Pittwater Life March 2023 Issue

Scamps’ community survey results
Climate Change and protecting the environment are the top
national and local issues for Mackellar residents, according
to the results of Mackellar MP Dr Sophie Scamps’ first community
survey.
Dr Scamps said the survey, conducted between October and
December 2022, attracted more than 3,400
responses with 1,311 surveys completed online
and 2,091 paper surveys completed following
an electorate-wide letterbox and “street listening”
campaign.
The results have been released in a report
outlining the top 10 national and local issues
identified by the survey, and how Dr Scamps
will act to represent the community on these
issues.
Dr Scamps said the survey provided a valuable
insight into the issues the community
wanted to see more action on.
“Listening is a two-way exercise so while
many MPs conduct community surveys, it was
important to me that I also shared the results
of this community survey in a timely, transparent
and clear way,” she said.
“To get over 3,400 responses is a fantastic
result, and what really struck me is the high
level of community concern about climate change and the state
of our environment.
“People in Mackellar want to see firmer and faster action on
climate change and they want the government to lead and accelerate
the transition to net zero.
“I’ll continue to hold the Albanese Government to account on
LISTENING: Dr Scamps.
climate policy, and push for strong policies that help us meet
and beat our 2030 climate target.
“Our community is also incredibly concerned about the
health of our local environment. The legacy of Scott Morrison’s
multiple ministry scandal is that our coastline is still under
threat from the PEP-11 oil and gas drilling
licence.
“Our bushland is also under threat from
overdevelopment and projects like the Lizard
Rock development. I commit to continuing to
fight for our community so neither of these
projects go ahead.”
She said that at a national level, the survey
also found that restoring integrity in federal
politics was a top issue for our community.
“To that end, I’ll be introducing my ‘Ending
Jobs for Mates’ Private Members Bill when Parliament
resumes in a bid to end the decades of
cronyism that has eroded faith in the institutions
that underpin our democracy.”
The top 10 local issues (in order) were:
Protecting our local environment; hospitals
and health services; over-development; major
road upgrades; public transport; mental health
services; housing and affordability; waste and
recycling services; coastal erosion; and schools.
The top 10 national issues were: Climate change; environmental
protection; integrity and tackling corruption; cost of living;
orderly transition to net zero; economic growth; housing affordability;
ensuring multinationals pay their fair share of tax; the
cost of energy; and improving public health. – Nigel Wall
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
MARCH 2023 21