James Griffin MP: Reset... This is Who We Are

2026 is well and truly underway, and Beaches COVERED's Autumn theme is 'Reset', a word that may feel especially resonant.

For many in our community, and across Sydney, the past six months have been incredibly challenging. The horrific events at Bondi deeply affected communities across Sydney, including our own. Recent shark incidents in Dee Why and Manly have also been distressing and confronting, shaking a sense of familiarity and safety that many of us take for granted.

When difficult events like these dominate headlines and social media, they can distort how we see the places we live and the way we go about our lives. But in truth, they only highlight the importance of perspective and the reasons I remain optimistic about the future of the Manly electorate.

Through these immense challenges, we have seen the best of our community on display. Locals, tourists, first responders, lifeguards and ordinary bystanders stepping forward without hesitation to help others. Acts of bravery matched by quiet acts of kindness, and organisations like Lifeline Northern Beaches offering free drop-in services and welfare checks.

They have shown us that our community cannot be defined by any single event, but by the people who call it home, the institutions that support us, and the natural and cultural assets that make it unique.

From Manly to North Balgowlah, Freshie, Curl Curl and Dee Why, I have always believed we live in the best part of the world to live, work and raise a family. That view has not changed.

Our beaches remain among the best in the world, rivalled only by our coastal walks, ocean pools, national parks and bushland, offering places to exercise and connect.

Our schools continue to achieve outstanding results, and our surf clubs, sporting clubs, P&Cs and other local organisations reflect the strong volunteer and community spirit that defines our area.

Local charities such as LocalKind Northern Beaches, the Northern Beaches Women's Shelter, Royal Far West, and other groups provide essential support all year round to those in need, quietly ensuring no one is left behind.

Brookvale has evolved into a nationally recognised hub for breweries, live music and creative enterprise, and our local cafés and restaurants are among the best in the country.

We are also home to institutions of national significance. The Manly Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice at North Head provides specialist end-of-life care to young people and their families.

The Manly Art Gallery and Museum continues to showcase remarkable exhibitions and bring people together to celebrate creativity. Annual festivals such as the Manly Jazz Festival and Night at the Barracks remind us that the arts and culture here is active, vibrant and accessible.

We are also seeing infrastructure projects coming to life across the electorate. I was proud to announce $446,739 in Community Building Partnership funding, which will deliver upgrades to schools, sporting clubs, surf clubs and new community spaces.

Securing $500,000 to upgrade Frank Gray Oval in Curl Curl and construct women's changerooms and accessible amenities, as well as $400,000 at Dee Why Beach to construct the Michaela Howie playground have been great wins for the community. The new boardwalk extension at South Curl Curl, and the soon-to-be-unveiled Queenscliff pedestrian and cycle bridge are examples of projects that will enhance safety, connectivity and community life.

Despite these wins, there are challenges that still need to be overcome. Transport infrastructure must receive investment, and public transport reliability needs improving. E-bike safety continues to concern many residents, and stronger regulation, including an under 18 years licence plate policy, should be adopted as a matter of urgency. I remain committed to working with the Government and the community to devise practical solutions that make a real difference for our local community.

Ultimately, a reset, to me, is about perspective. It is about recognising what makes this place extraordinary and doubling down on it while approaching challenges with clear eyes and realistic solutions.

That is why I am optimistic about the direction of our community in 2026. Not because challenges do not exist, but because recent events have shown we have the strength of character, the institutions, and the foundations to meet them.

There is more work to do, and I will continue fighting for it. But as we move further into 2026, perhaps this is our reset moment. A moment to pause, reflect, and appreciate just how lucky we are to live in what I maintain is the best place in Australia to live, work and raise a family.

James Griffin MP | Member for Manly | Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Shadow Minister for Digital, Artificial Intelligence and Investment, Shadow Minister for Customer Service | @jamesgriffinmp | jamesgriffinmp.com

Authorised by James Griffin, funded using Parliamentary Entitlements.