I was the Administrator of the former Warringah Council from 2003 to 2008 and saw it go from strength to strength.
Just imagine what we can do now Warringah council has merged with two other powerful councils – Manly and Pittwater.
The new Northern Beaches Council has started on a very strong economic footing. More than 263,000 call the area home. Our gross regional product is $13.33 billion.
We have 93,400 households and 31,000 businesses. There are close to 96,000 jobs for local people.
The 2016/2017 financial year will be very a busy one for the Northern Beaches Council.
We are focussed on delivering key capital projects, maintaining existing service levels for the communities – and then going the extra mile.
We will ensure that economic prosperity, community services and protecting our environment are at the heart of everything we do.
An example of this approach is our recently adopted policy on one parking sticker for the whole of the Northern Beaches region, allowing residents free beach parking in over 40 locations.
For our economy to flourish, it is very important that the Northern Beaches is a viable place for work, employment and infrastructure.
We are actively promoting local businesses. For example, the ‘Business in Pittwater’ initiative is extremely successful with over 900 subscribers.
It supports business owners and teams to learn, grow and collaborate by providing online support and a range of events where businesses can network and gain support in the current economic climate.
We know that for people to work successfully with local government, we have to work hard to minimise red tape wherever possible.
We also know that transport is essential for economic prosperity, both for people travelling throughout the area or into the CBD for work.
For example, in Dee Why, we are conducting bus stop works; car park works; kerb and guttering work; road resheeting; streetscape improvement works and new traffic facilities.
We’re also working with the State Government on the new B Double Express bus service from Mona Vale to the CBD.
The Northern Beaches thrives on tourism, and over the next 10 years, we will grow a diversified economy that caters for locals and our growing number of visitors.
We consider promoting tourism a vital part of the local economy. To do this, we have to maintain our physical infrastructure and key amenities.
In conclusion, I believe that by combining three of the best performing councils in NSW, we can deliver improved services to the community while building on our strong financial position in the years to come.
Mergers on hold
The new Northern Beaches Council was proclaimed on May 12, but several other proposed mergers have been put on hold, as a result of legal action:
• Hornsby Shire and Ku-ring-gai;
• Hunter’s Hill, Lane Cove and Ryde;
• Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby.
