Northern Beaches Hospital Transition • My Public Interest Debate • Wakehurst Parkway Contract Signed • Safe E-bike use

Welcome to April, Wakehurst!

It’s been another busy and productive month in NSW Parliament, with the March sitting weeks coming to a close last week. Alongside some great wins for our community, I continued pushing for more reliable transport and infrastructure, better working conditions for our essential workers, and better inclusion and safety across our public education systems and beyond.

Here’s an update on what’s been happening in Wakehurst and NSW Parliament this past month. In this newsletter, you will find:

• An update on the Northern Beaches Hospital’s transition back into public hands

• My Public Interest Debate on bus reliability across the Northern Beaches

• $85 million secured to upgrade Wakehurst Parkway, with contracts signed and work ready to begin (Network review)

• Advocating for safe E-Bike use, including supporting Jacqui Scruby’s legislation (Survey)

• Autism Understanding Month, and working towards better support in our public schools for neurodivergent students

• Congratulations to our 2026 recipients of the Local Senior Achievement Awards, Deirdre 'Dee' Johnson and Bob Tyrell.

Happy Easter long weekend!

Cheers,

UPDATE ON THE NORTHERN BEACHES HOSPITAL TRANSITION

Northern Beaches Hospital is set to return to public hands at the end of this month. Transitioning the management of a working hospital is a massive logistical undertaking. A large team within NSW Health has been working for months to maintain stability, patient safety and continuity of care while the transition takes place. 

I’ve secured confirmation that private hospital services will continue through to at least July 2027, following the advocacy of our community, myself and fellow MP Jacqui Scruby. This means patients will still be able to use their private health insurance, choose their doctor, and access procedures at times that suit them, with no barrier to booking private surgeries beyond April. I’ll continue to push to ensure the final arrangements deliver the improvements our community has been promised, and will keep you updated as more details are confirmed.

ADVOCATING FOR OUR NURSES

As the hospital's transition is fast approaching, this month in Parliament I asked the Minister for Health what steps are being taken to ensure nurses and midwives at Northern Beaches Hospital are not unfairly impacted as the hospital returns to public hands. At the centre of these concerns are reports that some part-time staff may lose annual leave, and that many nurses and midwives could face unintended tax implications as their entitlements transfer between employers. These are hard-earned benefits, and our healthcare workers deserve fairness and certainty.

As assured by the Minister for Health, key entitlements will transfer alongside improved conditions under NSW Health, while work continues to resolve remaining leave and tax issues. It was a pleasure to be joined for Question Time by local nurses, who returned to Parliament this month with a petition of over 800 signatures. I'm always grateful to advocate for them in the Chamber, and I will continue to stand with them to ensure they are supported and not left worse off during this transition.

PUBLIC INTEREST DEBATE : NORTHERN BEACHES BUS SERVICES

This month, had the opportunity to lead a Public Interest Debate to NSW Parliament, highlighting the ongoing challenges with bus reliability across the Northern Beaches, and called on the Government to implement the recommendations from the 2024 NSW Bus Industry Taskforce. A reliable and effective bus network is essential for keeping the northern beaches moving and connected. However, cancelled services, overcrowding, and inconsistent timetables, is making it difficult to rely on public transport for work, school and essential travel. This was an important conversation to lead, so I'm glad to have heard from a wide breadth of voices in the chamber. 

You can read the full Debate in the NSW Hansard here

Since raising these concerns in Parliament, I’ve continued meeting directly with stakeholders to push for solutions. Earlier in March, I met again with Keolis to share the most feedback I’ve been receiving from the community since the school term began, including insights from Allambie residents and those travelling to the new Forest High School site. I’ve also met with TfNSW and the Transport Minister to discuss addressing the chronic driver shortage, strengthening contract KPIs, and advocating for more affordable housing options for essential workers, including bus drivers.

I will continue to apply pressure on this matter, and I sincerely thank everyone who has contributed their experiences with our bus network. My direct advocacy has more impact when backed in by your feedback and lived experience. Together we achieve change for everyone in our community, such as the soon-to-be delivered 50 articulated buses and 10 decker buses in the last budget.

ROAD UPGRADES

The long-awaited construction on Wakehurst Parkway is now moving ahead, with $85.1 million dedicated towards introducing flood mitigation works. With the contract awarded, works are set to begin in mid-2026, delivering long-overdue improvements to a road many of us rely on every day.

This project will improve safety, reduce congestion and help better manage flooding, making a real difference to travel times and reliability along this critical Northern Beaches link. It’s been the result of sustained local advocacy, and I’ve been working closely with the Government to keep the pressure on and ensure this upgrade was prioritised. Separately, Council are nearing agreement with TfNSW to commence works on the other stages regarding flood mitigation works.

On a similar note, the NSW Government has opened consultation on the Northern Beaches Network Review, giving our community a genuine opportunity to help shape the future of our transport system alongside upgrades to Wakehurst Parkway and Mona Vale Road.

While short-term fixes are on the table, they don’t go far enough to meet the needs of a growing region. That’s why continued long-term investment, including the Beaches Link tunnel, or metro-style tunnel remains essential. I encourage everyone to have their say, because no one understands the daily commute better than the people who live it. 

A number of short- to medium-term solutions are currently being considered. If you support these proposals, or have alternative ideas, we can move forward with securing funding.

Have your say! Submissions close on June 8

E-BIKE SAFETY ACROSS THE NORTHERN BEACHES & NSW

E-bike safety is an issue that’s continued to be raised at a state level, with incidents occurring across our community and indeed across the country. Northern Beaches schools are already demonstrating that sensible approaches towards licensing and registration can work- as seen in the recent article about St Luke’s- and it’s time for the NSW Government to follow their lead.

Fellow MP, Jacqui Scruby has introduced legislation for debate in NSW Parliament which I support, I believe introducing licensing and registration is a common-sense step to ensure riders of all ages are responsible and accountable, helping improve safety on our roads while also supporting the community to identify those who do the wrong thing. I’ll continue advocating for urgent reforms to better manage the safe use of e-bikes across our area.

What do you think about E-bike use? Take my survey

WORLD AUTISM UNDERSTANDING MONTH

Yesterday marked the start of World Autism Understanding Month. Which stands to recognise and celebrate people who are neurodivergent and or living with someone who is.

Since holding a community roundtable in November, I established an ongoing working group of community members dedicated to working together on getting better support for neurodivergent students in our schools- This group is extraordinary, thank you for all you do. There’s lots to do (and to learn), but conversations like these are an important step forward. 

Read my Private Member's Statement on better supports in our public schools for Neurodivergent students

Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, belong and thrive in our school system. Right now, for too many neurodivergent students and their families, that is not the reality. We can and must do better. We all have a role to play. And I’ll continue advocating for stronger support in our schools so neurodivergent students can learn, thrive, and feel supported every step of the way. 

Wishing everyone a safe, happy long weekend, and a happy Easter. Please note that the Wakehurst Electorate Office will be shut over the Easter Long Weekend, closing from Friday 3rd April (Good Friday), opening again on Tuesday morning, 7th April (after Easter Monday). Please see the list below for emergencies and crisis support whilst the team is away. 

• Lifeline: 13 11 14

• LocalKind: (02) 9977 1066

• Mission Australia (Ebbs House): (02) 9902 5100

• Emergency: 000

I'm Here To Help You

My office is open from 9am - 5pm on weekdays.

You can drop by in person (Shop 3, 637 Pittwater Road Dee Why)

You can also contact me and the team on

9981 1111 or [email protected]

You can also follow me on:

➢ Instagram 

➢ Facebook

➢ TikTok