Pittwater Life July 2024 Issue

News
15,000 more Mackellar votes
The Federal seat of
Mackellar is set to grow
by around 15,000 voters
at the next Federal Election
under New South Wales
electorate boundary changes
proposed by the Australian
Electoral Commission (AEC).
Under the AEC draft proposal,
Mackellar – currently
represented by Independent
MP Dr Sophie Scamps – will
take in new areas of Dee Why,
North Curl Curl, Forestville
and Killarney Heights.
Dr Scamps said she welcomed
the changes.
“They reunite important
communities of interest and,
I believe, enhance the unique
Northern Beaches culture of
the electorate,” she said.
Dr Scamps said a key consideration
for the AEC during
the redistribution process
was to not dramatically
change voting margins.
“These changes are balanced
with only a 0.8 per cent change
in the margin,” she said.
“We are particularly
pleased to see that the suburbs
of Dee Why and Forestville
have been reunited and
are no longer split between
two electorates.”
Dr Scamps said the changes
were commonsense in several
ways.
“The suburbs of Dee Why
and Forestville, previously split
between 2 electorates, have
been reunited into Mackellar
which will eliminate the confusion
for voters and strengthen
these communities.
“The changes enhance the
unique Northern Beaches culture
of the electorate and the
already strong connections
between these local communities.
“Importantly, the changes
keep Mackellar within the
one local Council area which
again helps to maintain the
strong local culture.”
She added the changes
“make sense geographically”
as the new boundaries, utilising
a major road and a significant
waterway/parkland, were
CHANGES: What’s proposed for the
Mackellar boundary shift.
easily recognisable, major
boundaries.
“I am very pleased to
welcome Dee Why, North
Curl Curl, Forestville and
Killarney Heights voters into
the Mackellar electorate who
closely share the values of
Mackellar and the Northern
Beaches, and I look forward
to continuing to genuinely
and independently represent
these communities,” she said.
However, Dr Scamps added
it was important to note that
the proposal was a draft and
there were still opportunities
for two more rounds of
submissions.
In other proposed changes
affecting Sydney electorates,
the AEC plans to abolish the
Teal Independent-held seat of
North Sydney, with much of
its territory absorbed into the
Warringah electorate.
“I want to say how sad I
am that the AEC has chosen
to abolish the electorate of
North Sydney, held by my
crossbench colleague, Kylea
Tink,” said Dr Scamps.
“She is a powerful representative
for her electorate
and the embodiment of a
true community independent
providing a genuine voice in
Canberra for the people of
North Sydney.” – Nigel Wall
*What do you think? Tell
us at readers@pittwaterlife.
com.au
8 JULY 2024
The Local Voice Since 1991