Council Elections

NINE YEARS OF BLACKTOWN CITY COUNCIL The highs, lows and in-betweens

 LOCAL GOVERNMENT | LAWRENCE MACHADO

BLACKTOWN Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM slammed the poor relation treatment of Blacktown Council and several other Western Sydney Councils by the NSW Government, saying it is undermining the economic progress and the community.

The senior Labor councillor warned that the plan by the State Government to “grab the developers’ contributions” is fraught with danger for all the concerned councils, who are lobbying against the bill in parliament.

Mayor Bleasdale said there are 22 of 34 councils on the campaign to overturn the government’s legislation to take control of developer contributions, which currently pay for vital local infrastructure in new development areas.

Labor dominates the 15-member council, with 10 members, the rest being Liberals.

“NSW will be bankrupt if not for the economic strength of Blacktown, with our Gross Regional Product growing by 4.6 % per annum for fi ve years before COVID, probably the biggest in the country,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“About 10 years ago, the NSW Government told the councils they would like to cut the then Section 94 Developer Contributions from approximately $50,000 to $30,000 to make it easier for new projects to be completed and said the NSW Government would compensate us for the missing revenue. However, the government shortchanged us, and we estimate we are owed $250 million as compensation.

“We have asked the government about it, but we were ignored. We will be the biggest council most aff ected by the legislation for growth and infrastructure. Premier Dominic Perrottet almost fell off his chair when I spoke to him about it, and he said he will look into it.

“The only way forward is that they take away the draconian legislation which is in the upper house so we can come back to the table.

“Basically, what the government wants do is dismantle all local government in the Blacktown area and across the board.”

Mayor Bleasdale said it is very unfair the government expects rate payers to be slugged with increased fees to pay for the missing millions from the Developers Contributions.

Former Blacktown Mayor, and current Blacktown state MP Stephen Bali, said Labor overturned years of bad management by the Liberal-led council and make the city vibrant.

Mr Bali was mayor from 2014-2019 when he became the MP for Blacktown, proving to be a passionate advocate for the city.

“The past seven years under Labor has resulted in strategic planning to position Blacktown as a city of opportunity while undertaking the important role of delivering footpaths, sporting fi elds and community facilities demanded of council on a day-to-day basis,” Mr Bali said.

“The last nine years of Blacktown Council has ranged initially from controversies through to unity and transformation. During this period, there has been four premiers and fi ve prime ministries but only three mayors.

“Please consider your vote wisely at the upcoming council elections as Blacktown is growing and we cannot go back to the chaotic past of a coalition of Liberals, and Independents with no clear strategic direction.”

Artist impression of a future Blacktown.

Stephen Bali and Tony Bleasdale and the duo joining in community activities at the annual Blacktown Medieval Fayre.

Mr Bali criticised the role played by Riverstone state Liberal MP Kevin Conolly in backing a group of so-called Independents for the council elections, saying these candidates were essentially Liberal.

Blacktown City is home to more than 403,000 people and is slated to grow to 612,000 by 2041, but Mayor Bleasdale said the city lacks the infrastructure and government commitment to deal with the massive increase.

Mayor Bleasdale said it is insane for the NSW Government to build a $14B tunnel for the Northern Beaches while ignoring the basic transport, housing and community needs of Blacktown and Western Sydney, which contributes heavily to the state budget. He and Mr Bali slammed plans by the government to give Western Sydney around $5 billion from the reported sale of Westconnex, saying more needs to be done to help the councils and suff ering rate payers.

“We are receiving investment proposals worth $2-3B as we speak but we need the infrastructure and support from the government,” he said. “The government is more interested in investing in the eastern seaboard than in Western Sydney.”

Blacktown has one of the most multicultural populations in Australia with more than 185 nationalities.

Mayor Bleasdale and Mr Bali said Labor’s record speaks for itself, highlighting some of their major achievements: • Reducing the infrastructure backlog Mr Bali inherited from the Len

Robinson-led Liberal/Independent dominated council from $79.8m in 2014 to $51m by 2021. • Introduced an additional $200 pensioners’ discount rate. • The Australian Catholic University campus in Blacktown. • Construction for the Warwick

Lane redevelopment project. • Defibrillators at all sporting grounds plus accessible pathways to sporting fields. • Planning for Kevin Betts Stadium upgrade. • First council in Australia to have electric car recharging stations. • A high performance and health recovery centre (known as the

ICTE). • Mayor Bleasdale has championed the Dr Charlie Teo Brain and Spinal Institute for Blacktown CBD which is in the planning stage. • Identified the location and planning for the new Animal Rehoming Centre. • Warrick Lane project to speed up the renewal of Blacktown CBD with new buildings and 480+ space underground car park. • A very high rate of Covid vaccinations and strong support for residents, and businesses during Covid. • Council operations achieving a net zero by 2030 climate strategy.

“Please consider your vote wisely at the upcoming council elections as Blacktown is growing and we cannot go back to the chaotic past of a coalition of Liberals and Independents with no clear strategic direction.:

Len Robinson Liberal Mayor 2012-14 Stephen Bali Labor Mayor 2014-19

Tony Bleasdale Labor Mayor since 2019 ↑ council rates Planning ICTE & ARC COVID pandemic response 151 parks to be sold Pensioner discounts on rates and swimming Brain & Spinal Institute planning Closed Mt Druitt pool Reopened Mt Druitt pool Warrick Lane completion $2 pensioner entry fee for swimming Defi brillators in every sportspark Construction commenced for ICTE and ARC Selling Council Childcare ACU announcement ACU opening Closed festivals Improved accessibility to fi elds