Frequently Asked Questions

For those not familiar with Pittwater, here are the main differences between geography of West Pittwater and East Pittwater.

Pittwater extends from Mona Vale and Warriewood in the south, along the eastern ridge of the Barrenjoey Peninsula leading to Palm Beach and along the western ridge of the Lambert Peninsula leading to West Head. The eastern parts of the catchment are largely urbanised whilst the western parts are primarily Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Within the Pittwater lies Careel Bay, Refuge Cove, Saltpan Cove, Horseshoe Cove, Crystal Bay, McCarrs Creek, Browns Bay, Elvina Bay, Lovett Bay, Morning (Towlers) Bay, Portuguese Bay, Coasters Retreat and The Basin. Scotland Island is located within the estuary.

Pittwater contains a diversity of estuarine habitat types including mangrove wetlands, saltmarsh, sand flats and seagrass meadows, including threatened areas of coastal saltmarsh.

The area covered by the WPCA is geographically considered to be The Lower Western Foreshore (see Map). Residents here are solely water access only. Eastern Foreshore residents are all onshore residents.

The Western Foreshores is a pedestrian precinct. As stated in Pittwater Council’s DCP 21 there is no privately owned motor vehicle access to the Western Shores and private land-based vehicles are not permitted. On rare occasions, however, a larger vehicle is needed to provide essential services or infrastructure to residents or the community.

YES. Australia as a continent has many snake species and many are venomous.

It should also be noted that all snakes are protected in Australia and it is illegal to kill them.

Not everyone is a fan of snakes, but mostly because they are a very misunderstood species.

They are essential to a healthy ecosystem. Without them we would be overrun with rodents and other pests. By keeping down the quantity of rodents, they reduce the occurrence of diseases carried by these and other pests.

Find out more about the species native to our area below.

Additional Information

• West Pittwater Snakes

Guide to Pittwater Council Tree Management

Note: If you remove, damage or lop a tree without Council’s consent, you may be liable for a fine of up to $1.1 million if prosecuted in the Land and Environment Court.

Trees are of vital importance in improving the visual quality of an area. The predominance of tree cover both in bushland and urban areas forms an integral part of the character of Pittwater.

Council consent IS required to:

• Prune a tree by greater than 10% of the foliage area.
• Remove any tree not otherwise listed in the exempt species table.
• Substantially alter the soil level around the trunk or within three (3) meters of the trunk of a tree.

Council MAY give consent to remove a tree where:

• A tree is diseased or dying.
• A tree is causing, or is likely to cause substantial property damage (to houses building etc).
• A tree is significantly misshapen or causing substantial overshadowing.
• Assessment will be made on the removal of a tree/trees following the submission of a Tree Removal Application Form.

Council will not approve the following:

• Tree removal/lopping without owner’s signature/owners agent on application.
• Removal of trees for views.
• Removal of trees for solar access, leaf, fruit or sap drop, bird or bat droppings, damage to sewer pipes/built structures unless all engineering alternatives have been considered.
• Removal of healthy and stable trees.
• Pruning of trees contrary to Australian Standards 4373.
• Any pruning work outside what a particular species will tolerate, eg figs if pruned by more than 10% can be predisposed to sunburn.
• Tree work for emotive reasons.
• Removal of trees inhibiting grass or garden growth.
• Removal of trees for allergies unless tree can be medically linked to allergy.
• Alteration of soil levels within the drip line of a tree.
• Removal of trees found to be causing damage to minor ancillary structures such as footpaths and driveways.
• Requests for topping of trees.

Council consent is not required to:

• Remove a declared noxious weed or tree listed in the exempt species table.
• Prune a tree by up to 10% of the foliage area within a period of not less than 12 months since any prior pruning.
• Remove any tree harbouring fruit fly or grown for it’s edible fruit.

Additional Information

• Tree Management Northern Beaches Council
• Removing and Pruning Trees on Private Land
• Illegal Tree Works

Partial Source: Scotland Island Community Website

Newspapers are delivered to the nearest public wharf courtesy of our friendly ferry service. Of course you will need a subscription to the news paper.

Given our proximity to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Council has specific regulations relating to companion animals in its DCP 21.

The keeping of cats, rabbits and ferrets is not permitted. The toll on wildlife is too great. Owners who wish to keep dogs must prevent them from roaming the tracks or beaches. You can, however, walk your dog on the public tracks outside the National Park and Wildlife Protection Areas, subject to the usual companion animal regulations of having dogs on leashes at all times and the requirement to clean up any deposits.

Additional Information

• Offshore Living — Animals 

Membership to the West Pittwater Community Association is easy.

There are two types of membership:

1. Initial Household Membership — $20
2. Subsequent Membership — $10

West Pittwater Community Association membership is intended for individuals, as each paid member has one vote at the AGM.

However, often more than one family member in a household want to join the WPCA. So we have created a “Subsequent Membership” so that multiple family members can join the WPCA.

To be eligible, one member in the family must have paid a full price “Initial Memberhip”.

There is no difference in membership rights or privileges. Subsequent Members have the same privileges as Initial Members.

Join Now

The Western Foreshores are considered to be “Bush Fire Prone.”

Bush fire prone land is land that can support a bushfire or is likely to be subject to bushfire attack. Research has shown that 85% of houses that are lost in bush fires are within 100m from bushland and that ember attack is a significant form of attack on properties.

A property is deemed to be bush fire prone land if it is wholly or partly located in the red, orange or yellow area on the Pittwater 2013 Bush Fire Prone Land Map.

Additional Information

• Bush Fire Risk Management
  
• Bush Fire Prone Land Map
• Bush Fire Prone Property Map
• Bush Fire Prevention Brochure

Church Point parking services both the on shore and off shore residents, visitors to the area and businesses.

There are different options available to those wishing to park:

1. Pay and display parking at the Church Point Reserve Carpark – please note that the beach parking permit is not valid at this location
2. Church Point Parking Permit – this is an annual permit available for purchase on an annual or half year basis.  The permit is valid from 1 September – 31 August or 1 March – 31 August for a half permit.  Please see the application form (Opens in a new window)for more information including pricing.
3. Church Point Reserved Parking Space Scheme – This entitles the applicant to a reserved parking space on the top floor of the Church point carpark. Details of this can be found in the application form – Church Point Carpark Reserved Parking Space(Opens in a new window) and there is also more information below.
4. There are some timed spaces in Church Point which are not ticketed.  These are in front of the shops and wharf and also along McCarrs Creek Road. These vary from 5 minute parking to 8 hour parking.

Additional Information

• Church Point Parking Permits
• Parking Permit Application
• Church Point Parking and History