Blacktown Council’s new councillors, mayor and deputy mayor

The dust has settled on the Blacktown Council election, with five new councillors elected. Here’s our guide to who’s who and what they claim they will do.

Ben Talintyre

3 min read

January 17, 2022 - 1:25PM

Blacktown Advocate

Blacktown

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With the new Blacktown City councillors elected they took the time to speak to the Advocate about their plans for the years ahead.

Blacktown City Council welcomes five new councillors across four wards. Michael Stubley of The Blacktown Coalition Team, Independent Allan Green and Livingston Chettipally and Labor’s Kushpinder Kaur and Robert (Bob) Fitzgerald.

This is what they had to say.

Michael Stubley

“With a background in contracts and procurement, I’m looking forward to utilising my skills to ensure ratepayers of Blacktown City aren’t having their rates spent unnecessarily or wasted on red tape,” he said.

“It’s our job as councillors to ensure we create a liveable community that people are proud to call home, with reliable services, better roads, a healthy natural environment and a thriving local business district.

“During the campaign, this was my commitment to the people of Ward 2 and I will continue to advocate for all of these things and represent them to ensure their voice is heard.”

Livingston Chettipally

Councillor Chettipally said he wants to be “a strong voice for our local multicultural community” and said he will “support local families by initiating better council services, parks and community centres”.

He has also pledged to help support local businesses, improve community safety, wellbeing and stop violence.

Kushpinder Kaur

“I am tremendously humbled by the trust and faith put in by Blacktown residents in me,” she said.

“I am post graduate in Science (Master of Science Zoology) and education (Master in Education) and also graduated in business management.

“I possess skills of management, perseverance, problem solver, with analytical and critical thinking.

Blacktown City Councillor Kushpinder Kaur

“I am a great team player and have always worked for women empowerment, children education and youth advocacy.

“I have strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills which will help me in integrating with the community for providing efficient services.”

She added: “My pledge is to work along with our team of councillors and mayor towards the women empowerment, youth advocacy, children education services, and better health facilities for all.”

Allan Green

Allan Green said he is “passionate about the local community and he is keen to give the people of Ward 3 responsive representations in all their matters of concern.”

He said his eight priorities will focus on for the people from Ward 3. They are: Giving effective representation to local residents, new community centre for Seven Hills and Toongabbie, better services for seniors and people with a disability, increased spending on parks, roads and footpaths, well planned and environmentally compatible development, naming a park Dr. Russ Dickens Park in honour of his community work, improved community and sports facilities including a new indoor sports stadium and the completion of lift access upgrade at Doonside station.

Robert ‘Bob’ Fitzgerald

Robert Fitzgerald has lived in the Blacktown area for many years and was the Chief Inspector in the Blacktown and Mount Druitt Police Commands.

He will represent Ward 4 as a Labor member.

Incoming Blacktown Councillor Bob Fitzgerald

Blacktown Councillors voted last week for the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor with current Blacktown Council Mayor re-elected and fellow Ward 5 Labor running mate Brad Bunting elected Deputy Mayor, replacing Julie Griffiths.

Mayor Tony Bleasdale was first elected to Blacktown City Council in 1996 and is about to embark on his 20th year as a councillor.

“I accept this honour with great pride and enthusiasm and thank my fellow councillors for placing their trust and confidence in me once again,” said Mayor Bleasdale.

“I look forward to leading this wonderful group of councillors and I have great faith in the commitment they each have to Blacktown City.

“I am excited to lead a strong, passionate group which works together with a shared vision for our city and represents the diversity of our community. We know Blacktown City is the jewel in the crown of Western Sydney, and as Mayor, I intend to continue to build the modern city our residents and businesses need into the future.”

Incoming Deputy Mayor Brad Bunting said he was honoured to be elected as Deputy Mayor and said he will continue to advocate for Blacktown City.

“My pledge is to continue to advocate for Blacktown City and improve the lives of all residents through the ongoing growth of council’s libraries, pools, sporting fields, playgrounds and community hubs,” he said.

The full list of elected councillors in each ward can be seen below.