In response to the recent shark attack at Coogee beach our hearts go out to Leah Stewart and her family. We are all waiting in anticipation of Leah's health improving as she remains in a critical condition.

Having listened to over 780+ people in my recent Shark Survey and receiving emails this week, I have again resumed my calls for NSW’s drone surveillance program to operate from dawn to dusk, all year round, rather than scaling back in winter as is currently the case. Also needed are amendments to the Fisheries Act to make the protection of human life an express object of the act as well as an advisory committee to listen to surfers, fishers and other ocean users - they have data and insights that need to be taken into account. The Government must also clearly communicate when and where drones are operating so ocean users can make informed decisions and update the SharkSafe app with more data. Please see more detail of my position in the Sydney Morning Herald. 

The Premier recently visited Pittwater and I was pleased to have the opportunity to show him projects underway, including Narrabeen Sports High School Performance Centre as well as raise other needs and concerns directly with him. I will continue pushing to make sure this visit translates into real progress on the ground as it did following his last visit which led to $500m for Mona Vale Road West. 

It’s been wonderful to catch up with so many residents at our recent community forums and hear directly about the issues that matter most across Pittwater, including an increase in shoplifting from supermarkets and bottle shops and the throwing of projectiles at cars. I’ll be holding more forums in the coming months. Details are below, and I’d love to see you there.

We’ve also had a very busy parliamentary program, with four out of the last seven weeks being sitting weeks. And next week, we will return again for the NSW Budget. 

There are only nine sitting weeks remaining this year.  If you or your group would like to visit NSW Parliament in September, October or November please email my office. For the individuals who have responded to my earlier invitation, please note we are working on combining your requests and will be in touch soon with available dates.   

Read on to learn more ....

Getting local issues on the agenda is paramount and the Premier’s visit to Pittwater included a mix of celebrating announced funding and delivery underway (including Narrabeen Athletics Track, Mona Vale Road West and the Performance Centre at Narrabeen Sports High School) as well as advocating for more grants for sports facilities (most don’t even have female change rooms) and a strategic plan for our emergency services whose buildings have been neglected for decades.

If you care about truth in political advertising, please click here to sign the petition I’m sponsoring.

In NSW, it's perfectly legal to lie in a political ad - but we can change that. South Australia has had working truth in political advertising laws for 40 years. The petition is calling on the NSW Parliament to pass truth in politics laws before the next election. If we reach 20,000 signatures in the next two months, the petition will be debated in Parliament. We have had a recent win with new laws preventing deepfakes used in political advertising - but the reform needs to go further.

Social media has highlighted anti-social and criminal behaviour involving young people, including serious concerns about reckless e-bike riding, shoplifting and unsafe behaviour in public spaces.

In response, I hosted a snap community forum with Northern Beaches Police Area Commander, Superintendent John Duncan, so residents could share their experiences directly and hear from police about what is being done.

The discussion was constructive and wide-ranging. Residents raised valid concerns about safety, while also recognising that the vast majority of young people are not involved in this behaviour.

Superintendent Duncan encouraged residents to keep reporting incidents to police (not just via social media), as reports help identify patterns, direct resources and support police action.

The forum also built on discussions I have had with council, representatives from the shops and supermarkets and in parliament.

In big news, laws have passed parliament and police will now be able to seize and crush illegal e-bikes which should act as a circuit breaker. I’ll continue my ongoing work on e-bike safety, including calling for registration, education and a clearer legal framework so e-bikes are treated differently to pushbikes.

There is no single solution, but better outcomes are achieved when police, schools, parents, young people, businesses, council and the wider community work together.

Superintendent John Duncan at the Avalon Community Meeting

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

• Wed 2 September, 6pm - Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club

• Tues 8 September, 6.30pm - Warriewood Community Centre 

I joined Michael Regan, Member for Wakehurst, for the official sod-turning to mark the beginning of construction on the Wakehurst Parkway improvement project at the Oxford Falls end. Council is responsible for flood mitigation near Narrabeen Sports Track and the Bends which hasn't yet begun.

Wakehurst Parkway is one of Pittwater’s key arterial roads, but for too long it has been affected by flooding, safety concerns and congestion. These works are an important step towards making the road safer and more reliable for the thousands of residents who depend on it each day and will significantly reduce flooding (anticipated from a high of 22 times per year to twice per year).

For more information, please see here.

It was wonderful to host Pittwater’s primary school leaders in parliament and I am looking forward to hosting the high school leaders later this year. I’m always impressed by the students’ thoughtfulness and ideas - with kids like these, our future is in great hands.

• Support for Small Business -  Asking the Minister for Small Business to support small businesses impacted by the Federal Budget family trust changes.  
• Funding for Domestic Violence - Asking Minister for Women and Domestic Violence if the Government would support calls from the domestic violence sector to urgently increase critical funding. 
• Calling for better mental health discharge practices, suicide risk escalation, relapse planning and post-discharge continuity of care in New South Wales in a Notice of Motion.

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].