Why on earth do people run for council?

Sue Heins has just come off the phone after talking with another local business owner who is struggling. “This is a huge part of the reason I’m standing for Council again” says the former Deputy Mayor and current Councillor on Northern Beaches Council. On Saturday 4 December, Sue will be running in the Curl Curl Ward with Mayor Michael Regan’s group – Your Northern Beaches Independent Team. Sue is an accomplished businesswoman, a mentor and now Chair of ‘Women and Children First’ – a local domestic violence support service.   

“Working with our amazing community groups and volunteer organisations as well as helping our local business recover from the pandemic are my two biggest motivators to run again for Council. The last 18 months have been so challenging for our local businesses. They are creative, resilient and have loyal customers, but they can only stretch so far. 

“I’m really proud that the council has set up the ‘Back to Business’ project where we are working with local businesses to get them back on their feet quicker. There’s a lot of hard work ahead and I want to make sure the businesses are supported but also that the community is put first in decision making and that our spectacular natural environment is protected and maintained for future generations”.   

Protection of the environment is also a driving force for Sue’s running partners – Louise Hislop and Ben Grozier. Louise describes herself as a “fourth generation Northern Beaches local” and has been actively involved in many community based projects and organisations, most notably the Friends of Curl Curl Lagoon. “We are so lucky on the Northern Beaches to be surrounded by beautiful bushland, scenic waterways and stunning coastline” says Louise. “But it’s important that we don’t take it all for granted. We need a strong and independent Council to make sure our environment is protected from inappropriate development but also from the adverse impacts of climate change”.

Keeping Council free from the influence of the major political parties is obviously important to Louise. “Elected representatives at all levels of Government – but especially Local Government – should be independent. This means they are only answerable to the community – to the people they are supposed to represent”.  

 Dee Why resident Ben Grozier, running third on the ticket behind Sue and Louise, is equally passionate about listening to the community. The former schoolteacher says genuine consultation with the community is the only way that councillors can make sure they are meeting community expectations. “I’m new to this world of politics” says Ben. “But I’ve really enjoyed the process of engaging with the local community – as a team, Sue, Louise, Michael and I have been holding a series of Town Hall meetings online. It’s been brilliant to hear people’s questions, to exchange ideas, to come up with solutions together. That’s what council, and community, should be about”.  

Ben and his three kids have become a regular fixture at Dee Why beach during lockdown – decked out in their bright orange T-shirts and caps, displaying the “Your Northern Beaches Independent Team” name. Ben says it’s led to some interesting conversations about a range of issues. “I’m always keen to have a chat but it’s really hard to talk about important stuff like this when you you’re keeping your distance and wearing a face mask. That’s why the online Town Halls are great. Everyone has a chance to ask their questions and listen to our thoughts and our vision for the community”.

The online forums have so far been held for Curl Curl, Dee Why, Narraweena and Beacon Hill. The remaining forums will focus on the areas of Brookvale (21 October) and Freshwater, Queenscliff and North Manly (18 November), but anyone from any area is welcome to register.