Pittwater Life May 2023 Issue

PRIORITIES: Progressing the widening of Mona Vale (West) which the
former State Government funded to the tune of $340 million (above);
and a full upgrade for Narrabeen North Primary School (below left).
Q: Labor made promises to the
electorate in the lead-up to the
election; will you be holding
the new Government to account
on these?
Yes. I will hold Labor to account
for their promises to
our area, which was basically
limited to committing to give
Council $13 million further
funding for flood mitigation of
the Wakehurst Parkway.
What is equally as important
is what Labor did not
say. They have been silent on
their position on retaining the
previously allocated funds
for the Wakehurst Parkway
improvements, widening Mona
Vale Road (West), upgrading
Narrabeen North Primary and
Narrabeen Sports High, and
delivering renal dialysis chairs
to Mona Vale Hospital.
Q: Potential overdevelopment
was a major part of your
campaign. Northern Beaches
Council did not finalise its
new Local Environmental Plan
before the change of State
Government. Are you concerned
the new Government
may impose new guidelines
on our Council and if so, what
will you do?
I am concerned about what
Labor could do. My greatest
fear is that Labor may seek to
approve spot rezonings outside
of Council’s planning processes
to facilitate high rise in
Pittwater. I will work with the
Council and residents to fight
such proposals at every stage.
Given Labor is in minority
Government, I will work
with all sides of Parliament to
ensure that proper process is
followed and that Pittwater is
not unfairly targeted.
Q: In four years’ time what improvements
would you hope
to have seen fulfilled across
Pittwater and its fringes?
I’d hope to see flood mitigation
and road safety works undertaken
along Wakehurst Parkway,
upgrades to Narrabeen
North Primary and Narrabeen
Sports High completed, bus
driver numbers increased to an
adequate level so that all services
are available, renal dialysis
services available at Mona
Vale Hospital, the Newport Surf
Club upgraded, and Mona Vale
Road (East) widening complete
and the Mona Vale Road (West)
widening well underway.
Q: What’s the best piece of
advice you have received?
Always put your community
first. Be plain-speaking, and
tell it how it is… this is what I’ll
always do.
Parkway, buses on
Regan action plan
Newly minted independent Wakehurst
MP Michael Regan says
the new State Labor Government is
on the verge of making a significant
announcement on progressing and
expanding flood mitigation works on
the troubled Wakehurst Parkway.
Mr Regan, who has been Northern
Beaches Mayor since the new Council’s
inception in 2017, defeated Liberal
candidate Toby Williams at the March
State Election, thanks to a 54% swing
in votes.
“In my new role as MP for Wakehurst,
I will be continuing to work with
the three other State MPs around me
(Manly, Pittwater and Davidson) along
with the new Government,” he said.
CHALLENGE: Michael
Regan wants bus services
reinstated so students
can return to inter-school
sport competitions.
“Specifically, NSW Labor announced prior to the election that
they would fund the gap of $13 million to Council to get on
with doing the flood mitigation works along the Parkway.
“I have already met with the new Roads Minister and expect
an announcement soon.”
Mr Regan said improving bus services was at the forefront of
his action plan, which would help not just Wakehurst constituents
but also Pittwater residents and commuters.
“We have learned the previous State Government wrote
contracts that actually ‘incentivised’ the private companies to
cancel services,” he said.
“It’s absolutely scandalous. The new Transport Minister Jo
Haylen and I have met on this and will work on numerous solutions,
noting this is not just a Northern Beaches problem.
“There is no easy solution, as the more you dig, the more you
find out about these contracts… it’s not good.”
Mr Regan said the priority was to get school buses on time,
as well as reinstated for school sport.
“It’s going to be a challenge. The contracts should be torn up
and started all over again. At the very least, varied to start fixing
the existing problems they created.
“And there are many issues that all four Beaches MPs – including
the Liberals’ Rory Amon, James Griffin and Matt Cross
– have to work together on. Too many to mention here.
“And I dare say one or two more before this goes to print. But
I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Mr Regan tendered his resignation as Mayor in late April but
will continue in his role as Councillor in Frenchs Forest Ward.
– Nigel Wall
PHOTO: NB Advocate.
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MAY 2023 27