Council teams are cracking on with the long list of projects planned for this financial year. This includes millions of dollars invested in maintenance of roads, footpaths, parks, wharves, amenities and stormwater infrastructure, supported by the Special Variation to rates. You can see the full list of projects planned and we'll update our progress quarterly.

Congratulations to Vertigo for taking out Northern Composure 2026, our long running local band competition. It was fantastic to see the Northern Beaches PCYC packed with music lovers last Saturday as five talented bands showcased their skills in front of a live audience and industry judges. Many past competitors have gone on to achieve international success, and this year's finalists all have a bright future.

A reminder next Tuesday is Census night. The data collected in the Census helps community organisations, businesses and government make informed decisions about what services, infrastructure or programs are needed to support the local community. It's critical to planning for schools, health care, transport, business and more.

You may already have received a letter with instructions for filling out the Census online and you can request a paper form if you prefer. Or you can visit the ABS Census Hub at Dee Why Library on Tuesday 11 August, 11am to 5pm for information, paper forms and help filling it out.

Finally, with over 62,000 digital Beach Parking Permits now activated be sure to check your eligibility and get yours before stickers expire on 31 August. If you need support call Customer Service on 1300 434 434 or drop into one of our Customer Service Centres. We have extended hours on Saturdays this month at Dee Why Customer Service Centre, 9am to 1pm.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins

Next week we celebrate Local Government Week – an opportunity to recognise the important role councils play in the everyday lives of our communities.

The days of councils being just about 'roads, rates and rubbish' are long gone. Today, local government delivers an extraordinary range of services from cradle to grave that help make our neighbourhoods safe, connected and enjoyable places to live.

Here on the Northern Beaches, Council's work reaches almost every part of community life. We care for more than 120 sporting grounds, 220 playgrounds, 6 libraries, 36 community centres, 6 arts and cultural venues, 2 aquatic centres and 9 early learning centres. We also look after our 21 beaches and 15 rock pools, helping keep our coastline safe and welcoming all year round.

Alongside these facilities, we deliver hundreds of community programs and events, protect our beautiful natural environment and maintain the essential services we all rely on every day, including emptying up to 11 million household bins each year and maintaining over 840 km of local roads.

I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved over the past year, with improvements to roads, footpaths, reserves, rock pools and stormwater infrastructure across the Northern Beaches. I encourage you to take a look at the full list of completed projects and see what's been delivered in your local area.

Local Government Week is also a chance to thank the wonderful people who make all this possible. Nearly 80% of our staff live locally, so they have a genuine connection to our community and are committed to delivering the very best for residents every day.

Finally, I'd encourage you to stay involved. If you notice an issue, please let us know. If there's a project open for community feedback, we'd love to hear your views. And as always, your Councillors and our Customer Service team are here to help. Working together, we can continue to make the Northern Beaches an even better place to live.

Have a great weekend.

Mayor Sue Heins

If you’ve never planned a home extension, a new garage or considered a new business, you might not have come across a Local Environmental Plan (LEP) or a Development Control Plan (DCP). These documents spell out what's allowed on your property or in a particular area, covering things like building heights, landscaped areas and parking.

They also safeguard sensitive environmental areas, heritage and local character, and guide where business parks, industrial land and public open space should go. In short, they provide a rulebook for planning across the Northern Beaches.

Following years of technical studies and community consultation, a new draft LEP and DCP have been completed and are now open for feedback. Most property owners will see little or no changes. You can look up your property and compare the current rules with what’s proposed, or register for one of the available information sessions. Make sure to have your say by 30 August.

The Northern Beaches is a fantastic community that values safety and inclusion. Council plays a big role in supporting connection and wellbeing, and that’s exactly what the draft Better Together 2040 Strategy aims to strengthen – a community where everyone feels safe, included, connected and valued.

The draft reflects input from key stakeholders and responds to emerging social challenges. It’s a 20 year roadmap shaped by the people who live here, focused on wellbeing, belonging and diversity.

We’d love to hear your feedback. The draft is now on public exhibition with submissions closing 21 August.

Finally, the Australian Government will run a nationwide test of the emergency warning system on Monday 27 July at 2pm. Compatible mobile phones will emit a loud 10 second siren, even if they’re on silent or do not disturb, and this may make hidden safety devices easier to locate.

If it’s not safe for you to receive the AusAlert test, the advice is to switch your devices off or put them in aeroplane mode at least one hour before the test and keep them off, or in aeroplane mode, for 24 hours afterwards.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins

Applications for Council's 2026 Grants Program are closing soon, with funding available for projects that strengthen our community, environment, arts, local businesses, sporting facilities and events. Each year these grants help passionate individuals, community groups, businesses and organisations bring great ideas to life across the Northern Beaches. If you're planning a project, don't miss your chance – check the relevant closing date and submit your application.

Calling all young filmmakers!

The Beaches Young Filmmakers Competition is back, challenging young creatives to write, shoot and edit a short film in just four days using a mystery item, keyword and phrase. With more than $3,000 in prizes and a big-screen premiere at HOYTS Warringah Mall, it's a fantastic opportunity to showcase your talent. Register now to receive the secret challenge details.

Our much-loved Underwater Photography Competition also launches next week. This year's theme, Where Protection Brings Life, celebrates the beauty of our protected marine areas. Open to adults and young photographers, the competition features workshops with award-winning photographer Peter McGee to help you capture your best shots. Visit our Underwater Photography Competition page for all the details and key dates.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins

Northern Composure is back, and the heats are giving our community the chance to discover the next generation of Northern Beaches music talent.

As the area's longest-running youth band competition, Northern Composure provides young musicians with invaluable live performance experience, opportunities to connect with industry professionals and the chance to compete for major prizes. Hit bands Ocean Alley, The Rions and Lime Cordiale got their start at Northern Composure, just to name a few.

Check out upcoming heats in Forestville and Warriewood before the grand final at the PCYC on 1 August. Whether you're cheering on a friend or supporting local bands, the heats are a great way to celebrate the creativity and talent of our young people.

For those looking for something to keep the younger kids entertained these school holidays we have plenty on offer. From exploring nature through the popular Kids on the Coast program at the Coastal Environment Centre, to hands-on library workshops, author talks and creative craft sessions, there's something for every interest. Families can also make a splash with school holiday inflatable fun, swimming clinics and diving activities at our aquatic centres. Check out the school holiday survival guide to find out more.

Finally, if you haven't already, now's a great time to apply for your new digital Beach Parking Permit before your windscreen sticker expires on 31 August. We've already issued more than 10,000 permits in the past week. Remember there is a comprehensive list of FAQs and how-to instructions available and our Customer Service team is ready to help you in person or over the phone. Dee Why Customer Service is also open Saturdays through July, 9am to 1pm.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins

There's been lots of news since my last message, with some significant wins for the Northern Beaches community.

Firstly, our Beach Parking Permits are moving to a digital system which is now open for applications. Permits will link to vehicle registration, removing the need for physical stickers. This modern approach means no more lost or damaged stickers, a reduction in the misuse of permits, less plastic waste and ultimately a financial saving for ratepayers.

With over 208,000 permits to transition we understand this is a significant change for our community and have put in place lots of measures to support you. Check out the eligibility, comprehensive digital parking permit FAQs, instructions and how-to video, or call or visit our fantastic Customer Service staff. We are extending hours and opening Dee Why Customer Service Centre on Saturdays in July, 9am to 1pm. And our library staff have also been trained to provide assistance on the new system.

In other news, you may have seen the NSW Government's announcement to expand drone surveillance along the Northern Beaches coastline. This follows strong advocacy from Council and recognises the important role drones play in supporting beach safety. With our beaches attracting millions of visitors each year, the additional surveillance will help lifeguards and volunteers monitor conditions and respond quickly when needed. I thank the NSW Government for listening to our calls for greater investment in this important safety initiative.

Another positive development this week is the new powers given to councils to better manage shared e-bike operators. We've been asking for stronger tools to help address community concerns around parking, safety and operator accountability. These changes will help ensure shared e-bikes remain a convenient transport option while giving us greater ability to manage their operation including implementing 'no-go' and 'go-slow' zones, set parking zones and to penalise operators if necessary.

Finally, happy NAIDOC Week! It's an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to learn from the world's oldest continuing cultures. I encourage everyone to take part in local NAIDOC Week events and activities across the week and to join us in acknowledging and celebrating the significant contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to our community every day.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins

This week I'm writing from Canberra, where I've joined local government representatives from across the country to advocate for improved funding, policy reform and support for our communities.

As an area highly exposed to coastal erosion, storm surges, flash flooding and bushfire, we urgently need stronger backing on the Northern Beaches to protect community assets and to recover when disasters strike. The Australian Local Government Association's national conference is an important platform to highlight these issues and make the case for greater investment at the federal level.

I also had the opportunity to meet with Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who acknowledged the growing challenges our region faces from natural emergencies every year. Together with other Mayors from impacted communities, we discussed how we can drive more ambitious resilience and sustainability agendas to help address these issues.

Also this week, the NSW Government committed a welcome $86.6 million to shark mitigation and management, including SMART drumlines, tagged shark listening stations, drones, education and research. It's pleasing to see the government respond to our calls for greater investment to keep beach-goers safe and we'll continue working with the government and Surf Life Saving NSW to ensure the Northern Beaches remains a priority area for these measures.

Finally, a reminder to head to Manly for the last weekend of Rise Manly. With light installations, Ferris wheel, live music and plenty of treats in the cafes, bars and restaurants, you'll be sorry if you miss it. Check out the Rise Manly program.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins

This week Council endorsed the $598m Budget and Delivery Program for 2026/27 after a month of public consultation that drew more than 8,500 online visitors and 135 submissions. Our community was clear about what they wanted to see – better footpaths, cycling links, upgraded roads and refreshed parks. In response, the Council is making a record $130 million investment in the places locals use every day, from beaches and community facilities to streets and open spaces.

The budget sets a strong direction for the future by improving essential services, maintaining vital community assets, strengthening our community's ability to withstand natural hazards and emergency situations, while identifying millions of dollars in productivity savings. It outlines major capital works across the region, including road resurfacing, upgrades to community and sporting facilities, foreshore improvements, stormwater projects, new footpaths and expanded environmental programs such as tree planting and bush regeneration.

Thanks to everyone who shared their feedback. I'm excited to see these improvements come to life in the year ahead.

Council's community grants program is now open with applications encouraged across a range of categories designed to support local initiatives and communities. From arts and creativity, community development and environmental projects to events, business to business initiatives and sports and recreation infrastructure, the grants range from $2,000 up to $35,000. Check out the grants criteria and apply. You can also learn more and get tips on your application by joining the Community Grants Information Session next Friday, 26 June.

Finally – a reminder to get out and enjoy Rise Manly. Ten days of light installations, music, great food and even a Ferris wheel on the beach front. Check out the Rise Manly program – there are lots of free activities and some excellent ticketed events, all kicking off today. Support our local businesses and make the most of all on offer.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins

With more than one in five Northern Beaches residents aged 60 and over, it's important that we continue planning for a community that is accessible, inclusive and welcoming for people of all abilities. The needs of people living with disability, older residents, carers and families must remain at the forefront of how we shape our local area.

Council has developed a draft four-year Disability Inclusion Action Plan, now open for community comment. The plan focuses on creating safer, more liveable neighbourhoods, expanding meaningful employment opportunities, strengthening Council systems and fostering more positive attitudes towards people with disability.

A big thank you to the many people with disability, carers, families and local service providers who helped shape this draft. Your insights and lived experience have been invaluable. The plan is now on public exhibition until Sunday 5 July and we welcome feedback from the wider community. Your voice will help guide how we focus our efforts over the next 4 years and beyond.

Congratulations to all the remarkable local recipients recognised in the King's Birthday Honours. This year's list highlights individuals whose dedication, service and achievements have made a profound impact on our community. Their contributions to public service, the arts, science, education, philanthropy, sport and community leadership reflect the very best of the Northern Beaches community spirit.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins