Cromer Archives - Cromer News

Cromer Crossroads: Safety and Flow Drive Proposed Upgrades

A plan has been announced to enhance safety and traffic flow at a key intersection in Cromer. The plan focuses on South Creek Road, Fisher Road North, and Middleton Road and aims to benefit all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

Recognising the area’s high traffic volume from various modes of transport, the project prioritises safety and connectivity for all users. The planned upgrades aim to improve vehicle flow, alleviate congestion, reduce traffic speed, support freight movement in the Cromer industrial zone, and improve access to public transport.

Key to the plan is the construction of two new roundabouts and the conversion of an existing zebra crossing into a raised pedestrian crossing. The roundabouts, designed to accommodate heavy vehicles, will incorporate pedestrian refuges to enhance crossing safety.

Proposed Works

New roundabout at South Creek Road and Middleton Road with pedestrian refuges
New roundabout at Fisher Road North and South Creek Road with a pedestrian refuge
Replacement of the existing zebra crossing on Fisher Road North with a raised pedestrian crossing

The Northern Beaches Council emphasises that an internal traffic modelling study has been undertaken and supports the concept plan. This study analysed traffic and pedestrian counts, road geometry, and the impact on speed and traffic delays.

Community input on the proposed changes are now being sought. Residents and stakeholders are invited to share their views and help shape the future of this vital Cromer intersection.

Published Date 30-August-2024

Bones at Cromer Construction Site Confirmed Non-Human

Police have confirmed that bones unearthed at a construction site in Cromer are non-human after workers discovered the bones under a concrete slab near the entrance of a workshop in the Northern Beaches hub.

Initial concerns prompted forensic experts to assess whether the remains were human. The bones, now identified as animal remains, were found during renovations at a motor vehicle repair business.

Northern Beaches Police were alerted and attended the scene at a commercial premises on South Creek Rd at around 10:45 a.m. on 19 June 2024. On Wednesday night, police secured the area opposite St Matthews Farm Reserve and skate park as forensic teams worked to clarify the nature of the bones.

Police issued a statement confirming that the remains were not human, and no further investigation would be necessary.

The automotive repair shop where the discovery was made resumed its normal business operations, with customers returning as early as 7:00 a.m.

Published 25-June-2024

Defy Gravity at Bounce Cromer: A New Adventure Hub Opens in Town

A new adventure hub has recently opened its doors in Cromer, promising to take thrill-seekers on an unforgettable journey. Bounce Cromer, the latest addition to the Bounce family, is a 2,300 square metre facility that was built in a former industrial park.

Read: Precision Golf to Build Largest Indoor Trackman Facility in Cromer

The centrepiece of this adrenaline-fueled venue is the “Free-jump arena,” a sprawling space that features 50 interconnected trampolines, tumble tracks, and banked walls.

Photo credit: BOUNCEinc Cromer/Google Maps

Sports enthusiasts can also indulge in a game of dodgeball or shoot hoops on the full-height basketball rings. But the real draw is the giant soft landing area, where visitors can unleash their inner daredevil and experience the thrill of massive airborne stunts, all whilst practising their aerial moves in safety.

For those seeking an extra challenge, the X-park is the place to be. This obstacle-filled circuit offers various levels of difficulty, allowing for personal progression and creative expression. Adventurers can test their balance and flexibility on the “high ropes,” navigating a series of twists and turns whilst suspended in the air.

Younger visitors haven’t been left out either. The miniBOUNCE Zone is an interactive play area designed exclusively for walking-age children up to 5 years old, ensuring that the whole family can enjoy the Bounce experience.

One of the must-try attractions at Bounce Cromer is “The Wall,” where high-performance trampolines are paired with walls of various heights, allowing for freestyle trick experimentation.

Bounce Cromer’s opening follows the successful launch of the brand’s Sydney venue at Homebush in 2023.

Impressed by the overwhelming response, the owners decided to expand to Cromer, drawn to the suburb’s “vibrant energy and passion for adventure.”

Conveniently located near public transportation and boasting an onsite cafe, Bounce Cromer is poised to become a new hub for thrill-seekers and family fun. The venue is open from Monday to Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, 9:00 am to 7 pm, and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Read: Cromer Park Now Has a World-Class Football Field

For more information, including pricing and booking details, visit Bounce’s website and plan your high-flying adventure today.

Published 10-April-2024

New Business Park Revitalises Cromer Landmark

A new era has dawned on the former Roche Pharmaceuticals site in Cromer, with the official opening of the Northern Beaches Business Park marking the transformation of the area into a thriving hub for businesses and the community.

The opening, held on 15 Nov 2023, commenced with an Indigenous Smoking Ceremony, a symbolic gesture of respect and connection to the land. Raymond Weatherall, a member of the Gamilaraay Nation and the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, performed the ceremony, acknowledging the traditional custodians of the area.

The park’s development has brought together key stakeholders, including Richard Crookes Construction (site developers), EG Funds Management (project investors), Wakehurst MP Michael Regan, and Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins. Their collaborative efforts have resulted in a vibrant space that honors the site’s heritage while embracing innovation and sustainability.

A Hub for Youth and Community

The Northern Beaches Business Park encompasses 11 warehouses, four offices, an on-site café, and a self-storage unit, all carefully designed to integrate with the existing landscape. The 26,902 square metre site preserves key structures and associated features of the former Roche headquarters, including the hexagonal tower, an iconic landmark since the 1960s.

Several of the new leaseholders will cater to the younger demographic, bringing exciting facilities to the Northern Beaches.

Precision Golf, an indoor golf driving range and mini putt putt course, swung open its doors on 20 November, offering a fun-filled activity for all ages.

Carlile Swimming is setting up its third learn-to-swim center on the Northern Beaches, providing essential aquatic skills to the community.

Bounce Trampolines, known for their freestyle trampolining adventures, will also be adding their presence to the park.

EG Director Roger Parker acknowledged Roche’s long-standing presence in Cromer, highlighting the company’s contributions to the community.

“From Roche’s first building on this site in 1964, until the business relocated in 2017, many important and life-saving medications were made here,” he stated.

Mr. Parker also expressed gratitude for the support of the Northern Beaches Council in approving the project.

“With their great support, we’re delighted that this first stage of repurposing the Roche site to create the Northern Beaches Business Park is now officially complete.”

Local officials also commended the project’s commitment to conservation.

“The design of the original building and its integration with the landscaping were unique at the time,” Mayor Heins remarked. “I’m pleased to see that this heritage is being embraced and continued.”

A Vision Realized

The Northern Beaches Business Park stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. It represents a transformation not only of a physical space but also of the community’s aspirations. The park’s diverse mix of businesses and facilities promises to revitalize the area, fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

Published 22-Nov-2023

Precision Golf to Build Largest Indoor Trackman Facility in Cromer

Golfers could soon practice and gain better games on the green once Precision Golf opens the largest indoor Trackman facility in the world in Cromer.

Precision Golf announced its plans to build a 25-Trackman driving range at Inman Rd in Cromer by 2023. The company lodged DA2022/1807 in early November, detailing plans for the $2-million state-of-the-art facility. Northern Beaches Council is still assessing the development application as of press time.

Once approved, the Trackman at Cromer will also feature an 18-hole indoor putt-putt course, putting greens, simulator ad club fitting bays, function rooms for parties and meetings, infrared saunas, warm-up gym area, showers and changing rooms with lockers, and a golf retail store.

Precision Golf will also offer coaching services for individuals or groups with an in-house golf Osteopath who will guide and train golfers with the proper techniques.

“With people now taking up golf more than ever – we realised the health benefits of 18 holes of golf and much research has been done on poor habits, lack of flexibility and proper warm up techniques, our in house Osteo specialising in golf related issues and preventative measures is on hand and at your disposal,” Precision Golf stated in its announcement.

The Cromer indoor golf course will cater to both beginners and professionals, as well as families or groups who love this sport. If approved, the site plans to open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Cromer Park Now Has a World-Class Football Field

Did you know that there is a world-class football field in Cromer Park? The synthetic field at Cromer Park Field 1 has been replaced with a new one, exciting the local football community who use it, from grassroots clubs to representative teams.

Read: Taste the ‘Most Beautiful Food’ at COYA in Cromer

The brand new premium synthetic surface uses cork infill, instead of rubber, to reduce the urban heat island effect and provide cooler conditions for players on hot days.

There is also more storage for six-a-side goals, an additional pump to recycle water draining from the field and boot scrapers at every entrance to prevent infill from leaving the ground.

The field is used regularly by Sydney FC A-League women’s side, the Manly United representative teams and the Manly Warringah Football Association, the most prominent football association in Australia with more than 20,000 players.

Photo credit: Manly Warringah Football Association/Facebook

Manly Warringah Football Association and Manly United CEO David Mason said the football community feels blessed to have such wonderful facilities that are used by local grassroots players and the Manly United representative teams at Cromer Park.

“We are extremely grateful to Northern Beaches Council for their continuing commitment to Cromer Park and the synthetic fields in our area but importantly applaud and encourage modern design and technology that has allowed this to take place with respect to the local environment,” Mr Mason said.

Mr Mason said they are looking forward to continuing to work with Sydney FC and Football Australia to attract games and events that inspire young players, especially as they move towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

The upgrade is part of the Council’s $1.3 million investment for the sporting community, to ensure the facility continues to attract Sydney FC teams to play locally and inspire the next generation of players.

Meanwhile, the old synthetic surface, which was used for more than 10 years before it reached the end of its life, has been exported to Denmark where it will be recycled.

DiversARTy in Cromer Showcases an Impressive Initiative for Dreams2Live4

DiversARTy, a gallery and studio in Cromer, is running an impressive art exhibit with an equally admirable online initiative to raise funds for cancer victims.

Running for the whole month of September, the Feathers & Dreams charity art exhibit at the Cromer gallery showcases the work of emerging and established local artists who want to encourage art lovers to support Dreams2Live4’s causes. These artists with a heart of gold donated their creative masterpieces, which will be auctioned off at DiversARTy.

More than 50 artworks are up for bid at the gallery. Half of the profits sold at the charity art exhibit will go to Dreams2Live4, which helps patients with metastatic cancer, relapsed lymphoma, relapsed leukemia and aggressive brain tumours receive the best care and better quality of life despite their condition. This charity has provided for over 500 patients in 180 hospitals across the country.

Due to the COVID-19 regulations, the Feathers & Dreams auction will be done online. The public may also directly donate online to the cause. As of press time, the charity art exhibit has raised $6,800.

Make Your Bid

Since this is an online auction, bidding is also open for art lovers outside of the Sydney metropolitan area but they will have to shoulder the freight cost. Winning bidders in Sydney may arrange for collection after the auctions, subject to health protocols.

Bunnings Trade in Cromer Remains Open Amidst Store Closures in Greater Sydney

As Bunnings outlets across Greater Sydney are forced to close due to the lockdowns, Bunnings Trade in Cromer has remained open for industrial and hardware supplies needed by its trade customers for their businesses.

In a statement on the Bunnings official site, the company announced that all of its retail stores in the Greater Sydney area will temporarily shut down effective 23 Aug 2021 to support the NSW Government and to ensure the safety and security of the majority of its staff. Trading will shift to the contactless drive-and-collect services, which was introduced in 2020, with orders coursed through the Bunnings online site.

The only Bunnings stores allowed to open for in-person services are for trade customers, including the Cromer store on Dumic Place. Bunnings manager director Mike Schneider said that tradies will still be attended to, especially for emergency repairs, because they will still need supplies to sustain their businesses.

It comes as Bunnings has been continuously named as a casual contact site for coronavirus transmissions. Whilst the store has stepped up and improved its COVID safety measures by introducing a Bunnings Product Finder App to help customers get in and out of the shops faster, transmissions in the retail settings have been cited as one of the reasons why the outbreak hasn’t been contained.

Temporarily closed Greater Sydney Bunnings stores include:

Alexandria, Artarmon, Ashfield, Balgowlah, Bankstown, Belrose, Blacktown, Bonnyrigg, Campbelltown, Caringbah, Carlingford, Castle Hill, Chatswood, Crossroads, Dural, Eastgardens, Gladesville, Gordon, Greenacre, Gregory Hills, Hoxton Park, Kingsgrove, Kirrawee, Lidcombe, Marsden Park, McGraths Hill, Minchinbury, Narellan, Narrabeen, North Penrith, Northmead, Padstow, Penrith, Randwick, Rockdale, Rose Bay, Rouse Hill, Rydalmere, Seven Hills, Smithfield, Thornleigh, Villawood and Warringah Mall

Whilst customers are encouraged to shop online, the store has also indicated delays in fulfilling the orders, especially in the first few weeks of the temporary shut down.

“Please note that due to a high volume of online orders in lockdown areas, there may be a delay in fulfilling your order,” the announcement for retail customers stated. “Our team is working hard to prepare orders as quickly as possible. Collection and delivery timeframes for your local store will be updated regularly and clearly displayed when adding products to your cart.”

Meanwhile, for trade representatives and trade accounts, contact Cromer’s Bunnings Trade for your supplies via Ph: (02) 9916 9100 Fax: (02) 9916 9199.

Cromer House Prices Surge to $1.9 Million

Cromer, located 20 kilometres north-east of the Sydney CBD, is one of 10 suburbs with a significant property price increase in the first quarter of 2021, pushing its house median price to just under $2 million.

Data from CoreLogic showed that Sydney’s average price for a home with a backyard rose to 11.2 percent from January to April 2021. Whilst the pace of sales has cooled in March, house prices in some suburbs from the Upper North Shore, Northern Beaches and Sutherland Shire doubled in the same period.

In the Northern Beaches, Terry Hills, Clareville and Cromer were the top-performing markets with house prices up by 18 to 20 percent.

Highlights

Cromer is in the top 10 suburbs with a significant property price increase from January to April 2021.
The suburb is one of three better-performing suburbs in the Northern Beaches, alongside Terry Hills, Clareville.
Upsizing families from the city are drifting to the Northern Beaches to invest in properties.

According to real estate agents from these local areas, upsizing families have been seeking and spending big in these markets, selling their apartment units and townhouses in the city, inner west, or the eastern suburbs to invest or at least put a downpayment on houses with backyards in the Northern Beaches.

Upsizing families want to live in leafy and quiet areas with access to parks and good schools, as opposed to the convenience of the city.

Here are the figures for Sydney suburbs with impressive property price increases between January to April 2021:

*NORTHER BEACHES*
Terrey Hills	20.8 per cent to $2,483,300
Clareville	18.9 per cent to $3,155,207
Cromer	18.1 per cent to $1,938,976
*UPPER NORTH SHORE*
South Turramurra	22.8 per cent to $2,101,118
Turramurra	16.2 per cent to $2,240,409
North Turramurra	16.8 per cent to $2,227,529
*SUTHERLAND SHIRE*
Kurnell	19 per cent to $1,429,800
Grays Point	15.4 per cent to $1,584,099
Yowie Bay	15.9 per cent to $1,842,591
*EASTERN SUBURBS*
Point Piper	15.9 per cent to $2,695,872

Meanwhile, amid the COVID-19 lockdowns, house prices in Sydney’s markets continue their upward trend although CoreLogic said stocks are falling down with few sellers.

On the other hand, major banks in the country have launched programs for a three-month deferral for mortgage payments, prompting experts to predict that the lockdowns will not derail the property market in this region.

COYA, the Most Popular French-Middle Eastern Fusion Restaurant in Cromer

The French-Middle Eastern fusion fine dining restaurant COYA offers Cromer a grand total of five degustations curated and prepared by veteran chef Ashraf Saleh.

Chef Ashraf Saleh, the man in the kitchen responsible for the restaurant’s French-Middle Eastern fusion menu, is a veteran in the culinary industry who’s worked in five-star establishments all across the globe. In 2019, chef Ashraf released “Coya: French Middle Eastern Cuisine” — a cookbook that shares the same name as his restaurant which details the dishes both he and his customers love.

‘Coya’ is a Middle Eastern girl’s name, and chef Ashraf had intended to give it to a daughter, if he ever had one with his wife, Kit Saleh. Instead, their family was blessed with two sons. The two opted to dedicate their love to their new restaurant by naming it after the daughter they never had.

The restaurant offers five degustation menus for customers to order from, each offering carefully curated courses which can be complemented with pourings of wine. The menus available allow patrons to select options befitting of their personal preferences or dietary restrictions. There is a six-course carnivore degustation which offers primarily meat-based dishes, and likewise there is a nine-course pescaterian degustation that revolves around seafood.

Scampi, one of the courses of the pescaterian degustation in the restaurant.
Photo credit: Instagram/COYA

Also available at the restaurant is a nine-course carnivore degustation, a nine-course herbivore degustation, and lastly, a 13-course degustation which serves a mixture of dishes from across the other course menus.

Reviewers were particularly enamoured with the way the restaurant presents their dishes, likening them to art and how each dish was not only visually appealing, but also incredibly delicious. The restaurant’s ambience has also been described as “cosy” and the service has also been considered “friendly” and “accommodating” by numerous customers.

Those interested in dining can visit the restaurant on Sunday the 9th of May 2021 from the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m to celebrate Mother’s Day. Between the 5th of May to the 15th, a limited-time menu curated by chef Ashraf will be available as part of the special event “Taste of the Beaches 2021”.

COYA can be found at 61-63 Carawa Road, Cromer, open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Visit their website here. For the latest updates on meals, deals, and other special announcements, follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.