Re-elected North Sydney mayor to take fight up to state government

26 September 2023

By Grahame Lynch

North Sydney Mayor Zoe Baker has been re-elected unopposed for a one year term, signalling that she will continue to take the fight up to the state government on roadworks, open planning and density targets.

“I’d like to thank you all for extending the significant honour and privilege to continue to serve with me and to continue to work collaboratively with you to serve our exceptional North Sydney community,” she said after her election, at a meeting of the ten councillors last night.

“I’m so very grateful for the faith that you have placed in me and beyond grateful to be able to serve with a group of councillors who have worked constructively and collaboratively to place the community interest above personal interest. A group of councillors committed to delivering on environmental, social, and financial sustainability, committed to open government principles. A group who value and strive to protect the character and heritage of our suburbs and public domain. Who understand that we have been elected to be prepared to stand up to state governments of all political persuasions on behalf of our community. A group of councillors who continue to stand up daily for the thousands of residents along the whole of the Warringah Freeway upgrade corridor from Cammeray, Neutral Bay down to High Street and North Sydney and beyond. Who are enduring the devastating impacts of the construction of these major roads, projects, and the ongoing impacts of those projects more generally.”

“A council that will not stop lobbying the state government to deliver the return of the one and a half hectares of public open space at Cammeray Park, taking for the Major Roads Project and the return of public lands from Cammeray to Berrys Bay, to the community at the end of the construction period. A council who will fight until the Minister for Planning collaborates with our community on housing density targets. A council committed to continuing to deliver affordable housing projects to ensure the strength and diversity of our community and the teachers, nurses, police, emergency service workers and council staff can afford to live where they work.”

Cr William Bourke was elected unopposed as deputy mayor. He said: “I’ll continue to fight to put our local environment and local community first.”

The current term will last one year until the next local council elections in 2024.