Canterbury Bankstown’s new councillors to tackle big city problems
Unrivalled growth and a “substantial asset backlog” will be some of the biggest issues facing the first councillors of the new Canterbury-Bankstown Council.
The Express
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Unrivalled growth and a “substantial asset backlog” will be some of the biggest issues facing the first councillors of the new Canterbury-Bankstown Council.
After the elections this Saturday — 380,000 residents will have a chosen representative for the first time since the amalgamation in May last year.
But there will be some big decisions on the line for the councillors when they enter the chamber for the first time.
Outgoing council administrator Richard Colley said the resulting growth from the Sydenham to Bankstown Urban Renewal Strategy will be the most challenging for the region.
“We’re looking over the next two decades at 35,000 new dwellings, that’s 100,000 more people,” Mr Colley said.
“The new council will have to manage that growth.”
“What they need to do as a council is get the most out of the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro line. There’s 11 stations along the line and we’ve got eight of them.”
Other challenges include a substantial asset backlog, that Mr Colley said faced all councils in NSW and an estimated $10 million electricity bill next financial year for the council.
“What happens next will be up to the new council to decide,” Mr Colley said. “It’s their advocacy and support which will determine the future of our city. This is why I remind you again to vote this weekend so that you can have the right people champion for your rights and for your city.”
The council is one of 46 across NSW going to the polls on Saturday.
The new council will comprise 15 councillors — three councillors per ward for Bass Hill, Bankstown, Canterbury, Revesby and Roselands. The mayor and deputy mayor will be elected at the first council meeting on September 26.
But residents will not have the final make-up of councillors confirmed until next Thursday after the pre-poll, postal votes and preferences are tallied. Only first preference votes will be known on Saturday night.
Polling places are open from 8am-6pm. There are 76 stations across Canterbury-Bankstown.
For a full list of polling places in Canterbury-Bankstown go to map.elections.nsw.gov.au
Vote #1 for an election feast
The barbecues will be firing up across Canterbury-Bankstown this Saturday for the best part of any election — the sausage sizzle.
The smell of snags will be wafting from a number of school polling stations ahead of the first Canterbury-Bankstown Council election.
Padstow Park Public School will be having a jumble sale and stalls, Birrong Public School will be offering up homemade cakes and Bass Hill Public will have the classic sausages and tea/coffee combination.
Revesby South Public School and Canterbury South Public School will both have cake stalls and the sandwiches at Mccallums Hill Public School are reportedly served with “a generous helping of onions and lots of love”.
Oh and in between mouthfuls, don’t forget to vote!
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