From the Mayor - 30 March 2022

I was honoured to recently be elected as President of the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils for 2022. In writing to over 70 Councillors representing eight member councils I focused on the positive power of a strong collaborative partnership as we continue to advocate for our communities on critical issues, particularly in the areas of financial viability, environmental planning and waste.

Staying with the environment, Mosman’s 2022 Flora and Fauna Survey highlights that the ecological health of our bushland sites is stable and continuing to improve, much to the credit of our dedicated and hardworking Bushcare volunteers who assist Council staff. Centre for Urban Research data from 2020 reports Mosman having a very healthy 42.7% urban forest cover, already above the NSW government’s target of 40% by 2036.

Our much-loved and well-attended annual Seniors Festival is in full swing with events wrapping up on 5 April. Residents can help Council support our seniors by signing up to volunteer with our Mosman Meals or Community Links program, which provides much appreciated one-on-one support for shopping or transport to medical appointments. Interested residents can call 9978 4126 or visit mosman.nsw.gov.au/volunteering/aged-services.

With National Youth Week starting on 4 April it is ideal timing for North Sydney Mayor Zoë Baker and me to meet with Felicity Wilson MP to discuss potentially re-opening a local mental health community centre. National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds says COVID-19 has really opened up the conversation around young people and mental health and that should continue. Two positive creative endeavours for our younger residents are currently open for entries - the Youth Art Prize and the Youth Awards in Literature - and I encourage all budding artists, authors and poets to submit their masterpieces.

Thank you for supporting each other during these continuing very trying times. Collectively, our hearts break for the human rights atrocities in Ukraine, the northern NSW communities devastated by unprecedented climate-affected rainfall and the concerning surge in COVID-19 cases due to the BA.2 variant. 

With school holidays just around the corner, please enjoy the break and stay safe.