Join me tomorrow at 12 noon for the SOS Mona Vale Rally at Mona Vale Memorial Hall to send a clear message that Pittwater is against the inappropriate development being pushed not only by Labor, but also the Liberal Party, Nationals and Libertarians.

Although we successfully fought off 4 of 5 of our villages earmarked for low and mid-rise development, Mona Vale was declared one of NSW’s 171 low and mid-rise town centres. However, it’s not only low and mid-rise development that is a concern but also ‘state significant developments’ which also override local planning controls.

To be clear - I am staunchly opposed to the state-led, developer-led planning being imposed by the Minns government, in partnership with the Liberal Party. That’s right – the opposition is not opposing Labor on this issue, but doubling down and supporting these policies. That’s why it’s even more important to mobilise community and have our voices heard.

Since my last newsletter, the NSW Budget has been delivered, with wins for Pittwater including $65m to be spent in the next 12 months on the Mona Vale Road West Project (already underway – latest update here), investment in Northern Beaches Hospital, Narrabeen Sports High School Performance Centre and a huge extension to the shark drone program. There was also significant investment in state initiatives including an uplift for domestic violence frontline services.

Don’t forget to sign up for my upcoming community forums, following the successful Newport Forum and a Youth Crime Forum. These evenings are an opportunity to speak with me and ask questions about key state/local matters.

Thank you to everyone who attended my recent Community Forum in Newport. There was such a great response, I’m hosting more forums across Pittwater in the coming months. I encourage residents to come along, have your say and raise the issues that matter to you.

Wed 19 August, 6pm - Narrabeen Surf Lifesaving Club

Thurs 27 August, 5.30pm - Terrey Hills Community Hall

The Pittwater Electorate Office has relocated to a more accessible and convenient location in Mona Vale village, now with wheelchair access and better parking. The new address is 3/13 Waratah St, Mona Vale - in Bungan Court above Aldi.

Please feel free to drop in and connect with my team. Office hours are 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. You can also reach us on 9999 3599 or [email protected].

I have welcomed the NSW Government’s funding to support better wages for Northern Beaches bus drivers.

However, the government subsidising bus driver wages is a double-edged sword. It’s a meaningful solution to pay bus drivers more (as they deserve), expedite wage disputes and reduce impacts on commuters. However, it also proves that the privatisation of our buses is failing. A private company that won a competitive tender to deliver a service, is now having additional taxpayer money provided to deliver contracted terms. This is not an ideal outcome, but it is a practical solution and one recommended by the NSW Bus Industry Taskforce Report.

Bus drivers are essential to delivering reliable services, and I’ve now called on Keolis to match the Government’s wage offer, reach an agreement with its drivers and restore certainty for commuters.

Keolis needs to focus on improved service delivery immediately and be mindful that their contract ends in 2030. Despite our community successfully fighting to ensure less cancellations on the 190X and other Pittwater routes, timetables have been impacted and there are still too many delays and cancellations undermining a reliable bus network.

My position remains that the full 190X timetable should be restored and ideally extended as more bus drivers are recruited.

Read more here 

The Minns government’s major planning policy is developer-led and state-led planning that takes away community voice. Minns has taken the Liberal’s State Significant Development process and turbo charged it with low to mid rise areas, including Mona Vale as well as the Housing Delivery Authority which accelerates housing projects over $100m.

The problem is, Liberals are backing in the government.

That’s why community mobilisation is so important.

This is a David and Goliath battle where community pressure must increase and be sustained to reverse the ‘housing at any cost’ policies of both parties.

As outlined in the recent Four Corners investigation ‘affordable housing’ is a furphy, particularly in areas with expensive housing like Pittwater. It's a Trojan horse for exceeding height limits without delivering housing that’s actually affordable for our key workers and risks achieving a net loss, rather than an increase in housing.

I recently organised for the Premier to meet with John David of SOS Mona Vale, to directly hear our community's concerns - but the reality is– both leaders of the major parties (and the Libertarians) are doubling down on pro-developer housing, supporting developers and ignoring community voices so we need to up the fight.

Even in recent sitting periods I supported the Member for Wakehurst's bill to prevent development in bushfire areas. Instead of supporting this sensible position, both major parties doubled down on their 'development at any cost agenda' and voted down the bill, showing their support for developments like Lizard Rock to go ahead without the risk of being stopped by RFS advice stating the bushfire risk is too high.

As I continue to be a lone voice in Parliament against these reforms, I encourage everyone to attend the SOS Mona Vale Rally this Saturday 25 July and join with me and others who are fighting these reforms.

Our community has had enough of illegal and anti-social behaviour – from eBike gang intimidation, to stealing from Woolworths and Liquorland and throwing missiles at cars – all behaviour our community rejects.  

In June, I hosted a community meeting with Northern Beaches Area Commander, Superintendent John Duncan so community members could share their experiences and hear directly from police about what is being done.

In Parliament, I’ve given a Notice of Motion to debate this issue. I also recently met with the Minister for Police to advocate for police to embrace a tactical response and for the government to bring the e-bike laws (which have passed parliament) into force immediately and start confiscating illegal e-bikes.

I am pleased that the Northern Beaches Area Command is targeting this issue and has established a proactive crime prevention team. However, the ultimate proof will be how people experience their neighbourhood and if they themselves see a reduction in these issues.

The Pittwater Electorate Office has relocated to a more accessible and convenient location in Mona Vale village, now with wheelchair access and better parking. The new address is 3/13 Waratah St, Mona Vale - in Bungan Court above Aldi.

Please feel free to drop in and connect with my team. Office hours are 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. You can also reach us on 9999 3599 or [email protected].

Northern Beaches Council is encouraging residents to comment on a new, consolidated set of planning rules. I will be meeting with council for a full briefing in August. The draft LEP and DCP are now on public exhibition. To learn more or make a submission, visit Council’s website or call the LEP/DCP customer hotline on 8495 5034 by 30 August.

The Northern Beaches Community Grants are now open, providing funding for a wide variety of community needs, including community development, sports infrastructure, environment, arts and creative activation, small business, and events planning. Applications close 27 July.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to the Northern Beaches Council Community Grants team directly on 02 8495 6119 or at [email protected].

Roses in the Ocean will be facilitating a free online workshop on how to confidently recognise and respond to people at risk of suicide on Thursday 6 August 2026. To register to attend, click on the QR Code, or scan it with your smart device camera. A Roses in the Ocean team member will be in touch with further information. If you require assistance or have any questions, please call 1300 411 461.

The NSW Government has indicated that they will remove the emergency services levy from home insurance and adopt the method used by other states linked to property. There is currently an inquiry in NSW Parliament. Late submissions can be sent to [email protected]