A long-serving MP is on the hunt for a blue ribbon Liberal stronghold after senior NSW cabinet member Rob Stokes announced he will quit politics at the state election.
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Mr Stokes on Friday said he would not recontest the Sydney seat of Pittwater in March.
He said it was time for voters to find a new voice for the northern beaches electorate.
Almost immediately, upper house MP and Pittwater resident Natasha Maclaren-Jones nominated for Liberal preselection for the seat.
"It is from my love for Pittwater and my commitment to continuing to serve our community that today I announce I will be putting myself forward," the disability services minister said in a statement.
No other Liberals had put themselves forward for the seat as of Friday.
Meanwhile, the Independent Pittwater group said it would seek to put up a candidate who cared about the environment, the electorate and integrity.
"Rob Stokes was a popular member - he was a likeable person who worked hard - but I don't think that popularity extends to the Liberal Party," Independent Pittwater spokeswoman Rebecca Clarke told AAP.
Despite suffering a seven-per-cent swing, Mr Stokes easily won Pittwater at the 2019 election, taking 57 per cent of first preferences.
But Pittwater is in the federal seat of Mackellar, considered safe until teal independent Sophie Scamps toppled Liberal Jason Falinski in May.
Due to a series of retirements and two separate scandals, the NSW Liberal Party needs to nominate candidates for at least seven other seats before the March 25 election.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean was confident voters would see the government, which has been in power for 11 years, as a fresh team with a bold vision for women's empowerment.
"Why would you vote for a Teal when you could vote for the real deal here in NSW?" he said on Friday.
"I want to see more talented females coming into parliament and I'll be doing everything I can to make sure that happens."
Mr Kean saw Ms Maclaren-Jones as tremendously talented and hoped another upper house MP - Women's Safety Minister Natalie Ward - would run for the seat of Davidson, vacated by retiring Jonathan O'Dea.
Mr Stokes' retirement has been rumoured since the moderate Liberal was easily beaten by Dominic Perrottet in a leadership ballot in 2021, prompted by Gladys Berejiklian's resignation.
Elected in 2007, the former environmental lawyer and political advisor held numerous portfolios throughout his political career including education, planning, heritage, environment and active transport.
Developer lobby Urban Development Institute of Australia praised Mr Stokes as an example of successful ministers - "honest, competent and champions of reform".
Labor said Mr Stokes' departure was a sign the government's best days were behind it.
"He really was one of the last few remaining members of the government whose integrity was beyond question," shadow treasurer Daniel Mookhey said.
Mr Stokes, Mr O'Dea, Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello, Corrections Minister Geoff Lee, Riverstone MP Kevin Conolly and Vaucluse MP Gabrielle Upton have announced their retirements.
Liberal preselections are also required in Kiama and Drummoyne after the current sitting members were booted from the party due to separate scandals.
Australian Associated Press
