The Liberal party wants us back and they’re not afraid to pay for it. In the last 10 days, the Dutton Liberal Government, via Mackellar candidate James Brown, has promised Northern Beaches voters a total (so far) $12.765 million in community project funding, if elected.
These are popular hyperlocal projects that will resonate with many voters, tapping into local frustrations with rundown rock pools, sports facilities, surf clubs and even Glen Street Theatre. Curiously, most of the cash is going to council projects already at least partially covered in the Northern Beaches Council budget. They are more so local government projects, less so federal. But, with Council seeking a near 40% rate rise to meet its groaning infrastructure backlog, and the funds taking local projects further than current budgets allow, no funding offers are likely to be refused.
So what’s promised?
On 4 April, Liberals committed (if Dutton elected to government) $1 million to renew Avalon and Bilgola rockpools including supporting the relocation of valves. Within the Council’s Capital Works Program 2024/2025, both rockpools are part of a budgeted $893,101 program of works but this is only for planning components.
A few days later, on 7 April, James Brown, Liberal candidate for Mackellar, announced in Instagram $4.5 million to support the rebuild of the Newport Surf Life Saving Club under an elected Liberal government.
On 10 April, Liberals committed (if elected) $1.5 million to upgrade Glen Street Theatre in Belrose. Council has already allocated and completed works in 2024 to the total of $537,830 on upgrading lighting and minor renewal works, though we understand significant further works are required.
A few hours after the ballot draw, on 11 April, Mr Brown announced a $2 million Liberal election promise to upgrade Manly Warringah Football Association (MFWA) facilities at Cromer Park, including upgrading referee change rooms, upgrading the canteen, rebuilding the BBQ hut and fixing the drainage issues.
Vicki Halpin, CEO of MWFA, told Manly Observer she was delighted by the surprise announcement.
“League has the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles club, Union has Rat Park, and Cromer Park is the home of football on the Northern Beaches,” she said, adding that members would work to meeting any funding gap.”
On 13 April, Liberals announced $3.5 million to upgrade the North Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club.
“This commitment will deliver essential upgrades to the North Narrabeen SLSC clubhouse, including waterproofing, the addition of handrails and balustrades, cladding, rendering, lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning replacement and a new bin enclosure. Without these upgrades, the clubhouse faces water damage leading to structural deterioration and exposure to mounting maintenance and repair costs,” a statement outlined.
The following day, on 14 April, Mr Brown announced on Instagram a promised $265,000 to rebuild the Mona Vale Raiders club house.
Both Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts, Senator Claire Chandler, and Shadow Minister for Environment and Shadow Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Jonathon Duniam praised Mr Brown on his ‘commitment to secure this funding for the Northern Beaches.’
But why are Liberals at a federal level promising Northern Beaches voters cash for very local services?
“I’m doing what community representatives should do – listening to the people in our community and delivering commitments for amenities and infrastructure that residents are calling for,” Mr Brown told Manly Observer.
“I’m doing what community representatives should do – listening to the people in our community and delivering commitments for amenities and infrastructure that residents are calling for”
“If elected, as part of the Liberal team, I will be able to deliver the support and services our community needs.”
Promises from politicians in the lead up to elections in marginal and highly desired seats is commonly referred to as pork-barrelling. While Mackellar is not listed on the site at this stage, pork-barrelling from both parties is being monitored by the Crikey website here.
It’s not only Liberals promising Northern Beaches cash to the Mackellar electorate, with federal Labor promising to fund works on Mona Vale Road after State Labor shelved the works. Labor praised Liberal over-thrower, incumbent Dr Sophie Scamps, saying her advocacy helped get the funding over the line. This funding is not election-dependent.
“Completing the upgrade to Mona Vale Rd is one of the biggest priorities for Mackellar – and I’ve delivered on that with $250 million in new federal funding already secured in the Budget to make that happen. The money’s in the bank, it’s delivered,” she told us.
“The Liberals had decades to deliver for our community, but we were ignored and repeatedly taken for granted as a safe seat.
“The people of Mackellar want to see real outcomes – rather than last minute, pre-election cash promises that may never happen under their watch.”
Mr Brown said the Liberal party remained committed to completing the upgrade to Mona Vale Rd, reminding voters that it was the Liberals who funded the first two stages of Mona Vale Rd upgrades.
Written by Avi Vince with introduction and edits by Kim Smee
