Parents have been urged to take precautions to prevent their children drowning in a backyard pool after an incident in Galston last week. A five year old girl was taken to Westmead’s Children’s Hospital but died a short time later. keepwatch.com.au

A $40 million housing & retail development at Waitara is in jeopardy because of a median strip. Hornsby Council has received Federal Government funding for a 37 metre median strip on Edgeworth David Avenue at the intersection of Balmoral Street, in an effort to reduce accidents. Edgeworth David Avenue shop keepers fear the road island [...]

Philip Ruddock and Paul Fletcher have been linked to front bench positions after they strengthened what were already blue-ribbon Liberal seats of Berowra and Bradfield. Whilst Australia faced its first hung parliament since 1940, Berowra ans Bradfield’s Liberals dominated. Mr Ruddock had a swing of 5.6% after taking 60.2% of first preference votes. Mr Fletcher’s [...]

SYDNEY’S northern suburbs should prepare themselves for an intensive program of hazard reduction burning in local national parks. 20 large burns, which will depend on favourable weather conditions,  are scheduled. They will stretch from the Hawkesbury to the northern beaches and Sydney Harbour. The burn offs could happen with short notice if the right weather conditions prevail.

New Hornsby Lions Club President, Ray Phillipson, is on the hunt for new members to strengthen the support group for the very big jobs the club undertakes. The new barbecue trailer, which the club will soon own, will be available to the community as a lions fundraising activity. Ray, the father of 5 and grandfather, [...]

The George Street pedestran overpass has been described as an “eyesore” & “structurally damaged”. The council levy which was to be used to repair the overpass has been rejected. RTA reject any claim on the overpass & are therefore unwilling to pay the $3 million to replace it despite the fact that 90% of the [...]

WINDOW TO A WONDER Muogamarra is open to the public for just six weekends each year. The season runs from August 7th to September 12th and it will give visitors the opportunity to see an amazing array of wildflowers. The walks available include Peats Crater Track and an easier walk known as Point Loop which [...]

Mt Colah scout/guide hall has passed the halfway mark with groups hoping to move into it in the next two months. The hall was destroyed by a devastating fire six years ago. The long wait is almost over and the budget has been adhered to. The original site could not be built on due to [...]

LOW INCOME EARNER? Need help preparing your tax return? Australian Tax Office volunteers are available to assist low income earners ($40,000 or less a year) with straitforward tax matters or those preparing a tax return for the first time. The service is free and confidential and will operate weekly until October. Appointments essential. Details: Hornsby [...]

Hornsby is the Bushland Shire, a moniker which can evoke feelings of beautiful wilderness and rugged greenery. With that comes a thriving wildlife; but not all our native creatures are cute and cuddly. The Advocate spoke to experts on local creatures, as well as a local pharmacist, to find out what reptiles, insects and arachnids [...]