It’s my last message for 2025 and I wish it could be filled with positive good cheer. But the devasting events in Bondi last Sunday have cast a shadow across all of Sydney.

Our thoughts are with the friends and families of the loved ones lost and those injured, some of whom are still fighting for their lives.

During the week, Councillor Robins represented the people of the Northern Beaches at Bondi to lay a wreath. At times like these we take strength from the displays of courage and selflessness - from ordinary people who risked their lives to help, from the incredible efforts of the first responders and from the outpouring of community love and support.

There is simply no place for such acts of hatred and violence in Australia. I know our community stands in solidarity with the victims and rejects all forms of antisemitism, hate and violence.

A public condolence book is still open at Manly Town Hall, and everyone is invited to share their thoughts and expressions of support.  Lifeblood is still calling for blood donors and you are encouraged to make an appointment in the coming days and weeks if you can.

If you feel like you need some support during this time you can contact NSW Mental Health Line (1800 011 511), Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636).

While it’s a sad note to end he year I would like to thank all those who reached out to me or other Councillors, who attended Council meetings, provided feedback on projects, reported issues, volunteered, came to events, took part in workshops or contacted our Customer Service Centres. Your involvement and feedback contributes to making the Northern Beaches the extraordinary place we love.

Enjoy the festive season and have a safe and happy holiday period. I look forward to working with you in 2026.

This week, our community recognised and celebrated 9 outstanding local Olympians and Paralympians, whose names now grace the Manly Pathway of Olympians and Paralympians. Their dedication, sportsmanship and passion have not only brought pride to our area but also inspire the next generation of athletes. Congratulations to all our new inductees – you remind us of what can happen when you combine perseverance, sporting prowess and passion. We are immensely proud of their achievements and the example they set for our community.

Council crews have been working hard to get our outdoor spaces ready for summer. This week we’ve completed major works at Narrabeen Lagoon, removing over 30,000 cubic metres of sand to improve water flow and reduce flood risk for nearby homes and businesses. The sand has been used to restore nearby beaches as well as protect local paths. We’ve also reopened Long Reef boardwalk and bridge after a major upgrade, offering a safer, more accessible path along our stunning coastline. Permanent rails and landscaping are coming soon. Thank you to everyone for your patience during these works.

For many, this time of year is full of joy and togetherness, but we know it can also be a challenging period for some. I’m grateful to the many local organisations and volunteers who are hosting Christmas meals and events across the Beaches. Whether you’re looking for a place to share a meal or some company, there are welcoming spaces and friendly faces ready to greet you. Likewise, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and volunteer. Please visit our Community Organisations page for contact details of local organisations and reach out to them for details on events and support services.

If you’re still searching for the perfect Christmas present, gift a local experience like no other – theatre tickets! Glen Street Theatre’s blockbuster 2026 season has just been revealed and it’s going to be a year of unforgettable performances for all ages. A theatre membership is a wonderful way to support local arts and share the joy of live entertainment with friends and family. Find out more about memberships and the 2026 season on the Glen Street Theatre website.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins

Hello everyone, I want to talk to you about the NSW Government's recent planning reforms and what they mean for the Northern Beaches and what we are doing to advocate for you.

We know housing is a big issue and we're committed to delivering new homes, but it needs to be done in the right way that respects the character and the needs of our beautiful local area.

The government's reforms aim to accelerate housing supply, but they miss the mark in 4 areas.

They override local planning rules, they reduce Council's role, they ignore infrastructure needs and they certainly don't allow for your input.

This means housing projects could go ahead without upgrades to roads, parks and the public facilities that our growing community really needs.

We're advocating for your interests at the state government level, and in the meantime, we're doing everything in our power to fill in those gaps.

We've long called for an East West Rapid bus link and the Northern Beaches tunnel, both critical but still undelivered.

Before the reforms passed Parliament, we also fought to keep the environmental cheques and rural fire service expertise in place and raised strong concerns about the reduced community input.

Because planning should be collaborative. We'll be keeping pressure on the state to get this right, and I'll keep you updated along the way. We'll be keeping pressure on the state to get this right, and I'll keep you updated along the way.

With many changes to housing policies starting to impact our area, staff are also preparing resources to help people across the Northern Beaches understand what's coming.

Stay tuned for that.

And in other news that is much more pleasant, Christmas on the Beaches has officially kicked off.

Last night's Manly's Choral concert was buzzing with joyful families and there'll be more to come in Dee Why next week with Christmas by the Beach.

And if you haven't had a chance yet, head to the Ocean Festival and see the winners of the 2025 Underwater Photography Competition.

It's on until this Sunday.

Check out Council's What's On pages on the website for details.

Thanks for watching and have a great weekend.

Housing reforms and planning controls were a big talking point at this week's Local Government NSW Conference, and it's easy to see why. As our population grows, we face the challenge of balancing development with the infrastructure, such as public transport and roads, that supports our daily lives.

Housing affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing our community and long-term strategic planning is essential to get it right. We're advocating strongly for improvements in traffic and transport infrastructure to ensure the Northern Beaches remains connected and liveable.

Anyone who drives around here knows the traffic is a nightmare right now. The B-Line is already full to the brim, and adding more density without solutions would break these services.

I am working closely with the Mayor of Mosman, Ann Marie Kimber and other leaders to push the NSW Government for reforms that consider not just meeting state housing targets but consider transport networks and services that make growth sustainable. That's why we've submitted a planning proposal to the NSW Government seeking endorsement to exhibit new affordable housing contributions for developments across the Beaches and update the existing contribution rate in the Frenchs Forest precinct. We need more affordable housing, not just for today but for the years ahead.

Today is Black Friday, and while it is tempting to jump on the big sales and grab a bargain, I encourage you to think local first. Every dollar spent in our community helps keep local businesses thriving, creates jobs and strengthens our local economy. So, when you're out and about, choose local – your favourite shops, cafes and services need your support! When you shop local, you are not just buying a product, you are investing in our community.

This weekend, head to Manly for the Electric Vehicle and Energy Community Event being run by the NSW Climate and Energy Action group. It's a great chance to learn about EVs, fast chargers and the energy transition and see a new range of vehicles.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins

Council recently won 2 awards that show our commitment to helping the community live more sustainably and stay safe on the roads.

Our Bin It Right campaign received the Communications and Engagement Award at the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW Sustainable Cities Awards, celebrating our commitment to environmental leadership and smarter bin habits.

We also received a National Road Safety Week Certificate of Appreciation from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways Group for our leadership in road safety and education programs, including Australia’s first behavioural change campaign for e-bike riders. I am incredibly proud to receive both recognitions and grateful for the hard work of our staff and the willingness of the community to embrace both initiatives.

This week Council endorsed our 2024/25 Annual Report, which reflects strong financial management and a clear focus on community priorities, including significant investments in capital projects and initiatives to protect the natural environment, reduce carbon emissions and support local businesses.

While there is still work to do to close the asset funding gap, the IPART-approved Special Variation to rates will help us address the backlog of works and maintain and renew facilities and services for our residents well into the future. Track our progress.

One of the ways we supported local businesses this past year was through initiatives like the Rise Manly event, which I’m delighted to share will be back in 2026. Events like this bring people together to enjoy unforgettable experiences, live performances and vibrant activations, attracting visitors and encouraging spending at local businesses. Stay tuned for more details.

Every year, Council hosts more than 40 large scale events catering to approximately 130,000 people and some 300 smaller events where thousand more people connect at our Libraries, Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Glen Street Theatre, Waste Education and even the Aquatic Centres. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the future of events in our area. Please take a moment to check out the Draft Northern Beaches Events Strategy 2026–2035 on Your Say and share your feedback.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins

It was wonderful to be part of the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Manly Warringah Gymnastics and Multi-Sport Centre of Excellence at North Manly. Gymnasts and athletes at all levels are set to bring new energy into the site, as a transformed state-of-the-art 3,000sqm indoor sport centre.

This exciting partnership with the Manly Warringah Gymnastics Club includes a 30-year lease and redevelopment at no cost to ratepayers. The Gymnastics Centre is part of a coordinated upgrade for the precinct, alongside the Golf Club and Council-run Warringah Recreation Centre, creating a vibrant hub with some of the best sporting facilities in Sydney. These modern, accessible venues will support healthy lifestyles and provide beautiful spaces for our community to come together from 2027.

This week, I also had the privilege of meeting and congratulating the once-mysterious “Ivy D", now revealed as a talented Year 3 poet. Ivy nominated Warringah Mall Library to receive a box of children's books after winning a national poetry prize with her creative haiku. This achievement not only earned her a bundle of books but also delivered a wonderful gift to our community by supporting our library. Thank you, Ivy, for being such an active library member and, thank you to Ivy's dad for reading our newsletter and responding!

Finally, as we approach the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, I encourage everyone to take part in this important campaign. It's a time to stand together, raise awareness and commit to creating a safe and respectful community for all. You can learn more and get involved in events. Let's stand together for a safer Northern Beaches.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins

Next week we stop to remember the many armed service personnel who have given their lives in conflict and acknowledge those still in service across the world.

On 11 November 1918 four long and harrowing years of war ended with almost 62,000 Australian lives lost. Remembrance Day commemorates the Armistice at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month and I encourage you to attend one of the many Remembrance Day services being held across the Beaches on Tuesday.

The way we deliver customer service is always evolving. In our fast paced and technology driven world, our customers increasingly expect fast, efficient and easy ways to connect with us – service that is tailored to their needs and available when they need it. The draft Customer Experience Strategy 2030 prioritises this and would see upgrades to digital platforms, smarter and quicker responses and a continued push to embed customer-first thinking in everything  we do.

Over the last four months I’m pleased to say that community feedback on our customer service is the highest it’s ever been. This draft strategy ensures we continue to strive even higher. I encourage you to take a look and have your say.

Finally, Sun Run registrations opened this week, our signature fun run from Dee Why to Manly Beach at the end of January. Register quickly – we've had double our first day entrants ever and, with the capacity set, it is sure to be a sell out again.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins

The whales have been putting on a spectacular show this year up and down our coastline! While there are fewer passing now, you may still catch some of the stragglers as they head from the warmer waters back to their Antarctic feeding grounds. Try one of our great local vantage points such as Barrenjoey Lighthouse, Long Reef Headland or North Head.

The Narrabeen Lagoon entrance clearance is well underway with over 15,900 cubic metres of sand removed to encourage the lagoon entrance to remain open longer and reduce the flood risk to surrounding properties.

Some of the excavated sand has been used to restore the banks at Lagoon St Reserve and in front of Lakeside Holiday Park. The majority of the sand though is being used to renourish Collaroy and Narrabeen beaches. The works were timed to begin after the winter storm season and on track to be complete by the December summer holidays.

Don't forget to grab your ticket for the latest Big Ideas Forum with popular social psychologist and bestselling author Hugh Mackay at Glen Street Theatre next week. Or head down to Walter Gors Park in Dee Why on Sunday for the Bags to Riches market and pick yourself up a bargain.

Finally, a shoutout to Seaforth Anglican Church who just celebrated their 150th anniversary with some wonderful events. How different the Northern Beaches would've been back in those days when transportation across the Spit was initially unreliable, using punts that could carry horses and people.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins

I was thrilled to announce over 70 deserving recipients of Council’s annual grants program yesterday. These grants empower local groups and businesses to deliver meaningful change at a grassroots level. This year's recipients have developed innovative ways to support local businesses, protect our environment and uplift organisations and individuals who play a vital role in building a healthy, connected and a vibrant Northern Beaches. I look forward to seeing their plans and programs come to life and benefit the community.

Council is also proud to be working alongside local sporting groups to reconfigure the Boondah Sports Precinct fields, creating more capacity and better facilities for everyone who loves to get out and play. This transformation is part of the Warriewood Valley Development Contributions Plan and we're committed to ensuring the final design works for all users. Whether you're part of a local club or just enjoy kicking a ball around with the kids, we'd love to get your views on the design.

Over the years, we've seen the power of community input through our Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP), which has led to initiatives like Auslan storytime at the library and tailored emergency preparedness training for the community. We want to keep growing in this space and making the Beaches more inclusive so please share your feedback by Sunday 26 October.

It's also your last chance to nominate for the 2026 Australia Day Awards. The Northern Beaches is full of incredible people and organisations which go above and beyond for our community – please help us make sure they get the recognition they deserve. There are 7 award categories covering individuals, events and community groups and the nomination process is easy. Please nominate by Tuesday 29 October.

And finally, if you're out and about this weekend in Manly you are in for a treat with Beats by the Beach – a weekend busking festival featuring local musicians performing across Manly CBD. Enjoy the talent and soak up the vibrant atmosphere.

Have a great weekend,

Mayor Sue Heins