Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan has confirmed he will run as an independent in the seat of Wakehurst this upcoming State Election.
The Frenchs Forest ward councillor is expected to make the announcement public at a press conference at 9.30am today, Friday 27 January 2023.
Speaking with Manly Observer earlier this week, Mayor Regan revealed his candidacy was not part of the teal movement, despite his wife Bronwen Regan having recently worked as Zali Steggall’s chief of staff.
Rather, Michael Regan’s campaign colours will be a mix of maroon, white and a splash of orange – a call back to his campaign colours as an independent for Warringah and then Northern Beaches councils. His independent movement, he remarks, came long before teal and turquoise arrived on scene. “2008 to be exact, in bright orange.”
But why run for state when you already hold one of the more powerful local government portfolios in the country ?
“Massive challenges are facing our community and to be honest the two-party system keeps letting us down. This constant ‘us or them’ mentality is unhelpful. ‘You are either with us or against us’ – it just doesn’t work anymore. Can’t we just all work together?
“Working with the community at a council level has been amazing – we’ve achieved so much together. But the reality is, in so many of these challenges facing us, like transport and congestion, it comes down to it being a state government decision. I think the current government just haven’t shown they are thinking more broadly on a lot of important projects.”
Like what?
TRANSPORT
“There are smart solutions out there – we just need the will and vision to implement them. Like the issue of traffic and congestion – think about the Officeworks intersection and the idea of a Dee Why overpass? Council has been lobbying for this, but it needs State buy-in.
“We’ve got a B-line service, but the lines are huge every day. That’s not good enough when the longest part of your commute is lining up at the bus stop.
“We’ve got a B-line service, but the lines are huge every day. That’s not good enough when the longest part of your commute is lining up at the bus stop.
“We want to expand that B line to Chatswood. There’s a bus driver shortage – what is the State Government doing about it? We need to do something here, maybe it’s pay drivers more or look at the contract? We need transparency and to get everyone in the room to resolve it. Again, initiative and focus. Our whole area needs a revamp with our public transport options. We need more on demand services in the suburbs. Again. smart solutions exist.”
While not said explicitly, it can be assumed he is supporting the expansion of Keoride, an on-demand service run by Keolis Downer, also now the private operator of our bus services, including the B line. Further south, the Council and community donation funded Hop Skip Jump buses days seem numbered.
SOLAR
If elected, Regan says one of his first priorities would be to make it easier for Wakehurst residents to get solar panels on their roof- whether that be through interest free loans or some other feasible alternative. “It’s a no brainer,” he says. “Anyone with solar panels knows the joy of a zero-electricity bill or a very very small one. One of the main reasons people don’t put them up on their roof is the up-front cost. Government can fix that. And it immediately eases the cost of living. Simple. And people in unit blocks or commercial premises shouldn’t be missing out.”
DEVELOPMENT
Regan says he will be focusing on housing affordability, but that this would also mean for locals looking to downsize – more units, more villas. He calls it housing affordability “for everyone”, which will mean building up on large lots once home to single dwellings in areas with infrastructure, likely Brookvale and Narraweena.
“The point is locals want to downsize. Local essential workers like doctors, nurses, police, cooks, cleaners… so many essential workers want to be able to live here. Current systems are failing us, and things are getting worse. Why not redevelop existing stock such as single dwelling homes sitting on large blocks in our area, in areas where there is existing infrastructure, and it can be upgraded. Why wouldn’t we build villas and meet our housing targets and not increase the densities.”
Why not redevelop existing stock such as single dwelling homes sitting on large blocks in our area, in areas where there is existing infrastructure, and it can be upgraded. Why wouldn’t we build villas and meet our housing targets
Develop, sure, he says. But not everywhere.
“We absolutely need to protect the isolated bushland areas such as Lizard Rock where the Liberal Government have given the green light to clearing over 45 footy fields of pristine bushland to put 400 homes in a bushfire prone area. This is over and above existing and agreed state housing targets and the decision to overdevelop went against the wishes of the local Liberal MPs – most importantly the decision completely ignored the voice of the community.”
MAYORAL ROLE
If elected, the Mayor says he would step down in his role but stay on as councillor to see out the term, as he would be permitted to do.
Retiring Wakehurst incumbent Brad Hazzard, also our current Health Minister, has held the seat since 1991, and it’s one of the safest in the state. His nominated replacement is his staffer Toby Williams, pre-selected last week as the Liberal Candidate to keep Wakehurst blue. But there’s strong grass-roots candidates up against the Liberals – Sue Wright in red for Labor, Ethan Hrnjak [who did incredibly well in the Federal election] for Greens. And here comes Regan riding through at the eleventh hour with his big splash of orange.
Will he win Wakehurst? Who knows. But the contest will be colourful.
The State Election is on 25 March 2023, with each candidate to be sent the same questions to answer for Manly Observer’s meet the candidates page. Candidates are permitted to purchase square ads on our website home page for their campaigns but there will no paid editorial or social media advertising permitted at all.
