COVID-19 northern beaches: Political clash between councillors leaves businesses in the dark

After two and a half hours of debating and politicking, councillors were unable to come to a resolution at a meeting intended to assist businesses affected by the lockdown.

A shopper uses a QR code at the entrance of a store along The Corso in Manly on January 03, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Jenny Evans

An urgent council meeting called to assist businesses impacted by the second lockdown came to an abrupt end after more than two hours of politicking and drama, with several councillors walking out.

As a result no resolutions were made and the council’s COVID support measures won’t be discussed again until the next council meeting on February 23.

Northern beaches mayor Michael Regan has said businesses need support from the State and Federal Governments, more than anything. Picture: Adam Yip

Council chief executive officer Ray Brownlee revealed at the meeting that the council had lost $7m of revenue during the recent lockdown.

The first meeting of the year was initially scheduled for February but councillors Rory Amon, Pat Daley, Vincent De Luca, Stuart Sprott and David Walton pushed for an earlier meeting due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Their notice of motion included waiving outdoor dining fees; extending outdoor dining areas; waiving parking fees and lobbying Transport NSW for discounted public transport fees in a bid to encourage more people to visit the northern beaches.

A couple wearing masks walk along The Corso in Manly after the lockdown was lifted. Picture: Jenny Evans

Last week Mayor Michael Regan said he wouldn’t support the motion and that businesses needed cash grants from the state and federal governments.

“The business community don’t need parking fees waived as that just encourages people to park at the beach all day and bring a picnic,” Cr Regan said.

“Businesses need cash to survive.”

The meeting on Tuesday was a scene of heated debate, and councillors making points of order.

During the meeting Cr Candy Bingham said: “I believe the original motion was a political stunt and that has been demonstrated today by constant point of orders and ridiculous other antics,” Cr Bingham said at the council meeting.

Shadow Transport Minister Chris Minns and Cr Candy Bingham, in front of one of Manly's iconic Freshwater class ferries. Picture: Julie Cross

Cr Sue Heins made an amendment which proposed that the council “undertake a campaign to retain all four Freshwater Class ferries” which has been spearheaded by Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham.

Cr Amon said the amendment didn’t relate to the motion and the entire purpose was to take “practical steps” to help the business community.

“This meeting has been called to talk about our community and what the council can do to assist the community, it wasn’t about congratulating people,” Cr Amon said at the meeting.

The Manly ferries Freshwater and Queenscliff. Picture: Manly Daily

“Every business I’ve spoken to supports the measurements in the original motion.”

Councillors Daley, Walton, De Luca and Roslyn Harrison walked out of before the meeting was over.

Cr Daley argued Cr Bingham wanted to use taxpayers’ money to fund her own political campaign on saving the Manly ferries: “Regan’s political party weren’t going to have a meeting until next month anyway. Why we walked out was (because) the main purpose and intent of the motions were lost and discarded.

“We couldn’t support a campaign for a political party. Cr Bingham said on the record she needed the council to fund her campaign, and she couldn’t do it all by herself. So when she said that I said I can’t be privy.”

Cr Rory Amon said he didn’t blame other councillors for walking out of a heated council meeting in January. Picture: Adam Yip

Cr Amon said councillors walked out due to frustration.

“I understand their reasons for leaving, they left because the mayor’s political party were playing procedural games,” Cr Amon told the Manly Daily.

“Council spent two and a half hours deciding nothing. I think businesses would rightfully feel that council couldn’t even have a proper discussion about what support we can provide business.”

Northern beaches councillor Sue Heins referred to the meeting as a “disgrace”. Picture: Julian Andrews

Meanwhile, Cr Heins referred to the meeting as a “disgrace”.

“The meeting was a waste of time. Council already does so much for the small business community. Everything they were asking to be extended [waving outdoor dining fees and extending dining areas] was going to go to the February meeting so it was a waste of time and political point scoring.”