Pittwater Life March 2023 Issue

LIBERAL – Rory Amon
‘I’ll continue legacy of improving services’
Election 2023
Q: What are the main
posed amalgamation now
Pittwater-specific issues
tell me they are satisfied
that you think need addressing?
with the Council and no
longer press for de-amalga-
The biggest issue locals
mation.
raise with me is cost of living.
As a local ratepayer and
The next are preserving
Northern Beaches Coun-
Pittwater’s natural beauty
cillor, I see first-hand the
and continuing to improve
benefits of having a single
local services and infrastructureern
Council across the North-
Beaches. We’ve been
The NSW Liberal Government
able to lower residential
has a strong record of
rates overall in Pittwater
delivering on these issues,
while also funding record
including strong economic
infrastructure, including
management. This allows
an 80% increase in
us to deliver programs that
new footpath spending,
help to reduce the cost of
surf club and RFS Brigade
living, including the Energy
upgrades, and the Narrabeen
Bill Saving Program, backto-school
Lagoon overwater
vouchers and free
boardwalk.
universal pre-kindergarten
Q: The Pitch: Why should
childcare.
voters consider ticking
The NSW Liberal Government
has nation-leading climate and in favour of calling on the NSW Gov-
paper?
a Northern Beaches Councillor, I voted
your box on the ballot
energy policies that preserve our environment
through initiatives such as ban-
poker machine licences on the Northern who is passionate about our community
ernment to put an immediate cap on I am a lifelong Northern Beaches local
ning single-use plastics, expanding the Beaches. I fully support the Premier’s and way of life. Whether it be my five
Return and Earn scheme, and increasing landmark gambling reform package years delivering for the community as a
the size of national parks by more than that protects the vulnerable and stands Northern Beaches Councillor, or my time
600,000 hectares since 2019.
up against organised crime and money as a volunteer firefighter and family
And it has delivered and will continue laundering. I am asking Council’s February
lawyer, I have a proven track record of
to deliver improved services and infrastructure
meeting to affirm its support for standing up and delivering for Pittwater.
including better public transport,
these reforms.
As interest rates and inflation rise, I
upgrades to local schools and roads, Q: Do you think the Pittwater electorate understand that cost-of-living pressures
and improved local health services. is in a better or worse position/condition
are mounting. The Perrottet Liberal Gov-
Q: What are the other important Pittwater
than it was 4 years ago?
ernment has a track record of providing
issues?
Pittwater is in a far better position now targeted and effective relief. This election
Overdevelopment; as a Northern Beaches thanks to the NSW Liberal Government.
is about who you trust to continue
Councillor, I have worked hard to prevent In addition to the B-Line bus service and reducing cost of living pressures.
inappropriate overdevelopment, including
new commuter car parks, we’ve ex-
I will also ensure we protect and
in Newport, Warriewood and Inglepanded
the successful Keoride service; enhance the natural beauty of Pittwater
side. One of my proudest achievements delivered the $50 million upgrade of and continue Rob Stokes’ legacy of improving
as a Councillor was working alongside Mona Vale Public School and the $350
services and increasing invest-
Independent Councillor Alex McTaggart million duplication of Mona Vale Road ment in local infrastructure, including
to secure $4.6 million to protect Newport (East); invested over $5 million in Mona surf clubs, community facilities, schools
Littoral Rainforest from development. Vale and Warriewood Surf Clubs and and roads.
Q: Are there any issues external to committed $75 million for Wakehurst If elected, I will advocate to finish the
Pittwater electorate you are campaigning
Parkway upgrades; and invested more duplication of Mona Vale Road (West),
on?
than $90 million for improved health ensure the Wakehurst Parkway is flood-
Protecting the vulnerable in our community
services at Mona Vale Hospital including proofed, and fight for upgrades to New-
is particularly important to me. the 24/7 urgent care centre, dialysis serport
Surf Club, North Narrabeen Public
As a family lawyer, I’ve spent a decade
vices, palliative care, and rehabilitation and Narrabeen Sports High.
helping clients, often survivors of facilities.
A vote for Labor, the Greens, a minor
domestic and family violence, navigate Q: Should the newly elected government
party, or Independent is a vote for a
the difficulties of family breakdown.
consider dissolving Northern Chris Minns Labor Government – Labor
The Government has a strong record of Beaches Council and at least returning has promised to increase development
delivering initiatives to prevent domestic
the former Pittwater Council?
on the Northern Beaches and cancel in-
violence and support survivors, Pittwater Council was a wonderful frastructure projects, including funding
including doubling down on perpetrators,
organisation. As a Councillor, I have for the Wakehurst Parkway upgrade and
removing barriers to housing for worked hard to ensure that Northern Beaches Link Tunnel. Our local environ-
survivors, and delivering more women’s Beaches Council delivers the benefits of ment will be trashed, and our roads will
refuges across NSW.
a smaller council and the scale of a bigger
reach gridlock.
Problem gambling is another scourge
council.
Only the Perrottet Government has a
on our society. That is why in 2017 as Local resident associations that op-
plan for NSW and Pittwater.
48 MARCH 2023
The Local Voice Since 1991
PHOTO: Northern Beaches Advocate