Failure to nominate ends campaign for 6 councillors
The failure of the Liberal Party to nominate its six sitting councillors on the Northern Beaches has wiped the party out of power on a future council, stymieing attempts at gaining the mayoral position.
The Liberals – headed by Georgia Ryburn as deputy mayor – were the biggest grouping on council, holding six positions, following the defection of Michael Gencher from Your Northern Beaches Independent Team (YNBIT) earlier this year. With 15 candidates set to nominate, and at least six likely to be re-elected, the grouping would have had a commanding position in the mayoral race, which is a deal-making event between elected councillors.
Instead, just one nomination slipped through, effectively locking the Liberals out for the next four years. Cr Ryburn said on an Instagram post it was a ‘devastating’ outcome for democracy. “To say I’m saddened, disappointed and embarrassed is an understatement. I’m especially disappointed for our Liberal supporters, who first voted me in, in 2021.”
The removal of the Liberal ticket has widened the election race, opening up the possibility that the second-biggest grouping on council, YNBIT – headed by Mayor Sue Heins – will get two out of three positions in Narrabeen. The ALP, which does not currently have any spots on council, could also slip through.
There have been some retirements on council, with Michael Regan finally bowing out after 16 years in local government. Mr Regan, who stayed on at council after being elected as Wakehurst MP last year, was the first mayor of the amalgamated Northern Beaches Council. He told PL that he looked back with ‘immense pride’ on his (almost) two terms as mayor of one of Sydney’s biggest councils. He ranked the implementation of the B-Line bus route as a ‘game changer’ and one of his greatest achievements.
As for the importance of local government, Mr Regan said councils ‘touch every part of your daily life. “We look after your children. We collect your garbage. We look after your local roads and sports fields. We protect you on the beaches with the assistance of Surf Lifesaving volunteers. That’s why local for me is the most important.”
Voting is compulsory for all Australians aged 18 and over, and postal voting applications are open until 9 September on the NSW Electoral Commission website.
