From the Mayor - 24 February 2021

Lunar New Year celebrations are in full swing for residents from China and other Asian countries and the good news is the Chinese horoscope tells us the Year of the Ox will be lucky and perfect for us to focus on hard work and relationships.

The events of the last year have shown us, more than ever, the importance of mutual respect and open, inclusive communities. One of Council’s next steps in promoting and facilitating respect and social inclusion will be updating Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan. Engaging the community remains vital to the plan’s relevance and success and I encourage all residents to participate in community consultations as we need all your creative ideas and insights to deliver the best possible Plan. Stay tuned for opportunities to be involved over the coming months.

I am very much looking forward to a wonderful new initiative, the Mosman Art Walk, organised by Mosman High School in conjunction with artists from Mosman and beyond and our wonderful local businesses. Watch out for some fabulous artworks appearing for sale by auction in our shopfronts in early March.

Council has Mosman’s inaugural five-year Climate Strategy and Action Plan on public exhibition until Sunday 28 February. The Plan has been developed with extensive input and community knowledge sharing, including from the newly formed Climate Action Community Consultative Committee. Council is very much looking forward to welcoming all your feedback and suggestions on the draft strategy.

I am very pleased to inform residents that changes to NSW Government-mandated public health restrictions have enabled Council to increase the number of visitors to Council events. I had the absolute pleasure of dropping by the Seniors Centre last week to welcome back residents to our very popular and well attended weekly Friday community luncheons.

In closing, preparations for Council’s 2021/22 Operational Plan and Budget are underway and these will be considered at the April Council meeting. Our financial position for this year is much improved on forecasts at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, placing us in a better than expected position for the year ahead.