Northern Beaches Mayor, Michael Regan, says he will step down from the role but remain a councillor if he is successful at the NSW Government election polls on 25 March.
On Australia Day, the Mayor announced he would be running as an independent candidate for the blue-ribbon northern Sydney seat of Wakehurst, which has been held by the Liberals for nearly four decades.
If successful, he will replace retiring MP and Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, who has held the seat for more than 31 years.
“Brad did a good a job during Covid, but now we need a focus going forward,” the Mayor told media on Thursday.
“We need to make sure we show the community, and demonstrate very clearly, that we need an independent and how the two-party system continues to fail them.”
The Mayor said the NSW Government’s decision to allow a 400-home subdivision on ‘Lizard Rock’ site at Belrose played a big part in his recent decision to throw his hat into the ring.
“The Northern Beaches’ community is often taken for granted by both sides of politics,” he said.
“The massive overdevelopment of the Lizard Rock area is just the latest example of that.
“Meanwhile Labor wants the northern suburbs to take increased development. It’s a disgrace and proof that the two-party system does not serve our community”.
Mr Regan said, if elected, his first priority would be to lobby for lower energy bills and address traffic congestion on local roads.
He also said he would push for a $15,000 interest-free loan for rooftop solar panels.
