Former Mayor Michael Regan has been presented with the NSW Local Government Association Emeritus Mayor Award.

The prestigious title is awarded to councillors who have demonstrated exemplary service during their tenure as Mayor.

Now the current Member for Wakehurst, Cr Regan served on Warringah and Northern Beaches Councils for over a decade.

He was the first popularly elected Mayor of Warringah Council in 2008 and was re-elected by the community in 2012. Following amalgamation, he was elected as the first Mayor of the newly formed Northern Beaches Council in 2017 and was reappointed for a second term in 2021.

In presenting the award to Cr Regan, Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins thanked him for his years of service to the local community.

“On behalf of Council and the community, thank you for your 15 years of service and leadership. You now join an esteemed list of former local leaders who were exemplary in their role as Mayor, and dedicated to serving their local communities,” Mayor Heins said.

“Congratulations on this prestigious award which recognises all the hard work you put in to serve the Northern Beaches community.”

Local Government NSW President Cr Darriea Turley congratulated Cr Regan on the award and all his achievements during his four consecutive terms on council. 

“The title of Emeritus Mayor should not be given or taken lightly, as it is a sign of the immense respect that the individual has gained from their peers, but also from the community they served during their time in office,” Cr Turley said.

“His service to the people of Warringah and the Northern Beaches is to be applauded. His actions were exactly what you want from a local community leader.

“Whether it was taking Ministers on tours of local bushland, introducing local surf club members to the Premier or banging on the door of a health minister demanding extra shelters for domestic violence victims, Michael never held back.”

Under his leadership, Council was twice awarded the AR Bluett Award – the highest accolade for local government in the state. 

Cr Regan was instrumental in driving climate action at Council, oversaw the switch to 100% renewable energy across all buildings and sites and led the charge for more electric vehicles and charging stations on the Northern Beaches. During his terms as Mayor, Council slashed its carbon footprint by 80% and saved millions on Council’s energy bills.

He was also successful in advocating for the new Forest High School, championed the B1 bus line to the city, worked with State and Federal Governments to deliver the Narrabeen Lagoon walkway and to fund its ongoing upgrades, delivered on promises to build new sporting precincts in Curl Curl, Cromer Park and Melwood Oval, identified the opportunity to fund and construct the PCYC at Dee Why and successfully advocated for the Wakehurst Parkway upgrades currently underway to reduce flooding.

In recent years, he guided Council and the community through the Covid-19 pandemic, delivering $46 million in support for businesses and the community impacted by the lockdowns, including the innovative Library 2U and back2business program.

The Emeritus Mayor Honour Roll also includes former Manly Mayors Jean Hay AM and Dr Peter Macdonald OAM, former Pittwater Mayors Patricia Giles AM and the late Harvey Rose, former Warringah Mayors Julie Sutton OAM and the late Brian Green OAM.