Michael Regan was last night elected as the first Mayor of Northern Beaches Council, with Candy Bingham elected as Deputy Mayor.

Mayor Regan will serve a two year term and Deputy Mayor Bingham a one year term.

Mayor Regan said it was humbling but also exciting to be elected as the first Mayor of the newly merged Council.

“I am aware of the enormity of the task ahead for our new Council. But we have an amazing group of Councillors to lead the community forward.

“There are exceptional opportunities and challenges for Council. We want to keep it local at every level and to ensure that we are doing the small things better than we ever have while keeping a focus on the big picture and keeping politics out of the decision-making process. What I have seen already from the new Council is a clear intention to work together.

”Our first decision as a Council was unanimous.”

Newly elected Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham said the people had voted and it was now up to Council to deliver.

“My priorities are to better manage Council’s infrastructure including parks and reserves and public toilets. I want to see a full audit of Council’s public facilities with a view to improving them. I am also focussed on traffic and parking issues, and on ensuring that when Council conducts community consultation, those views are listened to. We can build the best council in Australia.”

Council Chief Executive Mark Ferguson said he was looking forward to working with the new Council, Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

“This is an exciting time for the Northern Beaches and it is a privilege to lead Council’s dedicated staff as we work to implement the policies of the new Council across the broad array of Council services.”

BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS:

Michael Regan:

Councillor Michael Regan was the first popularly elected Mayor of Warringah in 2008 and was re-elected by the community in 2012. Under his leadership, numerous projects such as the completion of the Narrabeen Lagoon trail and the creation of the All Ability Precinct at Collaroy were implemented.

Warringah was awarded the A.R. Bluett Memorial Award, which recognises the best-performing Council in the state. The prestigious award acknowledged a wide range of accomplishments including organisational improvements, a sound financial position, collaboration with community groups and a strong emphasis on projects serving the arts community. Council was also recognised for its excellent infrastructure renewal programs including the Forestville Sporting Facilities. Prior to being elected to Council, Michael worked in the local government sector for nearly two decades in a range of roles including customer service, cleansing and town planning.

Candy Bingham:

Councillor Bingham is a third generation Manly-ite who served as an independent councillor with Manly Council from 2012-2016. With 30 years of management experience including running her own public relations agency, Candy is also the author of five books including the Australian and New Zealand public relations manual which is the recognised text for public relations in both countries.

Councillor Bingham has served on numerous Council committees such as Waste Management, Arts & Heritage, Audit & Risk and Community Safety and Public Domains. She has also worked on fundraising committees for the Manly Women’s Shelter, Manly Rotary and Pioneer Clubhouse and was head of fundraising for the Save our Sea Nymphs project to reinstate the iconic sculpture at Fairy Bower Pool which was destroyed by storms in June 2016. She also enjoys ocean swimming, bush walking and local history.