Despite the tragic shark attack that gripped beachgoers and residents of Sydney, activities for the three-day World Surf League Qualifying Series will still proceed as scheduled in Maroubra.
Maroubra will be the third of four stops of the elite surfing event. Happening from 4 to 6 March 2022, the World Surf League Qualifying Series will be broadcasting a live webcast of the qualifying competitions via Surfing NSW’s Facebook page.
A spokesperson for Surfing NSW said that the Australian Surf Life Saving UAV Service will be monitoring from the land, water, and air to ensure everyone’s safety. This comes after the one-day closure of Maroubra beach after the shark attack in Little Bay, some 10 kilometres away, on Wednesday, 16 Feb 2022.
The World Surf League Qualifying Series has been the highlight of the summer at Maroubra for more than five years, showcasing the up-and-comers and best surfers in the country at one of Sydney’s most iconic beaches, according to Randwick City Councillor Danny Said.
“It’s a great event for the athletes but also the perfect place for the whole community and surf fans to come to watch future stars of the sport,” Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden said.
“Events like this send a clear message to the world that NSW is open and ready for visitors to enjoy in a COVID-safe way,” NSW Minister for Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said.
“Maroubra has such a rich history with competitive professional surfing. The WSL is stoked to be continuing the tradition and returning to Sydney’s eastern suburbs once again this March,” WSL APAC Tour Manager Ty Sorati said.
The World Surf League Qualifying Series kicked off at the Boomerang Beach in Pacific Palms on 23 Feb 2022. Follow the live scores on the official site.
A number of school zones in NSW, including Maroubra and Randwick, saw an alarming jump in speeding fines within a 12-month period, according to the National Roads and Motorists’ Association, the country’s largest member organisation offering roadside assistance, car servicing, and motoring advice.
In February 2020 speeding fines in NSW totalled 8,937 but that number increased to 17,494 during the same month a year later. Some 85 per cent of the fines were for motorists who drove at least 10 km/hr above the speed limit.
Among the 10 roads with doubled speeding fines year-on-year include:
WHERE
2020 FINES
2021 FINES
Malabar Road, Maroubra
48
149
Avoca Street, Randwick
170
397
Botany Road, Alexandria
237
447
Bunnerong Road, Eastgardens
525
1,057
Edgar Street, Condell Park
83
228
Fitzwilliam Road, Old Toongabbie
41
103
Hume Highway, Ashfield
63
136
Pennant Hills Road, Oatlands
28
73
The Boulevard, Strathfield
240
492
Victoria Road, Ryde
53
1,131
Based on these statistics, NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury warned motorists to take heed and do the right thing as the school zone speed limit of 40km/h has been enforced yet again with the start of the new school term for 2022.
“If you are driving to take kids to or from school, or just happen to be driving through a school zone – follow the road rules,” Khoury said. He also asked parents to be on the alert when dropping off or picking up their children at the school by following parking rules and practicing safe behaviours.
NSW Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward also said that there is no excuse for speeding in school zones. She urged every single person behind the wheel to pay close attention and be more vigilant when driving near schools. She is hoping to see the number of speeding fines go down this year.
Surf Life Saving Australia is calling on the public to observe increased safety measures for rock fishing following the tragic drowning of a father and his son in Little Bay near Maroubra.
Shane Daw, the general manager for coastal safetyof Surf Life Australia has been advocating for those engaging in rock fishing to wear lifejackets and he believes that this should be mandated nationwide. The safety expert also wants more education on the importance of a lifejacket, including in areas where it has become compulsory.
A 40-year-old father and his nine-year-old son were believed to have been swept by the tide as they were rock fishing in Little Bay on Monday, 31 Jan. The pair were not wearing lifejackets when paramedics took them out of the water. According to reports, the dad and son were in critical condition and could not be saved.
According to Mr Daw, every council in Australia should have laws about mandatory lifejackets, as well as continued enforcement and education about its use. He said that even in councils where it has been required, many fishers are still not aware of the law, especially among recreational fishers. He believes that this safety guideline should also be taught in schools and community groups as the death toll has been climbing.
Data from Surf Life Saving Australia showed that 80 per cent of all rock fishing fatalities were not wearing a lifejacket.
Little Bay, under Randwick City Council, is considered one of the most dangerous places for rock fishing. In 2018, the Council mandated lifejacket use for rock fishers.
However, according to NSW Police, only two violations have been logged in Little Bay since its enforcement. The recent accident is the fourth rock fishing-related death in the area since 2017 and the 21st since 2001.
A review of the lifejacket policies, education, and implementation will be conducted by Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker. Meanwhile, the victims’ family and friends have launched a GoFundMe page for the mother, who painfully watched her husband and son drown in the water.
Upsizing, home improvements, and other renovation activities are on an all-time high in 10 suburbs in NSW, including Maroubra, as the volume of jobs and demand for tradies increased in 2021.
Hipages, the largest online marketplace for tradies in Australia, determined the 10 hottest renovation suburbs from 1 January to 21 December 2021 based on the number of jobs posted by homeowners on its app. Aside from Marouba, residents from the suburbs of Kellyville, Blacktown, Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill, Quakers Hill, Campbelltown, Sydney, Penrith, and Schofields had a huge demand for tradies as well.
With homeowners unable to travel for leisure due to the lockdowns and restrictions during the pandemic, Hipages’ app usage for homeowners had a 56 per cent increase in the last year. Stuart Tucker, Hipages’ Chief Customer Officer, said the demand has continued into the New Year with new job postings at an average of 20 seconds.
Photo Credit: Hipages
However, some jobs are highly sought-after that he advised homeowners to start discussing with their tradies earlier to schedule the job and avoid delays or hitches in the renovation projects. Among the most in-demand jobs include:
Handymen
Plumbers
Electricians
Fencers
Painters
Cleaners
Builders
Concreters
Tilers
Carpenters
The Hipages app also saw an increase in job listings for project managers and landscape architects for larger projects. During the pandemic, most homeowners have decided to renovate their kitchen, home theater, house extensions, attic access, pool, and landscape or gardens.
It comes as Property Market Updates reported a 22.22 per cent growth in Maroubra’s property market for the period covering October 2020 to September 2021. In this Eastern beaches locale, even rundown Maroubra homes are seen as good value because of the water views and the size of land per block, where new homeowners envision restoration projects to build their dream homes.
Whale watching, walking, and enjoying the scenic views just got a whole lot better following the completion of the new Malabar coastal walk that links to Maroubra beach.
The Boora Point Walking Track, along the coastline of the Malabar Headland National Park, has been upgraded with a wheelchair-accessible trail and a 510-metre extension to reach Magic Point, which wraps to the south side of the park along the trail leading to Maroubra Beach.
About 100 metres of this walking track is filled with crushed sandstone that requires extra accessibility assistance. Thus, the NSW Government invested $3.5 million for this project for the benefit and enjoyment of Sydney residents.
The new Malabar coastal walk linking to Maroubra will also protect the native vegetation by preventing ongoing erosion from informal tracks.
Photo Credit: Paul Halasz/Google Maps
“These tracks are part of the NSW Government’s biggest infrastructure investment in national parks’ history, delivering $450 million of priority works to benefit the community and boost nature-based tourism across the State,” Environment Minister James Griffin said.
“Parks along our coastline are great places to get out and enjoy our unique environment while also offering great opportunities for whale watching.
“This investment will support jobs by creating better facilities, such as walking trails and family-friendly amenities, to meet increased demand for our national parks which are a key driver of the visitor economy, generating $18 billion in economic activity each year and supporting over 74,000 jobs.”
Malabar Headland National Park is one of Greater Sydney’s valuable natural and cultural features, reflecting the rich Aboriginal cultural heritage and important World War II heritage items.
It was designated as a heritage park in 2005 and was transferred under the management of the Commonwealth to the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2016.
The Maroubra property market has continued to rise, with a 22 per cent median house price growth for the period October 2020 to September 2021. That’s almost double the rate of median growth for the previous period.
Highlights
The median house price in Maroubra rose by 22.22 per cent to $2,505,000 from October 2020 to September 2021.
Growth for the unit market was relatively flat, with a modest 2.92 per cent increase, to $932,500.
Maroubra Median House Price Growth
Data from Property Market Updates revealed that houses in Maroubra are now tracking a median price of $2,505,000 for the 12-month period ending September 2021. That’s up from $2,050,000 for the same period in the previous year.
House listings in Maroubra stayed an average of 34 days on market, with 259 sold for the time period. Three and four-bedroom homes were in high demand among young families who are upsizing from apartments or semis to freestanding homes in the suburb.
Compared to other Sydney locations, blocks of homes in Maroubra are bigger and with good value for money. There are still a few well-maintained old properties below the median house price, as well as sprawling old family homes that are ripe for renovation.
Maroubra Unit House Price Growth
In contrast, the unit market in Maroubra has been relatively flat, with minimal growth of 2.92 percent for October 2020 to September 2021. The median unit price is $932,500 for the said period. That’s up from the median of $906,000 in the previous period.
Though stocks are short compared to demand, there were 309 units sold during this period at 44 days on the market, per Property Market Updates. A total of 146 two-bedroom units were sold for this period.
While apartments in Maroubra are found in various parts of the suburb, the highest concentration of units is in Maroubra Junction, close to the dining and shopping precinct.
About Maroubra
Maroubra, which originated from the Indigenous word “Marubrah” for “lightning” or “thunder,” is also a diverse community with European, Asian and Middle Eastern families.
While there is a strong sense of family among the residents, Maroubra is mostly home for young people between the ages of 20 to 39 who are still finding themselves or starting their own families.
Nearly half of the locals are couples with children, which is closely followed by childless couples. More than three-fourths rent their homes in this suburb. On dry land, Maroubra has amenities like outdoor gyms across its numerous parks, and the occasional sports competition at the beach. The locale has a number of golf courses as well.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
This beachside enclave is one of the most sought-after locations in Sydney to work, rest, or play because of its beautiful coastline and well-established shopping districts. A selection of unique shops and dining places cater to both residents and visitors.
As with many of its neighbouring suburbs in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, life in Maroubra revolves around the beach, which has been elevated to a prestigious status by the National Surfing Reserve.
“Maroubra, been here for 18 years after moving from Randwick. Timing was perfect, family was growing up…the beach, parks, coastal walks, 4 golf courses, plenty of shops and restaurants within walking distance or a 5 minute drive, close to the airport, the list goes on. If you don’t know much about the area, it’s because the residents want to keep it to themselves.”
Royl8
“We lived in Bondi for many years and moved to the Bra in 2018. Best decision we ever made. Maroubra is friendly, has a gorgeous expansive beach and has a super relaxed beachy vibe. There are a multitude of shops everywhere – and you can easily park at all of them! (This is unlike any other eastern suburb and actually reduces a lot of stress) and there’s space everywhere.”
Sietzn
“Coastal suburb on the move. With vibrant new cafes, restaurants and boutique outlets…Maroubra is a changing cosmopolitan precinct. Wonder along the coast and have a nice walk, jump in for a swim and have lunch at the FeedBag its a perfect day out for families, couples and singles alike.”
For the last three years, hydrofoil surfing in the beaches of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, including Maroubra, has gained quite a following but plans to ban hydrofoil boards, whether partially or completely, could soon be imposed. Some Maroubra surfers aren’t jumping at the idea.
A group of hydrofoil surfers based in Maroubra have invited members of Randwick City Council to visit Maroubra beach and see their activities in action. They said that they are willing to discuss the sport and prove that this is not a danger to the public, especially as most of them are seasoned surfers.
Randwick City Council said that the plan to ban hydrofoil surfing was due to safety concerns on a busy beach. In 2019, Waverley Councils outlawed the specialised surfboards in Bondi Beach because its “high speed and metal-like keel” is a safety risk.
“Discussion with the key stakeholders on the Coastal Advisory Committee would be valued prior to finalising this report. Proposed recommendations are that Randwick City Council (RCC) considers the following options:
a. hydrofoils be allowed on all RCC beaches during the times when the beach is not patrolled by the RCC beach lifeguards
b. signage be erected that clearly states the following:
Hydrofoils are prohibited during the times when the beach is patrolled by lifeguards &/or lifeguards are on duty;
Hydrofoils need to keep a minimum of 60 metres from all other persons and non-powered vessels; and
persons engaged in recreational activities undertaken outside of the designated patrol hours do so at their own risk”
But Jeremy Wilmottes, who has been “foiling up” every morning at the beaches in Maroubra along with a dozen other surfers, said he is not aware of any reported incidents of injuries linked to hydrofoil surfing. The Councils said that they do not have enough data since the volume of foil boarders is still low.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Wilmottes also said that he doesn’t think that the planned ban makes sense. He said that hydrofoil surfing is quite expensive and non-mainstream so whoever is into it will not be reckless. Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club president Danny Donohoe acknowledged that the boards are dangerous but he believes that the ban could be over the top.
Hydrofoil surfboards are the latest in extreme watersports. It earned worldwide attention in 2020 after Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was seen gliding on the water on an elevated board as he waved the U.S. flag during Fourth of July.
On Sunday, 2 January 2022, two fishermen were rescued in Maroubra after their boat capsized in the early morning. Marine Area Commander Superintendent Murray Reynolds said it was not the only accident that happened in the last few days.
That same Sunday at noon, the police and the NSW Surf Lifesavers were called to Windang Island after a 21-year-old man, who was fishing on the rocks, was swept in the water. He easn’t wearing a life jacket. His body was located at 1:20 p.m.
Prior to these accidents, three people also drowned in the waters of NSW, including a 15-year-old boy who was swimming at Shoalhaven River.
“The most difficult part of our work is when someone dies or is seriously injured and we know it could have been prevented,” said Mr Reynolds.
“These deaths are incredibly tragic. Our heart goes out to the loved ones of the people who recently lost their lives in the water.
“We’re asking the community to help us keep you safe, always assess the environment and take simple precautions to prevent tragedy.”
Swim only in areas where there are patrols or between the lifeguards’ red and yellow flags
Wear a lifejacket if you’re out fishing or riding a boat.
Don’t swim at night.
Be mindful of the rips.
The authorities also said to check the water conditions and the weather before heading out. Remember that these conditions are unpredictable so when in doubt, it’s better to cancel plans than to proceed.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Steve Pearce, the CEO of Surf Life Saving NSW, said it’s extra challenging to rescue people during the busiest time of the year at the beaches. NSW locals, however, are fortunate to have “fantastically skilled and resourced lifesavers and lifeguard services up and down our coastline.”
Did you know that the family of the late Dr Lynn Joseph, a prominent Maroubra GP and alumnus of the University of Sydney, has been funding the Baby1000 Program since its inception in 2015?
Led by Professor Adrienne Gordon and her team at The University of Sydney, the groundbreaking projectincorporates early intervention for the mother during conception and for the baby’s first 1,000 days of life to ensure the healthiest outcome.
The estate of the late Dr Lynn Joseph, a Maroubra GP and an alumnus of The University of Sydney, has been funding the Baby1000 Program along with the doctor’s three brothers, Maurice, Neil and Douglas.
Dr Joseph practiced in Maroubra for 60 years. He was also a World War II Veteran of the Kokoda Track, who loved cricket and was regarded as a compassionate physician. His brothers were also graduates of medicine from The University of Sydney.
Prior to his retirement and death in 2013, Dr Joseph delivered generations of babies during a period when this was a common practice for GPs.
Helping to Ensure the Best Outcomes
“A healthy pregnancy is the best gift that we can give to an unborn baby,” Prof Gordon said. “We are all working to ensure the best lifelong health outcomes for the next generation. The earlier we can make these preventative interventions, the better,” Prof. Gordon said.
“The funding from the Joseph family has been amazing. We simply wouldn’t have been able to do our work without it,” she added.
Prof Gordon and her team are currently trialling how affordable, custom-designed pillows will help pregnant women sleep better on their side than on their backs since the latter has been associated with stillbirths.
The team has recruited 400 pregnant women to wear a device for monitoring for this trial.
The Baby1000 Program has also been conducting ongoing research on the links of maternal weight in the health of a newborn by acquiring the “BodPod” for mums and the “PeaPod” for babies.
Photo Credit: The University of Sydney
The program has also been working with the NSW Health Statewide Biobank for storing samples of human tissue, blood, DNA and cells in temperature-controlled systems, which can be used and shared for other future researches.
Data from these samples are used for analysing maternal stress or maternal dietary and gut microbiome that helps the team draw significant findings in the gut health of the mothers and their babies.
Efforts to open a sustainable Maroubra Community Garden bore fruit after more than two years of planning and preparation when volunteers finally received approval to open the site in 2022.
In a statement on Facebook, stewards of The Garden at Maroubra confirmed that the local Council has signed off on plans to build a working garden for everyone, the third community garden in the Eastern Sydney suburbs after Coogee and Randwick.
“[We] began this journey to build not only a community garden for Maroubra, but a sustainability resource within our community to enable ALL of our community to learn to garden if they wished, but also to learn how to take care of the green areas within our homes and our community. Maroubra, this garden is for YOU,” the statement read.
Photo Credit: Mimi Curan/Go Fund Me
In early 2021, Randwick City Council received the proposal for the design of the community garden. The group also opened a fundraiser and a “Friend of the Garden” distinction for regular donors and contributors to enable the gardeners to buy supplies and pay for expenses like water and utilities.
Following the approval, the project has started offering memberships to residents who live within the five-kilometre radius who can tend to the site. In the near future, a Working Member training will be underway before the garden officially opens to the community.
“The Garden at Maroubra project was borne out of the desire to create a beautiful, accessible community-destination around gardening that connects, educates and invigorates our community around organic gardening and related sustainable practices including seed saving, organic pest control and composting,” Mimi Curran, one of the supporters stated.
