Campaigning heats up for September 14 Council election
By Grahame Lynch
Campaigns are intensifying for the North Sydney Council election, with pre-polling beginning on 7 September and the main event taking place on 14 September. Approximately 50,000 residents and property owners are eligible to participate.
The North Sydney Council local government area is divided into two wards: St Leonards, covering the north and west of the electorate, and Cammeraygal, covering the south and east.
As widely reported, the Liberals failed to submit their nominations on time for the St Leonards ward and are only contesting the Cammeraygal ward.
Just four tickets are contesting the five councillor positions in St Leonards: the ruling Real Independents, Labor, the Sustainable Australia Party, and independent James Spenceley. The main point of interest here is which ticket will poll the most votes, earning a second councillor position.
The Cammeraygal ward is more competitive, with seven tickets vying for the five councillor positions. Incumbents The Real Independents, Labor, Team Jilly (with a new head, Pallavi Sinha), Community 1st (also with a new head, Peter Noble), and the Sustainable Australia Party will compete against newcomers, the Greens and the Liberals.
Zoe Baker of the Real Independents
has indicated she will stand for mayor again if returned.
North Sydney Council no longer elects a mayor directly; instead, the ten elected councillors will vote among themselves to elect a mayor and a deputy mayor at their first meeting.
The outgoing council was characterised by a consistent voting pattern where the two Real Independent, two Labor, and two Sustainable Australia Party councillors generally agreed on over 90% of contested votes.
This led to Zoe Baker being elected mayor with a 6-4 majority. The deputy mayor position alternated between Labor’s Godfrey Santer and the SAP’s William Bourke during the term.
This six-vote pattern broke down in recent months, with Bourke dissenting on an increasing number of motions. However, with the use of her mayoral casting vote, Baker was still able to prevail in occasional 5-5 stalemates.
With the Liberals failing to nominate in the St Leonards ward, the Real Independents and Labor are confident they will again prevail overall and have sufficient numbers to maintain their dominant influence after the election.
Pre-polling begins on Saturday, 7 September, pauses on Sunday, and then continues through the week leading up to the 14 September election day. >>p2
Yes, in my backyard. Local young residents seek a voice on housing
By Hannah Wilcox
Young people are increasingly frustrated as the prospect of owning a home in the area where they grew up or wish to live and work becomes increasingly out of reach. This widespread concern has led to the formation of YIMBY, a grassroots advocacy group campaigning for greater housing availability in Sydney.
While the group has achieved notable success in Sydney's Inner West, its message is also gaining traction in North Sydney. This momentum is driven by frustration with local politics that, despite expressing support for more affordable housing, consistently rejects specific development applications that would boost supply.
The council also oversees the second-slowest DA process in Greater Sydney. The North Sydney Sun sat down with four local residents who
Residents Chantal Reid and David Lee lament the cost of local housing
ST LEONARDS WARD
Local gov’t poll
As last year, pre-polling will take place in two locations: North Sydney Council Chambers and Neutral Bay Junction, near May Gibbs Place.
On the actual polling day, voting locations include Anzac Park Public, North Sydney Boys, North Sydney Girls, North Sydney Demonstration School, Neutral Bay Public, Cammeray Public, Cammeraygal High, Naremburn Anglican Church, Waverton Uniting, and St Peter's Anglican for the St Leonards Ward.
Cammeraygal ward voters can vote at Anzac Park Public, Cammeraygal High, Forsyth Park, McMahons Point Community Centre, Neutral Bay Public, Neutral Bay Uniting, North Sydney Boys, North Sydney Girls, North Sydney Demonstration School, St Aloysius’ Junior School, St Peter's Anglican, and St Augustine’s.
In the last election, Team Jilly topped the vote not only in the Cammeraygal ward overall but also at the most trafficked booths: St Aloysius’ Junior School, McMahons Point Community Centre, and Neutral Bay Public. The retirement of Jilly Gibson and her replacement with Pallavi Sinha is likely to impact those voting patterns.
St Leonards Ward was less consistent last time. While Real Independent Zoe Baker topped most booths, Labor’s Godfrey Santer won at North Sydney Girls, and independent James Spenceley won at Anzac Park, highlighting the importance of the “ground game” on election day.
Approximately 20% of voters took the opportunity to vote early during the last election, and a similar trend is expected this time.
Generally, just under 3,000 votes are sufficient for a candidate to win election as a councillor.
The heavily contested Cammeraygal Ward is expected to come down to preferences, with no candidate guaranteed a full quota in what will likely be a very tight race.
This issue of the North Sydney Sun (our first in print for a year, and likely our last) contains profiles on every single ticket.
In light of the relatively low visibility of and engagement with local government issues, we have also dedicated some space to outlining the key issues at this election, where candidates stand on them, and how the votes might play out.
This represents our genuine best effort to create a valuable information resource for the poll.
But remember, we are just one source, and we urge curious readers to seek out other sources and engage with candidates online and in person to gather the facts needed to make an informed choice for the next four years at Council.
CAMMERAYGAL WARD Ballot paper
ST LEONARDS WARD Ballot paper
ST LEONARDS WARD VOTE INDEPENDENT FOR
Experienced Business Background
GROUP B
Existing Councillor with transparent Independent voting record
Not accepting donations, unaligned and truly Independent Track record of community focused voting
Supported sensible development
Protected and Improve character of our areas
Lobby for more open space
Lobby for better results at Cammeray Park with Western Harbour
Tunnel/Warringah Freeway impact on residents
Prioritise fixing Young Street Plaza
Increase support and funding for Precinct System
Fighting Labor’s overdevelopment overriding council controls
Increasing % for affordable and key workers accommodation
JAMES SPENCELEY
SAY NO TO LABOR’S OVERDEVELOPMENT
OUR COUNCIL IS ALREADY THE 3RD MOST DENSE IN NSW
WE ALREADY HAVE LESS OPEN SPACE THAN CITY OF SYDNEY WE ALREADY HAVE TRAFFIC AND PARKING PROBLEMS
Labor’s plan is to allow 4-6 story apartments in the Residential (R3) where currently only single semi/detached dwellings are permitted.
Anywhere within 400-800m from ‘town centres’
Bypasses Council local planning
No guaranteed funding for community & Infrastructure to support growth <1% affordable housing
COUNCIL’S INDICATIVE LIKELY IMPACTED AREAS (400-800M FROM A TOWN CENTRE)
Local young people want YIMBY cause to be heard
Con nued from page 1
identify with the YIMBY movement to hear their perspectives and commit their views to print in order for the incoming council to understand their hopes and concerns.
“I feel like my generation is disenfranchised,” said Josh Morgan of McMahons Point. “I think just having YIMBY is just a symptom of people beginning to come together and organise. This is because we’re not high income earners yet - we don’t own much property here or physical space.”
Without the construction of affordable housing, many would not be able to take advantage of what the area has to offer.
Morgan added: “It’s really important that we get some platforming. I think from a local perspective here, you could really resign yourself to impossibility as the council is just not going to represent people like me at a young age.”
“I don’t feel like much change is going to come out of the next council elections in short, but it is a first step.”
“If you have a debate where none of the young people arrive at the table because they feel defeated, you don’t get a fair representation of other people in the community. So I think it’s important that you have a group of people that can at least represent the emerging groups in the community.”
He said locals who want to see change aren’t interested in sitting around a table with a Council where “eight out of 10 people are fundamentally against development.”
“It’s not even a negotiation or an interesting discussion from them. It’s just a: ‘get out of our way. You have no idea. You are too young.’”
Morgan asked: “I feel like that's where the helplessness comes from in these sorts of suburbs. Why, in one of the wealthiest, smartest parts of town, are they unable to solve those funda-
mental problems?”
Josh Brown of Cammeray agreed, noting there is a clear lack of prodevelopment representation amongst the Council candidates.
“I think we’re a bit of a voice in the wilderness,” he said. “I think that’s been the case ever since the early 1970s. Development’s been a dirty word. There was a flourish in the late 1960s, early 70s of a few residential towers around the place, but I think Ted Mack and a few other NIMBY mayors clamped down on that and declared a lot of the municipality to be heritage conservation areas.”
Brown added: “I think the local residents are quite happy with that because low density equals scarcity and the property values have skyrocketed in that time.”
“So it’s very hard to preach the YIMBY cause in this area.”
UNAFFORDABLE: St Leonards local David Lee admitted it was unlikely he would be able to stay living in Sydney for the long term. “It’s going to take me too long to buy a place and the amount of money I need to earn is actually too much,” he said.
“I was reading through all the statements from the candidates and each one is going to limit the density in the area, or put a brake on the TOD [project] by the State Government.”
Councils often defend their vetoes on higher value apartment blocks on the grounds they aren’t affordable. This irks the YIMBYs, who say that even building more luxury housing will improve affordability overall through the process of “filtering.”
Brown welcomed Council’s cooperation with the State Government’s housing plan in Crows Nest, but notes that it still backs heritage zones which lack credibility.
“The thing that really irks me about Cammeray is they have heritage listed a lot of early 20th century project homes. They’re nondescript, they’re
Council has opposed many residen al proposals including a plan to repurpose the MLC building in North Sydney as an apartment block
not architecturally remarkable, and I really can’t understand why they’ve done that,” he said.
“There wouldn’t be many other cities in the world where you’ve preserved early 20th century houses three or four kilometres out from the centre of the city. It’s bizarre, really.”
Morgan believes the big issue lies within the difficulties of developing older, pre-existing buildings.
“From my perspective in particular, we’re in an old building in an old apartment, the quality of it is decreasing and half the residents are quite a bit older,” he explained.
“We’re not even allowed to level a building that’s old and dilapidated, and put in new apartments that are up to modern standards and codes.”
He added: “I think that means the stock that we get to choose from compromises our lifestyles quite a lot. We need more density.”
“A big barrier here is the deliberate downward pressure on approving DAs,” he added.
QUICKER DAS: “If they can come up with a way or a strategy that the community accepts, with more DAs being accepted or moving quicker through the system, that would be good.”
He expressed concern that the community is divided, with some focused on increasing paper wealth whilst putting aside the consequences for economic productivity.
“My apartment building is really dilapidated, we can’t agree on improving it because we’re scared that we’ll overinvest and then want to sell it, and
then we’ll decrease our margin.”
“What a horrible little spiral to be in, he concluded.
“I think once you have more people in one area, you don't have to travel as far to get to stuff so you can have more supermarkets, more cinemas,” Lee noted.
Chantal Reid of McMahons Point advocates for medium density housing. “I wouldn’t want to live around high density, I wouldn’t want to live around sky rise. I think that’s part of the problem,” she said.
“I think anyone who wants to live in Sydney, just needs to get out of their head that they have to live in a house to live a good life.”
Reid added: “Look at people who live in London and Paris and all of these other really big cities - so many of them live in apartments. It's just that they have to be well-designed apartments that are well connected and I think that’s just the most important thing.”
“North Sydney is the perfect place for this, with such a good connection to the CBD and with a lot of green spaces.”
Reid said she supports YIMBY because she felt hopeless about ever owning a home in Sydney.
“I’d be renting for the rest of my life,” she lamented.
“The actual decisions to boost housing don’t seem to be happening fast enough. I don’t think housing is getting the representation that it absolutely deserves given it is severely impacting young people, or anyone who didn’t buy a house 10 to 15 years ago.”
The “Real” Independents vote with Labor 98% of the time... Yeah, that’s real independent! Let’s
look at a report card for how the Real Independents and Labor have run North Sydney Council for the last three years.
Promised to deliver the North Sydney Olympic Pool but the delivery date has blown out by nearly three years and the cost has nearly doubled to $100 million under their ‘oversight’.
Promised to act on community concerns re the Milsons Point Bike Ramp. They granted heritage consent for Transport NSW instead.
Promised to advocate for community concerns re Neutral Bay Village, instead they consented to opening Young St Plaza to cars and a Coles seven storey/carpark DA that nearby Grosvenor Lane stores say could destroy their businesses.
Promised more transparency, but voted twice against requiring Zoe Baker to take questions on her candidacy for mayor
MaryAnn Beregi & Zoe Baker
Pallavi Sinha flies the flag for Team Jilly
By Grahame Lynch
Jilly Gibson is moving on from North Sydney Council after a record 25 years and handing over the torch to Milsons Point lawyer, Pallavi Sinha, who is heading the Team Jilly ticket in Cammeraygal Ward for the local poll.
Sinha told The Sun that she is “dedicated and will work very hard to serve the best interests of the residents of the North Sydney local government area.” She emphasised her priority is to restore professional oversight of council expenditure and projects, bringing her extensive experience in corporate advisory and legal work to bear at Council if elected.
She is particularly concerned that North Sydney Council has the second slowest Development Application processes and the most expensive legal spend on DAs in Sydney.
“I will take action,” Sinha told The Sun.
“I will develop systems to speed up the review of development applications, thereby reducing cost-of-living pressures, and ensuring that we are not unnecessarily wasting money on legal expenses which then affects us because our rates go up. I also care about young families and elderly people and will focus on pedestrian safety and traffic calming.”
Sinha added she wants to bring a holistic focus to “big things like how the projects are being delivered or not delivered.”
“I will make sure that the North Sydney Olympic Pool is opened. Being over three years behind schedule and reaching twice the originally budgeted
amount is unacceptable,” Sinha said.
“We need representatives on Council with good economic management and oversight. The lack of oversight at the council level at the moment is very concerning, and it is one of my major reasons for wanting to stand, as I believe the level of representation needs to be improved.”
Regarding the pool, Sinha stated: “It’s not satisfactory. In terms of what went wrong, look at the staff turnover, because that created a big void. Who is managing what’s going on? Why weren’t the councillors reviewing it on a constant basis? My approach is proactive and not a blame game like Mayor Zoe Baker is playing.”
Sinha continued, “Oh, now it’s the former mayor’s fault, then now it’s the architect’s fault. So let’s sue the architect and spend another couple of million dollars on litigation, potentially delay it even more, and increase rates for ratepayers.”
Part of the problem, in Sinha’s view, is Council’s tin ear on community sentiment. “There were consultations they carried out, and then they actually ignored the consultation. ”
She cited the example of the Milsons Point bike ramp, where most local residents opposed the state government design and wanted the Council to advocate for a community alternative. However, the Council went ahead and granted consent for the unwanted option anyway, she recalled.
Regarding the Council’s poor record on Development Applications, Sinha said she would improve the process of reviewing DAs, highlighting the
importance of a systematic approach to reduce delays and unnecessary litigation costs.
She advocates for a more efficient system that allows for quicker face-toface meetings, potentially saving weeks of back-and-forth communication in writing.
However, she also stressed the need for balance, ensuring that development applications are thoroughly reviewed without simply rubberstamping them.
Sinha, who values green spaces, opposes hastening development at the expense of thorough evaluation. There should be a balanced approach to de-
velopment, particularly in areas with heritage significance, she said.
“I’ve mentioned economic and legal issues, but I’m also someone who genuinely cares about the high level of domestic and family violence. That’s very alarming and unacceptable, and I would take action to address it. I would also take action to address social issues like loneliness and mental health by creating economic and social hubs to improve people’s connectivity with each other.”
Sinha is a member of the Liberal Party but emphasises that she is not endorsed by them and obtained a waiver to run as an independent.
Greens run pioneering ticket for Cammeraygal ward
Angus Hoy, the lead Greens candidate for Cammeraygal Ward in the upcoming North Sydney Council election, is aiming to introduce a new perspective to a council where the Greens currently have no representation. Hoy's campaign focuses on community engagement, environmental sustainability, and addressing local issues such as housing and climate.
“The Greens haven’t been represented on North Sydney Council in the previous term,” Hoy noted. “I’m looking forward to giving residents the opportunity to see what Greens representatives can bring to the council and our community.”
Hoy, who spent his childhood on the Northern Beaches, attributes his interest in environmental issues to his early experiences with the coastal and marine environments. “I am motivated by a sense of solidarity and community, and a commitment to social, economic, and ecological justice—core
values of the Greens movement,” he explained.
His decision to run for council is informed by his belief in the importance of local government. “Local government is more than just managing roads, rates, and rubbish,” Hoy said. “It’s an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the lives and environment of our neighbours.”
Housing and climate are central to Hoy’s platform. As a renter, he recognises the financial challenges many residents face. “The housing crisis is a significant concern,” Hoy stated.
“Whether you’re dealing with housing stress as a renter or worried about rising costs, this issue affects many in our area.” He advocates for a housing strategy led by the community; focusing on sustainable, affordable, and accessible solutions.
Hoy also emphasises the need to address the climate crisis in conjunction with reducing living costs. “We
can address both the cost of living and the climate crisis simultaneously,” he said. He supports expanding solar and battery schemes and investing in community energy projects that include renters. “It’s important that everyone has access to affordable, clean renewable energy,” he added.
In addition to these key issues, Hoy proposes initiatives such as a free public transport service, council-operated early childhood services, and crisis support services. “There are various ways council can support community cohesion and provide practical assistance,” Hoy said. “I’m interested in exploring these possibilities with North Sydney residents.”
Hoy’s campaign draws on the experience of Greens councillors across the state who have worked on social justice, community protection, and service delivery. He hopes to bring a similar approach to North Sydney.
for a Greens Legislative Councillor.
Artists impression of the Victoria Cross development
He currently works as an adviser
“Through my work as a policy and campaigns advisor, I’ve developed critical skills that I look forward to applying to my work as a councillorstakeholder engagement, interpretation of laws, a deep understanding of policy and a nose for sniffing out something dodgy!”
Jilly Gibson and Pallavi Sinha
Angus Hoy
LOCAL NEWS
Labor’s Santer says it’s better to be inside the tent
By Grahame Lynch
Godfrey Santer,
Labor’s North Sydney Deputy Mayor and candidate for the St Leonards ward, is positioning himself as a key advocate for sustainable energy solutions and community-focused governance as he seeks re-election.
Reflecting on his recent term in council, Santer told the Sun of his efforts to introduce innovative policies aimed at addressing North Sydney’s unique challenges, with a particular emphasis on expanding access to renewable energy in the area.
At the forefront of Santer’s initiatives is a groundbreaking neighbourhood power-sharing scheme designed to make solar energy more accessible to residents in medium and highdensity buildings.
Recognising the barriers to solar adoption in such areas, Santer has pushed for a system where residents can share solar-generated power through a community battery.
“The challenge in areas like ours is the low roof area relative to the number of dwellings and the high proportion of rented properties. This makes it difficult for individual units to benefit from solar power,” Santer explained. His proposed solution allows for solar panels to send energy to the shared battery, ensuring that all residents can benefit.
“By linking to a community battery and sharing the load, we can significantly increase our self-sufficiency in renewable energy,” he added.
Santer’s ability to advance this initiative has been bolstered by his close working relationships with state and federal Labor officials, including direct discussions with Federal Minister for Energy, Chris Bowen.
“It’s better to be doing things inside the tent rather than from outside trying to get in,” Santer noted, highlighting the advantages of his connections to other arms of government in the cause of getting things done.
In addition to his focus on renewable energy, Santer said he strongly advocates for community consultation and governance reforms. “We’ve introduced a progressive tone to the council by showing much more concern for the consultative process with the community,” Santer said.
A key aspect of this approach has been his defence of the precinct system, which he sees as a vital conduit for community sentiment. “There are precincts where you get 40, 50 people along, and it’s a good mix of gender and age,” he pointed out, highlighting the importance of maintaining these community connections.
Santer also addressed the significant challenges facing North Sydney in terms of high-density development and the need for accompanying infrastructure. He expressed concern that state-mandated development targets do not adequately consider the unique
characteristics of North Sydney, where 80% of residents already live in medium to high-rise buildings.
“We’ve said to them that perhaps there hasn’t been due recognition of the fact that we already have a very high density of population,” Santer remarked.
He called for a holistic approach to development, insisting that infrastructure must keep pace with new housing to maintain liveability.
“It’s not just the building of a highrise; it’s what surrounds it. We need to have the infrastructure to meet that,” he stressed.
One of Santer’s key proposals to address the loss of parklands due to recent developments, including the Warringah Freeway upgrade, is the creation of a rooftop park over the
freeway. “We’re putting a proposal in for a rooftop park to connect Cammeray Park with Anzac Park and St. Leonards Park,” Santer explained, advocating for this as a way to reclaim green space lost to infrastructure projects. He argued that the government should invest in this initiative, especially given the significant funds allocated to freeway expansions.
“They’re spending $20 billion on this Warringah Freeway, Western Harbour Tunnel thing for cars. We’re saying, how about giving some of that money towards doing something for the people who live in the area,” he added.
Santer also highlighted the significant loss of tree cover in North Sydney, which he estimates to be around 25% over the last decade due to ongo-
ing developments.
“Trees are the lungs of our society, and we need measures to compensate for their loss,” Santer said, stressing the importance of maintaining green spaces in urban areas.
Looking ahead, Santer is eager to focus on promoting small business and tourism in North Sydney. He sees significant potential in leveraging the area’s natural beauty and historical significance to attract visitors.
Santer also discussed the need to revitalise the North Sydney CBD, which he believes has the potential to become a vibrant hub, particularly on weekends.
“We need to encourage small business to come here and bring the supply for the demand for their products,” he said.
By Grahame Lynch
The upcoming North Sydney local government elections will see two tickets from the Sustainable Australia Party vying for positions in the St Leonards and Cammeraygal Wards.
Michael Want, the lead candidate for St Leonards Ward, and Sarah Kok, running for Cammeraygal Ward, are both emphasising their commitment to sustainable development, community wellbeing, and transparency in government as they seek to address pressing local issues.
Want, who has lived in Crows Nest for the past 15 years, brings extensive experience in project management and the built environment to his campaign. With a degree in Building Science and over 40 years in the industry, Want is particularly focused on promoting economically sustainable development.
“I am passionate about climate change and ensuring this generation passes on a better planet to our children and grandchildren,” Want said, highlighting his deep commitment to environmental issues.
Want also expressed concern about the rapid pace of overdevelopment in North Sydney, which he believes is not being matched by adequate infrastructure from the state government.
“We are particularly lacking in some specific areas of infrastructure, including schools, sporting and recreational space, and safe cycling paths,” he noted, emphasising his intention to make the council more responsive to
LOCAL NEWS
SAP seeks to emulate 2021 North Sydney election success
community needs.
Sarah Kok, the lead candidate for Cammeraygal Ward, shares a similar focus on sustainable development and community wellbeing. A Cremorne resident for over 15 years, Kok is particularly critical of the NSW planning system, which she believes prioritises private profit over public interest.
“Development can definitely improve our quality of life, but only if it’s sustainable and done in a way that respects our environment and community,” she stated.
Kok, who holds a degree in Economics with First-Class Honours and has 20 years of experience in policy, analysis, and strategy, is committed to fighting corruption and increasing transparency in the planning process.
“I will prioritise our community’s wellbeing. I will provide reasons for my decisions. I will focus on the issues, not politics,” Kok said, underscoring her pledge to work collaboratively with all councillors.
Both candidates are running on a platform that reflects the broader goals of the Sustainable Australia Party, which includes putting the environment, heritage, and community first. The party’s 'Environment First' plan aims to stop corruption, curb overde-
velopment, and advocate for the sustainable management of Australia’s population size. These initiatives, the candidates argue, are essential for protecting the local environment and ensuring the long-term liveability of North Sydney.
North Sydney’s LGA has been fertile ground for the party, with victory in both wards in 2021 giving it equivalent representation to Labor and the Real Independents. SAP Councillor William Bourke served as a deputy mayor during his term, using the platform to become an advocate for environmental protection, opposing overdevelopment, and pushing for greater transparency in council decisions. No-
tably, SAP introduced the Sustainability Festival, the Fix-It Hub repair café, and North Sydney Council’s first-ever citizen jury during this term.
“William supported better cycling paths and green spaces and was increasingly a lone voice against particularly inappropriate overdevelopment,” Want said.
As the election approaches, Want and Kok are calling on voters to support their vision for a more sustainable and community-focused North Sydney.
“Only the Sustainable Australia Party will truly stand up to the state government’s overdevelopment agenda,” they asserted.
Crows Nest, North Sydney festivals on the way
It’s that time of year again – the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the Crows Nest Fest is coming to town.
On October 20, Willoughby Road and surrounds, including the newly completed Crows Nest Metro, will transform into a day of festivity and fun. This year’s theme is ‘Connection, Culture and Creativity’ and will ‘showcase the dynamic spirit of the Crows Nest community’.
From 10am to 5pm, enjoy over 200 market stalls, Gourmet Food and Food Truck alleys plus a new Pop-Up Tequila and Taco Bar by North’s Collective Cantina.
Events will kick off with the ‘Canine Caper’ at Ernest Place’s John Griffin Memorial Stage, with 20 local dogs and their owners going snout to snout for best lookalike, best biscuit catcher and People’s Choice Award.
Local artists will compete in live creative sessions throughout the day on Kelly’s Place. Winners will be decided by an audience vote.
Musicians from Big Music will perform all day at Ernest Place whilst local school bands and dance groups take the stage on Hume Street.
A family favourite, the Kids Zone
makes a return featuring a petting zoo, pony rides and the Circus Playground. “We are thrilled to invite everyone to Crows Nest Fest 2024,” organiser JoEllen Henderson said.
“This festival is a true celebration of the vibrant culture and strong community spirit that makes Crows Nest so special.” She added: “We’ve curated a day full of activities, food, and entertainment that promises to make this year’s fest the best one yet.”
Meanwhile, market stalls, live music and roving performers are just a few things taking over the streets of North Sydney during a one day only celebration of the new Victoria Cross metro station.
Running between 11am to 5pm on November 2, the North Sydney Festival is a free, all-ages event that ‘promises a day filled with excitement and entertainment for everyone’.
Festivities will spread out across Mount Street, Denison Street, Brett Whiteley Place and Elizabeth Plaza. A number of market stalls showcasing the work of local artisans will be open, backdropped by an art installation by Thom Roberts from Studio A.
Mary’s and Small Fry Rock will
manage the live music stage with a mix of contemporary tunes, familyfriendly entertainment and classic hits, as well as a segment by Comedian Jennifer Wong.
Hoverboard hip-hop dancer Shaun Parker Company will join a number of roving performers, including the quirky Beeswax and Bottlecaps, to keep the good vibes going – and for the little ones, a designated Kids Zone and storytime tent will run all day.
New and existing retailers and hospitality venues will also extend their trading hours, offering street dining and special in-venue programming. It comes in partnership with the NSW Government through the Open Streets
Program – an initiative aimed at injecting vibrancy into the streets and to create thriving local places that support businesses, creative sectors and the community through events and activations.
“We’re excited to support this event in North Sydney,” John Graham, Minister for Roads, Arts, Music and the Night-Time Economy, Jobs and Tourism said.
Artists impression of the Victoria Cross development
“Too often our main streets are something we drive through, rather than drive to. Our streets are a critical part of our public and social infrastructure. Great streets make great towns and centres and reflect the local community and culture.”
Sarah Kok (above) and Michael Want (right)
Peter Noble: Time for North Sydney Council to adopt experienced, fresh oversight
By Grahame Lynch
Milsons Point resident Peter Noble is heading the CommUnity 1st ticket for Cammeraygal ward at the upcoming Council election, prompted to run by the political factionalism he observed in the current term.
Having been a resident of the area since 2009, Noble said his decision to run for council is driven by a deep concern over the current council's focus on political factionalism at the expense of addressing local issues. “The driver was the hostilities of factions and the political aims of the council. I thought that the council really needed to focus on local issues, and it appeared to be ignoring them,” Noble remarked.
Noble brings a lifetime of legal experience to the table having headed practices across Australia, Asia and North America. His career also includes significant roles in the life insurance industry, where he demerged and listed a life insurance company on the stock exchange.
Latterly, his involvements extended to the Australian Meat Processor Corporation, where he served as chairman, and the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, a Commonwealth research institution focused on feral species and weeds.
His frustration is particularly evident in his criticism of the council's handling of the local pool project.
Noble highlighted what he said was the mismanagement of the pool, which has been plagued by delays and cost overruns. “Two and a half years over $40 million, and you find out that for the first two years of council it effectively wasn't on the agenda and nothing happened,” he explained.
Noble’s approach to resolving this issue is rooted in his extensive experience with large projects, particularly in the IT integration and mergers and acquisitions sectors. He advocates for a more hands-on approach, suggesting that the council should engage directly with contractors and stakeholders to resolve the issues rather than resorting to litigation, as council has done with a lawsuit against the architect. “Suing them just puts up a big wall. Once you start suing people, then the walls go up,” he added.
Noble is also keen on revitalising Bradfield Park, proposing a comprehensive master plan to enhance both the north and south sections of the park. He criticised the current state of the park, particularly the presence of Transport for New South Wales, which has taken over parts of Bradfield Park South to build a controversial bike ramp. “We should kick Transport for New South Wales out of Bradfield Park South. I think the (original enabling) legislation shows that the land should come back to North Sydney Council, and we ought to push them for it,” Noble stated.
His vision for the park includes improving the canopy by planting 2,000 trees owed to Council by virtue of the 2-for-1 tree state government policy and the use of Cammeray Park land for road purposes, which he believes would significantly reduce the ambient temperature in the area. “If you keep putting concrete paths all over the place, then the ambient temperature's going to go up,” he noted.
Noble also expressed concern over the neglect of existing master plans, particularly those for the waterfront areas around Lavender Bay and Blues
Point. “They’re all just languishing in council. They’ve been there since 2019. They need to be resurrected,” he said. He pointed out the poor state of pedestrian infrastructure in these areas, such as under the Harbour Bridge and around Blues Point, where barriers and neglected walkways create an unpleasant environment.
“In terms of active transport, pedestrians are a rather neglected lot, and there are 10 times more pedestrians walking around here than there are other people on bikes, Noble asserted, emphasising the need for better infrastructure to support pedestrian traffic.
Central to Noble’s campaign is a call for greater unity and purpose within the council. He expressed concern over the entrenched factional hostilities he believes undermine effective governance and prevents the council from addressing the real issues facing the community.
FACTIONALISM: “When I go there, it’s just factional hostility,” Noble observed. He questioned the current leadership’s ability to foster collaboration among councillors, stating, “that takes a really strong mayor, and I don’t know whether the mayor actually engages with the councillors on a basis where she can get that sort of trust around the boardroom so you can have a proper conversation.”
Noble also criticised the council’s handling of heritage issues, particularly the bike ramp approval process. He noted that despite strong opposition from the community and councillors, six members voted in favour of giving heritage consent for the project’s land requirement due to a misunderstanding of the legal context. “They had to
get three separate sources of legal advice to understand what the law was,” Noble said. He emphasised the importance of preserving the heritage value of the area while also accommodating necessary infrastructure improvements, suggesting alternative solutions like the community cycle ramp design.
Ian Mutton, a sitting councillor who has chosen to run on the difficult position of two on the CommUnity 1st ticker after two terms, explained his decision to have Peter Noble lead their election ticket.
“For any council to be successful, to properly represent the community, it's imperative that the composition of council turn over constantly and you get to a point after two terms when it’s time to hand over, it’s time to bring new people on,” Mutton said.
Mutton said “The problem with North Sydney Council at the moment is the debates are empty because the positions don’t change,” he added, underscoring the importance of fresh leadership.
Noble is a Liberal Party member but does not have their endorsement.
Artists impression of the Victoria Cross development
It’s time to change: a new vision for North Sydney.
Our goals are driven by the North Sydney Community, not politics nor factions. This is our vision
Respect for Community Views
Fully recognise and respond to community needs and preferences - and never use ‘community consultation’ as a political tool. A petition signed by almost 1,000 residents on the Bradfield Park cycle track was ignored; the 83% preference against limited parking in new developments was ignored; the majority preference for the Young Street plaza and playground was ignored.
A Greener North Sydney
Increase green open spaces and greater tree canopi es to enhance community amenity and benefit the environment. Lost greening opportunities include Cammeray Golf Course/St Leonards Park swap; Miller Street Plaza; Waverton Bowling Club.
Establish a plan for North Sydney to become a leader in this field. North Sydney currently has less green space per capita than any other LGA, including the City of Sydney.
More efficient and experienced management
Establish a stable Council staff. Council is currently suffering high staff turnover, including 3 General Managers and replacement of every director in just the last term.
Speed up DA approvals. North Sydney is the second slowest Council in greater Sydney.
Improve project management. The Olympic Pool is 2.5 years late and $40m over an unclear ‘budget’.
Implement languishing plans
Revive beneficial projects that currently are shelved or neglected. Landscaping of iconic Southern end of Bradfield Park; McMahons Point Master Plan; landscaping of Berrys’ Bay foreshore land, promised in 2016
Take a strong stand for North Sydney
Be proactive & strong in relation to State deve lopments and plans that impact adversely on North Sydney. Traffic management plans of Transport for NSW, Warringah Freeway, walking trails and cycleways.
Peter Noble Ian Mutton
The Sun Says
Council elections are here again, with ten positions up for grabs.
With the Liberals failing to nominate in St Leonards Ward, the most likely outcome of the September 14 election is a repeat of the Real Independents and Labor dominance on the council. With just four tickets running for five positions in the northern ward, it’s certain that someone will secure election of a second candidate.
The Real Independents and Zoe Baker seem best-placed here, unless disenfranchised Liberal voters shift their support to an alternative candidate like James Spenceley. A wildcard could be the appeal of NSW Labor’s pro-development policies to younger voters, potentially boosting support for Labor candidate Godfrey Santer.
In the southern Cammeraygal Ward, seven tickets are contesting five positions.
Two main points of interest here are the absence of Jilly Gibson from the ballot, despite the presence of her endorsed candidate, Pallavi Sinha. Gibson secured a quarter of the vote last time, and it remains to be seen where that base of support will go. The second point of interest is the debut of the major political brands, Liberals and the Greens, in the southern race. Both are likely to siphon votes from the incumbent Real Independents, Labor, and CommUnity 1st groups.
Finally, it’s nice to be back in print. We’d like to thank Councillors Godfrey Santer and Ian Mutton for providing the encouragement to publish this special election edition.
But that will probably be it for us in this format given the costs involved..
Join us online to see more of the Sun in future.
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Olympic pool delay reflects poorly on both past and present councils
ANALYSIS by Grahame
Lynch
As the North Sydney area prepares to elect ten councillors for the next four years, a most pressing issue is the Olympic Pool reconstruction.
Initially scheduled for reopening in 2022 at a cost of $58 million, Mayor Zoe Baker now projects an opening in 2025 with costs exceeding $100 million. At least she has been transparent about the lack of progress in a project she originally opposed. However, even this timeline might be too optimistic, as contractors were recently required to dismantle and restart work on a 25metre roof—a process that is only just underway.
To understand the situation, some context is necessary. The pool renovation was originally initiated under the previous council, led by Mayor Jilly Gibson and overseen by then-general manager Ken Gouldthorp. The winning proposal was strongly opposed by the Real Independents group, led by Baker and MaryAnn Beregi, who lacked the numbers to overturn it.
By the end of 2021, the electoral tide shifted. Gibson was ousted, and the Real Independents, along with Labor and the Sustainable Australia Party, gained control of the council in January 2022, electing Baker as mayor. They were no longer merely critics of the project but its administrators. By this time, the project was about a year in and, according to reported data, still broadly on schedule and within budget, even as the new council majority publicly anticipated impending problems.
11 MONTHS: But what followed was a relatively sluggish response to the looming challenges. It took the incoming council nearly 11 months to appoint new leadership, with Therese Manns not assuming the role until October/November 2022. Only then did the council commission an independent review of the project, conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
This review, itself completed quickly and delivered within a month, criticised several aspects of the project’s early stages, including the separation of architectural and construction contracts and inadequate contingency planning for the associated risks of such a large project.
In response, the council established a new steering committee with an independent advisor and, significantly, retained the project management function in-house, as recommended by PwC. A dedicated pool manager, tasked with preparing demand analysis and a business case, was also appointed for the first time.
Nevertheless, results of this PWC review were not disclosed publicly for another five months. Mayor Zoe Baker outlined the report’s recommendations and actions in an open letter to ratepayers in April 2023. By
this time, the pool opening was six months overdue. Mayor Baker revised the expected completion date to April 2024, with an additional cost impost of $25–$30 million.
However, in August 2023, the council reversed its view on the merits of internal management and appointed an external project manager, APP Group, citing positive experiences using the firm during variation negotiations with the construction party Icon. By this point, the council’s three -year term was halfway through.
This was over a year ago. Since then, the project completion has blown out beyond April 2024 despite these measures and is now expected to be completed around the second quarter of 2025. The project is clearly still unsettled, as the council decided just last month to take the architect, Brewster Hjorth Architects, to court for breach of contract following a failed dispute resolution process.
The dominant group on the council has repeatedly blamed the previous administration for the project’s issues.
SLOW PACE: However, it is now undeniable that the slow pace in commissioning a review, rebooting oversight and implementing remedial actions is equally responsible for the delay extending into 2025.
A relevant historical comparison can be drawn from the National Broadband Network rollout between 2010 and 2013. Like the pool project, the NBN initially made slow progress as contractors missed targets. By the 2013 election, the project was 90% behind target.
When Malcolm Turnbull became Comms Minister in September 2013, he swiftly implemented changes. Within 11 months, he had installed new leadership at NBN as well as commissioned and received a strategic review and audit.
Crucially, he renegotiated key network lease and customer transfer agreements with Telstra and Optus without resorting to legal action, resulting in a broadly neutral impact on taxpayers. Whereas before, new connections had almost halted, the new regime was releasing as many as
100,000 premises some weeks..
The lesson here is that remediating an ailing project requires decisive, proactive attention, particularly in terms of bringing counter-parties along for the ride.
The pressing question for the candidates seeking election is whether they are equipped to manage the complex agenda ahead, especially considering the mishandling of these issues in the previous term.
Despite doubling the frequency of their meetings, the pool project received surprisingly little attention on the council floor last term, with time instead squandered on trivial matters. One example: a leather ban on council properties, which could have inadvertently affected cricket matches at North Sydney Oval.
Early campaign materials reviewed by the Sun suggest that most candidates are avoiding any substantial discussion about the pool. This is inadequate.
The project’s total cost exceeds $100 million, of which only $15 million is subsidised by external grants.
The remaining amount will come directly from local ratepayers, either through direct funding or loans that will need to be repaid in the medium term.
There is already talk among influential councillors of reworking the business plan for the pool, with the gym space potentially being repurposed for functions and events.
After committing $100 million to this new pool, ratepayers deserve greater transparency and honesty about any plans that might be under consideration, especially those that could limit public access to these increasingly costly facilities.
It’s worth noting that in 1932, North Sydney Council successfully oversaw the construction of a pool using only basic tools like T-squares, ink nibs, and sextants.
The fact that a renovation of the same in 2024, despite our advanced IT systems, MBAs, and engineering expertise, is now deemed an Herculean challenge for the Council, is both perplexing and concerning.
The pool as it stands, with comple on not due un l next year
James Spenceley calls out ‘independents’ who always vote with Labor as he seeks re-election
By Grahame Lynch
Cr James Spenceley is proud of an independent voting record in the last North Sydney Council term, which he said showed he is beholden to no other party or councillor.
Talking to the Sun at the end of a nearly threeyear term, Spenceley observed that, on contestable votes, he voted with the majority bloc around 52% of the time. By contrast, the Real Independents and Labor, who formed this dominant grouping, voted the same on 98% of contestable votes.
“I’m not aligned, and I’m not in a voting bloc, and I haven’t done any favours or asked for favours from any councillors. So I can, on every single issue, vote completely independently and interrogate it.”
Spenceley said he hoped he has proven to be a “true independent, a fierce independent.”
“I’ve sometimes voted against what my own personal view is but voted with what I can see that the community and the locals in the area wanted.”
Asked to nominate an example, he mentioned the cycleway in West Street. “I don’t know that cycleways get enough use to justify them in a lot of these areas, but there’s a huge community groundswell to link up West Street.”
“I think we need a council that is actually truly independent, where when you get up and speak in a council meeting, you can change the other councillors’ minds, or when someone else is speaking, they’ll change your mind. I think that’s been wholly lacking from the last term of council. So if I’m elected and we can actually get the right balance and some true independents on council, we should be making great decisions, focusing on the areas that are important. “
“I think that’s what, in a lot of cases, has been missing. We focus on what a dominant group of councillors want to focus on.”
Asked to expand on why he thinks the dominant alignment between Labor and the Real Independents is a problem, Spenceley clarified his case.
“(Mayor) Zoe Baker has actually been a really good chair of the meetings. She’s done a lot of really good things. But at the end of the day, she has a 98% alignment with Labor. And Labor right now is effectively putting up probably the greatest impact to our area in North Sydney LGA’s history in terms of rezoning housing, where most streets will get four to six-storey apartments where the only permitted use right now is two-level houses.”
“I think the surprising thing is, at a time when you’ve got the biggest impact on the liveability and character of our entire LGA by Labor, you’ve got somebody who’s self-branding as independent aligning 98% of the time with Labor councillors,” Spenceley added.
Spenceley also lamented that a focus on state policy issues has been at the expense of the pursuit of core ‘roads, rates, and rubbish’ priorities.
He cited, as an example, what he viewed as the botched introduction of new parking meters, which necessitate download of a mobile phone app requiring personal details to the level of a credit application. “There aren’t enough meters around. The complexity in using them is far too high for what people want,” he observed.
“Because we spent a lot of time focused on much higher-grade issues, something like this, which I think is really important to the community, just got
missed.” The lengthening delay to the Olympic Pool renovation, now nearly three years overdue and potentially $40 million over budget, is another example. “The most discussion we’ve had about the pool has been about who’s to blame for the pool. It hasn’t been about fixing the pool. There’s no way that we put enough emphasis into managing this as a major infrastructure project. There was no interest in doing that from quite a dominant group of councillors. This should have been the number one thing that was reported on by the mayor, to the councillors, on a weekly basis, and we should have identified many of these issues much earlier, and we should have fixed them earlier.”
Spenceley says he happily stands on his achievements on council. He is particularly proud of saving heritage sites like the cottages on Parraween Street through urgent interim heritage orders and preserving houses on Holt Street. He emphasised the balance between preserving important areas and ap-
proving developments in high-traffic corridors.
In between his council activities and his corporate governance commitments to the boards of companies such as Swoop, the former telecom industry entrepreneur (he founded Vocus) also participated in humanitarian efforts in Ukraine by facilitating fundraising for medical vehicles and supplies.
“We delivered more than 50 vehicles… stretchers, medical supplies, all of the defibrillators, everything. And we went to the front lines to meet the guys who would use them and ask them what they wanted, which allowed us to deliver what they needed.”
For the next council, he sees the two biggest issues as “running council well, but also fighting this statewide Labor overdevelopment plan.”
“And it’s an overdevelopment plan which solves nothing for affordability. Labor’s plan to solve affordability mandates a 2% requirement for affordable housing, and that’s only in the bigger developments.”
James Spenceley helps the Ukraine aid effort
Real Independents want to consolidate progress
By staff reporters
The Real Independents, a group led by current Mayor Zoë Baker and Councillor MaryAnn Beregi, are running in the upcoming North Sydney Council election with a focus on continuing the work they started over the past two and a half years.
The group, which emphasises its independence from large donors, said it is committed to representing the community’s interests without external influences and maintaining a strong focus on transparency, sustainability and community engagement.
“Our team is made up of residents who are not aligned with any political party or large donors,” a spokesperson for the Real Independents explained. “We believe it is crucial to have independent representatives who prioritise the needs of the community over personal or political gain. Our commitment is to the people of North Sydney, and our decisions are driven by what is best for the community.”
Mayor Zoe Baker, who has served on the council since 2008, said she has been instrumental in leading initiatives that aim to strengthen community connections and integrate sustainability into the council’s decision-making processes.
“Zoe brings energy, intelligence, and integrity to her role,” the spokesperson noted.
“She has a deep passion for urban design and planning, and she’s dedicated to ensuring that council decisions are informed by sustainability and innovation. Throughout her tenure, she has worked tirelessly to make North Sydney a better place to live, work, and study.”
Councillor MaryAnn Beregi first joined the council in 2012 and shares a similar commitment to community-focused governance, according to the group.
“MaryAnn is focused on making North Sydney an inclusive, vibrant, and accessible area for everyone,” the spokesperson said. “She is dedicated to implementing evidence-based decision-making and ensuring that the council remains fiscally responsible and sustainable. Her experience and commitment have been invaluable in shaping policies that reflect the community’s needs and priorities.”
The Real Independents are campaigning on a platform that builds on the initiatives they say they have championed during the current council term which was shortened to under three years.
They see this election as an opportunity to continue the progress they have made and ensure that the council remains responsive to the needs of the community. “This has been a short term, and there is a real concern that the good policies and projects we’ve established could be at risk without continued representation,” the spokesperson explained.
“Our goal is to consolidate the progress made over the past two years and continue building a positive future for North Sydney.”
Key issues the Real Independents plan to focus on if re-elected include implementing the actions and plans developed through The Next 10 Years community engagement initiative, which they view as a cornerstone for future development in North Sydney. “We’re committed to seeing through the long-term vision we’ve helped shape with the community’s input,” the spokesperson said.
The group also intends to work closely with the State Government to ensure the return of public land at key sites, including Cammeray, Anzac, and St Leonards Parks, Berry’s Bay, Woodley’s Shed, and Bradfield Park. Protecting the community against the impacts of over-development is another priority, as is advocating for improved public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and public transport. “We believe that North Sydney deserves to benefit from well-planned and sustainable development that enhances the community rather than overwhelms it,” the spokesperson remarked.
In addition to infrastructure and development, the Real Independents are focused on environmental initiatives, such as expanding green space, increasing the tree canopy, and delivering more affordable housing in partnership with the State and Federal Governments. They also plan to complete the cycle network and expand opportunities for active transport, aiming to help North Sydney develop as a walkable and bike-friendly community.
“We are focused on ensuring that access and inclusion are at the heart of council’s plans, policies, and services,” the spokesperson added. “Our aim is to create a community where everyone feels welcome and supported, regardless of their background or circumstances.”
The Real Independents also highlight their achievements over the past two years, pointing to
the creation of new public open spaces and their opposition to the Western Harbour Tunnel/Warringah Freeway Upgrade.
“We’ve worked hard to protect our community from the negative impacts of poorly planned infrastructure projects,” the spokesperson said. “We’ve also delivered 100% renewable electricity for council properties and streetlights, established the Sustainability Festival and Fix It Hub, and initiated the FOGO trial to promote more sustainable waste management.”
“We’ve made it a priority to foster a sense of belonging and inclusion in our community,” the spokesperson said.
The Real Independents have also faced what they say is the “challenge” of managing the North Sydney Olympic Pool project, which they describe as an inherited, poorly conceived and poorly planned initiative. “We’ve also undertaken a significant community engagement process through The Next 10 Years initiative, which we see as a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to shape the future of North Sydney,” the spokesperson explained.
Shannon Welch seeks a 2nd term as ALP lead for Cammeraygal Ward
By Grahame Lynch
Shannon Welch, the lead Labor candidate for the Cammeraygal ward in the upcoming North Sydney Council election on September 14, has highlighted her commitment to public health, safety, and community wellbeing. Drawing on her experience as a retired ICU nurse and current councillor, Welch stated, “I have a unique perspective on public health, safety, and community well-being.”
During her two and a half years as a councillor, Welch has pushed for measures aimed at enhancing the safety of public spaces.
One of her key achievements includes “securing a plan to install new defibrillators in six local parks and run a CPR awareness campaign.”
Welch emphasised the importance of this initiative by sharing her experience of trying to resuscitate an individual at Primrose Park following a cardiac arrest, noting that “it’s only a matter of time before another happens. We need to be prepared.”
In addition to her work in public health, Welch holds several leadership positions, including chair of the Sustainable Transport Committee, board member at the Crows Nest Centre, and executive member of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association.
These roles reflect her broader focus on sustainability, social justice, and governance, she said.
Looking ahead, Welch has outlined her goals for the next term,
which include advancing social justice by “promoting active lifestyles, supporting our cherished Stanton Library, and preserving our rich local heritage.”
She also aims to “improve sustainability by reducing waste, promoting renewable energy, enhancing biodiversity and tackling climate change.”
In terms of governance, Welch is committed to “promoting good governance through transparency in leadership, implementing robust governance frameworks and preventing governance failures like we saw in the North Sydney Olympic Pool redevelopment.”
Artists impression of the Victoria Cross development
Welch was elected to council in 2021 with the second highest ward vote, behind then mayor Jilly Gibson.
Zoe Baker and MaryAnn Beregi
Jessica Keen seeks NSC return as Liberal ticket lead
Jessica Keen, the head of the Liberal ticket for the upcoming North Sydney Council election, is aiming to return to the council after serving as a councillor from 2017 to 2021.
Keen, who has lived in North Sydney for over 20 years, said she wants to bring her extensive experience in local government and community involvement back to the table, with a focus on improving local facilities and ensuring responsible governance.
“I have lived in North Sydney for over 20 years, raising my family here and getting very involved with the local community, including the local school and sporting communities,” Keen told the Sun.
During her previous term on the council, she chaired and co-chaired several committees, including Sport & Recreation, and served on the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust from 2018 to 2021. Additionally, she has been a member of a local school council for nine years, currently holding the position of President.
Keen is now seeking re-election with a commitment to being “a strong, responsible voice” for the community. She emphasises the importance of maintaining North Sydney as a great
place to live, with particular attention to upgrading community, sporting, and social facilities.
“Our community deserves to benefit from the infrastructure and planning changes that are impacting our area,” she noted.
A key issue in Keen’s campaign is the reopening of the North Sydney Pool, which has been closed for several years now. “It has been too long for North Sydney residents without our iconic pool,” Keen stated. She is also focused on advocating for better development outcomes, ensuring that the community gains enhanced cultural and community facilities amidst ongoing infrastructure changes.
Keen is also committed to addressing local traffic and pedestrian safety issues, aiming to make North Sydney more walkable and efficient for residents.
“As a resident who enjoys walking around this area, I would like to advocate for pedestrian safety and traffic efficiencies,” she said.
Supporting small businesses is another priority for Keen, who recognises their vital role in the North Sydney community. “Small business is the lifeline of the North Sydney communi-
ty,” she explained. Keen plans to work closely with small business owners to reduce red tape and regulation, providing the support needed for these businesses to thrive.
Keen’s long-standing presence to the North Sydney community forms the foundation of her campaign. As she seeks re-election, Keen said she is focused on delivering practical solutions that enhance the quality of life for all residents while ensuring that the council remains financially responsible.
Keen’s status at the top of the officially endorsed Cammeraygal Liberal ticket did not come without drama.
As was widely reported last month, the Liberal state office failed to get nomination forms in time for several endorsed tickets across New South Wales, including that of North Sydney Council’s other ward, St Leonards.
The Liberal ticket for that ward to be headed by Sophie Lambert, who unsuccessfully ran for election in Cammeraygal Ward at the 2021 election as a Liberal-aligned independent. Independent Liberal candidates have traditionally done well in North Sydney council elections and this poll will be an interesting test as to how official endorsement influences results.
Former mayor Jilly Gibson retires from council
By Grahame Lynch
Councillor Jilly Gibson’s 25 year career on North Sydney Council ended on 26 August with tributes and accolades, but also a bitter note as councillors combined to vote down a plan to rename Kirribilli’s Burton Street Plaza after her.
Gibson is standing down at the September 14 election, meaning that last night’s meeting was her last. She gained election to council in 1999, and became mayor in 2012, a role she occupied for ten years.
The council meeting dedicated about one hour to hearing representations from Gibson’s daughters, partner, supporters and a number of goodwill messages from eminent local residents including Sir Peter Cosgrove, Tony Shepherd AO, Dr Keith Hartman AM and Max Connery OAM.
Former federal MP Trent Zimmerman and state MP Tim James also sent messages of thanks. There were also some light human moments as Gibson’s grandchildren addressed the chamber.
Gibson herself gave a defiant speech, mixing bouquets and brickbats. She said “I have a lot of critics in this community and give me a hard time often, but my critics can say what they like. I’ve been to six elections and in each election I got the highest vote in the ward every time. It’s what hap-
pens at the ballot box that really says what the community feels about you. So I feel good about that. I feel proud about that.”
She listed her greatest achievements as the restoration of public rubbish bins, which had previously been removed by former mayor Ted Mack; the introduction of the Aboriginal flag to chambers; the creation of infrastructure supporting a public beach at Neutral Bay; and creation of public open space areas such as the Waverton Coal Loader and the Brett Whiteley Plaza at North Sydney.
However, she also revisited what she described as the “disappointments” of her tenure, expanding at great length on incidents of sexist behaviour from other councillors which she said had caused health and stress issues in past council terms.
Gibson also defended her role in initiating the renovation of North Sydney Olympic Pool, currently bedevilled with cost and delivery delays that are being blamed on contracts signed when she was mayor.
“The pool was falling to pieces, it had to be done,” she said.
“All this nonsense about why we elected to go with a separate design and construct contract, that’s what happened at the time because people didn’t want us to close the pool, so we were advised that if we wanted to de-
sign it first and then do the construction contract, it would probably be closed for a year or two years while we did the design because the pool had to be pulled out to see what was underneath it.”
With Gibson’s speech concluded, the council then voted on whether to rename the Kirribilli plaza after her, moved by James Spenceley and seconded by Ian Mutton.
The end vote: just four votes counted for the amendment from nine councillors, with the Real Independents Zoe Baker and MaryAnn Beregi,
Labor’s Shannon Welch and Godfrey Santer and Georgia Lamb, elected under the Sustainable Australia Party banner, not supporting the amendment.
The vote incited Gibson to address the public gallery, stating, in part, “They can’t find it in their hearts. This has been the meanest Council ever.”
Artists impression of the Victoria Cross development
And with that dramatic last turn, Gibson was out the chamber door for the last time, with most attendees from the public gallery also following, for a celebratory function at a North Sydney pub.
Re ring Jilly Gibson (second le ) with supporters and family
Former federal MP Trent Zimmerman, NSC lead candidate Jessica Keen and state MP Felicity Wilson
