Northern Beaches Council elections: Four councillors out, two on bottom of ticket

Councillors Natalie Warren, Penny Philpott, Kylie Ferguson and Pat Daley, have decided not to stand, while Roslyn Harrison and Ian White have been placed at the bottom of their respective ballot cards.

Cr Philpott said "exhausting political play" and being used as a "political punching bag" during the past four years has led to her decision.

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"I'm not standing again for council, mainly due to the exhausting political play that threatened to destroy the elected council," she said. "Unfortunately, I've been largely used as a political punching bag, particularly in my endeavours for the arts community."

Cr Philpott's calls in 2020 to engage and support local artists to create a sculpture, to remember "how the northern beaches community responded during the COVID-19 pandemic" hit national headlines. Cr Rory Amon called the project "absurd", while some media outlets photoshopped images of a giant germ sculpture on a beach.

At the time mayor Michael Regan came out in support of Philpott and said the germ sculpture was not what had been suggested, and the initiative was to support the local creative industry who were doing it tough during the COVID downturn.

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Cr Philpott, who is in the Your Northern Beaches Independent Team (YNBIT), said she was disappointed that some councillors put personal political gain before the interests of residents.

"This is very apparent in the exaggeration and misrepresentation of finances and council decisions, which are then presented as fact, primarily through social media," she said.

Liberals councillor Kylie Ferguson was elected to Pittwater Council in 2012 and then Northern Beaches Council in 2017. While not keen to discuss why she wasn't running for election again, she said it had been a wonderful experience, an honour and an opportunity to make a difference.

Cr Ferguson also reflected on the outcomes she was most proud of during the past nine years, they include: Banning smoking on Pittwater beaches; championing Avalon Youth Hub; championing the construction of Terrey Hills Skate Park; championing the Mural for the Youth at Mona Vale Skate Park; supporting the installation of inpatient palliative care beds at Mona Vale Hospital and support for A Dark Sky Park at Palm Beach.

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"I am passionate about community and ensuring we service the various needs and requirements they have, this has been particularly important in the last few years as we have faced the many COVID challenges," Cr Ferguson said."

Greens councillor Natalie Warren said she had achieved a lot for the environment and the community during her term.

"I've also had two babies in that time, and having all of my family overseas during the pandemic, has highlighted to me that I need to concentrate on my family for the next couple of years," she said.

"I am very excited to be handing over to such a great Greens candidate in Curl Curl, Kristyn Glanville, and I will also be following the projects which I have initiated closely, such as my recent proposal for a council run toy library."

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Liberals' Pat Daley told the Northern Beaches Review it was time to retire from being a councillor.

"It has been a great honour to serve on both Manly and Warringah councils, and now Northern Beaches Council," he said.

"I have always tried to represent the more vulnerable in the community. The highlight of my time on council is my involvement with the saving of Warringah Golf Course, and the establishment of strategies nearly 20 years ago, when serving on Manly Council, to stop alcohol related violence on Manly corso.

"After I have left council, my focus will be assisting the community with waste management and recycling programs".

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While Cr Harrison is running at the upcoming election, she sits fourth (in the bottom place) on the YNBIT in the Frenchs Forest Ward. Mayor Michael Regan leads this ticket.

Cr White sits third (last) for YNBIT in the Pittwater Ward. Mona Vale father of five and business owner Michael Gencher leads this ticket.

The northern beaches is made up of five wards, with three councillors representing each. Of the 15 current sitting councillors, five are Liberals, five are YNBIT, two are Independents, one is in Good for Manly, and one in The Greens.

The local election is on December 4 and there are 73 candidates vying for your vote.

Have something to say? Send a letter to the editor at: editor@northernbeachesreview.com.au

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