Read the Mayor’s message for updates on new recreational facilities and libraries, latest major projects, news and big picture issues that affect the Northern Beaches.
29 November 2024
Everyone has the right to feel and be safe, and you can play a big part in that. Gender-based violence is a tragic reality that affects many women and children on the Northern Beaches.
As an executive member of the Northern Beaches Domestic Violence Network, Council is proud to be involved in the United Nations' 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign that started this week. Stand with us and your community by attending one of the workshops and events planned and Walk Against Violence next Friday 6 December.
You may have heard in the news that the construction company building the new Frenchs Forest High has been fined by the EPA for serious environmental pollution that impacted Curl Curl Creek and Manly Dam (Manly Warringah War Memorial Park).
We welcome this news and hope it sends a strong message to other such large companies to properly secure and contain their sites to prevent damage to their neighbours and the environment. Council has stood with the community on this issue and advocated for the EPA to act and hold the construction company to account.
Families looking for a little outdoor fun and activity now have a new playground to head to. Freshwater Beach’s renovated all-accessible playground is bound to be wildly popular with locals and visitors, and complements the recently installed picnic shelters, BBQs, an accessible ramp, and stairs.
This week I had the privilege to attend the renaming of North Steyne Playground to the Jean Hay AM Playground. This playground, set right on Manly beachfront, now honours one of the Northern Beaches longest serving Mayors who also dedicated more than 50 years of service to the people of Manly.
Have a great weekend
Mayor Sue Heins
Friday 22 November 2024
Yesterday, I opened the much-anticipated new feature at Manly Warringah War Memorial State Park, the Manly Dam Link Trail. The new 400m boardwalk and viewing decks have made the trail more accessible for everyone, making it easier to move through this amazing park. The new trail is designed to complement the peaceful bushland setting and is sensitive to the existing natural environment. Thank you to everyone involved in bringing this project to life.
This week we launched the community engagement program to seek feedback about options for a special variation to rates. We're committed to making sure everyone has the opportunity to understand what the options mean and how they will impact Council’s ability to deliver services and infrastructure, now and into the future. We know this is a difficult conversation but also one we need to have. With cost increases outpacing income from rates, our long-term financial stability is now at a critical point. I encourage you to learn about the proposed options by visiting the Funding our Future project page, using the online Rates Calculator and giving us your feedback. There are also a number of community pop-up information sessions and webinars coming soon, so please join us to find out more.
In other news, Council is looking for volunteers to help with the Northern Beaches' first Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) program. Facilitators will help develop practical and effective emergency plans for members of our community who may be vulnerable and need support, ensuring they are prepared with a clear plan when responding to an emergency. If you are interested, you can apply via our website. Applications close 17 January 2025 and training commences in February 2025.
Finally, you may have noticed that Council’s elves have decorated our local town centres and villages across the Beaches with decorations and lights. Starting 11 December, local musicians will also provide festive tunes with 12 Days of Busking. We hope that by bringing festive cheer to our commercial centres, you’ll be keen to spend some time and do your Christmas shopping locally. By doing so you’re helping keep jobs and support our local businesses.
Have a great weekend,
Mayor Sue Heins
Friday 15 November 2024
Earlier this week, Council resolved to start a conversation with the community about the rates we pay to provide local services and infrastructure across the Northern Beaches.
A conversation about the need to raise rates is not something any councillor approaches lightly, however current circumstances mean it’s an important discussion to protect the long-term financial sustainability of our area.
At Council we are not immune to the rising cost of inflation. Costs to maintain, renew and improve our ageing roads, sportsfields, playgrounds, pools, libraries and other community infrastructure are escalating. And the gap between those costs and the income we receive from rates is growing. Since amalgamation Council has saved millions of dollars in efforts to reduce costs and improve productivity but it’s not enough to cover the gap.
The reality is, unless we intervene, our assets will deteriorate and we will need to make the tough decisions to cut services. Or we could choose an option to make real improvements to community infrastructure, enhance our environmental protection programs and ensure we have a reserve to manage future emergencies.
We need your input. Consultation begins next Monday and I ask you to get informed. There will be resources available online and at all our libraries, customer service centres and more to help you understand each of the four options, what it means to you and for our community. Please get along to a face-to-face pop up near you or join an online information session. You can use our rates calculator to get an estimate on each of the proposed options over three years. Take the time to answer the survey and have your say.
And if you’d like to be notified when the consultation is live and get updates on the project along the way, please register to follow the project page.
Mayor Sue Heins
Friday 8 November 2024
Next Monday we mark Remembrance Day, commemorating the Armistice and acknowledging all those who have suffered or died in wars and armed conflicts across the world. It’s an important opportunity for us all to mark a minute’s silence and think of the sacrifice and commitment of our armed service personnel, past and present. Join a Council service or one of the many being hosted by RSL branches across the area.
A reminder that the first stage of consultation on the Community Strategic Plan closes at the end of next week. We’re asking if the visions and aspirations for the future of our area are still relevant for today. What should our goals be in relation to our environment, local economy and community? We’d love to hear the diverse views of people young and old, from different cultural backgrounds and from across the area. Take the short survey to have your say before 17 November.
As we hurtle towards December, save the date for our popular family Christmas events. With carols, markets and a visit from Santa they are a must on the festive calendar.
This week registrations were also opened for Sun Run 2025, a picturesque 10km or 7km course along the coast from Dee Why to Manly Beach. Over 1000 people have already registered and with the event filling up quickly last year, enter now to avoid disappointment.
Finally, congratulations to our staff for bringing home the Community Impact & Industry Excellence award at the 2024 Parking Industry Awards, recognising Council’s commitment to our ambitious goal of achieving a 30% reduction in vehicle emissions by 2038. More than 20 Electric Vehicle charging stations have been installed across our region, supporting more residents to transition to a more eco-friendly alternative.
And our incredible early learning team must be finding it hard to find the space for all their accolades, winning the Large Community Metropolitan Service Award at the Excellence in Early Childhood Education Awards on Saturday Night, another prestigious recognition for their commitment to local families.
Have a great weekend,
Mayor Sue Heins
Friday 1 November 2024
This week Council staff gave evidence at the NSW Government Inquiry into the use of e-scooters, e-bikes and related mobility vehicles. While the growth of these transport options has some great benefits, it’s clear regulation and education is lagging and action is needed to address both pedestrian and rider safety.
The Inquiry provided the opportunity to share resident concerns with the state parliament and call once again for reforms.
Among other things what’s needed is clear unambiguous legislation to enable police enforcement, speed management and a framework to define types of devices, linked to a range of regulations such as age and passenger limits, permissibility to use footpaths and other areas and licencing requirements. Manufacturing standards and import regulations are also needed so, for example, if an e-bike is not permitted to go above 25km/hour it should not be made to reach speeds greater than this.
The NSW Government flagged their intention to legalise e-scooters as part of a new E-micromobility Action Plan. I look forward to hearing more about how this will work and how the potential impacts of this on local government and the community will be ameliorated.
A final reminder to nominate someone in our Australia Day awards. With applications closing Monday don’t miss your chance to nominate a deserving individual, senior or young citizen, sportsperson, community event or community group.
Have a great weekend,
Mayor Sue Heins
Friday 25 October 2024
A greasy pizza box. A plastic milk container with lid. A takeaway coffee cup. If, like me, you have ever stood at your coloured household bins wondering where to put something, you’ll find the answer in our new Bin it right campaign.
(BTW: greasy pizza box = blue, milk container = yellow and coffee cup = red.)
If we all put our rubbish in the right bin, we’d increase our recycling, reduce costs and divert more waste from landfill. Check out common items which are found in the wrong bin.
Happy 10th birthday to Avalon Car Boot Sale. Join the celebrations this Saturday with roving entertainment, kids' games and facepainting, live music and even some special offers from local businesses. And of course, bag a bargain or two from a range of stallholders selling pre-loved items.
While we are marking anniversaries, congratulations to Fisher Road School for an incredible 50 years. The school’s committed teachers and staff provide a fantastic learning environment for young people with disabilities and are critical to the fabric of our Northern Beaches community.
And a shout out to all the students and their families in the throws of the HSC – hang in there, it’s not long now!
Finally, it has been great getting to know all the new Councillors as induction and briefings continue. If you’d like to learn more about the backgrounds and passions of your elected representatives, you can read their bios and watch their inaugural speeches.
Have a great weekend,
Mayor Sue Heins
Friday 18 October 2024
At the start of every new Council term we review our Community Strategic Plan to ensure our focus now and for the future aligns with the priorities of our community and new councillors. We’d love your input!
Are the goals and outcomes around our local environment, housing, community, transport, arts and local economy still relevant and reflect the direction we should be heading? Take our quick survey and the feedback will be used as we develop the more detailed plan early next year.
We’re celebrating Small Business Month by supporting our local business community to stay well and active. From personal experience I know that when you are juggling the demands of running a small business, self-care drops way down the to-do list, if it’s on there at all. That’s why Council is offering business owners a month of activities across the Northern Beaches. Try reformer, yoga, Zumba or self-defence - check out the program and register for a free class near you.
Finally, it’s great to announce the list of successful recipients for our annual grants program this week. They will support local community groups and individuals to reduce social isolation, support people with disability, improve our local environment and fix local sports infrastructure.
Have a great weekend,
Mayor Sue Heins
Friday 11 October 2024
It’s great to be back! Your newly elected Council is in place and excited to be delivering for the Northern Beaches for the next 4 years.
Your 15-person Council includes 9 female councillors, 8 new faces and 2 councillors under the age of 25 – bringing a fantastic combination of experience and fresh ideas and perspectives to the table.
I look forward to working with newly elected Deputy Mayor Ruth Robins and all the councillors to protect and enhance all that people love about the Northern Beaches. We will continue to manage the area carefully to support housing, employment, local business and recreational opportunities while prioritising the protection of our local environment and community services.
Our job is to serve you, and you can find contact details for me and the councillors for your ward here.
A shout out this week to all the carers ahead of National Carers Week. Three million Australians provide unpaid care to a family member or friend, and it can sometimes be lonely and tough. Often carers need a little care themselves. Carers Australia recommend simple things like checking in regularly with carers, offering them a break, displaying appreciation, encouraging self-care or initiating more formal support can make all the difference. Find out more about National Carers Week and check out local events and resources.
Have a great weekend,
Mayor Sue Heins
Friday 2 August 2024
There is lots to share this week!
First up, congratulations to the 2024 Environmental Art & Design Prize winners. From an incredible field of entrants, the judges had the unenviable task of choosing winners in four categories.
The works of the winners and finalists are now on display across three Northern Beaches venues until 25 August. And don’t forget you also get a chance to judge - vote for your favourite in the People’s Choice Awards.
Good news for young families this week with Council extending our partnership with EarlyEd to continue the toy library service for another 5 years. This popular service offers over 2600 toys for loan at Manly or Mona Vale libraries. This service is great for kids, great for the environment and great for the family hip pocket.
Today has been declared National Green and Gold Day and we are joining in the celebrations to support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes. If you were in Manly last night, you may have seen the Town Hall lit up in our national colours to mark the day. We have a number of locals competing and I am sure, like me, you are all cheering them on from afar.
Finally, it’s Local Government Week, a great opportunity for me to recognise the incredibly dedicated people at Council who work to make the Northern Beaches the best it can be every day. A shout out to our waste collectors and our cleaners, our pool attendants, cemetery, community development and customer service teams. To our events producers, librarians, compliance, arts and environment teams. And to our road, construction and footpath and parks crews, our early learning educators, lifeguards and planners and so many more! Local government delivers an array of services and community infrastructure that make a huge contribution to protecting and enhancing our way of life.
Have a great weekend,
Mayor Sue Heins
Friday 26 July 2024
This Sunday is National Tree Day, Australia’s largest community tree planting and nature care event. We are celebrating by planting 5000 native plants on the dunes at North Narrabeen to help stabilise the area and reduce the transfer of sand into the lagoon.
We’d love your help! Register your interest and drop in between 10am and 2pm. A special shout out to Narrabeen Sports High for giving us a head start, with students getting the planting underway this week. And to all the schools participating in National Schools Tree Day – Council delivered plants propagated by our local volunteers to 22 schools across the area.
The volunteers at Stony Range Regional Botanic Garden are also getting involved and will be giving away one tree per person on Sunday at Stony Range while stocks last.
And of course, Sunday isn’t the only time you can get involved. We have over 450 Bushcare community volunteers working with us on a regular basis to conserve and rehabilitate our natural bushland at over 50 different sites throughout the Northern Beaches. They support us to manage our bushland, dunes and waterways. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people, get some exercise and enjoy our natural areas.
A reminder Creative Open is now in full swing with an incredible array of arts, music, comedy and exhibitions running tonight and across the weekend, including the Creative Open Live music festival in Manly. Be sure to check the Creative Open program to find something near you.
And finally, good luck to all the budding young authors who are finalists in the 2024 Young Writers’ Competition. There are some incredible entries who have developed a piece of creative writing using the featured word ‘crystal’. All the finalists from each category will have their stories published in an eBook that will be added to our library collection, and winners are announced Sunday.
Have a great weekend,
Mayor Sue Heins