Northern Beaches Council’s new CEO Ray Brownlee shares his vision for the region
NORTHERN Beaches Council’s new CEO Ray Brownlee talks proposed savings, addressing planning and transport problems and bringing in a tech-savvy culture in his first interview.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Northern Beaches Council CEO Mark Ferguson exits
- Ray Brownlee announced as new council CEO
- Northern Beaches Council releases transport strategy
- $7m east-west bus system proposed by council
SAVINGS made by Northern Beaches Council should exceed the $76 million benchmark set by the State Government over the next decade, according to new chief executive Ray Brownlee.
Just a week into the job, Mr Brownlee’s vision for the peninsula is starting to take shape.
He will bring a report to next month’s council meeting outlining his merger savings plans, but he said it would easily be more than projected.
“The council it is in really good shape, they have done more with the merger preparation than they have told the public,” he said. “It is quite well advanced and I think that is a story that we need to let the residents know.
“It is better than residents think it is.”
TRANSPORT AROUND THE HOSPITAL:
On the top of his to-do list is lobbying the State Government for improved transport from Dee Why to Chatswood via the Northern Beaches Hospital.
“We can influence the State Government,” he said. “Remember they’re here to look after their constituents.
“We can give them data, we show them why it is to their benefit for the residents. Because of the size of the council we are able to have more influence and more ability to get departments and relevant ministers to listen.”
The council has been pushing for a B-Line style rapid bus system.
In a wide-ranging interview with the Manly Daily, he said the long-awaited structure plan around the Northern Beaches Hospital was pointless without a transport upgrade
“There needs to be something done around transport to and from the hospital,” he said.
“That should be the first thing we talk about, before we talk about how to deliver structure plans.
“The transport is important so that we can get the key workers to the hospital precinct and hen work out what needs to be around there.”
GETTING THE PLANNING POLICY RIGHT
The other top priority is to have a Local Environment Plan (LEP) — in place before the one-year moratorium on development is lifted.
The council successfully lobbied Planning Minister Anthony Roberts for a halt on the low-rise, medium-density house code. It would mean terraces, manor houses and dual occupancy homes could be approved without a DA.
“We need to be on the front foot to get our LEP out and show if any development is to occur, where it is to occur instead of waiting for people to come in and impose that on us,” Mr Brownlee said.
He also wanted to “putting people’s minds at ease”. “We are not going to go and put up towers in Pittwater or anything like that.”
“An LEP is about giving the community some comfort in where the council is going.”
MOVE TOWARD TECHNOLOGY
There would be a technological revolution under his leadership, with plans to improve online services.
“We will be going to open data, more of the digital economy so that any resident who wants to transact business with the council can do so in the comfort of their own home,” he said.
“Anything they want to do with the council they can do there. If they want to come and see us they can come and see us.”
When asked if such a push could lead to job losses, he said: “We will still need people to sweep the streets, mow the lawns, pick up the rubbish and clean the beaches, process Das.
“It just means that we have the ability to do more for the community at a greater service level.”
WHISTLER ST LAWSUIT
He has also started to get across the council’s court battle between the would-be developers of the Whistler St Carpark in Manly. Built-Athas are suing the council for about $74 million after the deeds to build were cancelled.
Built-Athas were planning to turn the carpark into a mixed-use development with residential, shops and a public library. A new carpark
But Mr Brownlee said he had reviewed the case and was confident,
“Going through the council’s case on this and the history of it, council is certainly in a very strong position,” he said.
“I would prefer to be in our position than their position.”
He said he would be speaking with councillors about their options in the near future.
MAKING AN ASSET REGISTER
The development of an asset register will be key before a long-term capital works plan can be formulated.
“It is big on my list,”Mr Brownlee said. “We can spend all our time working out that we should put a new footpath in and to do that for $2 a square metre cheaper, but if you are putting the wrong footpath in the wrong area that’s where inefficiencies can start.
“We have got to know what the condition of our assets are so that we can actually spend the money in the right time before things deteriorate to such an extent that they cost us more.”
THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS:
Mayor Michael Regan has indicated the need for a single council chambers in either Manly or Dee Why.
While Mr Brownlee acknowledged it was “a matter for the council”, he said most sites being considered were in Dee Why.
“The intention is bring that back to the council for suggestions early next year,” he said.
“There are a number of sites in Dee Why that the council owns.