The Pittwater State by-election is happening on Saturday, October 19, 2024, to elect a member of the Legislative Assembly of the New South Wales Parliament for the district of Pittwater. Voting is compulsory.
There are three candidates running in the Pittwater by-election, listed below in alphabetical order. All candidates were sent identical questions. Any candidate who has not yet responded may do so at any time and we will add to this list – please contact info@thelivingcollective.com.au
For information about early voting and postal voting please see the bottom of this article.
Doug Rennie, Libertarian Party (formerly Liberal Democrats)
Georgia Ryburn, Liberal Party
Tell us about your connection to the Pittwater area and some of the places you love?
A: I’m a proud, fourth-generation Northern Beaches local with deep roots in the community across the peninsula. My mum grew up in Bilgola Plateau and Bayview, my grandfather was one of the first captains of Bungan SLSC, and my Dad, Dr Peter Downey, has dedicated his career teaching local students across the Beaches. Growing up, I loved my summers at Mackerel, playing basketball at NBSIC, and gym at Pittwater Sports Centre.
That’s why I counted it the privilege of my life to serve and deliver for our Pittwater community as your Deputy Mayor.
Why are you running as a candidate in this election and why should locals vote for you?
Our community is facing serious cost of living challenges and only the Liberals have a plan to help our community with these pressures, like bringing back Active Kids. One of my top priorities is funding Mona Vale Road West and flood-proofing the Wakehurst Parkway. Labor has cut the funding that the Liberal Government allocated to complete Mona Vale Road, and only the Liberal candidate can get it back.
Under this Labor Government things are getting worse. As well as cutting cost of living support and infrastructure cuts, Labor is imposing a one-size-fits-all housing policy that will see inappropriate development across the Beaches, more strain on our local roads and schools. Pittwater needs someone who’ll stand up against Labor, fight for local families, and deliver the infrastructure our community needs. Conversely, the Independents in Parliament have failed to stand up against Labor and, instead, supported cuts to cost of living support, like Active Kids. As Deputy Mayor, I have a track record of standing up for our Pittwater community and I am determined to deliver outcomes for our community.
What are the main issues you see as important for this election, and how will you advocate for them?
I have doorknocked and listened to thousands of people in our community. At your doorsteps, I’ve heard from you the cost of living pressures are making it untenable to live and operate small business here. This needs to change, and Government needs to be supporting, not hindering, our families and local businesses. I will be fighting to bring back Active and Creative Kids.
I’ve also heard that our community doesn’t want Labor’s one-size-fits-all housing policy, as it directly contradicts with the unique character and environment of the Pittwater we love. As your recent Deputy Mayor, I have the experience, understanding of local issues, and track record for advocating and delivering for Pittwater. I was instrumental in standing up against Labor’s housing reforms and fighting for our Pittwater community. My priority is getting the funding back to complete Mona Vale Road and getting Wakehurst Parkway flood-proofed.
My corporate experience, coupled with my passion to serve our community ensures I will deliver for our community.
If you could fix one issue immediately in Pittwater, what would it be?
It’s hard to pick one – they are all important, but given the critical importance of getting to work and home safely via Mona Vale Road West, my priority is getting the funding back that the Liberals allocated to finish the road.
If elected, how will you stay in touch with the community and their concerns?
I will ensure that I continue to be available to all members of our community, just as I had been as Deputy Mayor. I will continue to meet people where they’re at: at bus stops, markets, and hold regular meet ups so you can speak to me about your concerns, challenges, ideas and aspirations.
How can locals stay up-to-date with your campaign in the lead-up to the election?
Feel free to reach out to me on Facebook and Instagram, or via email: pittwater@nswliberal.org.au When you see me out and about, I’d love to have a chat so please come up and say G’day.
Jacqui Scruby, Independent
Tell us about your connection to the Pittwater area and some of the places you love?
I love living in the Avalon area, where I’ve been raising my children with my husband for the past five years. I live in Pittwater surrounded by extended family including my father, parents-in-law and aunty, and have lived in and around Pittwater throughout my life.
My connection to Pittwater spans five generations, with deep roots in the Northern Beaches. My grandfather was one of the first principals of Pittwater High School. My great-grandfather, A.L. Melrose, was a co-founder of Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club and competed in the same carnival as Duke Kahanamoku, who introduced surfing to Australia.
I love our villages particularly Avalon and Elanora and the natural beauty that surrounds us. There aren’t many places in Sydney where you have an owl in your garden, a resident turtle in your local ocean bay (Dolphin Bay) and seals below our iconic Barrenjoey Headland. Historically Pittwater legends like Robert Dunn and Bob Grace have fought to protect our National Parks, lagoons, beaches and tree canopies and I’m committed to doing the same.
We live the perfect Pittwater life. Surfing and volunteering for our SLSC on the ocean side of the peninsula and sailing on Pittwater, bike riding Narrabeen Lagoon, bushwalking in our National Parks and participating in local sport.
Why are you running as a candidate in this election, and why should locals vote for you?
Pittwater deserves better representation. This by-election provides an opportunity for us to have a genuinely local, independent voice that stands up for our community, in a way that a Liberal party backbencher cannot. As a local mum, former lawyer, and small business owner, I understand the challenges families and businesses are facing in Pittwater and will fight for progress on the issues that matter most to us.
My Liberal opponent has conceded that she cannot take action and deliver until Liberals are out of opposition, something that is at least two years away – potentially much longer. We have too much at stake to wait and need to take the opportunity at this by-election to have an influential independent on the crossbench.
I am the only competitive candidate running in this by-election that lives in Pittwater and that’s important as I live and breathe both the wonders and challenges of living here. I know the community groups and can hit the ground running for the remaining two years of this parliament.
As an Independent, I can also advocate for what’s best for our community, not what’s dictated by a Liberal party in chaos, more focused more on cleaning up scandals than the people of Pittwater.
My goal is to get results for our community, like finishing Mona Vale Road, addressing cost of living pressures, and protecting our natural environment from reckless development. I will hold the Minns government to account and work constructively to deliver for Pittwater, ensuring we have a strong, independent voice at the table on NSW issues as well including ending taxpayer funded native forest logging and ensuring our drinking water is free from forever chemicals.
Liberals have in many ways taken Pittwater for granted with a history of losing our public hospital, Council amalgamation, privatisation of our buses and loss of frontline services. Meanwhile our two main roads remain deeply problematic. The Liberals are in opposition and will have no ability to achieve issues that are time-sensitive and facing us now – such as the definition of town centres for planning laws and completion of Mona Vale Road.
What are the main issues you see as important for this election, and how will you advocate for them?
When I speak to people in the community, what I hear loud and clear is that the biggest issues are fixing our roads and infrastructure, pushing back on the Minns government high density blanket planning laws, tackling the cost of living, improving local healthcare, and protecting our environment. First and foremost, finishing the long-overdue Mona Vale Road upgrade. I’ll fight to reinstate funding to complete Mona Vale Road and ensure our roads are safe and well-maintained.
Many in Pittwater are doing it tough right now and lowering the cost of living is a major concern. I’ll fight for measures that help reduce home insurance costs, I’ll support reintroducing Active and Creative Kids vouchers and promote affordable renewable energy options. A key issue I’ll pursue for small and medium sized businesses is addressing payroll tax issues relating to contractors, that both major parties have said they will address but have failed to do so.
On healthcare, I’ll push for better services at Northern Beaches Hospital and expanded mental health support at the former Mona Vale Hospital. Protecting Pittwater’s natural beauty is also a top priority. I’ll stand against overdevelopment and fight the town centre definition of the Minns high density blanket planning laws and promote sensible, sustainable planning that helps keep our community connected and together.
If you could fix one issue immediately in Pittwater, what would it be?
The Mona Vale Road upgrade. This project has been delayed for far too long, and it’s time to finally get it finished. If elected by the people of Pittwater, securing funding to complete Mona Vale Road will be my number one priority. As an independent in a minority NSW government, we’ll have a strong voice at the table to fight to get this critical infrastructure completed.
If elected, how will you stay in touch with the community and their concerns?
I live in Pittwater, and my family and I are an active part of the community. I’ve worked with our federal member Dr Sophie Scamps so I’m always speaking with people and know the community groups.
I’m committed to doing politics differently – meeting people where they are and holding pop-up politics, town halls and forums on different policy issues like the recent Transport Forum and Housing Forum I held with Zali Steggall MP. I’m also committed to being an open, available, and accountable representative for Pittwater. I will listen and work with honesty and integrity.
I will encourage members of the community to reach out to me directly with their concerns and challenges. That is what your local MP is for.
I know how effective independent representation can be. Just look at what Michael Regan is achieving next door in Wakehurst, securing a much-needed audit of the Northern Beaches Hospital, as well as more funding for local schools and public transport.
How can locals stay up-to-date with your campaign in the lead-up to the election?
I am out and about in the community every day, so if you see me at the bus stop or at the shops, please come up to me and let me know what is important to you and what you want to see done differently in Pittwater.
You can stay up to date on our community-led campaign by following me on Instagram and X/Twitter, for updates on what I have been up to and for announcements. You can also visit my website: www.jacquiscruby.com.au
I’m attending community events and candidate forums, like the Pittwater Alliance Candidate Forum. I encourage everyone to hear directly from me about how I will fight for Pittwater’s future.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jacquiscrubyindependent
X/Twitter: https://x.com/jacquipittwater
Where Do I Vote?
Australians aged 18 and over are required to enrol and vote. You must vote only once.
Voters at this election can choose to vote:
- via post
- in person at an early voting centre
- in person on election day at our voting centres.
Early voting locations
Early voting will be open from Saturday, 12 October to Friday, 18 October 2024 (not open Sunday).
Voting locations on election day
Voting centres will be open from 8am to 6pm on Saturday, 19 October 2024.
Learn more about what to expect at a voting centre on election day.
Interstate voting locations
Early voting will be open from Monday, 14 October to Friday, 18 October 2024.
