We had two consecutive sitting weeks in Parliament to kick off the year.

I was deeply honoured to pay tribute to the Hon. Dame Marie Bashir AD, CVO. It was a significant moment for me as the first female Member for Pittwater, reflecting on the extraordinary life and legacy of the first female Governor of New South Wales. Vale, Dame Marie - read more.

Advocating for Pittwater

My legislative focus this month covered a broad range of local and state priorities. I submitted Questions on Notice on:

• Local Infrastructure: Stormwater, Northern Beaches Hospital, and bus services

• Safety & Reform: E-bike and e-scooter regulation, youth justice, and shark management

• Cost of Living: Tolls, housing, and planning reform

In the chamber, I questioned the Minister for Roads on the progress of Mona Vale Road - read more.  Some design and environmental assessments are underway, and we’re should see land acquisition starting within the next few months and a contractor appointed early next year. I am awaiting formal correspondence, and I'll provide a detailed update when more information becomes available.

I also moved Notices of Motions to urge the government to:

•  revive our local high streets by acting on empty shopfronts - read more
•  address the unique challenges facing Mackerel Beach residents - read more

You can find all my speeches, questions and motions here.

I am planning to introduce my own legislation to properly tackle e-bike safety in NSW that will include registration, licensing, and insurance, which I believe are fundamental to improving safety, accountability and education.

The NSW Government has recently announced new measures, including powers to seize and crush illegal e-bikes, a 250W maximum power limit, and a review of age restrictions for 12–16 year olds. Transport for NSW has also released updated guidance which you can read here. While these steps are important, they won't solve all the issues. Read my media release here. 

Motorised bikes are fundamentally different from pushbikes - they are heavier, faster and capable of causing serious harm. Licensing, registration and clear identification are common-sense measures. From the age of 12, children can obtain a boat licence by completing a course and learning the rules. The same should apply to e-bikes. 

After consulting widely with local riders, pedestrians, retailers, cycling and active transport groups, I am finalising my Private Member’s Bill - the Road Legislation Amendment (E-Bike Regulation) Bill 2025 - which will be ready for introduction in March.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me and contributed to this important discussion. E-bikes are a growing part of our community, and the safety concerns are not going away. I'd like to see the government consult with Pittwater as one of the leading e-bike using electorates in NSW, so we get significant community engagement.

It's time to tackle this issue front on, and my aim is to see NSW set the standard for comprehensive e-bike safety reform in Australia.

Recent shark incidents have shaken our community and I know many people are feeling unsettled. While it was pleasing to see extra funding for drone patrols for the majority of Pittwater’s beaches until the end of April, there are still many questions to answer.

I’ve had talks with the Environment Minister, and I am meeting with the Department of Primary Industries and all the local boardrider groups.

I have launched a community survey, and early feedback shows many people have changed how they’re using the water. If you haven’t already, please share your experiences. Your feedback will guide the next steps I take.