This Sunday marks the beginning of NAIDOC Week, a special time to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and achievements of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

While NAIDOC Week allows us to reflect on the invaluable contributions of our First Nations peoples, it's important to remember that supporting and learning about the oldest living culture on the planet should extend beyond this week alone. By learning about Indigenous histories, traditions, and perspectives, we can foster a greater sense of respect and unity within our community.

If you haven't already, I encourage you to visit our local Aboriginal Heritage Office Museum in Freshwater village open Tuesday to Thursday, 9am – 3pm or explore their online resources to learn about local clans, sites of significance, and culture.

Council has also organised a range of NAIDOC Week events and activities to promote understanding, appreciation, and reconciliation. You can find more information about these events here.

Earlier this week Council endorsed the budget for the upcoming year, which includes a robust capital works program. Despite facing significant external financial pressures, we have successfully balanced our budget and are committed to delivering essential infrastructure and services to our community.

The endorsed budget for the year 2023/24 projects a total expenditure of $507 million, with a significant allocation of $102 million dedicated to our capital works program. This program represents a substantial investment in improving our area and meeting your needs as residents and businesses owners.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to keep the Northern Beaches a vibrant and thriving area and connected community.

Have a nice weekend,

Mayor Heins

Thank you to TAFE NSW for helping members of our community from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with its Northern Beaches Multicultural Expo this week. I attended the event, and it was wonderful to see TAFE students and other community members accessing information on education, employment, and support services. Everyone should have equal access to services, and the more we celebrate diversity in our community, the better we all are.

This week I also had the pleasure of attending the Girls on Fire Rainbow Program, which provides our LGBTQIA+ youth with an opportunity to learn about the role that fire and emergency agencies play in our community. I was honoured to meet the participants and see how the program is building resilience within our community.

Speaking of fire and emergencies, I will be helping to open the new Rural Fire Service Brigade building at Duffys Forest this weekend. The state-of-the-art facilities, including energy-efficient lighting systems, rainwater harvesting, and water wise showers and tapware, will enable our amazing volunteers to better respond to emergencies. Thank you to everyone involved, including the local Brigade, RFS and Council staff, for bringing this project to life.

Next week at the Council meeting, we will welcome Councillor Karina Page to the Council chambers. Councillor Page is the successful candidate in the countback election for the vacant Pittwater Ward Councillor position following Rory Amon’s resignation from Council. Congratulations, Councillor Page. I look forward to working with you to serve the community. Please join me in welcoming Councillor Page.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mayor Heins 

My heart goes out to the Singleton and Hunter Valley community, and families and friends affected by the horrific tragedy that claimed the lives of 10 people – including one of our own who was born here on the Northern Beaches. They were travelling home after celebrating what should have been a joyous occasion. It’s hard to imagine how people can get through such devastation. I find comfort in knowing that when a strong community bands together they can face grief and adversity together. Please continue to send your prayers and support to these families and the community from afar. We sent a message to our local government counterparts in Singleton to send our condolences at this terrible time.

If you have been to Manly recently you would have seen the major pipe repair works happening in the eastern end of The Corso. We are aware of the inconvenience caused to local businesses while we replace some 30 meters of collapsed clay pipes and thank them for staying open and their patience while we complete this work.

While pedestrians can still walk from one end of The Corso to another without stopping, the work site has impacted the local takeaway business’ seating and access. I encourage everyone to come and visit these businesses for takeaway then head across to the beachfront to eat. It’s always great to support local and even better to support local businesses doing it a little tough. Works should be complete by August/September weather permitting. 

Today we announce the 215 finalists in our 2023 Environmental Art & Design Prize. The Prize is now in its third year and brings together artists and designers from across Australia to shine a spotlight on environmental concerns and hopes for the future. It’s also a great opportunity for local artists and everyone who enjoys art and design. Work will go on exhibition across three local venues in early August. You can view the list of finalists and find out more about the exhibition here.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mayor Heins

I am pleased to announce that after an extensive and competitive recruitment process, Council has appointed Mr Scott Phillips as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) this week.

Mr Philips is highly experienced in local government as he was Chief Executive of the Local Government industry body. With his insight and understanding, Mr Phillips will support our Council in navigating the complex challenges and opportunities ahead. I look forward to working with him to deliver great outcomes for the community. He will join Council in late July.

Earlier this week, I welcomed 133 new Australians to the Northern Beaches in a very moving Citizenship Ceremony. It was wonderful to witness the joy experienced as one takes their oath. I will always remember my first citizenship ceremony as Mayor.

It was very special to welcome the Lund family as new Australians. This family of five with three children, one of whom lives with disability, has certainly been on a long journey to get citizenship. I am proud of their grit and never giving up and thank the many people who fought to keep the family in our Northern Beaches community

Last night, our new Deputy Mayor, Cr David Walton presented some of our incredible local eco-warriors with Northern Beaches Eco Awards. The deserving winners make the Northern Beaches a unique and beautiful place to live, work and visit. We are so proud to support and promote the work of these dedicated individuals and the organisations they represent. Congratulations and thank you to all these deserving individuals and groups.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mayor Heins

It was wonderful to see the Taste of Manly back last weekend. Some 22,000 people across the Beaches, Sydney and the state, descended on Manly over the two days to enjoy food, fun, music and sunshine. The event showcased our idyllic destination, all nine of the Beaches local breweries, two local distilleries, 14 local eateries, and nine Aussie wineries. 
 
Destination events like this are so beneficial to stallholders, surrounding businesses and the local economy. I’d like to thank everyone involved for making the event a great success. 
 
This week we also hosted the 2023 Local Government NSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference. Local government staff and councillors from across regional and rural NSW, key industry bodies and local operators came together in Manly to share knowledge and look at the future of our visitor economy. Delegates also visited other parts of the Northern Beaches to experience and learn from the variety of visitor experiences we have to offer. 
 
Now more than ever, we are looking for ways to support the sector, renew tourism opportunities, attract visitors, and boost local businesses. After all, our tourism and hospitality sectors contribute twice as many jobs to the Northern Beaches economy and double the revenue compared to the NSW average. We are looking at increasing visits from friends and families during our quieter, cooler months to balance the pressure of high visitation.
 
One keynote speaker stole the show and won the hearts of delegates—our very own Northern Beaches born-and-bred Layne Beachley AO. It's no secret that Layne is famous for her seven consecutive world title wins and for sharing stories about overcoming challenges with a winning mindset. For someone who spent two decades travelling the world, there is only one place that Layne would call home. She left us all feeling inspired and, for me personally, very proud that we share a connection and love of the Northern Beaches.
 
This week has also been one of reconciliation as we mark National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June). There’s still a number of unique art and cultural experiences to get involved with. Find out more here. 
 
Have a lovely weekend,
 
Mayor Heins

Today is National Sorry Day, a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing.

National Reconciliation Week also starts tomorrow and runs through to 3 June. It's a time to recognise the people who walked this land before us and learn about our shared histories and cultures.

I’d love you to attend one of the many events and cultural experiences Council has planned as together we can all better understand and appreciate our Aboriginal and First Nations people and culture.

At this week's Council meeting, Councillor David Walton was elected as Deputy Mayor. Congratulations, Councillor Walton! For those who don't know, he has tirelessly served our community as a councillor and police officer as Commander of the Northern Beaches Local Area Command and is an active community member.

I look forward to working closely with him as we serve our wonderful Northern Beaches community.

Remember, this weekend is our beloved Taste of Manly festival and with the weather so perfect at the moment, I encourage you to get down to Manly! Visit our website for all the details.

Have a lovely weekend,

Mayor Heins

Thank you for the warm welcome shown to me by many since being elected as your Mayor on Tuesday night. 

I want to thank and congratulate Councillor Michael Regan for his 15 years of service to our community as Mayor of the former Warringah Council and Northern Beaches Council.  Although they are big shoes to fill, I am thrilled to be taking on the role and continuing his great work together with the Council and the community. 

I am very passionate about ensuring everyone in our community has the opportunity to be heard. I have already been fortunate to meet some of our incredible community organisations and local residents and I am really looking forward to representing our community as your Mayor and hearing and learning more from you. 

This week we are celebrating National Volunteers Week 2023. It is a time for us all to celebrate those in our community who give so selflessly of their time for others.  I had the opportunity this week to meet some of our amazing volunteers who work in our libraries, and this is just one of the many areas you could contribute as a volunteer. Family History Fridays are a popular volunteer run section of our Library, if you are keen to explore your genealogy, make a booking at Dee Why Library.

If you have the time, I encourage you to take a look at the many volunteering opportunities at Council and in our community here.

Have a lovely weekend.

Mayor Sue Heins