Pittwater Life June 2017 Issue

The man who
News
Interview by Nigel Wall
Residents who opposed the amalgamation
of Pittwater Council into
the new Northern Beaches Council
remain fearful of what lies ahead for our
region after the first Council is elected in
September.
Among the myriad concerns is that
broad brush strokes from decision-makers
within the mega-Council will blot out
Pittwater’s unique character.
Former Warringah Mayor Michael Regan,
42, knows that to many within Pittwater,
his past job linked him to the very thing
they continue to fight – overdevelopment.
Mr Regan has announced his ‘Your
Northern Beaches’ party will nominate 15
candidates across the five Council wards.
So, do we really have anything to fear
from him or his party? And would life be
any different if he happens to secure the
Council’s top job?
Pittwater Life caught up with Mr Regan at
Bilgola Beach to find out more…
Pittwater Life: You supported a Northern
Beaches Council from Day 1… why?
Michael Regan: To be clear, we understood
the State Government was going to
amalgamate us if we didn’t do it ourselves.
It was better we be in charge of our destiny
rather than leave it to others. The benefits
to me were obvious – a well-run large
Council is still better than a well-run small
Council. People talk about the little things
that a small Council does that they fear
won’t be done if a bigger one is created. In
my experience, with the right processes
and people, you have more resources to do
more, thus raising basic service delivery.
The small things don’t get missed. Being
larger means council can afford infrastructure
and, more importantly, maintain
it. I know many people feared their local
identity would be lost but I just don’t
believe that to be true. Those small unique
villages already coexisted within the previous
council and they will continue to exist,
but will be better supported and funded by
the larger organisation. Being one Council
doesn’t stop us from being ourselves,
it allows us to cement that and to better
maintain that unique quality that is the
Northern Beaches lifestyle. It’s an opportunity
to enhance services and infrastructure
and shape the future we want as a community,
not what the State thinks we want,
or says we have to have.
PL: Do Pittwater residents have anything
to fear from you or your party?
MR: Nothing at all. The State Government
forced us to amalgamate. My fellow Warringah
councillors fought the good fight led
by our extraordinary community to save
us from being split in two – the model that
Pittwater Council supported. We will run
candidates across all wards simply so we
can give a genuine alternative to the major
parties and their practice of bloc voting.
We represent the community, not a party
or a local member they generally work for.
The State Government will determine if the
Northern Beaches is to be developed, not
Council. Council will work with them to
ensure that we protect all the unique areas
of the Northern Beaches, from Pittwater to
Cottage Point to Manly. Most importantly
we will work with our community in a
transparent manner to ensure that any
changes are properly managed and are in
24 JUNE 2017
Celebrating 25 Years