Frenchs Forest Archives - Page 2 of 5

Residents and Dog Escape After Frenchs Forest House Fire

A kitchen fire in Frenchs Forest tore through the roof of a family home and drew crews from across Sydney’s Northern Beaches, after flames from a cooking incident spread beyond the stove and into the ceiling space before firefighters could bring it under control.

Fire and Rescue NSW crews were called to Peppercorn Drive in Frenchs Forest on Wednesday evening, 6 May, after reports of smoke and fire coming from a two-storey brick home. Reports cited that the resident and a pet dog managed to get out safely before emergency crews arrived.

Fire Spreads Beyond Kitchen Before Crews Arrive

Firefighters arrived to find smoke pouring from the property as the blaze moved from the kitchen into the roof cavity and exhaust ducting. Early reports indicated the fire may have started from a deep fryer or stovetop cooking area before spreading into parts of the home above the kitchen.

Crews from Forestville, Willoughby, Manly, Mona Vale and Neutral Bay stations responded alongside NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and utility crews. Six fire trucks and about two dozen firefighters were involved in the response.

Firefighters entered the home wearing breathing apparatus while other crews operated hose lines from outside the building. A ladder platform was also brought in to assist operations as firefighters pulled down ceiling sections and opened parts of the roof to reach hidden fire spots.

Emergency Crews Contain Blaze Within Half an Hour

Authorities said firefighters managed to contain the blaze within about 30 minutes, preventing more serious structural damage to the home and neighbouring properties.

Police officers removed gas cylinders from near the kitchen area while firefighters isolated gas and electricity supplies to make the property safe. Paramedics assessed the resident at the scene, though no injuries were reported.

After extinguishing the flames, firefighters used thermal imaging cameras and gas detection equipment to check for remaining hotspots and monitor air quality inside the home.

High-powered fans were later used to clear smoke from the building before the property was handed back to the occupants. Firefighters remained on scene for about two hours as overhaul and safety checks continued.

Fire and Rescue NSW reminded residents not to leave cooking unattended and to keep flammable items away from stovetops and cooking appliances.

Published 8-May-2026

Frenchs Forest Included In Wider Public Land Sale Review

Photo Credit: Pexels

Frenchs Forest has been drawn into a wider property story after a review of publicly owned land sales found only a small number of development applications had been lodged across dozens of sold sites.

Frenchs Forest Named In Property Review

Frenchs Forest has been included among several suburbs identified in a wider review of publicly owned sites sold over the past year, as attention turns to how quickly land sales are becoming formal housing proposals.

The review covered 48 sites sold since April 2025, including properties in Frenchs Forest, Seaforth, Arncliffe and Stanmore. Together, the sales raised more than $90 million.

Only five development applications were identified across the 48 sold sites, placing the pace of housing progress at the centre of the story.

Frenchs Forest property — *Photo Credit: Pexels*

Few Applications Across Sold Sites

The figures show a varied timeline across the sold properties. Nine of the sites were sold more than a year ago, while nearly half have changed hands since mid-June. Six were sold in the past week, leaving little time for formal plans to be lodged.

More than half of the sold sites were vacant land. Twenty low-density residential properties identified as suitable for housing were sold through public auctions, while another five high-yield sites were placed through an expressions-of-interest process.

Housing Delivery Remains In Focus

The Frenchs Forest inclusion gives the broader property issue a local connection, with the suburb sitting among locations where land sales are being measured against later development activity.

The central question is whether released land is moving quickly enough from sale to formal housing proposals. For now, the broader figures show only limited development application activity across the sold sites, despite the scale of the land release.

The next measure of progress will be whether more applications are lodged across the wider group of properties.

Published 28-Apr-2026

Ertech Awarded $85 Million Contract to Upgrade Wakehurst Parkway as Construction Moves Toward Mid-2026

Transport for NSW

Construction firm Ertech has secured an $85.1 million contract to deliver long-awaited safety, capacity and flood improvement works along Wakehurst Parkway, with crews set to establish the site in the coming months and begin major works by mid-2026.

The contract award ends years of planning and community advocacy on a road that has become one of the Northern Beaches’ most persistent infrastructure frustrations. For Frenchs Forest, which sits at the southern end of the upgrade corridor near the intersection with Frenchs Forest Road East and Northern Beaches Hospital, the announcement means that the congestion and safety black spots that have affected the suburb’s daily road experience are finally moving from planning documents into construction machinery.

What Ertech Will Build

The $85.1 million project delivers works across three sections of the Parkway between Frenchs Forest Road at Frenchs Forest and Pittwater Road at North Narrabeen. At the southern end, closest to Frenchs Forest, a new southbound lane widens the section between Oxford Falls Road and Trefoil Creek to dual lanes, directly improving traffic flow on the approach to Northern Beaches Hospital from the north.

At the Oxford Falls section, the Dreadnought Road and Oxford Falls Road intersections both receive significant upgrades. Dreadnought Road gains new bus stops, an additional signalised pedestrian crossing, a new southbound left turn slip lane and an extended right turn bay.

Oxford Falls Road receives a new southbound right turn bay and a dedicated northbound left turn lane. Additional lanes in both directions between these two intersections address one of the most congested stretches of the entire corridor. Flood improvement works at Oxford Falls are also included within the Ertech contract scope.

At the northern end near North Narrabeen, the project widens shoulders to improve traffic flow in both directions, creates a new left-turn bay into Mirrool Street, and reconfigures the Elanora Road intersection to improve sight lines and driver safety.

Community Concerns Around Elanora Road Remain

Not everyone is entirely satisfied with the approved design. The Elanora Heights Residents Association raised concerns about the proposed modifications at the Elanora Road intersection specifically, arguing the plan represented a design failure rather than an adequate safety solution.

The association proposed an alternative seagull lane configuration for the intersection. Transport for NSW investigated five options for the site and determined that the approved design, which includes installing a concrete median and reconfiguring the existing give way line and kerb line, provided the best outcome based on the available evidence.

The residents association also described the flood improvement works included in the contract as a partial solution that does not address the main flooding locations on the Parkway, nor wildlife protection concerns within the bushland corridor. Those broader flood mitigation works at other sections of the Parkway remain the subject of a separate $31 million program.

Improving Access for Residents

For Frenchs Forest residents, the southern section of the upgrade delivers the most immediate benefit. The dual lanes between Oxford Falls Road and Trefoil Creek address a bottleneck that has long slowed southbound traffic approaching the Frenchs Forest Road East intersection and, by extension, access to Northern Beaches Hospital.

That hospital access dimension has been central to the case for upgrading this section of the Parkway for years; when the road is congested or closed, the most direct route to the peninsula’s only major hospital becomes significantly less reliable.

The Parkway closes six to seven times per year on average due to flooding, a pattern that has frustrated Frenchs Forest commuters and emergency vehicle operators alike. The flood works at Oxford Falls included in the Ertech contract represent one piece of that puzzle, targeting the smaller, more frequent rainfall events that drive most of those closures.

Construction is expected to take up to two years from the mid-2026 start. Residents can subscribe to project updates by visiting this link. Residents can direct enquiries to the project team on 1800 684 490 or via projects@transport.nsw.gov.au.

Published 31-March-2026.

Middle Harbour Creek Ranks Among NSW’s Most Microplastic-Contaminated Waterways in Landmark Study

Middle Harbour Creek, which drains the catchments of Frenchs Forest, Davidson, Killarney Heights and Seaforth before flowing into Middle Harbour, has been ranked the tenth most microplastic-contaminated waterway in New South Wales in the first large-scale estuary study of its kind conducted in Australia.

The finding comes from the Broadscale Microplastic Assessment of NSW Estuaries, a four-year study covering 120 coastal waterways across the state from 2021 to 2024. Middle Harbour Creek received a Grade E rating, the study’s highest contamination category, placing it in the top ten per cent of the most polluted waterways surveyed statewide.

For Frenchs Forest residents whose streets, parks and properties drain directly into the Middle Harbour Creek system, the result provides a measurable account of what urban runoff has been depositing in their local waterway for decades.

What the Study Found and What the Rankings Mean

The study found microplastics in all 120 waterways surveyed, grading each on a five-point scale from Grade A (very low) to Grade E (very high). The very high threshold was set at concentrations above 1.3 microplastic particles per cubic metre, equivalent to an Olympic swimming pool containing 3,250 microplastic particles.

Microplastic found — *Photo Credit: Kristyn Glanville/Facebook*

Middle Harbour Creek’s Grade E result places it in the company of some of Sydney’s most heavily urbanised and polluted waterways, including the Cooks River, Dee Why Lagoon, Manly Lagoon, Muddy Creek and Toongabbie Creek. Within the Hawkesbury-Sydney region, which ranked as the primary hotspot statewide, ten waterways received Grade E contamination ratings, with only one waterway in the entire region, Broken Bay, recording a Grade B result.

The study found a strong relationship between urbanisation and microplastic contamination, with concentrations increasing by approximately one additional microplastic particle per cubic metre for every ten per cent increase in catchment urbanisation. The Middle Harbour Creek catchment encompasses large areas of established suburban development across Frenchs Forest, Davidson and surrounding suburbs, with stormwater drains channelling runoff from roads, rooftops, synthetic surfaces and open spaces directly into the creek system.

Why Middle Harbour Creek Is Particularly Vulnerable

Middle Harbour Creek’s geography makes it inherently susceptible to accumulating microplastics. As a smaller, enclosed estuary system rather than a large river with significant flushing capacity, it retains particles that enter via stormwater rather than dispersing them offshore. The study found that estuary hydrodynamics play a significant role in microplastic retention, with smaller lagoon and creek systems consistently recording higher contamination levels than larger river systems in comparable catchments.

Across all samples statewide, foam, artificial turf fragments and plastic pellets accounted for 44 per cent of all microplastic items categorised and are identified as priority items for management intervention. Fragments and film from the breakdown of larger plastic items made up the remaining 56 per cent, with small particles between 0.25 and one millimetre in size dominating at 68 per cent of all particles counted. Synthetic sports surfaces, which are widespread across the Frenchs Forest and Davidson catchment, represent one of the most significant local sources of artificial turf fragments entering the stormwater network.

The Broader Picture for the Northern Beaches

Middle Harbour Creek does not sit in isolation. Dee Why Lagoon ranked second most contaminated in the state, recording a microplastics count seven times greater than the Grade E threshold. Manly Lagoon ranked eighth statewide, and Narrabeen Lagoon, while outside the top ten, ranked 25th most contaminated with a Grade D rating. Together, three of the ten most polluted waterways in NSW sit within the Northern Beaches local government area, a concentration that reflects the peninsula’s combination of high urban density, impervious surfaces and catchments that drain rapidly to enclosed coastal water bodies.

NSW microplastic concentrations sit towards the middle range of globally reported surface-water values, comparable to urbanised systems in China while remaining below the most extreme hotspots reported worldwide. That context matters but does not diminish the local significance. Middle Harbour Creek supports diverse aquatic and birdlife, is used by kayakers and bushwalkers along its corridor through Garigal National Park, and connects to a broader harbour system with recreational and ecological importance well beyond its immediate catchment.

Implications for Middle Harbour Creek

For Frenchs Forest, a suburb undergoing significant transformation with the Northern Beaches Hospital precinct and associated residential and commercial development reshaping large sections of the catchment, the Middle Harbour Creek findings carry forward-looking as well as current significance. Increased impervious surfaces, construction activity and higher residential density all carry the potential to increase microplastic loads entering the creek if stormwater management and waste practices do not keep pace.

The study’s recommendations prioritise urban catchment intervention as the most effective response, focusing on stormwater treatment improvements, containment and phase-out of artificial turf infill and enforcement of plastic pellet handling requirements for industrial users.

For residents, the most direct contributions involve reducing plastic entering stormwater drains from their own properties, securing waste bins, sweeping hard surfaces before rain events, and supporting or participating in local clean-up programs that target litter before it reaches the creek.

The full Broadscale Microplastic Assessment of NSW Estuaries report card is available at environment.nsw.gov.au. Residents wishing to participate in local waterway monitoring and clean-up programs can contact AUSMAP at ausmap.org and Surfrider Foundation Australia at surfrider.org.au.

Published 27-March-2026.

The Secret Behind That Butter Chicken You Can’t Stop Ordering in Frenchs Forest — And What Phulkari Reveals About North Indian Cuisine

Butter chicken is one of those dishes people think they understand. Until they try a really good one.

For many in Frenchs Forest, that moment tends to happen at Phulkari Indian Cuisine.

It’s not just creamy. Not just mild. And definitely not just “a curry.”

What keeps people coming back is harder to pin down. A balance of richness, spice and depth that feels simple, but isn’t.

That balance sits at the heart of North Indian cuisine.

It’s Built in Layers, Not Heat

A proper butter chicken starts long before it reaches the table.

The sauce builds from a slow-cooked tomato base, combined with butter or ghee, cream, and spices added at different stages rather than all at once. Cumin and coriander bring warmth. Garam masala adds fragrance. Fenugreek gives that slightly smoky finish most people recognise but can’t quite name.

It’s not designed to be hot. It’s designed to be balanced.

“Our food is rich in flavour but balanced,” the team at Phulkari says. “Everything is made fresh daily — we do not use frozen ingredients.”

That focus on fresh preparation and timing is what gives the dish its depth.

Why North Indian Food Tastes Different

Butter chicken is just one example of a broader style.

North Indian cuisine leans into tomato-based gravies rather than coconut-heavy sauces.

Dairy plays a bigger role too, with butter, cream and yoghurt softening and rounding out flavours. The tandoor adds a subtle char and smokiness that’s hard to replicate at home.

Garlic naan, brushed with garlic and coriander. Photo credit: Phulkari

And unlike some other regional cuisines, bread matters. Naan and roti aren’t just sides.

“Just like Phulkari embroidery is made stitch by stitch, our dishes are prepared with patience, tradition and love,” says Raf, who runs the restaurant alongside his brother Raj, continuing the family business started by their father.

Once you understand that, the menu starts to make more sense.

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You Start to Order Differently

Butter chicken becomes the starting point, not the whole story.

Dal makhani brings a similar richness using slow-cooked lentils.
Lamb rogan josh leans into deeper, more aromatic spice.
Chicken madras and vindaloo shift things towards heat.
Garlic naan becomes part of the experience, used to scoop rather than sit on the side.

It becomes less about choosing one dish and more about building a table.

More Than Just a Dish

Phulkari’s Frenchs Forest location wasn’t chosen by chance.

“We already had many loyal customers travelling from these areas to dine with us,” Raj says. “Opening here allowed us to be closer to our customers and better serve the local community.”

The restaurant offers dine-in, takeaway and delivery, making it just as suited to a quick weeknight meal as it is to a sit-down dinner.

BOOK A TABLE

ORDER ONLINE

For many, butter chicken is where it starts. At Phulkari, it’s just one part of a broader North Indian menu built around consistency and technique.

“Our chefs have been with us for over 10 years,” the team says. “We focus on delivering the same authentic taste every time.”

That consistency is what turns a one-off order into a regular habit — and why many Frenchs Forest locals no longer need to travel for it.

Published 22-March-2026.

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

Frenchs Forest Hospital Among Northern Beaches Locations in Measles Alert

Northern Beaches residents are being urged to monitor for measles symptoms following confirmation that an infectious person visited multiple local venues, including Northern Beaches Hospital in Frenchs Forest.

NSW Health has issued an alert after identifying several exposure sites across the Northern Beaches, with health officials expressing particular concern about the shift from overseas-acquired cases to local transmission.

The Northern Beaches Hospital’s Level 4 Education Centre, including Wards 4, 4C, 5B and 6D at 105 Frenchs Forest Road in Frenchs Forest, was attended by an infectious individual between 9.30am and 12.00pm on Monday, 9 March. Those who were present during this time should watch for symptoms until Friday, 27 March.

Several Manly venues have also been identified as exposure sites. Felons Brewing Co. at Manly Wharf was visited on the evening of Thursday, 5 March between 6.30pm and 8.00pm. The same individual travelled by bus from Manly Wharf to Northern Beaches Hospital later that night, between 9.40pm and 10.30pm.

Three additional Manly establishments were visited on Sunday, 8 March: Donny’s Bar on Market Lane from 3.00pm to 5.00pm, Henry G’s Wine Parlour on The Corso from 4.30pm to 7.00pm, and JB & Sons Restaurant on Sydney Road from 7.00pm to 8.40pm.

NSW Health reports that 60 measles cases have been confirmed so far this year, with approximately equal numbers stemming from local transmission and overseas travel, predominantly from south-east Asia.

Dr Stephen Conaty, Public Health Unit Director for South Western Sydney Local Health District, emphasised the importance of symptom monitoring for anyone who attended the listed locations during the specified times.

Residents should watch for initial symptoms including fever, sore eyes, runny nose and cough, typically followed three to four days later by a distinctive red, blotchy rash that begins on the head and face before spreading across the body.

Health authorities stress that symptoms can appear up to 18 days after exposure, making extended vigilance essential.

Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact their doctor or health service before attending in person. Dr Conaty advised people to telephone ahead to alert staff of potential measles exposure, preventing time spent in waiting rooms where other patients could be at risk.

The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine remains the most effective prevention method and is provided free in NSW for children at 12 and 18 months of age. Adults born after 1965 who have not received two doses are also eligible for free vaccination.

Those uncertain about their vaccination history can safely receive the vaccine regardless of previous doses, with vaccinations available through general practitioners for all ages and pharmacies for those over five.

Health officials note that post-exposure vaccination can prevent disease development if administered promptly.

For measles information or to discuss symptoms, residents can contact their GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. Updated exposure site listings and detailed measles information are available on the NSW Health website.

Published 16-March-2026

Frenchs Forest High School Mates INXS Eye Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Spot

Photo Credit: INXS/ Facebook

The legendary rock group INXS has moved one step closer to music immortality following their first nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a journey that started in high school at Frenchs Forest.

A Local Legacy on the Global Stage

The band’s roots are firmly planted in the northern beaches, where the Farriss brothers and their classmates first blended their unique sound in family garages. Long before they sold 50 million albums, the members of INXS were just local students at The Forest and Davidson high schools.

This connection to the community remains a point of pride for residents who watched the group evolve from a schoolboy project into one of Australia’s most successful exports. Their story is a reminder of how talent nurtured in a local suburb can eventually influence the entire world of rock and roll.

The Race for the Class of 2026

The official nomination for the 2026 intake was confirmed on 25 February 2026, marking a historic moment for the group. To earn a spot among the five final inductees, the band must outperform a crowded field of 17 nominees. The list includes heavyweights such as Phil Collins, Oasis, and Mariah Carey.

While a panel of over 1,200 industry experts will have the final say, the public also has a voice. Fans can participate in a daily online ballot to help their favourite artists climb the leaderboard. The final results are expected to be announced in April 2026.

Community Action and Support

Local supporters are leading a digital movement to ensure the band gets the recognition they deserve. Bee France, a dedicated fan and podcast host, has been active on social media to rally the northern beaches community. She noted that the group is currently sitting in sixth place with over 172,000 votes. She encouraged everyone to vote daily, highlighting that the band’s music has remained relevant across generations.

The band members themselves expressed their gratitude on their website, stating that the nomination belongs to their fans as much as it does to them. They believe they would not have reached this point without the long-term support of their loyal followers.

VOTE HERE

Criteria for Music Legends

Getting into the Cleveland-based hall is not just about popularity or record sales. The selection committee looks for artists who have significantly changed music culture or influenced other musicians. The longevity of a career and the overall quality of the work are also vital factors.

If INXS is successful, they will join other Australian icons like AC/DC and the Bee Gees in the prestigious institution. For now, the focus remains on the daily vote count as the community hopes to see the boys from Frenchs Forest take their place among the greatest names in music history.

Published Date 11-March-2026

Forest High School Prepares To Open At Allambie Heights Campus

Photo Credit: NSW Department of Education School Infrastructure

The Forest High School relocation in Frenchs Forest will see students start the 2026 school year at a new campus in Allambie Heights, with some external works continuing after Day 1.

Day 1 Readiness And Remaining Works

The new campus at 189 Allambie Road is scheduled to open for Day 1 of Term 1 on Monday 2 February 2026.

Key internal areas, including classrooms and the library, are set to be ready for students at opening. Fit-out works, landscaping and boundary works were listed as being in final stages in late 2025.

Outdoor works, including sports field and court construction, as well as tree planting and landscaping, are planned to continue after the school opens.

Frenchs Forest school — *Photo Credit: NSW Department of Education School Infrastructure*

Facilities And Capacity

The campus has been designed for up to 1,500 students and includes 73 classrooms and three special support units. Facilities listed for the site include a library, canteen and administration spaces, and a multi-purpose sports and performance hall.

Bike and scooter parking is available near the secondary entrance on Allambie Road.

Access Changes Around The Campus

Approved staging of public domain works allows the school to open with interim arrangements for safe travel and pedestrian access. Works include changes to bus stops on Aquatic Drive, a kiss-and-drop zone and a new pedestrian crossing.

A separate modification proposes retaining and upgrading the existing roundabout at Aquatic Drive and Allambie Road, rather than replacing it with a signalised intersection.

Northern Beaches schools — *Photo Credit: NSW Department of Education School Infrastructure*

Farewell To The 1961 Campus

Students and staff farewelled the former campus in December 2025. The original school opened in 1961 and is set to be demolished as planning progresses for a Frenchs Forest town centre.

Next Steps

Equipment and resources are scheduled to be relocated during the school holiday period, with work planned to be managed to minimise impacts on school operations. External works, landscaping and pedestrian upgrades are scheduled to continue after opening.

Published 27-Jan-2026

Frenchs Forest Hospital Set for Public Handover in $190m Deal

The operation of the major hospital in Frenchs Forest is set to be transferred to NSW Health in an agreement understood to be worth $190 million.

The Official Transfer

NSW Health confirmed that the Northern Beaches Hospital will return to public ownership on 29 April 2026. This confirmation comes after reports surfaced last week regarding the deal to take back the 494-bed facility from its current private operator, Healthscope. The decision follows a period of uncertainty for the hospital, which is currently under receivership.

Staffing and Employment

State health officials have moved quickly to reassure the hospital’s workforce about their future. NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM stated that all existing clinical and support staff would be offered roles within the state system. She noted that while the transition period would have its challenges, the staff had consistently prioritised their patients and the community throughout the difficulties.

Northern Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Officer Anthony Schembri AM added that staff leave entitlements would be maintained under the new arrangements. He said that employment offers for most staff were expected to be sent out before Christmas. Medical staff, including junior officers and specialists, would likely receive their offers in early 2026, to align with their clinical training terms.

Leadership Response

Healthscope CEO Tino La Spina said the finalised agreement provided much-needed certainty for both the staff and the wider community. He expressed confidence that patients would continue to receive high-quality care from the same skilled teams who have served them until now. Mr La Spina also noted that the operator would work closely with NSW Health to ensure a smooth transition.

Concerns Over Private Services

Despite the official announcements, significant questions remain regarding the future of private health services at the site. Senior doctors have warned that removing the private hospital component could force residents to travel outside the area for critical care. There are fears that vital services, such as robotic surgery, heart stenting, and complex cancer treatments, could be lost if the private model is not retained.

Dr David Jollow, chair of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, said senior clinicians were extremely concerned that a loss of private care would burden the public system and increase waiting times. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Matthew Sherlock echoed these sentiments, warning that private patients might join public waiting lists if they wished to stay on the Northern Beaches for surgery.

Community Advocacy

Local Member for Wakehurst Michael Regan welcomed the contract signing but urged the government to maintain the current range of services. He stated that he had secured a commitment for the hospital to remain a Level 5 facility with no reduction in bed numbers. However, he is seeking further assurances that life-saving interventional services, particularly for cardiac care, will be protected during the shift to public management.

Published Date 06-January-2026

Akora Reserve Concept Plans Progress Following Feedback Period in Frenchs Forest

Photo Credit: NSW Gov

Updated concept plans for Akora Reserve in Frenchs Forest are now under review, following the close of a community feedback period on proposed park upgrades.

Part of Broader Park Upgrades

The Akora Reserve project forms part of the Frenchs Forest town centre park upgrades, a program involving three local reserves: Brick Pit Reserve, Akora Reserve and Rabbett Reserve. The upgrades are linked to increased residential development planned for the Frenchs Forest Town Centre area.

Consultation on concept designs for all three reserves was first undertaken between March and May 2022. Brick Pit Reserve has since been completed, while Rabbett Reserve remains on hold pending funding.

Akora Reserve Frenchs Forest — *Photo Caption: The updated concept plan drafted in 2025.*
*Photo Credit: NSW Gov*

What’s Included in the Latest Design

The updated draft concept plan for Akora Reserve focuses on balancing active recreation with quieter open space. Proposed features include a half-court basketball area with seating, nature-based play elements, a five-way swing, open lawn areas and picnic facilities.

The design also includes a concrete pathway linking Karingal Crescent and Akora Street to improve access through the reserve, along with bicycle parking, a drinking station and additional native planting. Mature trees are planned to be retained, with some juvenile trees relocated or replaced.

Community Feedback Considered

Community feedback on earlier designs, gathered in 2022, showed general support for the upgrade while raising concerns around open space, privacy, noise and specific design elements. Suggestions included larger play areas, changes to materials and the removal of the community garden previously proposed.

The revised concept plan was placed on public exhibition from 17 November to 14 December 2025, with around 40 submissions received. These comments are now being reviewed to inform the final design.

Frenchs Forest park upgrades — *Photo Caption: The preliminary concept plan drafted in 2022.*
*Photo Credit: NSW Gov*

What Happens Next

A community engagement report is expected to be released following the review of submissions. The final design for Akora Reserve is scheduled for mid-2026, with construction planned for late 2026.

Published 23-Dec-2025