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Mayor Sue Heins
Frenchs Forest Ward
“Our community is diverse and extraordinary, it’s important that they feel heard”.
– Mayor Sue Heins
Sue received the Ministers Award for Women in Local Government, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Council and the community.
Immediate areas of focus:
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Ensuring appropriate development controls are in place for the new Frenchs Forest Town Centre.
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That the unique flora and fauna is protected for future generations.
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Ensuring sufficient infrastructure is in place for families and for those with a disability.
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Enhance our enjoyment of the outdoors by providing more useable space and improving some of the aging parks
Sue Heins is the current Mayor and former Deputy Mayor & Councillor. She is the recipient of the Minister’s Award for Women in Local Government.
As Sue has represented both Curl Curl and Narrabeen Wards in the past 12 years, she is happy to finally represent the area in which she lives - Frenchs Forest Ward. Her experience gives her a unique insight into the different needs in our areas across the Northern Beaches. A proud Northern Beaches local.
She is currently a board member of Women’s Healing Sanctuary, a place where women go to recover from life’s challenges. Also a previous Chairperson of Women & Children First – a local provider of crisis accommodation for women and their children fleeing situations of domestic violence. She was bestowed a life membership.
As an accomplished business woman and mentor, Sue has a passion for supporting the local business community and has previously served as President of the Warringah Chamber of Commerce and is a current life member.
Sue has a proven track record of ensuring Council protects our beautiful natural environment and wants to see Council take a more active role in ensuring Council utilises our facilities more as she was instrumental in creating the 24/7 Library in Forestville which is now a huge success.
COMMUNITY IS HER BUSINESS
Sue has lived on the Northern Beaches for over 24 years and has been actively involved in her community.
As well as running her own businesses, she has engaged with local organisations on a diverse range of community issues as well as serving on Council for 12 years as a Ward Councillor, as Deputy Mayor three times and is currently serving as Mayor.
Sue is the board member of Women’s Healing Sanctuary, a place for women to recover from trauma and is now a life member of Women & Children First, a local provider of crisis accommodation for women and their children fleeing situations of domestic violence after 10 years involvement. She was founder of Inspiring Women, one of the longest running businesswomen networking groups on the Northern Beaches after seeing a need in the community.
Sue is a former president of the Warringah Chamber of Commerce and Industries and a past director of the Business Education Network that assisted local youth with career pathways. In 2015, Sue received the Minister’s Award for Women in Local Government, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Council and the community.
As a Councillor, Sue has been actively involved in many Council committees that work closely with their community representatives. Sue is chair of the Northern Beaches Business Industry Stakeholder Committee; is currently involved in the Community Safety Advisory Committee and is also co-chair of the Bushfire Management Committee. She was a member of the Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee and is currently on the Property Steering Committee and the Nature for Northern Beaches Trust.
Sue is passionate about the environment and Council’s role in protecting our precious coastline and bushland areas. Sue is often seen rolling up her sleeves for events like National Tree Day and clean up days.
Frenchs Forest is a beautiful area that is going to be under pressure as the Frenchs Forest Town Centre evolves. "Our area needs to be carefully managed to ensure it becomes an easier place for our residents to move around in; we are home to many disability services, aged care facilities and families who need accessible spaces to enjoy the outdoors."
Sue is a keen supporter of local businesses and recognises them as the backbone of our community. She saw a need to create parameters to ensure that a night and twilight economy can thrive according to the different needs of their community. This encourages collaboration between hospitality and residents, and supports activities for families and youth.
As Sue has been involved with the domestic violence sector for over 10 years she is aware of the need for affordable housing for single income families who love the Northern Beaches and want to continue living within our community. Mental health is another important factor for our youth, adults and seniors who are finding it challenging to stay positive about their future and Sue believes the stigma around mental health still needs to be addressed more holistically.
Sue has identified the need to protect our “employment lands” that are being chipped away by residential development. Once these lands are zoned residential we lose our ability to keep industries on the Northern Beaches which will mean more people will have to travel outside the local government area to work. This increases traffic and minimises employment opportunities for our youth.