Dear Resident
Welcome to the latest edition of your community newsletter, Keep Connected. With half of the year behind us, there’s so much to catch up on and a lot to look forward to.
We have had improvements and amazing initiatives in our waste and cleansing areas, which included trialling new technology and campaigns to deter illegal dumpers.
Council investment in our parks and recreation facilities continued, with major works and upgrades at Paul Keating Park, Kelso Park, Ewen Park and Beaman Park, to name just a few. Our City is also on the cusp of major growth and investment!
The proposed new planning changes announced by the NSW Government will see thousands of new homes built, many new jobs created and many more residents.
Mayor’s Lights Out Sleepout
This month, Mayor Bilal El-Hayek braved the cold with local community and business leaders at his second annual Lights Out Sleepout at Belmore Sports Ground.
And we’re determined to meet your expectations and provide new playgrounds, parks and pools, while continuing to deliver a waste collection and City-wide cleansing service second to none.
We aim not only to build a better City, but also to maintain the character, culture and humanity of the diverse communities that contribute to our success – much of which you will read about in this issue. To ensure this is done correctly, we’ve planned ahead.
The next financial year will see Council spending $115.5M on capital works across the City including $52.4M on upgrades of buildings and Leisure & Aquatic Centres; $26.1M on road, footpath, car park, bridge and traffic upgrades; $22.3M on our parks, playgrounds and sporting facilities; and $4.4M on stormwater improvements.
But this is only a snippet of the many exciting projects ahead for our community in 2024/25. I am incredibly proud of the continued efforts of everyone who contributes to making our City a better place to live, work and play. Keep reading to find out more!
Regards,
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
City
Last year’s inaugural Sleepout raised $30,355 that went to vital services to support those in need across our City and he’s aiming to do the same again in 2024.
For more information and to donate, visit cb.city/MayoralSleepout2024
Almost 3,000 new citizens call Australia home
Canterbury-Bankstown has welcomed almost 3,000 new residents from more than 50 countries during Citizenship Ceremonies in the last year.
It’s always awesome seeing the smiles on so many faces
“Our new citizens have come to this country for a better life and their contributions will only add to our City’s diversity and culture,” Mayor El-Hayek said.
Expect the unexpected in CBCity
How much have you explored our City? Whether you're new to the area or have lived here for years, there's always something new to discover.
Check out some of our favourite things to do in Canterbury-Bankstown:
Events
CELEBRITYCHEFs
Saturday 27 July, 10am-4pm Anna Polyviou and special guest, her mum Eugina Polyviou
Bankstown Bites is back!
Olympic Parade and Griffith Park, Bankstown
Get ready to taste the world with the return of Bankstown Bites! This tantalising food festival has it all, from cooking demos, live music and entertainment, to food tours, FREE kid activities and more than 30 mouth-watering food stalls to indulge in.
New this year, get hands on in the kitchen with our Cooking Workshops and Celebrity Chef Masterclass! And taste your way through the hidden gems of Bankstown on the Bites Food Tours.
For more information, please visit wih.city/BankstownBites
in a variety of local cuisines
To celebrate these unique experiences, we’ve launched a dynamic new visitor website. From authentic global cuisines, creative entertainment and arts, the brand shines a spotlight on the many experiences this City has to offer. Our City is waiting to be explored – what will you discover next?
Sign up and start exploring today at WhereInterestingHappens.com.au
Follow us on social media.
@WhereInterestingHappens
Did you join us for Ramadan Nights Lakemba? This year, more than 1.5 million people visited this iconic monthlong event. Relive some of our favourite moments at cb.city/Ramadan2024
Coming up later this year!
National Tree Day – Sunday 28 July
Movies Under the Stars – every Saturday from 5 October-2 November
Family Fun Day | Sefton Golf Club – Friday 11 October
Seniors Fun Day | Greenacre – Wednesday 30 October
Pets Day Out | Milperra – Sunday 10 November
Paddle along the Cooks River with a mate
Learn a new skill at Roberts Park Skatepark
Indulge
Projects in our City
Lakemba, Her Way!
We’ve partnered with Transport for NSW to activate and enhance the streetscape of Lakemba’s town centre. The program saw the installation of tree lighting, art decals, family games and an illuminated “Lakemba” sign around Lakemba Railway station; new art around the Women’s Rest Centre and new play equipment and seating in Gillies Reserve. For more info, visit cb.city/HerWay
Wiley Park Ponds
We've finished rejuvenating Wiley Park Ponds, making it safer for visitors and local wildlife and improving the water quality. The project was jointly funded by Council and the NSW Government. Next up we’ll be constructing a brand-new play space that should be completed late 2025.
Paul Keating Park play space
The new play space at Paul Keating Park is opening this July! In partnership with the NSW Government, Council has invested $5.5 million to replace the outdated play equipment with a unique, modern play tower, water play feature and interactive nature play elements for kids of all ages and abilities.
New
We recently completed a new multiuser club house and amenities building, little athletics track-and-field facility, scorers and maintenance building for all the sporting community to enjoy!
NEW – Beaman Park Sports Field Earlwood
This $3 million project will see the reconstruction of the playing surface, new sports fields, lighting and modernising of the irrigation and drainage systems.
additions to Kelso Park North
The future is looking bright
Our vision for the future is outlined in the updated Delivery Program and 2024/25 Operational Plan, which provides an overview of the next 12 months.
The next financial year will see Council spending $115.5 million on capital works across the City, including:
$52.4 million for upgrades of buildings and leisure & aquatic centres
$26.1 million on road, footpath, car park, bridge and traffic upgrades
$22.3 million on our parks, playgrounds and sporting facilities
Playground upgrades
$4.4 million on stormwater improvements
This year, we’re planning to replace a number of old playgrounds with new and exciting play spaces. Council will invest more than $6 million to deliver four new destination play spaces at Deepwater Park, Ewen Park (artist impression pictured), Lambeth Reserve (artist impression pictured) and Wiley Park. Upgrades are also planned at 14 local and neighbourhood playgrounds across the City.
Canterbury Leisure & Aquatic Centre
Work is continuing on the new Leisure & Aquatic Centre in Canterbury. Demolition of the existing pool and grandstand is complete and construction on the new facilities has commenced. The new centre will feature three heated pools, children’s water play area, all abilities amenities, sauna, gym and more!
To stay up to date with the project, visit cb.city/CLAC
Ewen Park Ashbury
Lambeth Reserve Picnic Point
Rooting out dumpers at North Parade
With overgrown bushes and low visibility, North Parade in Campsie had become a hot spot for dumpers, with an average of five illegal dumping offences taking place every month.
Shining new light on illegal dumping at Dispensary Lane
We wanted to change that. So we set to work, removing abandoned vehicles and rubbish, as well as clearing overgrown bushes, trimming trees and laying fresh mulch. This improved lines of sight and brightened up the area.
Surveillance cameras and signage have also been installed and dedicated Illegal Dumping Prevention Officers are continuing to roll out education campaigns in neighbouring streets.
This project is a NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy initiative, funded from the waste levy.
How we are tackling illegal dumping
Dispensary Lane in Campsie was a magnet for illegal dumping due to its low visibility and large patches of bare soil.
Fairy lights were strung over trees to discourage antisocial behaviour at night. We also added shrubs and mulch, transforming the laneway into a brighter and more welcoming space.
Surveillance cameras have also been installed and Council Rangers are working with local businesses to better manage their waste.
This project is a NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy initiative, funded from the waste levy.
work to reduce illegally dumped rubbish in Canterbury-
So far, since installing CCTV cameras across the City,
$9,500
We know that having a clean city is important to our community, which is why we’re trialling several innovative programs to help tackle illegal dumping.
These programs in Campsie are just the start as we work to reduce illegally dumped rubbish in Canterbury-Bankstown.
So far, since installing CCTV cameras across the City, we have seen a 61% reduction in illegal dumping offences in priority areas.
We’d like to thank our residents who are part of the solution. If you see illegal dumping, please report it online at cb.city/ReportIt or call 9707 9000.
Spring into Nature Fest
Mark it in your calendar for a range of events.
September is just around the corner, which brings Biodiversity Month and the start of Nature Fest, a chance to appreciate the thriving ecosystem around us.
This year, we’ll be kicking off the festivities on 31 August with our native plant giveaway at four of our libraries.
There will be plenty more to celebrate this Spring, so sign up to our Clean and Green e-newsletter to be the first to know at cb.city/CleanAndGreen
Breathing new life into our City
Have you noticed something colourful around Canterbury-Bankstown?
Nine captivating murals have been completed under the Canterbury-Bankstown Better Walls program, funded by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
These artworks aim to transform plain areas into vibrant and welcoming spaces, breathing new life into neglected areas across the City.
School kids from around Canterbury-Bankstown were called to the drawing board and helped create designs at street art skill development workshops.
They also helped the artists paint several of the murals.
We want to thank the artists who partnered with us to make this project come to life, including Alex Lehours, Dan Bianco, Goya Torres, Lydia Morgan, Michael Black, Nastia Gladushchenko, Nico Nicolson and Peter Burke.
Want to see it for yourself? Check out our video and learn more about the project at cb.city/PublicArt
“The signs provide a strong visual reminder that it is a big deal to do the wrong thing in a school zone”
School zone safety success
A road safety campaign around our local schools is proving to be a huge success. Since launching the campaign last October, we’ve rolled out more than 400 safety signs around 93 schools, targeting speeding, illegal parking, U-turns and obstructing driveways.
Principal Monica Palmer from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School at Georges Hall said she has not had to speak to any parent about school zone offences since displaying the signage.
As part of the campaign, parking compliance officers and local police regularly patrol school zones.
First Nations Cultural Hub and Resource Centre opens its doors
The CBCity First Nations Cultural Hub and Resource Centre, a brand-new cultural space focused on bringing together the First Nations and nonIndigenous communities, officially opened on Saturday 15 June.
Help us bin speeding drivers!
Pick up free reflective stickers for your bins to encourage drivers to ‘Slow Down in Canterbury-Bankstown’ at our libraries and Customer Service Centres or order them online at cb.city/RoadSafety
A critical patrol!
For Uncle Harry Allie, the opening was a very special day. As an active member of Council’s First Peoples Advisory Committee, he’s watched the community move forward towards reconciliation.
“It brings us closer together so we can pass on our culture to younger generations,” Mr Allie said.
I’m very thankful for their help as I got to hospital in time
An ordinary workday turned into a crisis for parking officers Carlene and Fred, when they discovered 76-year-old Bob Patton semi-conscious in the midst of a stroke. Carlene and Fred called 000 and cared for Mr Patton while waiting for paramedics. They had found Mr Patton just in time – according to paramedics, if treatment had been delayed any longer, Mr Patton could have been paralysed.
Mr Patton is now back at home and recovering well.
Local footballer walks to international stage
Albert Hadid, a 69-year-old Condell Park local, represented Australia at an international walking soccer tournament in the UK this May.
Mr Hadid played in the Walkaroos 70s team, as they took on European teams, including England, Germany, Scotland and Wales.
“It was very exciting to represent your country,” he says.
“You go out on the field and you’re wearing the same colours as the Socceroos!” Mr Hadid encouraged other seniors to get involved.
It’s good to be fit and active and meet new people.
Residents over 50 can come along to Council’s program, in partnership with Bankstown North Football Club, every Friday from 10-11.30am at Graf Park, Yagoona.
Stay active with Active Canterbury-Bankstown at cb.city/Active – including Active Seniors
Project Harmony makes a splash
Our Abbey, on her way to the Olympics
What’s on at MIISC
Super 7s netball competition
Practice your skills in an active and social setting with our open ladies competition.
3v3 basketball scrimmage
Slam dunk your goals in a new 3v3 basketball scrimmage program.
Casual pickleball
Try the increasingly popular pickleball in our casual sessions.
Chess
Exercise your brain as well as your body, with local resident Brian Willetts setting up chess boards at MIISC around lunch time on Wednesdays and Sundays for a game and a chat.
Our Leisure & Aquatics team has partnered with Royal Lifesaving NSW to provide swimming lessons to preschool children through Project Harmony.
The inclusive 10-lesson swimming and survival program is aimed at children who have not had swimming lessons and is free to those with unused First Lap vouchers.
Since getting on board, we’ve taught 40 preschool-aged children. To find out about enrolling your child in swim school, call 9707 5500
You might recognise Abbey Connor as the face of a previous Keep Connected magazine.
We’re excited that the champion butterflier, who trained at our Leisure & Aquatic Centres, has qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Congratulations Abbey, our City will be cheering you on!
For more information visit cb.city/MIISC or call 9153 0441.
Creating a dementiafriendly City
CBCity’s Dementia Alliance won the Community Development Award at the NSW Local Government 2024 Excellence Awards.
The Alliance won for supporting culturally and linguistically diverse people living with dementia, and their carers. Formed in 2021, this is a Council-led initiative with Western Sydney University, with members from community organisations and dementia care groups.
Find out more at cb.city/ DementiaAlliance
Library and Information Week
Shhh! Remember when libraries were quiet spaces for reading only?
It’s all different now! Libraries are community hubs with a wide range of resources and services – plus books, of course.
During Library and Information Week, from 22 July-2 August, you can find out more about some of the great things going on in our libraries.
Join us for fun activities, including special movie screenings, an author talk, a morning tea trip down memory lane, trivia night and a teddy bear sleepover story time for kids – and learn more about our regular programs!
For more information, or to book into a session, visit cb.city/LibraryWeek
As part of the Sydney Writers Festival, actor, author and self-proclaimed ‘Westie’ Bryan Brown gave an insight into his latest venture – writing – as he shared personal stories with a sold-out crowd at the aptly titled Bryan Brown Theatre on 24 May.
What’s on at Bankstown Arts Centre
Experience art through all five senses at Bankstown Arts Centre’s latest exhibition, Coffee & SerendipiTea, running from 27 July-7 September.
Immerse yourself in a hybrid coffee shop and teahouse setting where artists Pamela Leung and Yumi Umiumare invite you to become part of the artwork.
Accessible Library
Open Day a success
Libraries really are for everyone, which was underlined by Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre’s recent Accessible Library Open Day at the end of May.
All nine of our libraries are accessible – to find your closest branch, visit cb.city/Locations-Memberships
Your NEW CBCity website: same address, better experience!
If you’ve visited our website at cbcity.nsw.gov.au recently, you will have seen that it has a brand new look
At the heart of the new site is a powerful search function to take you where you need to go. The site is also clearer and easier to navigate – and it moves faster. It works on your computer and your mobile devices and is accessible to all.
Artificial intelligence (AI) on the move
AI isn’t just something that answers your questions or writes your essays. It’s also working hard in the streets of Canterbury-Bankstown.
Smart street sweepers!
The little street sweepers that keep our streets clean are multi-tasking. As they clean the roads, they are using AI to identify defects, so we can fix small problems before they become big ones.
Our garbage trucks are watching!
Waste contamination is a huge problem in recycling. AI in our garbage trucks detects things that should never be in recycling – like plastic bags.
Innovation round up
Go digital with rates
Our digital rates service means you can not only receive your rates digitally but can also see your rates notice history online. Sign up at cb.city/Rates
Connect with the Tovertafel
It might seem like playing, but this ‘magic’ table in Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre has physical, mental and social benefits for everyone. Find out more at cb.city/Tovertafel
Borrow books
Hold your library in the palm of your hand with our library app! Check it out at cb.city/Library-App
Book a council clean-up
Save yourself a phone call by booking your bulky waste pick up at cb.city/BulkyWaste
Report It!
Have you seen something we need to know about? Tell us instantly at cb.city/ReportIt
Contact a Councillor
Not sure which Councillor to speak to? Find out which ward you live in at cb.city/Wards
Clr Bilal El-Hayek (ALP) - Mayor Mayor@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 9707 9522
Clr Chris Cahill (ALP)
Christopher.Cahill@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0407 948 684
Clr Barbara Coorey (IND)
Barbara.Coorey@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0409 754 747
Clr Charbel Abouraad (LIB)
Charbel.Abouraad@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0407 949 168
Clr Sazeda Akter (LIB)
Sazeda.Akter@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0407 910 858
Bankstown Arts Centre 9707 5400
Belmore Youth Resource Centre 9718 9848
Bryan Brown Theatre & Function Centre 9707 9404
Customer Service 9707 9000
Clr Khal Asfour (ALP)
Khal.Asfour@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0411 412 396
Clr Rachelle Harika (ALP)- Deputy Mayor Rachelle.Harika@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0418 859 353
Clr Jessie Nguyen
Jessie.Nguyen@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0412 634 656
Clr Linda Downey (ALP)
Linda.Downey@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0408 243 886
Clr Khodr (Karl) Saleh OAM (ALP)
K.Saleh@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0408 221 559
Leisure & Aquatic Centres
Birrong 9644 8300
Max Parker 9771 2148 Roselands 9789 9302
Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre (MIISC) 9153 0441
Sefton Golf Course 9743 9436
Clr George Zakhia (LIB)
George.Zakhia@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0433 336 886
Clr Charlie Ishac (LIB)
Charlie.Ishac@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0498 141 149
Clr Clare Raffan (ALP)
Clare.Raffan@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0499 790 033
Clr David Walsh (ALP)
David.Walsh@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0408 740 120
Clr Bhadra Waiba (ALP)
Bhadra.Waiba@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0408 021 321
9707 9704 Campsie 9789 9405 Chester Hill 9707 9740
Earlwood 9789 9417
Greenacre 9707 9744
Lakemba 9789 9419
Padstow 9707 9747
Panania 9707 9737
Riverwood 9707 5436 To view