Meet the 2024 Cumberland Council candidates

Former Auburn councillors, Liberal candidates and the Battler Team are in the race to join this western Sydney council for the local government poll.

Cumberland Council candidates Joseph Rahme, Sujan Selventhiran and Tony Oldfield.

Controversial property developer and former Auburn mayor Ronney Oueik, outspoken local government critic Tony Oldfield and Sujan Selventhiran – who is hoping to become the first Green to serve as a Cumberland councillor – are among those in the race to join Cumberland for the September 14 local government elections.

The elections are likely to signal the return of Liberal representation to the 15-councillor chamber, with Joseph Rahme, Michael Zaiter, Steve Yang and Ned Attie in the run for a seat.

We asked candidates to submit profiles and questioned if they supported high-density housing in their area, what they identified as a major issue in their ward and how they intended to tackle the issue as a councillor.

We also asked them what the major issue in the Cumberland local government area is and how they intended to address it as a councillor.

GRANVILLE

The ward comprises Granville, Guildford, Holroyd, Merrylands and Merrylands West.

Steve Christou, Our Local Community

I am a two-time former mayor of Cumberland Council who is running for a third term. During my terms on council as mayor and councillor I have overseen and delivered the Granville Centre, Eric Tweedale Stadium, the restoration of Granville Town Hall, upgrades to Merrylands CBD drainage and advocated for the pensioner rebate program, which now gives pensioners $125 rebate off their council rates.

I have extensive experience in handling a large range of matters and assists community members in regards to most federal, state, and council matters, namely Centrelink, child support, immigration, Medicare, family law, internet connectivity and housing development regulations.

Steve Christou.

I support good developments not bad developments. When adding high-density to an area there has to be infrastructure upgrades to support the high density and increased population that is entering the area.

There is a lack of parking in the Granville, and Merrylands CBD areas. I will add more public car parking spaces to Granville and Merrylands.

We are in dire need of road, and footpath repairs, as well as maintenance to our parks. If re-elected to council I will be pushing for a back-to-basics program, which will reinvest heavily in parks, footpaths, road upgrades and street cleanliness.

Providing multiple synthetic sporting fields for our sporting clubs, and children to enjoy is also a priority.

Joseph Rahme, Liberals

I’ve served as a councillor for 12 years. Born and raised in Granville, I’ve spent all 42 years of my life in this ward, where I now raise my young family.

I hold a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of NSW with distinction, am a certified practising accountant and have more than 20 years of business experience.

My dedication to Granville drives me to relentlessly improve our community for all residents.

I support well-planned development in strategic locations near transport hubs, ensuring it’s matched by appropriate investment in facilities and infrastructure. I firmly believe that western Sydney should not bear the full burden of addressing the housing shortage.

Granville ward faces housing and infrastructure challenges due to rapid population growth, straining services and worsening traffic.

Joseph Rahme.

I aim to collaborate with stakeholders to implement strategic housing plans that balance development with community needs, invest in infrastructure upgrades and ensure sustainability. Prioritising affordable housing, engaging with residents, and maintaining transparent communication are essential for building a stronger, more resilient community.

Population growth and urban sprawl have worsened traffic congestion in our LGA, and higher-density housing will compound this in the next three to five years.

I plan to address this by collaborating with state agencies to enhance public transport, invest in arterial road improvements, implement smarter traffic management systems, and promote active transport through better infrastructure for walking and cycling.

Ola Hamed, Labor

Given the current cost-of-living crisis, it is crucial that we do everything possible to ensure people can access social and affordable housing quickly.

The density of housing must always be accompanied by the necessary infrastructure.

As part of my election promise, Labor budgeted $5m in the ’24-25 budget to restore the Laurie Ferguson Water Playground at Granville Park, after it was destroyed under the previous leadership; ensuring the successful completion of the construction will be a top priority.

Our efforts have significantly reduced council rubbish pick-up times and we have made a record investment in renewing footpaths, totalling over $3.5m.

Ola Hamed.

Additionally, we have allocated close to $10m for roads and traffic upgrades, including $6.5m for road repairs due to weather events, and over $1.9m for Granville Park field irrigation.

We need solutions, not division. We must continue our efforts to bring the community together for better social cohesion, so that we can foster a city where everyone is treated equally and feels welcome.

This work must be in conjunction with our commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure and parks.

We are also focused on promoting green spaces in the area, including the rollout of the electric vehicle charging stations program.

GREYSTANES

The ward comprises Greystanes, Guildford, Guildford West, Merrylands West, Pemulwuy, and parts of Prospect, Smithfield, Woodpark and Yennora.

Diane Colman, Labor

I am a lecturer at Western Sydney University and a lifelong local who has delivered for our community as a councillor since 2022.

In this short time, I have established a council service hub at Greystanes, a seniors connections service, family and domestic violence prevention and support and youth mental health initiatives.

All this while upgrading our local parks, installing more footpaths and holding celebrations and events in our ward.

Most importantly, I have saved Guildford pool, delivering a state-of-the-art aquatic centre for the community to enjoy for generations to come.

Diane Colman.

I am running with proud Pemulwuy resident Manu Devana, a family relationship educator, who has dedicated the past 20 years to supporting many local families during their toughest times, and Bob Hockey, a recently retired small business owner and long-term Guildford West resident who is enthusiastic about sustainability and the protection of local wildlife and nature.

The main concerns in our area are the interlinked issues of housing affordability, domestic and family violence and youth employment. Your local Labor team are working hard on these issues in conjunction with state and federal governments and will continue to build a connected and caring local community that is safe, strong and resilient.

Eddy Sarkis (Independent), Greg Cummings (Independent) and Nadima Kafrouni-Saba (Liberals) did not submit profiles.

REGENTS PARK

The ward takes in Auburn, Berala, Regents Park, Rookwood and parts of Lidcombe and Homebush West.

Andrew Quah, Independent

Council doesn’t really have a choice about high-density housing. We’re now home to more than 250,000 residents, and will be home to another 100,000 over the next decade-and-a-half.

The challenge facing council is formidable – new infrastructure must support new development, new development must pay for new infrastructure, and the quality of life of existing residents must be preserved as much as possible.

Andrew Quah.

As an independent councillor for the Regents Park ward, I’ll be focused on the fine detail of local planning across the Cumberland LGA.

It’s not sexy work, but when detailed policy takes a back seat to headline-grabbing issues, it results in low-quality new buildings that aren’t adequately supported by infrastructure, and that destroy the quality of life for their neighbours.

Ensuring that council’s next development control plans adequately supports new development and new infrastructure for residents old and new will be my highest priority in the new council term.

I am passionate about realising the potential for western Sydney’s young people. Championing educational opportunities for younger residents, including a new high school and selective high school for Lidcombe, along with directly resourcing libraries, sporting fields and extra-curricular community activity will be on my mind.

Tony Oldfield, Battler Team

I’m the lead candidate for the Battler Team in the Regents Park ward with Elizabeth Hanham and Michael Stanislas.

Our team lives in the suburbs of Auburn, Lidcombe and Regents Park and I have lived in Auburn since 1985.

Our group, the Battler, grew out of the struggle against the Collex waste transfer station in Auburn/Clyde and that was my initiation into local government politics.

I was elected to Auburn Council in 2012 and am proud to have been part of a group of four councillors nicknamed the Poor Four for standing against vested interests and overdevelopment.

Tony Oldfield.

Residents should be alarmed those same vested interests are targeting the council again.

We support sensible development supported by the appropriate infrastructure and in the right places, but this is the problem we face not only on Cumberland Council but across western Sydney.

Governments, whether Labor or Liberal, believe they can dump bad, poorly designed and faulty developments in our suburbs without consequences.

The same applies to dirty industries like the proposed putrid waste station next to a high-density development. They couldn’t get away with this in Vaucluse and they won’t in Lidcombe. This is why you should support the Battler on Saturday, September 14.

Helen Hughes (Our Local Community), Steve Yang (Liberals) and Enver Yasar (Labor) did not submit profiles.

This ward takes in Auburn, Chester Hill, Guildford, Merrylands, Regents Park and South Granville.

Paul Garrard, Our Local Community

As the leader of the Our Local Community team, it has been my pleasure to have represented the community for the past 50 years.

September 14 will represent 50 years in public life representing firstly the former Parramatta residents and now the residents of Cumberland.

My 50 years of experience brings enormous benefit to the table when representing the Cumberland community.

High-density housing and the emergence of vertical villages must be carefully considered. Without appropriate infrastructure, it makes no sense promoting higher densities.

Paul Garrard.

This is a problem highlighted in the past. Communities need structure in order to improve quality of life. Neighbourhoods will automatically change.

Unless high-density living is supported by real infrastructure development then communities will suffer. Will development standards offer protection to lower-income and vulnerable people? What of job security and accessibility. These matters need to be considered.

The “eastern suburbs” of Cumberland receive a disproportionate amount of funding to address infrastructure concerns.

This problem is a glaring failure of Cumberland Council under Labor control. This needs to be turned around.

We need to better support our arts community and create an improved image of Cumberland. We need to be a council which provides not only a range of required services but services provided at an affordable rate.

Luke Ahern, Battler Team

I am the lead candidate for the Battler Team in the South Granville ward comprising Ali Farhat and Talb Humady.

I have been a resident of Berala for approximately 50 years and my family background is culturally Irish and Italian.

I attended Marist Brothers colleges in Lidcombe and Auburn and studied small business and human resources management at TAFE and previously worked in electrical maintenance distribution and supply in the NSW transport industry.

Luke Ahern.

I am a dedicated unionist and politically active in the Cumberland area and was an independent candidate in the NSW 2019 state election for the seat of Auburn.

A major issue across South Granville, Auburn, Clyde, Lidcombe and Berala areas is the lack of street parking and increased traffic congestion attributed to new granny flats and duplexes with investors buying houses and retrofitting them into multi-tenant properties becoming placebo boarding houses.

The Battler supports sensible and appropriate development.

People should have more control on developments that negatively impact their lives, and this requires better integration of design thinking in the planning process with problem solving through intelligent delivery that positively benefits local communities.

Glenn Elmore, Labor

I work in administration and am a volunteer. I am an experienced local councillor who was raised, and has brought up my own family, in Guildford.

I am an experienced on the ground councillor, always available to local residents, and have ensured local services are delivered that continue to meet the needs of families, seniors and young people.

I want to put finding solutions to the ongoing local traffic congestion and good financial management at the top of Cumberland Council’s agenda.

Our team is Mohamad Hussein and Eda Tegin.

Glenn Elmore.

I generally don’t support high-density housing. However, as the population grows people need to be housed close to services and jobs.

High-density housing can help reduce the housing crisis if it’s planned, appropriately located and affordable.

The Duck River masterplan is complete and now needs to be funded. The Duck River plan has the potential to provide a major green corridor not only for the Cumberland and recreation area for Greater Sydney.

The major issue for the Cumberland LGA is finance. The council can’t generate enough revenue from its stakeholders. As the population grows, there needs to be more funding for infrastructure projects and services.

The council provides many services for its residents that should be funded through the federal and state governments. The cost shifting needs to be more fairly balanced.

Ronney Oueik (Independent), Ahmed Ibrahim Ali Ouf (Independent) and Ned Attie (Liberals) did not submit profiles.

WENTWORTHVILLE

The ward takes in Wentworthville, Westmead, South Wentworthville, Mays Hill, Pendle Hill, Toongabbie, Girraween, Greystanes and Merrylands.

Sujan Selventhiran, the Greens

I am running as the lead candidate for the Greens in the Wentworthville ward, alongside my dedicated team members, Balaji Naranapatti and Dorothea Newland.

I have lived in the Cumberland area for over 18 years and am actively involved in community work and human rights advocacy, particularly within the Tamil community.

My decision to stand for council is driven by a desire to bring ethical, transparent and inclusive governance to our local government.

I believe that any development, including high-density housing, must be carefully planned and executed to ensure it meets the needs of the community.

Sujan Selventhiran.

While high-density housing can provide much-needed affordable housing options, it must not come at the expense of our green spaces, public amenities or the overall quality of life in our neighbourhoods.

One of the major issues in the Wentworthville ward is the threat to our green spaces due to overdevelopment.

As a councillor, I will work to protect and extend these spaces, ensuring they are preserved for future generations.

Across the Cumberland local government area, the lack of affordable housing and community spaces stands out as critical issues.

We can’t consider one without the other as the state government, with its transport-oriented development, seems to be heading.

I will advocate for the implementation of more affordable housing schemes and the creation of community spaces that foster social cohesion and support local organisations.

Suman Saha, Labor

I have served as a Cumberland councillor since 2017 and was deputy mayor from 2022 to 2023.

With a business (accounting) degree and experience as a finance manager at a major university, I bring valuable expertise to my councillor role.

As a father raising a young daughter with my wife, who also works outside the home, I understand the pressures faced by young families.

I am running alongside the current mayor of Cumberland Council, Lisa Lake, who has served as a councillor since 2012 and has been a proud Wentworthville local for 34 years.

Suman Saha.

My team is supported by Thiru Arumugam, a long-term resident of Girraween.

I support diverse housing options, additional open spaces, a network of active transport links, and sufficient community infrastructure and facilities.

As young families move into the area, there is an increasing need for playgrounds, open green spaces and community facilities.

A key focus for me and the Labor team is ensuring that future development carefully balances these priorities.

We are committed to enhancing green spaces, including significant upgrades to Lytton Street and Irwin Place Park in Wentworthville, improvements to many local parks, the development of a new sportsground at Girraween Park, and the creation of a new library, community, and recreation hub in Wentworthville.

As a councillor, I support implementing affordable housing contribution schemes and engaging with local community housing providers to explore partnerships.

Michael Zaiter (Liberals), Zac Alameh (Independent) and Mark Pigram (Independent) did not submit profiles.