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Bluebottle Alert at Maroubra Beaches: What To Do If Stung?

An alert has been raised across Sydney’s beaches, including Maroubra, as droves of bluebottle jellyfish have been washing up in the coastline. Whilst the onslaught is expected to ease off right before autumn, experts have warned that thousands of these stingers could still return.

Randwick City Councillor Dylan Parker shared a photo of the situation at a Maroubra SLSC tent as dozens of swimmers reported their brush with bluebottle clumps in the water.

The lifesavers usually rub ice on the victims’ skin to reduce the stinging sensation. However, Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin of the Australian Marine Stinger Advisory recommends rinsing and neutralising the affected area with seawater first before reaching out for a bottle of cold water or ice. It’s the same recommendation from the Australia Resuscitation Council.

Apparently, applying freshwater first could worsen the sting but seawater will stop the stinger from pumping more venom. Apart from ice, hot water is also good for numbing the pain after neutralisation.

Because bluebottles are sea drifters, their movement is directed by north-easterly winds and not by the season. When onshore winds are strong, bluebottles will likely come ashore, as recently seen in Sydney’s beaches.

Major bluebottle situation at Maroubra today #marenvs20 pic.twitter.com/hu1r39FKoK
— Crystal Dimov (@dimov_c) February 6, 2020

Swimmers and beachgoers in Maroubra are advised to watch out for signs and warnings from the lifeguards or download the Jellyfish App for alerts and tips.

Mahon Pool: Quiet Family Spot Beyond the Surfing Mecca

As a surfing hotspot, Maroubra’s beaches are expectedly crowded, especially during the weekends, but towards the clifftops to the northern end is a quiet bathing spot known as Mahon Pool.

To the unfamiliar, finding Mahon Pool might not be easy coming from the beaches on Marine Parade but locals sure know that amidst the mossy pit and down by the rocky formation is a natural tidal pool, which has been developed and improved since the 1930s.

Mahon Pool is where frazzled Sydney dwellers go to take a dip and unwind, sans the mob. Usually relaxing and scenic, this outdoor pool thrills the adventurous as well. Whenever the tide is up and the wind is strong, good waves usually follow.

This has been the go-to watering hole for families with kids for decades because, aside from swimming, the rock formation is a haven for exploration and discovery. On the grassy spot, locals, who know each other by name, usually enjoy a picnic.

Photo Credit: Anna Szczecińska/Google Maps

Elite athletes and the Sydney Swans AFL team use the pool for training on some days. The water can be extra cold during the winter months when only the brave souls dare take a dip.

Prior to the pandemic, improvements to the toilet and changing facilities on the clifftops were undertaken, making a trip to Mahon Pool all the more worth it. The building, designed by Lahz Nimmo Architects, was made to blend with the environment and won the 2020 NSW Landscape Awards.

Mahon Pool was named for Alderman Mahon, a South Ward representative who lobbied to improve the tidal pool to what it is today. He died in 1935, before seeing Mahon Pool’s development. Maroubra Bay Progress Association petitioned Council to memorialise him by attaching his name to the bathing site.

Maroubra’s Pacific Square, Other Mini-Gun Shopping Centres Remain Resilient

Mini-gun shopping centres, or those with a Gross Lettable Area (GLA) between 6,000 to 20,000 square metres, such as Maroubra’s Pacific Square, are thriving under the pandemic lockdowns better than the big guns or big retail hubs.

A report from the Shopping Centre News revealed that 133 mini-guns in Australia collectively raked $13 billion in sales between 1 August 2019 to 31 July 2020, with Pacific Square performing above the numbers of bigger malls following the addition of new food retailers.

Pacific Square had an 18 percent improvement in sales ($18,805 in turnover per square metre) by remixing its retail and food choices months before the pandemic struck. The Maroubra shopping centre also had $173 million in annual earnings, improving its previous year’s numbers by 1.5 percent.

According to Michael Lloyd of the Shopping Centre News, mini-guns have had high levels of trading because they are “local and convenient” and have shop owners or managers who know the pulse of the community.

In recent years, smaller shopping centres have also been managed by a sophisticated team of workers who got their training under the big guns. The right mix of local influence and refined corporate guidance has equipped the mini-guns to deliver peak performance during an unprecedented and unexpected public health crisis.

*Rank*	*Centre*	*Moving Annual Turnover* *per sq m*
1	Pacific Square, NSW	$18,805
2	Lane Cove Market Square, NSW	$17,727
3	Norwood Place, SA	$16,648
4	Bentons Square, Vic	$16,271
5	Shoreline Plaza, Tas	$16,007
6	Bridgepoint S/C, NSW	$15,630
8	St Ives Shopping Village NSW	$15,456
9	Kenmore Plaza, Qld	$15,430
10	Gasworks, Qld	$14,801

Sweet Whale Maroubra Serves the Coolest Treats You’ll Need to Beat the Summer Heat

Maroubra locals will say that this beachside suburb has been missing a decent ice cream joint, with a good number of flavour selections for many years. But with the opening of Sweet Whale Maroubra, a gelato and drink shop at Marine Parade, ice cream lovers now have something to talk about.

Sweet Whale Maroubra has opened its doors at the former stall that housed a news agency next to the pharmacy on Marine Parade, an area that draws a lot of foot traffic from families with kids strolling in the summer months.

Easily accessible either by car or foot, the ice cream shop is quite spacious for long lines of customers and whilst there’s not much to sit, the shop has a happy and vibrant feel.

The owners of Sweet Whale aren’t new to the ice cream business as they’ve successfully been running the award-winning gelato shop, Lello’s, at Westfield Eastgardens four kilometres west of their latest business. Some of Lellos gelato flavours are also offered at the Maroubra store, such as the colourful and creamy Unicorn gelato (cotton candy flavour).

Aside from ice cream, the store also serves bubble tea, coffee and fresh juices. They’ve just debuted their Crystal Mermaid Tear, a cool combination of icy crushed mango and butterfly pea flavours topped with lychee popping pearls. It promises to be an “adventurous and chilly rush”!

The store opens daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and you can follow them on Instagram.

Pioneers Park Sportsfield Upgrade Starts, Completion Target in May

The upgrade on the lower sports field at Pioneers Park in Malabar has begun and the site will temporarily be unavailable for community use until its target completion in May 2021.

Randwick City Council confirmed that the first steps of preparing the field for civic works started in December last year.

The tricky process has been monitored by Hygienist and Environmental Engineer (JBSG) as the site was once a landfill containing materials with asbestos. The experts have been regularly conducting tests to ascertain that conditions around the park remain healthy and ideal whilst work has been underway.

Pioneers Park’s redevelopment was approved following the necessary maintenance of the stormwater harvesting system on site.

As part of its upgrade, Council will install a new all-weather synthetic playing field and new natural grass surface field, allowing young boys and girls from different local leagues to take advantage of the facilities regardless of the season.

Apart from the installation of the new fields, the scope of work on the park will include excavation, drainage works, footpath works, laying turf and miscellaneous civil works.

With the upgraded site, Council expects a reduction in maintenance costs and an expansion in the participation of students in sports activities.

Field 1 and Field 2 are currently fenced and closed for public use.

For concerns and updates on the progress of Pioneers Park, phone or email the project manager at 02 9093 6763 or zaman.shamsuz@randwick.nsw.gov.au.

Coral Sea Park Playground Upgrade: Maroubra Community Asked for Inputs

Coral Sea Park Playground at Yorktown Parade is set for an upgrade, which will be ready for public use by the end of 2021. However, the Council wants the community’s inputs in the development before any work is done on the site.

The new playground must be designed to cater to people of all abilities, including those with mobility, sensory, sight or hearing issues.

The plan will be funded by the NSW Government and the Randwick City Council under the Everyone Can Play grant that supports playspaces in neighbourhoods.

“The effects of Covid-19 have reminded everyone about the value of our playspaces, as these spaces along with open space have become places of welcome respite from increased time indoors,” a statement from NSW Government outlined.

“Playspaces exist at the heart of our neighbourhoods and should cater for everyone – young and old, families and carers, and people of all abilities.

“Playspaces should be welcoming and comfortable, easy to navigate and interesting. They should offer a range of physical challenges, a variety of landscape settings and provide opportunities to connect with others.”

This project will also preserve and maintain Molly’s Park, the garden memorial within the playground. The space was dedicated to a teenager, Melissa ‘Molly’ Dunn, who died at the park in 2012.

The park is also next to a sporting ground for rugby and soccer fields, a cricket pitch and practice nets, as well as an off-leash dog exercise area.

To participate in the public consultation, locals may either complete a survey or share their stories about their experiences at the park. The public consultation will run until 28 Jan 2021.

NSW Rugby Union Lodges Plans for Centre of Excellence in Daceyville

The NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) is finally moving forward with the development of its Centre of Excellence, which will be the permanent home of the NSWRU and the NSW Waratahs.

Following the signing of a 30-year agreement with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to develop a section of the university-owned David Phillips Sports Complex in Daceyville, the long-planned project’s development application has been filed with the Bayside Council in mid-December 2020.

The agreement follows a two-year temporary tenancy at the sports complex whilst Project Control Group Ontoit worked alongside COX Architect to design the new facility and prepare the plans for the Council.

The long-planned project received a $20 million funding from the NSW Government in 2018, which will cover work for a two-storey state-of-the-art sports hub with a grandstand, shared offices, meeting areas and function spaces like a gym and medical facility.

Existing structures in the northwest corner of the complex at Cook and Gwea Avenues will be demolished to make way for the Centre of Excellence.

“It goes without saying that it’s been a challenging year for everyone, to finalise this element of the project is really pleasing,” NSW Rugby CEO Paul Doorn said. “COVID did have an impact on some of our project timelines, but our Project Control Group and our design consultants, Ontoit and COX Architect have worked tirelessly to get us to this point.

“It’s a significant body of work and one that will benefit the Waratahs and rugby across New South Wales for many years to come.”

“We’re extremely excited to be remaining in Daceyville [following relocation from Moore Park] and I’d like to thank the University of New South Wales for their support of this project from the outset,” General Manager of Business Operations Adam Fulepp said.

Malabar Ocean Pool Amenities Building Development Up for Consideration

The Malabar Ocean Pool could get a brand new amenities building after overwhelming support from the public to proceed with the development.

In a survey conducted by Randwick City Council, 70 percent of the residents agreed that the ocean pool must have its very own amenities building whilst 24 percent said that a structure might unnecessarily ruin the site’s character.

There are currently no toilets near the Malabar Ocean Pool and locals have to use the amenities at the Cromwell Park some 700 metres away.

The Malabar Ocean Pool has been around since the 1890s. In the 1970s, the Council, along with the Sydney Water and NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation, closed the site due to pollution. Following an extensive restoration, the ocean pool was ready for public use again in 1997 but it was still without the needed amenities.

Because of its popularity with the locals, especially in the summer months, the Malabar Ocean Pool usually accommodates a large number of visitors. The precinct committee has approached the Council to build toilet facilities around the site, while a probe into a potential location was conducted in 2019.

Locals said that the car park area could be an ideal space for the amenities building, which must also include outdoor showers, changing rooms, drinking fountains and disabled access.

Following the result of the public consultation, the Council will now consider allocating funds to develop detailed plans in its 2021-22 budget.

Christmas ‘Eat Drink Play’ Pop-Up Heading To Barwon Park

Have you been to one of the Eat Drink Play weekend food truck events hosted by Randwick City Council? On the weekend before Christmas, this pop-up is heading to the gorgeous open air space at Barwon Park on Franklin Street and will feature seven eateries.

Happening from 17 Dec to 20 Dec 2020, the Christmas Eat Drink Play will bring a variety of sweet and savoury treats to delight your taste buds. The stores will begin trading from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, and from noontime to 10:00 p.m. from Friday to Sunday.

The Council has rounded up the following food truck participants for the last weekend before Christmas:

BarbiCrew

BarbiCrew offers authentic Brazilian fire-roaste meats, sauges, seafood and veggies or vegan dishes. This eatery has been around Sydney for a decade and managed by two Brazilian-born entrepreneurs.

Ben & Jerry’s

Who can say no to a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream? Their food truck is going to be at Barwon Park as well because you’ll need something cold and sweet when you’re out in the summer heat.

Happy as Larry Pizza Truck

Happy as Larry Pizza Truck is a regular at this pop-up, specializing in authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizza. They also offer tasty, delicious desserts and shakes, as well as a dose of good vibes!

Hut Dog

Hut Dog is a full-service catering bar offering gourmet free-range smoked meats, hot dogs and a wide vegan option. German, American or customized to suit your preference, this food stand has something for everyone to try.

Knafeh

Knafeh’s specialty is Jerusalem street food as prepared by The Bearded Bakers. The group travels between Sydney and Melbourne to “create experiences that last forever” with their followers, so better catch them at the park before they leave town.

The Chronicles of Crepes

Taste the heavenly desserts at The Chronicles of Crepes from passionate bakers who love to create exciting menus and share these with their diners. Their recipes are original and made fresh with every order and they serve savoury crepes as well.

Wholly Schnit

Wholly Schnit is also a regular in Sydney’s food truck scene, offering “handmade golden, crispy, succulent schnitzels” by the street. Each order comes with a side of chips or coleslaw and gravy, as well as your choice of special sauces.

A couple of artists will also provide the party vibe with their live performances from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Hot Potato Roaming Band will play on Saturday, whilst Soulganic is performing Sunday.

So, tag your group or family and spend the weekend enjoying the food and the vibe at the open air space.

Work at Overflow Car Park in South Maroubra’s Arthur Byrne Reserve Begins

The first stage of the upgrades to the overflow car park at the Arthur Byrne Reserve has begun. Per Council’s advice, areas within this South Maroubra site will be temporarily blocked off while improvements are underway.

Stage 1 will entail the following scope and work is expected to last until the middle of January 2021:

Resurfacing of the existing overflow car park area
Planting of new trees
Provision of new accessible car spaces
Upgrade of existing line marking
Additional car parking along Bernie Kelly Drive

Council, however, assures that the car park’s completion will be fast-tracked as visitors to the Arthur Byrne Reserve are expected to increase with the summer months rolling in.

The reserver is an ideal picnic, BBQ and activity site for walking, jogging, ball sports and even kite flying.

Once completed, upgrades to the amenities building will follow, pending the approval of the development application, which will be filed in January 2021.

“The popularity of the area has prompted the need for additional amenities to service the park and beach users, as well as the coastal walk users and the adjoining surf club,” Council stated.

Stage 2 will cover the following scope of works:

Male and female amenities including toilets, showers, baby change areas and bench seating
Accessible amenities
A well-ventilated communal wash area
Storage areas for the local surf lifesaving club, Surfing NSW and lifeguards
External bench seating
Improved landscaping and pedestrian connections

For questions, comments and other enquiries about these upgrades, contact the project managers Zaman Shamsuz (car park) and Peter Petro (amenities) at 02 9093 6763 and 02 9093 6000, respectively.