When Northern Beaches Council asked young people for their views in 2022, 350 took the survey. This year, more than 2,300 responded. That sixfold jump, from a single initiative called Have Your Say Day, captures something rare in local government: a community actually leaning in.
The timing could not be better. From 22 July to 21 August 2026, the Council is inviting feedback on the refreshed draft of Better Together 2040, its 20-year social sustainability roadmap. This is the strategy’s first major five-year review, and it arrives with a new priority: diversity, added alongside the original pillars of safety, inclusion, and connection.
“A truly safe, inclusive, diverse and connected Northern Beaches is a place where everyone feels they belong,” said Mayor Sue Heins. “Better Together 2040 is about strengthening the social fabric of our community, making sure people feel safe, respected, supported and able to take part in community life. We want to hear from people across the Northern Beaches to ensure the refreshed strategy captures what matters most and supports the community we want to be now and into the future.”
The first five years delivered on nearly every commitment. The Drink Less, Live More campaign promoted safer social environments. Tech Helpdesk services expanded across all libraries, helping older residents and people with low digital literacy stay connected. And Have Your Say Day, where young people speak directly to councillors and local MPs, saw survey participation grow from 350 to over 2,300—a shift that suggests the strategy’s promise of inclusion is being felt on the ground.
The refreshed draft now defines each direction in plain terms. A safe community is one where people can achieve wellbeing in their social and physical surroundings. Inclusion means belonging and equal access to opportunity. Connection is about how people relate to each other and to place. Diversity recognises and values different backgrounds and lived experiences. Together, they form a framework for the region’s next 15 years.
Feedback can be given online at the Your Say Northern Beaches page. The draft strategy is available in accessible and easy-read formats, and a Workshop in a Box resource lets community groups, schools, or families run their own discussion sessions. Anyone wanting to speak with a person can contact Briana Davis, Social Planning and Strategy Coordinator, on 1300 434 434.
If you are a young person, an older resident, someone with a disability, or part of the area’s multicultural communities, your voice is specifically sought. The consultation isn’t just about formal submissions; the Workshop in a Box tool means even a barbecue conversation can shape the plan. And don’t miss the easy-read version if simplified text helps you or someone in your family.
The window is brief. Four weeks, closing 21 August 2026. After that, the strategy’s direction will be set for the long term. The original 2021 document shaped several years of community safety plans, disability inclusion actions, and youth voice programmes. This review determines what comes next.
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Northern Beaches Council
Local government authority responsible for the Northern Beaches local government area in Sydney, covering suburbs from Manly to Palm Beach. It manages planning, community services, infrastructure and environmental initiatives for the region.
Better Together 2040
Northern Beaches Council’s 20-year Social Sustainability Strategy adopted in August 2021. It provides a roadmap for creating a safe, inclusive, connected and now diverse community through targeted actions, monitoring via the Community Wellbeing Framework, and alignment with the Community Strategic Plan 2040.
When 2,300 young people raise their hands, the conversation has already started. The draft is open for a few more weeks. The next chapter of the Northern Beaches belongs to everyone who takes part.