James Griffin: Our Home, Our Future, Our Say

Throughout my time as the Member for Manly, I have come to learn that the best ideas and solutions to local challenges rarely come from government departments and bureaucracy. Rather, they come from local families and residents, business operators, students and volunteers – people who know our area like the back of their hand, who commute to and from it day in, day out, and who simply understand what works and what does not.

I believe that these ideas should not only inform but actively guide the work of Government and elected representatives. Trust in politics is earned not through words alone, but through transparency, accountability and delivering real, tangible results. Getting these results over the line begins with listening closely and carefully to the views, concerns and aspirations of the people who know the area best: the people who call it home.

That is why I have recently launched Future Manly, a community-wide survey running over the summer months across the entire electorate. The goal is to give residents the opportunity to play a part in directly shaping a shared vision for our community and to have a real say on the projects and issues they want championed in State Parliament.

Future Manly isn’t about bringing a plan to the community and asking for feedback – it’s about giving residents the power to set the agenda. We often hear the term ‘community consultation’ thrown around as a kind of buzzword designed to improve transparency in decision-making processes of Government bodies. The reality is that these processes can often be a one-way process where residents provide input on a project or issue, without any guarantee that it will influence an outcome.

Through Future Manly, I want to flip the traditional approach, where Governments and elected representatives propose first and consult later. I want you to tell me what matters most, what projects should be prioritised, and what issues you want me to fight for, ensuring the work I do every day accurately reflects the priorities and ambitions of our community.

Ultimately, Future Manly will ensure the next decade of progress for our community is shaped not by top-down decisions, but by the ideas and ambitions of the people who live here. It’s about creating a shared sense of ownership over where we’re heading and a shared sense of pride in what we can, and will, achieve together.

The survey will remain open throughout the summer, giving residents an opportunity to share what matters most to them. Whether it’s improving roads, supporting small businesses, upgrading schools, protecting our natural environment or revitalising neglected local areas, I want your priorities and aspirations to directly guide the work I do in the Parliament of New South Wales.

Once the survey closes, I’ll publish the results and report back to the community so everyone can see what’s been shared – ensuring a transparent and practical process. Future Manly and the insights gathered will deliver a shared plan for Manly’s future, a roadmap developed by the community itself. The plan will highlight the priorities residents identify and outline the areas where we can make meaningful progress together in the years ahead. Any personal information you share will only be utilised for the purpose of communicating the outcomes of the survey and next steps.

The survey is now live, and while it only takes a few minutes to complete, the impact will guide years of future work and advocacy. Please visit futuremanly.com or scan the QR code below to have your say in shaping the kind of future we want for our area over the next 10 years, together.

James Griffin MP  |  Member for Manly  |  Shadow Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Shadow Minister for Digital Government Follow me on Instagram!  |  @jamesgriffinmp  |  www.jamesgriffinmp.com

Authorised by James Griffin MP using Parliamentary Entitlements.