Work at a construction site near Manly Dam was interrupted on Tuesday morning, October 1, when a group of Irish tradies encountered a red-bellied black snake.
The 1.2-metre reptile was spotted sunning itself on the worksite, causing concern among the Irish labourers. Construction manager Matt Goodwin reported that the overseas workers were particularly affected by the snake’s presence.
Chris Williams, a professional snake catcher called to the scene, described the snake as relaxed despite being in a high-traffic area in Manly Dam. Williams successfully captured and relocated the snake to nearby bushland.
Photo Credit: Urban Reptile Removal
RARE Environmental, the company overseeing the project, confirmed they have staff trained by wildlife rescue group WIRES to minimise risks to animals during construction activities.
Police and fire authorities are investigating a suspected firebug after several bushfires erupted within minutes of each other in the dense bushland near retirement villages in Allambie Heights, raising alarms across Sydney’s northern beaches.
The first reports came in Monday afternoon, 9 September, when several blazes were detected at the northwestern end of Manly Dam Reserve in Allambie Heights, a critical area known for its natural beauty and proximity to essential infrastructure, including a large Sydney Water pipeline that serves the northern beaches.
The fires sparked fears as they emerged close to residential areas housing vulnerable populations in three nearby retirement communities—William Charlton Retirement Village, Allambie Heights Village, and Fred Huntly Village.
Emergency Services Response
Fire and Rescue NSW, along with Rural Fire Service brigades, responded swiftly with units from Forestville, Dee Why, Beacon Hill, Davidson, Belrose, and Terrey Hills. Despite the rapid spread of the flames, thanks to the dense undergrowth, firefighters managed to contain the fires by late afternoon. They navigated challenging terrain and limited access to water near the pipeline, requiring strategic and strenuous firefighting efforts.
Amidst the firefighting operation, local police intensified their presence, scrutinising everyone using the popular walking and biking trails near the pipeline for any unusual activities. About eight officers from the Northern Beaches command were detailed to intercept and question recreationists, a move underlining the serious concerns about a potential arsonist at large. This policing effort reflects the heightened worry among authorities and the community about a firebug causing mayhem and endangering lives and property.
FILE PHOTO Photo Credit: Fire and Rescue NSW
Ongoing Investigations and Safety Measures
The area was closely monitored overnight by the Beacon Hill Rural Fire Brigade, and further assessments are planned to ensure any potential reignition can be swiftly managed. Fire investigators from NSW RFS and detectives from NSW Police are collaborating on a thorough investigation, treating the fires as suspicious and focusing on the hypothesis of deliberate lighting. Community leaders and local safety officials urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior immediately to prevent further incidents.
Authorities are committed to maintaining safety and are taking every precaution to safeguard against future threats. They emphasise that community cooperation is crucial as they work to determine the origins of these alarming fires.
Long-time Allambie Heights resident Mario Sardelich, who once saved a teen from drowning, has received a civilian bravery award, 42 years after the fateful incident at Manly Dam.
Mr Sardelich, who is now 64, was honoured with the Commendation for Brave Conduct in the Federal Government’s Australian bravery decorations on the 24th of March 2021. The award itself is only ever given to those who perform acts considered worthy of recognition. Though the incident happened over four decades ago in 1978, his heroism has not gone unnoticed or forgotten.
During the incident, Mario Sardelich was only 23 and working as a carpenter for the Metropolitan Water Sewerage and Drainage Board, which is known nowadays as Sydney Water Corporation — a government-owned statutory corporation that provides potable drinking water to New South Wales.
While Sardelich was out on business, he managed to hear cries for help coming from around the Manly Dam area. A group of students were celebrating the end of the school year with a picnic, however an accident led to two boys drowning in the waters of a popular swimming spot in Manly Vale.
By the time he had arrived, the boys were desperately trying to stay afloat, which prompted him to dive into the water to try and rescue them. Though he succeeded in rescuing one of the boys, the other had sunken out of reach and disappeared deep beneath the surface of the water despite the man’s best attempts to find him.
The teenage boy Sardelich managed to rescue that fateful day has opted to remain anonymous, mentioning that it was a particularly traumatic event he’d rather not revisit. He was good friends with the other boy who’d drowned, Peter Mastroianni, who was only 16 at the date of his passing.
The Commendation for Brave Conduct itself is a 30mm-long silver-gilt sprig of mimosa mounted on a red ribbon 32mm wide and 90mm long. The sprig’s centre is 19mm from the bottom of the ribbon and 16mm from either edge, mounted at a 45 degree angle.
This prestigious award is to be worn solely on the left breast on all occasions where medals must be presented, and the ribbon bar can be worn with service dresses at any time, however the lapel badge can be worn with civilian clothing.
