Michael Regan today announced his resignation as Mayor, sparking a three-cornered contest to replace him.
Speaking to the Northern Beaches Advocate this morning (Wednesday, 03 May), Mayor Regan confirmed that he was standing down and an Extraordinary Meeting of Council was being called for Tuesday, 16 May, in order to elect a new Mayor for the Northern Beaches.
Having recently been elected to replace outgoing Wakehurst MP Brad Hazzard, Michael Regan had signalled his intention to step down as Mayor if he was elected to State Parliament.
“I knew I couldn’t be Mayor and State Member because it is just too much. It is a big Council and I take it very seriously in my role as representing everybody from Manly to the Forest, to Palm Beach.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to be just a Councillor and being more vocal, because as Mayor you have got to Chair the meetings and temper your opinions,” said Mayor Regan (main image).
Mayor Regan confirmed that he would stay on Council for the remainder of his term, and called on Councillor Rory Amon who has just been elected as the Member for Pittwater to reconsider his declared intention of resigning from Council once the Mayoral vote is held.
“I mean this in a positive way, I wish Rory [Amon] would stay on. We will lose his knowledge and experience, and it will be a lot of hard work for a new Councillor to come in midway through a Council term,” said Mayor Regan.
Cr Rory Amon has repeatedly stated he would resign his Council position if he were elected to State Parliament, once the Mayoral election was called, and he reaffirmed that position today (Wednesday, 03 May).
Former Manly Councillor Karina Page, who lives at Mona Vale and ran second on the Liberal ticket with Cr Amon in Pittwater, will be elected on a count back if Cr Amon resigns before 30 June. Cr Amon held off resigning as he did not wish Pittwater to lose a vote in the Mayoral election while the administrative process to replace him took its course.
The competition to replace Michael Regan as Mayor is confirmed to be a three-way contest between Candy Bingham (image above left), Sue Heins (image above, right), and David Walton (image below). All three have confirmed their intention to put themselves forward for the position.
As the current and former Deputy Mayor respectively, Sue Heins and Candy Bingham are the most likely to have the votes needed to win an election of the 15 Councillors.
With the Liberals having only five of the eight necessary votes to win a Mayoral election, David Walton is the dark horse candidate. The former senior police officer is well-respected however, and his constant campaign for accountability and good governance may sway some support.
Source: Northern Beaches Advocate