First female mayor aims to stay in job
Sue Heins is hoping to be re-elected to the top job at Northern Beaches Council at a September meeting to determine who becomes the next mayor.
Mayor Heins took over from Michael Regan in May, when he resigned after election to State Parliament as member for Wakehurst. Ms Heins’ term was only five months, as Mr Regan had almost finished his 21-month term – shortened from two years because the COVID-19 Pandemic had delayed the Local Government Elections in 2021.
Whoever takes the reins will be in charge of Sydney’s fourth-largest council, with a budget of $437 million and 270,000 people. Meeting agendas are always overflowing, sometimes lasting five hours and concluding at 11pm – with items deferred.
Ms Heins, who is only the second mayor since amalgamation of Warringah, Manly and Pittwater councils in 2017, says she was ‘just getting my feet under the table’ and could bring a ‘whole heap’ of stability before the next Local Government elections in September, 2024. Since her election as mayor, Ms Heins said members of the community felt ‘more free’ to discuss issues, and trusted her.
While other contenders are yet to put up their hand as mayor, the position of deputy will also be decided, with Liberal councillor David Walton of the Curl Curl Ward currently in the position. Greens councillor Krystyn Glanville, of the same ward, has declared her interest. “I think that it’s important that there is some sharing around of these roles so different parts of the community feel they are represented,” Ms Glanville, a planning and environment lawyer, said. “The number one issue from the community is the environment. It would be a good opportunity to have a deputy mayor (for whom) environment is the number one issue.”
The new mayor will need to work on the council’s local environment plans, potentially fight the controversial Lizard Rock housing development at Belrose, and keep the multi-million dollar budget tight as it approaches an election year. Mayor Heins has this at the forefront of her mind: “When you run into an election period (candidates) can tend to make promises that can’t be kept. We need to keep our eye on the prize. We love the Northern Beaches and need to be careful about planning for the future.”