🔵 Will the upper North Shore ever be footpath-friendly?

Plus: Christmas lights, a dip in the river and "overpaid political hacks".

Huw Bradshaw
December 05, 2025

⏱️ The 65th edition of our newsletter is a five-minute read.

Morning all,

Special request with this newsletter. Mel Mantle — who I’m sure you all know from the many great videos she’s done for us — is working on a story about the best streets on the North Shore for Christmas lights.

Prince Albert Street in Mosman and First Avenue in Willoughby seem to be safe bets, but if you have any more suggestions — or reckon we should come check out your light setup — just reply to this email and we’ll look into it.

Anyway, let’s get into the rest of the news.

HEARD THIS WEEK👂

👣 Ku-ring-gai residents waiting 50-plus years for a footpath

Following the death of an elderly pedestrian who had been hit by a vehicle on a street in Gordon, upper North Shore residents are calling on Ku-ring-gai council to urgently install footpaths.

What happened: On the morning of November 13, emergency services were called to Gordon after an elderly man was struck by a car. He was transported to Royal North Shore Hospital, but died the following day.

His death has sparked calls from the community for improved pedestrian infrastructure in the area, particularly along St Johns Avenue, where the 92-year-old man was struck.

A petition has been submitted ahead of the next Ku-ring-gai Council meeting, on December 16, calling for footpaths on both sides of the avenue. The hard copy and online petitions have been signed a total of more than 300 times.

Police reports indicate the elderly man was walking on St Johns Road at the time of the incident. Locals say raised tree roots and uneven verges force those using it as a thoroughfare — people pushing prams, kids walking to the bus stop, elderly folks on a morning constitutional — to walk on the road.

Read the full story below.

Ku-ring-gai residents waiting 50-plus years for a footpath

While leafy and green, North Shore streets often lack one thing

🏊️ At Gladesville’s new swimming spot, you can check the water quality before diving in

Before taking a dip at Sydney’s newest swimming spot, people will be able to check the water quality for any nasties.

Bedlam Bay in Gladesville was opened last Friday by Hunters Hill Mayor Zac Miles and NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson.

Given Parramatta River’s history of polluted water, swimmers could be forgiven for treading warily. To this end, Sydney Water is encouraging people to check water quality before wading in at its Urban Plunge website.

Read below.

At Gladesville’s new swimming spot, you can check the water quality before diving in

The Bedlam Bay restoration cost $560,000.

🥧 The pie hunt continues…

I went outside of my comfort zone this week and was left a little disappointed. On Tuesday, I went to St Honore Bakery in North Sydney, but by the time I arrived only one pie was left and it was … vegetarian.

Now, to be clear, I have nothing against a vegetarian pie, and in fact enjoy one from time to time, but this one was just not up to scratch for me.

Watch my full review below.

LOOKING NATIONALLY 👀

🤝 Labor finally releases "jobs for mates" report, but will they actually do what it says?

The Albanese Government has finally released its long-awaited “jobs for mates” review. It certainly doesn’t beat around the bush, and calls many past appointments “overpaid political hacks”.

The report lays out clear fixes to clean up public sector board appointments, but the Albanese Government is only taking a few on board, ditching key reforms like cooling-off periods for ex-politicians.

The question now: will anything actually change?

Watch Archie’s full video below.

That’s all from me.

Got a story tip? An unsolved mystery? A notable local? Hit reply or reach out at [email protected].

Cheers,

Huw