Frenchs Forest at a glance
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Council | Northern Beaches Council (former Warringah Council area) |
| Postcode | 2086 |
| Typical homes | Separate houses (92.5% at the 2021 Census), mostly brick and brick veneer from the 1960s onward |
| Growth | Frenchs Forest 2041 Place Strategy; new town centre rezoned near Northern Beaches Hospital |
| Watch for | Bushfire-prone land near Garigal National Park, sloping blocks into gullies, eucalypt leaf litter |
Family houses on the bush edge
Frenchs Forest is almost all houses. At the 2021 Census, more than nine in ten homes were separate houses, most built from the 1960s onward along elevated ridges. The suburb is surrounded by bushland, including Garigal National Park and the gullies running down towards Middle Harbour. Two things drive most jobs here: big homes due for second-round renovations, and bushfire rules for anything new outside.
Much of the land along the bushland edges is on Northern Beaches Council's Bush Fire Prone Land Map, certified in 2020. On mapped land, new decks, additions and some pergolas need to meet a bushfire attack level (BAL) under AS 3959. That decides the timber species, ember screens, glazing and gutter guards a trade can quote.
The town centre and hospital precinct
The area around Northern Beaches Hospital and Forest Way is changing. Under the NSW Government's Frenchs Forest 2041 Place Strategy, a site of about 6.3 hectares has been rezoned for a new town centre with around 1,000 homes, and roughly another 1,000 are planned across the suburb. Streets near the precinct are already seeing townhouse and apartment proposals.
If you live nearby, expect more construction traffic, and check whether your own block's zoning has changed before you plan an extension. Elsewhere, the Warringah LEP 2011 still sets the rules until the consolidated Northern Beaches LEP starts, which council expects around mid-2027.
Jobs Frenchs Forest homeowners ask for
- Kitchen renovations and bathroom renovations in original 1970s and 80s layouts.
- Home extensions and second storeys on large blocks, designed to the BAL where mapped.
- Deck builders using bushfire-rated timbers or composite where required. See composite vs timber decking.
- Gutter cleaning and metal gutter guards, because leaf litter is both a fire and a drainage risk.
- Retaining walls on blocks that fall away to the gullies, where sandstone is often close to the surface.
Higher rainfall on the ridge and big trees also mean damp subfloors and blocked drains are common.
On the streets that fall towards the gullies, some homes are split-level or built into the slope, with a garage or rumpus room dug into the hill. Those lower rooms are where damp, leaking retaining walls and poor subfloor ventilation show up first. Before you fit out a downstairs room or add a bathroom there, ask a trade to check drainage behind the walls and moisture in the slab. Fixing water entry first is cheaper than replacing new flooring later.
Popular jobs in Frenchs Forest
Kitchen renovations
Resolve appliance locations, useful storage and circulation before selecting cabinet finishes.
Get quotesHome extensions
Plan additional space around your existing structure, household needs and site constraints.
Get quotesDeck builders
Create a deck that works with your home, outdoor circulation and site conditions.
Get quotesGutter cleaning
Keep gutters and downpipes clear so heavy rain runs where it should, and catch small problems before they become big ones.
Get quotesBathroom renovations
Plan a bathroom around layout, water management, ventilation and finishes before comparing prices.
Get quotesRetaining wall construction
Plan soil retention, drainage and boundaries together.
Get quotesLocal service guides
- Bathroom renovations in the Northern Beaches
- Home extensions in the Northern Beaches
- Roof restoration in the Northern Beaches
- Gutter cleaning in the Northern Beaches
- Deck builders in the Northern Beaches
- Custom joinery in the Northern Beaches
- Handyman services in the Northern Beaches
- Carpenters in the Northern Beaches
- Tilers in the Northern Beaches
Common questions
Is my Frenchs Forest home on bushfire-prone land?
Many properties near Garigal National Park and the bushland gullies are. Check Northern Beaches Council's Bush Fire Prone Land Map or the NSW RFS online tool, or order a Section 10.7 certificate. If you are mapped, new decks, additions and some outdoor structures need a bushfire attack level assessment, and that changes materials and price.
What does the town centre rezoning mean for my renovation?
For most houses, nothing changes, because the rezoning applies to the town centre site near the hospital. If you are close to it, check your zoning on the NSW Planning Portal before designing an extension, as controls around the precinct have been changing. Neighbouring redevelopment can also affect access, noise and the need for dilapidation reports.
Do gutter guards help in bushfire areas?
They can reduce leaf build-up, which is fuel for embers and a cause of overflowing gutters. In bushfire-prone areas, choose non-combustible metal mesh rather than plastic, and still clean the roof and gutters before each fire season. Guards don't replace the construction requirements of a BAL assessment for new work.