Latest news with #Collaroy
The Age
22-05-2025
- General
- The Age
‘Like a Kinder Surprise': Manly ferry dishes up the unexpected
Sydney's renowned Manly ferries might be the largest vessels in the NSW government fleet, but one of them – the Narrabeen – is dwarfed in the giant dry-dock at Sydney's Garden Island when parked in front of a naval vessel. 'For our biggest boats in our fleet, they look very small,' Transport for NSW ferry projects director Tony New explained. New admits to a level of nervousness whenever the large Manly ferries enter the 347-metre-long dry dock, and the Narrabeen delivered surprises when the water was pumped out at Garden Island. 'They're 40-year-plus boats, and they're a little bit like a Kinder Surprise. Until you start pulling them apart, you don't know what you're going to get,' he said. 'You know what's above the water, but it's not until you get below it.' New said engineers found the Narrabeen required more extensive repairs than its sister ferry, the Queenscliff, due to a higher amount of rust on the hull and near internal fittings. 'The hull plating was a bit of a surprise to us. We expected that there would be some corrosion, as you would expect on a boat sitting in water, but we have had to do a bit more work than we first anticipated,' he said. The Narrabeen was originally meant to enter the dry dock last year but was bumped from the queue by one of the navy's defect-plagued Spanish-built warships. It can often prove difficult to gain a slot at Garden Island because the navy is given precedence. The $18 million of work to the Narrabeen comprises a rebuild of its two engines and the installation of a new control system, as well as repairs to the rudders and propellers. The refit initially began last year at Cockatoo Island, and included a refresh of the internal fittings such as seats and roof panels. The ferry is due to be re-floated on Friday and towed back to Cockatoo Island for final repairs and sea trials before returning to service on the Manly-Circular Quay route in late July or early August – about two years after it was withdrawn from passenger service. Loading The Freshwater ferry will be the next to enter Garden Island's dry dock as early as August for similar repairs, and is likely to return to the Manly route in February or March next year. The Queenscliff returned to service in late 2023 after two new 2.5-metre propellers were installed during its dry-docking at Garden Island. However, the Collaroy – the youngest of the four Freshwater-class ferries synonymous with Sydney's busiest route – was pulled from service in September 2023 and will not return because the government has deemed it 'prohibitively expensive' due to its 'one-of-a-kind build'. The ferry's fate lies in the hands of potential buyers or community groups. Expressions of interest in the Collaroy closed this month, and the responses are likely to be presented to the government shortly for consideration. All up, the government has budgeted $71 million to refurbish three of the four large double-ended ferries, which covers the cost of dry-docking and extending the vessels' service life. Loading The extensive refits will buy the three vessels another five-year survey, a licence to operate which New said was akin to a 'car rego'. Despite the major repairs, the three remaining Freshwater-class ferries are set to be retired by July 2030 unless their licences to operate are extended again.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-05-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Like a Kinder Surprise': Manly ferry dishes up the unexpected
Sydney's renowned Manly ferries might be the largest vessels in the NSW government fleet, but one of them – the Narrabeen – is dwarfed in the giant dry-dock at Sydney's Garden Island when parked in front of a naval vessel. 'For our biggest boats in our fleet, they look very small,' Transport for NSW ferry projects director Tony New explained. New admits to a level of nervousness whenever the large Manly ferries enter the 347-metre-long dry dock, and the Narrabeen delivered surprises when the water was pumped out at Garden Island. 'They're 40-year-plus boats, and they're a little bit like a Kinder Surprise. Until you start pulling them apart, you don't know what you're going to get,' he said. 'You know what's above the water, but it's not until you get below it.' New said engineers found the Narrabeen required more extensive repairs than its sister ferry, the Queenscliff, due to a higher amount of rust on the hull and near internal fittings. 'The hull plating was a bit of a surprise to us. We expected that there would be some corrosion, as you would expect on a boat sitting in water, but we have had to do a bit more work than we first anticipated,' he said. The Narrabeen was originally meant to enter the dry dock last year but was bumped from the queue by one of the navy's defect-plagued Spanish-built warships. It can often prove difficult to gain a slot at Garden Island because the navy is given precedence. The $18 million of work to the Narrabeen comprises a rebuild of its two engines and the installation of a new control system, as well as repairs to the rudders and propellers. The refit initially began last year at Cockatoo Island, and included a refresh of the internal fittings such as seats and roof panels. The ferry is due to be re-floated on Friday and towed back to Cockatoo Island for final repairs and sea trials before returning to service on the Manly-Circular Quay route in late July or early August – about two years after it was withdrawn from passenger service. Loading The Freshwater ferry will be the next to enter Garden Island's dry dock as early as August for similar repairs, and is likely to return to the Manly route in February or March next year. The Queenscliff returned to service in late 2023 after two new 2.5-metre propellers were installed during its dry-docking at Garden Island. However, the Collaroy – the youngest of the four Freshwater-class ferries synonymous with Sydney's busiest route – was pulled from service in September 2023 and will not return because the government has deemed it 'prohibitively expensive' due to its 'one-of-a-kind build'. The ferry's fate lies in the hands of potential buyers or community groups. Expressions of interest in the Collaroy closed this month, and the responses are likely to be presented to the government shortly for consideration. All up, the government has budgeted $71 million to refurbish three of the four large double-ended ferries, which covers the cost of dry-docking and extending the vessels' service life. Loading The extensive refits will buy the three vessels another five-year survey, a licence to operate which New said was akin to a 'car rego'. Despite the major repairs, the three remaining Freshwater-class ferries are set to be retired by July 2030 unless their licences to operate are extended again.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Top chef names his favourite Aussie pie shop - and it's a tiny hole in the wall on a busy main road
If you're craving the ultimate Australian meat pie, a top Sydney chef says there's one place that never fails to deliver - and it's on a main road in a beachside suburb. Toby Wilson, the celebrated chef behind Taco King and Ricos Tacos, revealed his go-to lunch spot is none other than The Upper Crust, a humble pie shop on Pittwater Road that's been serving locals for decades. 'The chicken and white wine pie is absolutely the move,' Wilson told Broadsheet, calling the shop his 'childhood pie stop.' And he's not the only one obsessed. Located at 1003 Pittwater Road, Collaroy, The Upper Crust has become something of a pilgrimage site for pie lovers across Sydney - with queues snaking out the door most days and loyal fans declaring it 'the best pie shop in the whole city.' On offer is a mouthwatering menu of classics and inventive twists: steak, potato and cheese; pepper steak; chicken, avocado and brie; beef and burgundy; lamb and rosemary; even a spicy Mexican-style pie for the more adventurous. There are family-sized pies, party pies, sausage rolls, and even excellent coffee for the full lunch hit. The reviews are glowing - and often poetic. Located at 1003 Pittwater Road, Collaroy, The Upper Crust has become something of a pilgrimage site for pie lovers across Sydney - with queues snaking out the door most days and loyal fans declaring it 'the best pie shop in the whole city.' 'Just as in Greek mythology the song of the mermaids attracted sailors, the mouth-watering scent of freshly baked pie crust draws you in irresistibly,' one fan wrote. Another reviewer confessed they're not usually a fan of pies but were completely converted: 'The minced steak and Mexican pies were beyond expectations... the guy next to me told his mates 'hands down the best pie I've had in my life' - and I have to agree.' One devoted customer even declared: 'I've just walked from Dee Why across the shark-infested lagoon and back to buy my pies. It's always worth it.' Others praised the 'friendly, helpful staff' and said the crust was the reason people keep coming back - with some items selling out fast during peak hours. There's a small outdoor seating area, and one customer even received a complimentary mince pie with their order. With chefs, locals, and foodies united in praise, The Upper Crust might just be Sydney's most legendary pie stop - and worth the trip no matter where you're coming from.
