Mystery of Dee Why’s orange road stripes revealed

Hundreds of residents have been left scratching their heads at strange orange stripes that have appeared on northern beaches’ streets. For the first time we can reveal what they’re for.

Northern Beaches Council has placed orange road markings on a number of streets in Dee Why to designate entry and exit from "High Pedestrian Activity Zones" with a speed limit of 40 km/h. Picture Jim O'Rourke

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The mystery of the “orange stripes” has been revealed.

For some weeks Dee Why residents on streets running from the eastern side of Pittwater Rd to the beach have been puzzling over the vivid road markings.

Their appearance has sparked a flurry of speculation and theories ranging from some sort of “street art” installation through to the orange paint acting as geographical reference points for aircraft to photograph the area ahead of a major redevelopment.

Northern Beaches Council has installed orange road markings, including this one on Griffin Rd and The Strand, on a number of streets in Dee Why. Picture Jim O'Rourke

One long-term local was so concerned about the stripes appearing in her neighbourhood she called the Manly Daily and urged it to “find out what’s it’s all about”.

Well, the mystery has been solved.

It’s all about the Northern Beaches Council and the NSW Government and their concerns for the protection of pedestrians in the popular precinct around the beach.

Council chief executive officer Ray Brownlee confirmed that it, and Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), were responsible for the stripes.

“Council is mindful of the safety of our local community in higher density residential zones,” Mr Brownlee said.

Some of the orange road markings have a brickwork effect while others are just painted on. Picture: Supplied

“For this reason, we have in conjunction with RMS, designated the area between Pittwater Rd and The Strand in Dee Why, and from Hawkesbury Ave to Sturdee Pde a High Pedestrian Activity Zone with a speed limit of 40 km/h.

“This builds on the existing High Pedestrian Zones that exist at the Dee Why Shopping area and near The Strand at Dee Why Beach.

“This Zone is denoted by orange markings across the road and at busy intersections in the area.”

The Zone was approved by the Northern Beaches Local Traffic committee which includes representatives from RMS, Police and the office of State MP for Wakehurst Brad Hazzard.

Mr Brownlee said an information and education campaign around the new speed zone will begin shortly. It will include signs and a letter box drop in the area.