Read the Mayor’s message for 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.
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Friday 26 June
At our monthly meeting this week, your Council endorsed a range of initiatives which will benefit our community and stimulate our local community.
The newly endorsed budget contains millions of dollars to support our community as we emerge from the pandemic. It also includes an investment of $105million in community infrastructure for new and better roads, footpaths, pools, playgrounds, amenities and sportsfields.
We also passed an initiative to boost the local economy by appointing local concreters to undertake $500,000 of repair and upgrade works and extended fee waivers for outdoor dining until the end of the year.
A new Manly Life Saving Club is a step closer with an agreement to move to the design stage and Pittwater Rugby Club will see minor improvements while we work on a bigger plan for this area. And we resolved to advocate to the NSW Valuer General for those who will have a huge hike in their rates next year thanks to new valuations.
Have a great weekend.
Michael Regan
Friday 19 June
In welcome news, the review in to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust has been released, recommending a refreshed vision and plan for North Head and resolution of its long-term future.
Due to be handed back to the NSW Government in 2032, the former defence site is an incredible community asset that needs better activation, with many of the buildings vacant and decaying.
On the back of the review, the Federal Government has released $9million for maintenance at North Head and other Trust properties, well short of the $50million recommended by the review, but at least a start.
We look forward to seeing what can be done to activate this incredible public space and working with the Trust, the State, and Federal governments to ensure it is protected and reinvigorated for future generations. There is so much opportunity to have maximum public benefit of this site and I look forward to playing a role in activating its potential.
Have a great weekend.
Michael Regan
Friday 12 June
Happy 90th birthday to Manly Art Gallery & Museum!
It all started when the community rallied for Council to purchase the winning artwork of a competition organised by the proprietor of the Manly Daily way back in the early 1920s.
From there, artworks were donated by artists and citizens and in 1930, the West Esplanade bandstand was converted into a public art gallery. So launched what is now the oldest metropolitan regional gallery in NSW.
Thanks to the Gallery Society, community and our fantastic staff we have an enduring legacy of local art and culture that attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year. It showcases the work of artists across all disciplines, as well as supporting young up and coming artists through, my favourite, the annual Art Express exhibition of HSC students artworks.
Check out the exhibition marking its great history and book a ticket to visit.
Have a great weekend.
Michael Regan
Friday 5 June
While life is starting to return to something more like normal for many of us, for some the impact of COVID-19 has been severe.
That’s why I wanted to highlight some of the great work going on behind the scenes to support those in need.
Since mid-March over 6,500 boxes of fresh produce has been delivered to people across the Northern Beaches doing it tough.
It’s thanks to a fantastic partnership between Council, Harris Farm and services such as the Community Co-op Northern Beaches.
Five days a week, quality fresh fruit and veg generously donated by Luke Harris and his team is packed into boxes and distributed to around 20 front line community organisations who make sure it gets to those who need it.
There are also non-perishable care packs which are made up of donations collected from the community at 47 collection points.
You can help too – check out Community Co-op Northern Beaches on facebook to learn how.
A massive thanks to everyone involved in this initiative as we see again the great community spirit of the Northern Beaches.
Stay safe and enjoy the long weekend.
Michael Regan
Friday 29 May
Thanks to the state government easing more restrictions, we are pleased to be reopening some of the services that we know many have missed, next week.
Our Mona Vale, Dee Why and Manly customer service centres open Monday. You can now book an appointment to avoid the queues.
Our libraries are also reopening their doors Monday, please check the opening hours of your nearest branch. And staff at the Manly Art Gallery & Museum are also thrilled to be welcoming visitors from Tuesday with reduced hours and a new visitor booking system.
Of course all our facilities require social distancing, the application of hand sanitiser and we are encouraging cashless transactions wherever possible. Please follow the rules as we don’t want to go backwards.
Finally a happy 40th anniversary to Long Reef Aquatic Reserve! Such a magical place not only for recreation but critical for education and research. Take a visit and explore the rock platform - you might even be lucky enough to spot a whale on its early migration.
Have a great weekend.
Michael Regan
Friday 22 May
Happy National Volunteers Week!
This week we celebrate the many and varied ways volunteers enrich our community.
We have over 900 incredible volunteers with Council who normally work across eleven areas of Council - from delivering library books to looking after our environment; to hosting community Meals on Wheels lunches or helping out at big events.
In the main, they are on a break thanks to COVID-19 but we look forward to welcoming them all back once the restrictions are lifted.
A massive thank you to you all.
And a note to those in our arts communities - please have a look at the new grants we released this week, to support you through this challenging time.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Michael Regan
Friday 15 May 2020
In a glimpse of light at the end of our long isolation tunnel, this week we see a number of restrictions easing, allowing us to reopen some beloved pools, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skate parks - with conditions of course.
It’s possible only because as a nation, as a community, we have done the right thing and hugely reduced the rate of COVID-19 infection. Of the more than 1,200 tests done at the Manly pop up testing centre recently, there has not been a single positive test returned.
However the message remains – enjoy the new freedoms but keep vigilant. Keep your 1.5m distance from others, continue with regular hand washing and abide by the new 10 person gathering rules.
Our rangers and police can not be everywhere making sure our community does the right thing. We all need to be responsible for following the rules - only then will we be able to move to the next level and return to a situation closer to normality.
Thanks for your cooperation. Have a great weekend.
Michael Regan
Friday 8 May 2020
Happy Mothers Day to all the incredible mums and grandmas out there!
And for those of you still searching for a way to make sure your mum is given the recognition she deserves, please have a look around your local area and support some of our businesses doing it tough.
Many restaurants and cafes are offering brunch, lunch and dinner packages delivered direct to your door or gift vouchers you can purchase for a later date. Similarly many of our local retailers have vouchers where your mum can choose what she’d like from the online store. There’s plenty of local options around if you seek them out. And you won’t just make mum happy but also help keep a business going through these challenging times.
As part of Council’s package to support small businesses to get back on the road to recovery we are launching a free webinar series next week. They are the first in a series with a range of topics to help you access the right grants, operate online or learn new ways of trading. Be sure to register your interest.
This week Council’s budget was put out for public comment. It includes ongoing support for business and community through the COVID-19 crisis, invests $91m in community infrastructure, includes relief for ratepayers and will ensure we don’t leave large debt for future generations. Have we got it right? Please see what is planned and have your say.
Michael Regan
Friday 1 May 2020
It’s great news that as a nation we are flattening the so-called COVID-curve. BUT, Northern Beaches is still an identified hotspot so we can’t drop our guard. NSW Health have opened a pop-up COVID-19 testing station in Manly Town Hall this week. Anyone with even mild symptoms: sore throat, cough, fever, shortness of breath can use it and it's open seven days a week.
So, if you have any concerns at all please get a test and put your mind at ease. The more people we test, the quicker we’ll pick up infections and get on top of them.
Our home delivery library service has been operating for a month now and we have been blown away by its success! In just four weeks we have made more than 9,500 deliveries of over 21,000 books, DVDs and CDs. People are loving it and other councils are replicating our model. Congrats to all the staff involved in providing this amazing service.
Finally, I just wanted to share how proud I was of the response to ANZAC Day this year. In another incredible display of Northern Beaches creativity and passion, social media was flooded with videos of kids playing the last post at the end of their driveways at dawn, home-made wreathes and crosses shared with neighbours, cookies baked, and just a great respect for the occasion in the absence of physical events to attend. In one example a resident organised a small (social distanced) parade on her street, honouring her 97-yr-old grandfather who fought in WW2 and another local Vietnam vet. Her community embraced it and came out with flags and uniforms.
What an awesome community we have.
Michael Regan
Friday 24 April 2020
This year’s ANZAC Day commemorations are to be like none we’ve experienced before. There will be no Dawn Services nor any marches on the Northern Beaches (or even within Australia).
While we cannot physically gather together, there are still many ways we can show the spirit of ANZAC and recognise our past and current armed servicemen and women.
Earlier this week I had the pleasure to catch up with the Northern Beaches District President of RSL Sub Branches, Bill Hardman. We discussed the many ways we can commemorate our ANZAC heroes under these COVID circumstances; we've shared this discussion online and hope it helps you find something suitable for you and your family.
For the early birds, you can tune into the ANZAC service from Canberra from 5.30am onwards, which will be streamed live on the ABC.
At 6am you can ‘Light up the dawn’ by going to the end of your driveway, stand on your balcony or in your living room, to remember all of those who have served and sacrificed so much for our nation.
Also at 6am, brass musicians are encouraged to join Australian jazz legend James Morrison and play the Last Post in their driveways.
Many RSL sub-branches like Forestville RSL Sub-Branch and Harbord Diggers RSL Sub-Branch have special “ISO” activities planned to help residents commemorate in special ways too – including virtual church services. A full list of all activities from our Local Sub branches is available on our website.
Council staff have also stepped in to place 470 Australian flags on war veterans’ graves at Mona Vale and Manly cemeteries. Because of COVID-19 measures, volunteers who would normally do this important work are unable to do so this year.
I’m very grateful to the staff who came forward to volunteer their time to walk around the cemeteries and place the flags. And to the volunteers who have done this in the past and will again in the future – thank you.
Lastly, Council will be sharing the importance of ANZAC Day with our younger generation through our Child Care Centres, as they learn via activities such as making rosemary wreaths, poppy flower necklaces and ANZAC biscuits.
RSL NSW defines the ANZAC Spirit as the qualities of mateship, humour, ingenuity, courage and endurance, with Australians relying on these characteristics when times are tough. So in our current demanding climate, let’s not forget that we too can reflect on these same qualities and draw strength from them.
I wish you and your family health and happiness as we join together this Saturday to commemorate the spirit of ANZAC.
Lest we forget.
Michael Regan
