Sue Heins has been elected as the new mayor of the Northern Beaches.
Councillors voted 8 to 7 at an extraordinary meeting of Council this evening, Tuesday 16 May 2023. The deputy mayor will be elected the following at an ordinary meeting of Council. Cr David Walton was the victor.
Having recently won the state seat of Wakehurst, Michael Regan resigned after 15 years as mayor – first of Warringah Council and then as the first and only-ever mayor of the newly formed Northern Beaches Council after amalgamation.
“15 not out,” the former mayor said as his sign off.
After a series of speeches thanking Cr Regan for his service, the mayor formally submitted his letter of resignation to the acting CEO Louise Kerr.
Cr Regan will stay on council until the local government elections September 2024.
Who is Sue Heins?
After the vote, Mayor Sue Heins said she was absolutely thrilled to be “the first female mayor and second mayor of the Northern Beaches Council.”
Asked what she would most want people to know about her, Mayor Heins said she was a woman who wears “many hats” including as the chair of Women and Children First, a charity helping women and children leaving domestic violence. Founder of Inspiring Women and former President of the Warringah Chamber of Commerce, the Curl Curl ward councillor is also the primary carer for her husband who is living with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body dementia.
Cr Sue Heins, whose official profile is here, will be properly profiled about her vision for the Northern Beaches in subsequent articles.
Michael Regan resignation
“It has been a real privilege and honour to serve our community as Mayor of the Northern Beaches Council,” Cr Regan said.
“I want to thank my fellow councillors and staff for all that we have collectively achieved over my time as Mayor.
“The recent years have of course been challenging, but we have worked together to serve our residents, guide them through the Covid-19 pandemic and responsibly manage Council’s budget to deliver the right services and facilities for our community.”
Northern Beaches Council Interim CEO Louise Kerr said Cr Regan had shown strong leadership and would leave an indelible legacy.
“Under his leadership, Council was twice awarded the AR Bluett Award – the highest accolade for local government in the state – first as Warringah Council in 2015 then again as Northern Beaches Council in 2022.”
A media statement from Northern Beaches Council said Michael Regan was instrumental in driving climate action at Council, oversaw the switch to 100% renewable energy across all our buildings and sites and lead the charge for more electric vehicles and charging stations on the Northern Beaches. During his terms as Mayor, Council slashed its carbon footprint by 80% and saved millions on Council’s energy bills.
“Mayor Regan was also successful in advocating for the new Forest High School, championed the B1 bus line to the city, worked with State and Federal Governments to deliver the Narrabeen Lagoon walkway and to fund its ongoing upgrades, delivered on promises to build new sporting precincts in Curl Curl, Cromer Park and Melwood Oval, identified the opportunity to fund and construct the PCYC at Dee Why and successfully advocated for the Wakehurst Parkway upgrades currently underway to reduce flooding.
“His most notable achievement in recent years was guiding Council and the community through the Covid-19 pandemic, delivering $46 million in support for businesses and the community impacted by the lockdowns, including the innovative Library 2U and back2business programs,” Ms Kerr said.
“On behalf of all staff, thank you Mayor Regan for your service to our community.”
Cr Rory Amon submitted his resignation to Council, having just been elected as the state member for Pittwater. The Liberal party member will serve on the opposition and has been given the positions of Shadow Assistant Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Shadow Assistant Minister for Housing and Shadow Assistant Minister for Youth. He will be replaced by his council election running mate Karina Page.
