chaat and papri chaat collide crisp pastry, cool yoghurt, fresh herbs, tangy tamarind, and chickpeas into a single bite—sweet, tangy, crunchy, and creamy all at once.

2. The Power of the Tandoor

The tandoor sits at the heart of the kitchen, cooking at extreme temperatures to create the distinct char and smokiness found in seekh kebabs and fresh tandoori breads. Breads are integral to the meal, acting as utensils to scoop up rich sauces:

Naan: Soft, leavened, and rich.

Roti: Light and wholemeal-based.
Paratha: Layered, flaky, and buttery.

One Philosophy, Two Distinct Experiences

While the core cooking philosophy remains consistent, Phulkari subtly adapts its menu to suit each neighbourhood:

Phulkari Balgowlah	Phulkari Frenchs Forest	Phulkari Mosman
The Heritage Anchor: Relaxed, neighborhood-focused atmosphere with a covered courtyard.	The Street Food Hub: Casual, lively vibe with a strong emphasis on sharing-style chaat.	The Refined Date Night: Contemporary evening dining paired with a curated cocktail and wine list.

In all venues, the emphasis remains on balance. Newer diners are often surprised to find that the food relies on depth of flavour rather than aggressive chilli.

How to Explore Further

Most people start with the familiar trilogy: butter chicken, garlic naan, and saffron rice. However, understanding the menu structure allows diners to build a table based on contrast rather than ordering competing dishes.

If you want smokiness, look to the tandoor. For comforting richness, choose a korma or dal makhani. For bright, punchy spice, explore vindaloo or Chettinad-style curries.

Butter chicken may be the gateway, but Phulkari reveals just how vast the cuisine can be. Backed by a kitchen team that has remained with the restaurant for over a decade, Phulkari ensures that, whether you are grazing on chaat in Frenchs Forest, or having an evening out in Mosman, or dining at the original Balgowlah location, you are getting a true map of North India’s flavours.

FReNCHS FOREST MENU

MOSMAN MENU

BALGOWLAH MENU

Published 28-May-2026

Phulkari Indian Cuisine is a Proud Promotional Partner of Sydney Suburbs Online News.

Fur Sales to Be Removed From Northern Beaches Council Markets

Photo Credit: Public Domain Pictures

Animal fur products will no longer be allowed for sale at Northern Beaches Council-run markets and venues after councillors voted through a new restriction at the Council meeting on Tuesday, 19 May.

The proposal was brought forward by Greens councillor Ethan Hrnjak, who argued the change could be incorporated into existing market compliance processes without creating a major administrative burden.

Supporters of the measure said the decision aligned with other policies already adopted by Council in recent years, including restrictions on live animal sales, single-use plastics and the use of 1080 poison.

Debate in the chamber centred on both animal welfare concerns and the role local government should play in regulating the sale of products linked to the fur industry.

Council staff noted practical limitations around enforcement, including the inability to confiscate goods, although councillors backing the proposal suggested stallholders could be instructed to remove suspected fur products from sale.

During the discussion, councillors also referenced other NSW councils that have introduced similar policies, including the City of Sydney, Inner West and Blue Mountains councils.

Opponents of the motion questioned whether the issue fell within Council’s core responsibilities, arguing staff resources and ratepayer funds should remain focused on essential local government services and current financial pressures.

The vote ultimately ended in a deadlock before Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins cast the deciding vote in favour of the ban.

Animal welfare organisations welcomed the decision, describing it as part of a broader movement away from the fur trade both in Australia and internationally.

The ban applies only to markets and facilities operated or controlled by Northern Beaches Council. It does not extend to private retailers, which remain outside Council’s regulatory authority.

An exemption has also been included for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practices.

Published 23-May-2026