Read the Mayor’s Message for his updates on new recreational facilities and libraries, development of the ambitious coastal walkway from Manly to Palm Beach and big picture issues that affect the Northern Beaches.
Subscribe to receive the weekly message straight to your inbox.
Saturday 21 October 2017
Saturday 14 October 2017
The changed traffic conditions on Frenchs Forest Road have caused major headaches for many and I am determined to get the RMS to fix this urgently.
While we all want the access roads around the new hospital completed on time, the serious disruptions caused by making Frenchs Forest Rd one-way are completely unacceptable. I made those views very clear to the RMS on your behalf, as well as a number of your suggestions to help alleviate the delays. The RMS committed to analysing your feedback and to trialling different options, including changed phasing of traffic lights at key intersections.
Council will continue to closely monitor the impact of these works and any changes and also ensure that the RMS and its contractors are made aware of any ongoing problems.
Thank you to everyone who has spoken up. I encourage you to keep the feedback coming. Continue the discussion on social media or contact the RMS or their contractor on 1800 014 307 or nbhcommunity@ferrovialyork.com.au.
Traffic and transport are the top priority areas for the Northern Beaches but we want to know what other areas you want Council to focus on over the next three years. Come along to one of the Delivery Program community workshops on until November 8 and help set these priority areas. Sessions kicked-off this week with a youth workshop. It was gratifying to see so many young people engaged in the future of our area.
To all those sitting the HSC next week, good luck! Please take advantage of one of 15 HSC Lock In study sessions being held at our libraries.
Lastly, we all know that carers play a huge role in our community, looking after those less fortunate. It is National Carers Week this coming week and on behalf of Northern Beaches Council I thank all carers for the vital role they play in our community. Council has a range of activities planned so visit our website for more information.
Have a great weekend.
Michael Regan
Saturday 7 October 2017
My fellow councillors and I attended a productive and intensive workshop this week organised by our executive team, preparing us for the challenges ahead in building the type of Council the community expects and demands.
I am aware of recent criticisms and support but the simple fact is, the workshop was integral in providing us with knowledge of the issues facing our community including transport, capital works, parking and land use planning.
As a multi-million dollar community service organisation with competing priorities, it is vital that all councillors work together professionally. I am grateful everyone volunteered their time to attend, which I believe is an investment in the success of our Council.
There is a lot of work to do and I am confident that our highly skilled and passionate councillors will work hard to deliver for you. Exciting times are ahead.
It never ceases to amaze me the extraordinary number of volunteers on the Northern Beaches. This, teamed with our shared love for the environment, makes community events like the Narrabeen Lagoon Clean Up so successful. Come along and give a helping hand next Sunday, 15 October. I encourage you to visit the event Facebook page and volunteer.
I am pleased Council is also managing a number of community-focused initiatives to help care for our beautiful waterways.
We’re partnering with local students, community members and University of Sydney scientists, to see whether oysters can help clean up urban waterways. Our research project at Curl Curl Lagoon starts next week. What a great opportunity to work in close partnership with youth and locals.
We’re also helping local children develop an interest in environmental science through an Australian-first collaborative educational program, the ‘Mountains to Sea’ project. Working with Blue Mountains and Parramatta councils, we’ll be teaching students how people and places are connected through waterways.
Michael Regan
Saturday 30 September 2017
It’s a tremendous, humbling honour to take on the role of Mayor of the Northern Beaches. This is history in the making and I am determined not to let you down. I will represent our people with a strong, independent voice; I will champion the Northern Beaches area at every opportunity and when needed, I will fight for our community.
A lot of words and promises are thrown around during an election campaign - and voters have a right to be sceptical. All too often our elected representatives at all levels of government let us down, becoming influenced by vested interest, opinion polls or power. The result is sadly an increasingly frustrated and disconnected electorate.
Today, as the first Mayor of the Northern Beaches, I make the following promise to you that I want you to hold me to. I will always listen to the community, I will always be open to new ideas and new perspectives, I will always treat my Council colleagues with respect and I will always vote in the best interests of our community. Always.
I’d like to publicly congratulate my fellow elected councillors and give special congratulations to Candy Bingham for her election as Deputy Mayor. Amongst the 15 of us we have diverse views that rightly reflect the diverse community that we represent but we all agree that we live in the best part of the world. You, the voters, have put your faith in us to set the foundations of this new Council and we will work hard - together - to achieve the best outcomes for you all.
I look forward to hearing from community members. Please contact me any time to discuss the issues that are important to you.
Enjoy the long weekend. Safe travels for those heading on holidays and to everyone else, I hope to see you down at Manly Jazz!
Michael Regan
