Cumberland City Council local news

Welcome to the Cumberland City Council live blog where you can find all the latest information and goings-on.

Kelly Robinson

less than 2 min read

July 1, 2020 - 2:15PM

Cumberland City Council

Welcome to the Cumberland City Council live blog where you can find all the latest information and goings-on.

From new developments and events, to charity initiatives and important announcements, we will keep you up to date with your local council.

Live Updates

Healthy Kids program returns

Joanne Vella

We’re excited to announce that the Healthy Kids initiative program is back in full swing at our local schools across Cumberland City.

As part of the program, leading female athletes like Olympic gold medallist Chloe Dalton, Sydney Roosters player Hannah Southwell, Paralympian Tyan Taylor and GWS Giants netballer Tilly McDonell partnered with Council to deliver the Women in Sport Roadshow experience.

“As the father of twin girls, I am very proud that this initiative inspires young females to try new sports and engage with positive female role models,” said Mayor Steve Christou.

Granville Public School recently participated in the program, with 60 girls given the opportunity to engage with GWS Giants Netballer Tilly McDonell.

The program is set to be extended to the community through the upcoming April school holidays with activities such as tennis, badminton and skateboarding.

These community sporting clinics give our local youth the opportunity to try new sports, get out and get active!

Empowering women to lead

Joanne Vella

While women contribute greatly to the workforce, they are substantially underrepresented in leadership roles.

It’s with this in mind that Mayor Steve Christou awarded a Mayoral grant to support the Merrylands Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Empowering Leadership’ event, which will be held at the Holroyd Centre on Monday, 29 March 2021 from 6:30pm-9:30pm.

“I look forward to being a part of this great event and encourage residents and businesses in our community to connect and have conversations that amplify women’s leadership roles in a transformational way,” said Mayor Christou.

“This will be a fantastic opportunity to come together and learn about why it’s so important to support women at every level.”

The grant will help facilitate the event, which will include a panel of leading female speakers followed by an upskilling course, ‘Skilling for Recovery,’ presented by the Department of Education.

For more information and to register, visit http://www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/leadership

Getting abandoned trolleys off our streets

Joanne Vella

At Cumberland City, we’ve been on a trolley blitz to get abandoned shopping trolleys off our streets.

“We approached supermarket retailers 12 months ago to work with us on this issue but there was no positive response. It was time to take matters into our own hands so we gave them 30 days to pick up their trolleys,” said Mayor Steve Christou.

“If this was the North Shore or Eastern suburbs, there would be no need to address this issue.

“Cumberland City is not a ghetto, and we won’t let them treat it like one.

“Over the course of 5 weeks, 800 trolleys have been collected and are being crushed at Council’s Guildford depot. Any other dumped trolleys we find will suffer the same fate.

“This is not just a matter of retailers meeting their responsibilities to collect trolleys. It’s about having a sense of community pride.

“I also encourage residents to do the right thing and not take trolleys outside of their shopping precincts, because fines will apply.

“Let’s all work together to keep our streets clean.”

Multicultural calendar of events to resume

Joanne Vella

Our community is a melting pot for one of the most multicultural areas in NSW and indeed Australi

a.

“Like many councils and businesses, Cumberland City Council experienced financial hardship as the COVID-19 situation worsened last year,” Mayor Steve Christou said.

“With our economic position improving, I’m relieved that our calendar of events, which includes cultural celebrations for Ramadan and the Cherry Blossom Festival, will resume in the coming months.

“We are also planning to host Diwali and Lunar New Year festivals in 2022, provided we continue to stay on track. Council’s events committee will engage with communities and associations for each festival to ensure these celebrations are successful.

“I’m proud that the Council I lead could reach this decision, unanimously and reaffirm Council’s commitment to celebrate what makes our City so special, our diversity. Importantly, our events will resume in line with the latest health advice and our staff will ensure they have correct measures in place to host COVID-safe events..”

Clean Up Australia Day wraps up

Joanne Vella

It’s clear that a sense of community spirit is alive and well in Cumberland City, with nearly 50 Clen Up Australia Day activities taking place last Sunday.

The council had the chance to learn all about the Parramatta River Catchment Group’s latest gadget, ‘the litter vacuum,’ and met with community groups.

“By doing our bit and taking on practical solutions, we can help live more sustainably every day of the year and make Cumberland City a great place to live,” Mayor Steve Christou said.

Thank you to council’s environmental team and everyone who participated.

Wellbeing report

Joanne Vella

Be part of the Cumberland Conversation and have your say about our Cumberland Community Wellbeing draft report, which aims to inform future planning and opportunities for our City.

During this community consultation period, we encourage residents to submit their comments on the proposal.

Submissions close Friday, 26 February 2021.

Visit https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/community-wellbeing to join the Cumberland Conversation.

Wentworthville pop-up park

Joanne Vella

Don’t forget to trial our pop-up park on Dunmore Street in Wentworthville and tell us about your experience!

This project aims to improve walkability along Dunmore Street and create a space that can be enjoyed while mitigating impacts of urban heat.

Join the Cumberland Conversation and have your say about the initiative via https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/wentworthville-popup

Submissions close Sunday, February 28

2021.

Wyatt Park, Lidcombe

Joanne Vella

Be part of the Cumberland Conversation and have your say about Wyatt Park , the 23 hectare parkland home to the Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre, Lidcombe Oval, Auburn Youth Centre, Cumberland Basketball Centre, Parramatta Auburn Netball Association and PCYC.

During this community consultation period, residents are encouraged to submit their comments on Council's proposed framework that provides direction on the future use and management of the Park.

Submissions close Monday, 22 February 2021. Visit https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/wyatt-park to join the Cumberland Conversation.

Meet Your Mayor revamped

Kelly Robinson

The Meet Your Mayor sessions held at Stockland Merrylands will now include a subject matter expert on a variety of topics each week.
We’re believers in being accessible to the community and having solutions available to matters of concern.
Whether it’s community safety, road and traffic, or resource recovery, we’ll be able to answer your questions instantaneously.
For session times and locations, visit https://www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/meet-your-mayor

First Mayor’s grave restored

Kelly Robinson

Mayor Steve Christou and Councillor Paul Garrard visited Rookwood Cemetery where the gravesite of Arthur Holroyd, the first mayor of the Municipality of Prospect and Sherwood, the predecessor of the former Holroyd Council, has been restored after years of neglect.
Arthur Holroyd was a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly and was largely responsible for establishing the municipality of Holroyd in 1872.
Council is honoured to have taken part in such an important milestone of preserving our heritage.
We commend Councillor Garrard and the Heritage Committee for their continued advocacy to maintain this important gravesite.