Independent councillor Barbara Coorey vows to push for demerger of Canterbury-Bankstown Council

A southwest Sydney councillor says she has been re-elected with an “increased mandate” to push for a huge shake-up, vowing it will happen and telling people to “mark my words”.

Canterbury ward councillor Barbara Coorey has vowed to push for a demerger. Picture: Supplied

A southwest Sydney councillor has used her first speech since being re-elected to call for the demerger of the second largest council, by population, in the state.

Speaking at the first ordinary meeting since last month’s local government election, independent Canterbury-Bankstown councillor Barbara Coorey vowed to make the demerger happen over the next four years.

“I have been re-elected with an increased mandate to demerge this council,” Ms Coorey said on Tuesday.

“We have taken a petition of over 7000 signatures and we believe the minister will have no alternative but to act on this.

Councillor Barbara Coorey. Picture: Canterbury Bankstown Express

“It may not be the political will today but, mark my words, this demerger will happen.”

Ms Coorey said the council was operating “virtually as a state seat” but without the same level of resources.

She said the 2016 merger of the old Canterbury and Bankstown councils had placed “huge amounts” of stress on councillors and resourcing, and had made it harder to adequately represent both council’s constituents.

“Canterbury is one of the fastest-growing areas,” Ms Coorey added.

“We have a large population of low socioeconomic people, of migrants coming to Australia looking for a better future, and they deserve to have better representation and have their issued heard.

“This is the will of our residents.”

On Tuesday, Canterbury-Bankstown councillors were officially sworn in and the new mayor and deputy mayors elected.

In front of a packed public gallery, Bankstown ward councillor Bilal El-Hayek was re-elected to the top role.

Longstanding Roselands councillor Khodr “Karl” Saleh was, meanwhile, elected as deputy mayor.

Mr El-Hayek told this masthead a demerger would cost “tens of millions” of dollars to execute.

Newly elected deputy mayor Khodr “Karl” Saleh (left) and re-elected Mayor Bilal El-Hayek. Picture: Supplied

“I’m not going to get into that at the moment but the reality is that it’s up to the council (to decide)

“We previously voted in principle that we support (a demerger) but the reality is that it will cost tens of millions of dollars.

“We’re in a cost of living crisis, rates have gone up, everything has gone up. So we need to work closely with government to get the best possible outcome for our local community.”

Newly elected Revesby Liberal councillor Wendy Lindsay said while a demerger would be incredibly expensive, it wasn’t entirely off the table.

“Back in the day when the merger was first spoken about, I was speaker number 30 talking against the merge,” she said.

A packed gallery at the first ordinary meeting of Canterbury-Bankstown Council's new term. Picture: Canterbury Bankstown Express

“I didn’t think it was a good idea at the time, but there’s been a lot of water under the bridge since then.

“There’s been a lot of money spent on actually merging the council, so to undo it now would be very difficult.”

However, Ms Lindsay said as the city’s population continued to grow, with forecasts it will reach close to 500,000 by 2036, issues of service delivery and resourcing would become harder to handle.

Wendy Lindsay, a Liberal councillor for the Revesby ward, at Tuesday’s meeting. Picture: Supplied

“I don’t think (a demerger) will happen in this term, to be frank,” she said.

“It’s a big ball of string to unravel, but who’s to say it won’t happen in the future? It’s all about the dollars really because it is an expensive process.”

During his speech to the council on Tuesday, Mr El-Hayek issued a warning to new and returning councillors.

He said the council must “lead by example” and respect and that “disruptive behaviour” would be called out.

The mayor described the next four years as being “the most significant in history” for infrastructure development.

“We will continue to deliver our essential day-to-day services and maintain and invest in our parks, roads, libraries and community facilities while at the same time ensuring fiscal responsibility,” Mr El-Hayek said.

The new deputy mayor, Mr Saleh, added that he would continue to push the council to be a “voice for humanity.”

“Especially for Gaza and Lebanon, keeping the Palestinian flag high in council chambers until the genocide ends and a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza,” Mr Saleh said.

“We are committed to making Canterbury-Bankstown not only a capital of interfaith harmony, but also a capital of humanity.”