WINNER AR BLUETT MEMORIAL AWARD 2018
‘Most progressive council in NSW’
CITY LIFE Summer Edition Issue 81 December 2018
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02 Fairfield wins
Bluett award
Most progressive Council in NSW
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Australia Day
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Around our City
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Studio 2166
Mayor’s Message What an amazing year this has been! We have been working hard to deliver facilities, services and activities for the community and our efforts have been recognised with a win at the A R Bluett Memorial Awards, being named the most progressive council in NSW in the City and Regional Councils category. Work has started on a new park in Villawood
This award is the pinnacle in local government awards and recognises the hard work and achievements by this Council over the past 12 months, but in reality it has taken many years of hard work and planning to get to where we are today. Last year, Council continued to grow its affordable family-friendly waterpark Aquatopia with the installation of the Wave Rider. This year we have installed the Fishpipe and will open five new high-speed thrill slides these summer holidays. We also upgraded many parks; revolutionised our libraries with extended opening hours, new technology and learning opportunities; and developed Dutton Plaza to provide income for Council. We also began transforming Fairfield Showground into a Multicultural and Sporting Centre of Excellence.
Planning has begun to pay tribute to our City’s diversity with a Kugel Ball at Fairfield Showground
We are not stopping there. Last month we opened Studio 2166 recording studio, lab.LX media lab and Workary educational and business development space at Whitlam Library Cabramatta. We have begun work on a new park for Villawood/Carramar, an upgrade of Smithfield Road, a new library for Fairfield and a new multi-storey car park for Hughes Street in Cabramatta. The A R Bluett Memorial Award also recognises quality everyday services, including waste, roads, parks, library services, leisure centres and sporting fields; and affordable early education services. We have achieved all of this while keeping our residential rates among the lowest in NSW, and recording a $9 million budget surplus for the financial year. There is still much to do and I’m committed that we continue to get on with the job making Fairfield City the best council in NSW in which to live, work, and raise a family.
2 The Fishpipe thrill ride was opened at Aquatopia
Frank Carbone Mayor of Fairfield fcarbone@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
Community Wellbeing
NEW ATTRACTIONS AT AQUATOPIA
Fairfield City’s splashtacular waterpark Aquatopia is bigger and better this summer, with two new attractions - 20-metre tall thrill slides and the Fishpipe. The Fishpipe opened in September. It rolls riders around inside a huge ball along with a small amount of water and is an active way to have fun with friends while staying cool. Soon, Council will unveil a new 20 metre tall slide tower, featuring five new slides that will really ramp up the excitement factor. The new tower is twice as tall as the current slides and will feature three racing slides - perfect for challenging your friends, a high-speed free-fall slide, and the Rocket Drop Slide - which will drop brave riders via a trap
door to a fast loop through a transparent tube that circles the free-fall slide on its way down. Aquatopia is the perfect place for Fairfield City families to get out and about, have fun, get active and be healthy. There are also cabanas and barbecues for hire, which makes it the perfect destination for your next family get-together. Aquatopia will be open every weekend and every day of the school holidays throughout the warmer months. Visitors can now buy tickets online. This means families can avoid queues and ensure entry on their chosen day. Tickets can be purchased from www.fairfieldcityleisurecentres.com.au.
JUNIOR SCHOOLIES PASSES Year 6 students graduating from primary schools in the Fairfield local government area can look forward to a cool summer holiday ahead of starting high school with a free pass to Aquatopia. Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone is visiting local schools to give out a free “Junior Schoolies” pass and a graduation certificate to Year 6 students to mark the end of one journey and the beginning of another. More than 3,000 passes valued at almost $40,000 will be given to graduating Year 6 students across the City. There are few more important events in a young person’s life than graduating from primary school. Not only is it a major milestone for young people and their families, it also forms the foundation on which future education and training is built.
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Local Economy & Employment
SHOWGROUND TRANSFORMATION ON TRACK
GOLF COURSE
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The transformation of Fairfield Showground into a Multicultural and Sporting Centre of Excellence has reached another milestone, with drainage, irrigation and turf now being laid for the new playing surfaces.
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Stage one works are underway and include an AFL and cricket field and two football fields of which one is an all weather synthetic pitch. Other stage one works include:
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A lighting upgrade; Open-sided stage for concerts, festivals, and outdoor cinema; New amenities facility, with restrooms, change rooms and kiosk. A play zone, with circuit path, high-quality playground equipment, exercise equipment and off-leash dog park; Upgrade of the old Moorefield Grandstand; and, Improvements to carparking, community garden and signage.
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Further stages of the redevelopment will include an indoor sports centre and new grandstand.
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Council will also install Australia’s largest Kugel Ball at the main entrance to the Showground on Smithfield Road – the geographic heart of Fairfield City. The 1.8 metre diameter granite ball will be engraved with the world map and placed on a water basin which will allow visitors to rotate it.
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A flagpole and uplighting for the Australian Flag will be installed, as will a wall of ceramic pennant tiles representing the countries of origin of Fairfield City’s residents, and bronze plaques pointing out the direction and distance of the six continents and their countries. It will celebrate the cultural diversity and the many countries of origin of our residents, past and present. 4
K. CLEMENTE
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The Showground’s entrance will be a tribute to our residents
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Places & Infrastucture
INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES
HUGHES STREET CAR PARK Council will build a new multi-deck carpark over the existing outdoor carpark at Hughes Street, Cabramatta for more than 200 cars. Council is responding to the needs of the thriving Cabramatta City Centre, its businesses, shoppers and the surrounding community by providing greater access to parking. Timed paid parking rates will be identical to the neighbouring Councilowned parking stations on Dutton Lane to ensure fair and equitable access to parking spaces throughout the day. Work is scheduled to begin in mid 2019 with work estimated for completion in mid 2020.
SMITHFIELD ROAD UPGRADE Service relocation and civil works will begin along the length of Smithfield Road in the new year. This will enable major construction on the highly-anticipated road upgrade to begin. The upgrade will double the number of lanes along Smithfield Road between Polding Street and Elizabeth Drive to provide two traffic lanes in both directions. It is crucial to carefully relocate such important services as water, electricity, telecommunications and gas to ensure there are no disruptions to nearby residents, and to also ensure the safety of workers on the project. Locations, dates and potential impacts to traffic and residents will be advertised closer to commencement on Council’s website www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/major_projects and on the Fairfield City Council Facebook page.
EXTRA RECYCLING AT CHRISTMAS Fairfield City Council understands that Christmas can mean extra recycling rubbish as families look to clean up boxes and wrapping paper. Council will provide a free extra recycling bin collection between Christmas Day and 4 January for all residents to help you dispose of waste properly and help our environment. Waste pick-ups for red lidded bins remain the same day of the week in your area, regardless of public holiday days. 5
Places and Infrastructure
BOSSLEY PARK PRESCHOOL
Work is well underway for a new preschool in the grounds of Bossley Park Public School on Bossley Road. The 40-place Bossley Park Preschool will replace the 20-place mobile preschool that has been operating out of a room at Bossley Park Public School, offering an extra 100 sessions of preschool per week to the community. Enrolment for this new preschool is being prioritised for children who turn four on or before 31 July 2019, and children who turn three on or before the 31 July whose parents have a current health care card or concession card. For information on enrolment at Bossley Park or any of Council’s 14 preschools, visit www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/cfs.
VILLAWOOD PARK The land has been cleared for a new neighbourhood park for the families of Villawood and Carramar. Council is building the new park at the corner of Karella and Koonoona avenues, Villawood, spending $1 million to transform six residential blocks Council purchased five years ago, into 3200 sqm of green space for families to enjoy. Council workers demolished the six houses in September. The plan for the new park, will take into consideration community feedback. Construction is due to be completed by the end of 2019. 6
FAIRFIELD RURAL LANDS URBAN INVESTIGATION AREA Fairfield City residents are invited to have their say on the future urban character of Horsley Park and Cecil Park. Council has been working closely with the Greater Sydney Commission and State Government agencies since the identification of the Fairfield Rural Lands as part of an investigation area for possible future urban development. A number of options are available for public comment until 8 February 2019. They can be viewed at www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au under the ‘Have Your Say’ section. Copies will also be available to view at Council’s Administration Building at 86 Avoca Road, Wakeley, between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Community Wellbeing
EVENTS
Fairfield City Council will brighten up the streets again this festive season, with the return of the popular Christmas lights at local roundabouts. Lights have been installed at the intersections of Restwell and Mimosa roads, Bossley Park; Prairie Vale and Moonlight roads, Prairiewood; Melbourne and Edensor roads, Bonnyrigg; Canley Vale and Bulls roads, Wakeley; Court Road and The Crescent, Fairfield; and Smithfield Road and Polding Street, Smithfield. Trees along Horsley Drive will be decorated with Christmas lights between Our Lady of Victories Church and Horsley Park Reserve. An illuminated display will also be put in at Horsley Park Reserve. The display will be lit by Friday 7 December in time for the Horsley Park Christmas Carols.
Events near you: Christmas in Fairfield City Centre Thursday 6 December, Epoch Plaza, corner Nelson & Station streets, Fairfield, 6.30pm-8.30pm. Santa visits Canley Vale Town Centre Friday, 7 December, 12pm-2pm. Christmas at the Museum Saturday 8 December, Fairfield City Museum & Gallery, 6pm-8pm. Cabramatta Christmas Carols Saturday and Sunday, 15 and 16 December, 9am-1pm.
AUSTRALIA DAY EVENTS Saturday 26 January 2019F a
Fairfield Adventure Park Precinct - free pool entry 10am- 3.30pm at Fairfield Leisure Centre. Children under the age of 16 years require supervision. There is also free entry to Fairfield Youth and Community Centre to rock climb, trampoline and play table tennis and basketball. Nearby is the Adventure Park and obstacle course. Prairiewood Leisure Centre - free pool party 10am–3.30pm. Prairiewood Leisure Centre, Prairie Vale Road, Prairiewood. Take advantage of free entry to the pool. Children under the age of 16 years require supervision. Discount price for Aquatopia family passes so parents and children can stay cool together. Canley Heights Town Centre - free fireworks at 9pm, witness a spectacular display with friends and family, early enough for all members of the family to enjoy. 7
Good Governance and Leadership
AROUND OUR CITY
A lot has been happening around our great City. Here are some of the highlights.
The Moon Festival in September was a great success with 90,000 visitors
Prairiewood Leisure Centre’s Fitness for Farmers event raised $7,000 for our farmers
One Night at the Museum, featuring performance and art, again proved popular
The annual Spring Clean saw nearly 1000 homes dispose of 60 tonnes of bulky waste
Council has donated $33,300 to various community groups this year
Council installed a grandstand roof at Rosford Reserve to shelter 800 spectators
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Good Governance and Leadership
AROUND OUR CITY
It’s been a busy few months. Here are some of the projects, services and events delivered in our City.
Unveiling of the Commemoration of the Centenary of Armistice 2018 plaque
All ages celebrated the generations coming together on Grandparents Day in October
The Mayor visited schools to congratulate Year 6 graduates with an Aquatopia pass
Families enjoyed spook-tacular fun at Halloween at the Museum
Volunteer Andy Snook had a plaque unveiled in his name at Prout Park off-leash dog area
The community came together to raise $150,000 for local boy Sebastian Aguiar 9
Community Wellbeing Community Wellbeing
FAIRFIELD CITY
Women’s DAY AWARDS
Nominations for Fairfield City Council’s inaugural Fairfield City Women’s Day Award are now open until 31 January. Council is calling for nominations that acknowledge local female entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators that make a difference in our community, particularly those who influence and inspire the lives of others. Do you know an extraordinary local woman who is a high achiever?
Someone who has worked hard and climbed through the ranks in their chosen career? Now is the time to recognise her efforts. She could be a lawyer, a principal, a medical professional or corporate leader. The options are wide and varied. Outstanding women across our City will be publicly acknowledged and celebrated in conjunction with International Women’s Day in March 2019. To nominate visit www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/womensdayaward.
Good Governance and Leadership
FREE 2019 CALENDAR - STAY IN THE KNOW WITH WHAT’S ON The 2019 Fairfield City Council calendar will be available at upcoming Council events. The free calendars are a great reminder of what’s on around our City throughout the year. They also have space to write your own important reminders. You can pick up a free calendar at Council’s Customer Service Centre, Fairfield City libraries, leisure centres and the Fairfield City Museum & Gallery.
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2019
CALENDAR
Community Wellbeing
RECORD LOCALLY AT STUDIO 2166
Fairfield City library members now have access to a free digital studio to turn their creative imaginations into quality audio and video content. Council has opened a permanent audio and video recording studio at Whitlam Library Cabramatta called Studio 2166, giving residents the opportunity to learn new skills and realise their creative dreams. The studio puts Fairfield City at the forefront of supporting the creative aspirations of our residents, giving them the opportunity to collaborate and bring their imaginations to life. Studio 2166 is funded by a Library Council of NSW grant and reflects the evolving role of libraries from being storehouses of knowledge to becoming centres for creative activity. Also launched were two complementary initiatives to Studio 2166 called the Workary and lab.LX. The Workary is a new permanent space designed specifically for local business people, entrepreneurs and business students. The space seats more than 100 people and was built thanks to a State Library of NSW grant. The Workary has four specifically designed meeting rooms, free shared work areas, free wi-fi access, lockers, access to expert business resources and an onsite cafe. The lab.LX gives access to the cutting edge of technology for both business and leisure. It has 360° cameras, 3D scanners, robots and bots, electronics kits, virtual and augmented reality tools and coding, gaming hardware and software resources as well as online learning tools such as Lynda.com and awelearning.com. 11
Community Wellbeing
MUSEUM & GALLERY EXHIBITIONS Fairfield City Museum & Gallery is hosting a number of fascinating exhibitions and fun events over the coming months:
South Sudanese Women’s Project – until 23 March 2019 Fairfield City Museum & Gallery along with the South Sudanese Community, I.C.E (Information + Cultural Exchange) and University of NSW present a program of works created by women from the community living and working in Western Sydney. Linda Brescia | Artist in Residence 2018 – until 16 February 2019 Linda Brescia’s artistic practice challenges the boundaries between everyday life and art. Performance based, the artist explores the concept of being seen – as an artist, as a middle-aged woman, as a human being. Engaging with the audience, she challenges the psychology of human interaction while opening up a conversation about contemporary art and what it can be. January School Holiday Program School holiday time is when the Museum & Gallery buzzes with excitement and creativity. This summer we are offering a dynamic program of art and craft workshops to inspire kids from 5 – 14 years of age. All our workshops are facilitated by talented individuals who are dedicated to ensuring your child has an enjoyable and satisfying creative experience. Like and follow us on Facebook @FairfieldCityMuseumGallery to stay up to date and register for workshops.
Visit www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/FCMG for more information about What’s On at the Fairfield City Museum & Gallery.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM Summer is here and so is the Mayor’s annual Summer Reading Program at Fairfield City Open Libraries. Children from 0 to 12 years old can participate by reading or listening to anything they like - books, voxbooks, eBooks, graphic novels, magazines or watch the StoryBox Library. Your school can also be in with a chance to win prizes. The school that has the highest number of students to complete the program will win a great prize presented by the Mayor. There’s also plenty to do over the summer holidays at your library. Book for fun activities such as The Vegetable Plot – Musical Show, Scratch Coding, Movies, Lego Fun, Lego Robotics and craft fun days. Visit www.fairfield.nsw.gov.au/library to learn more about the Summer Holiday Program and to find out what’s on at your nearest library. 12
Good Governance and Leadership
COUNCIL CLOSURES Some of Council’s services will be closed over the Christmas-New Year period. For urgent enquiries outside these closure periods please call 9725 0222. Council Administration Centre Closed 24 December - 6 January
Long Day Care and Multipurpose Services Closed 22 December - 7 January
Fairfield City Leisure Centres Closed 25 December Reduced hours on other public holidays
Open Libraries Whitlam and Fairfield Closed 25, 26, 29, 30 December and 1, 5 and 6 January
Golf Course and Fairfield Showground Closed 25 December Fairfield City Museum and Gallery Closed 22 December - 7 January Preschools Closed 22 December - 20 January School-based Preschools Closed 20 December - 22 January
FREE PARKING As you travel around our City to catch up with friends and family this festive season, Fairfield City Council will provide free parking in its multistorey car parks on the Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day public holidays to help you get where you need to go.
Smithfield, Bonnyrigg and Wetherill Park Closed 24 December - 6 January Recycling Drop Off Centre Closed 16 December - 4 January Sustainable Resource Centre Closed 22 December - 6 January Waste Services will operate as normal
COUNCILLOR PROFILE
First job? Geologist
Each edition of City Life profiles a Councillor elected in September 2016.
Favourite movie? The Fugitive with Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones
Favourite colour? Blue Favourite food? Curry Beef
Favourite TV show? 60 Minutes Favourite sport? Soccer
ANDREW ROHAN
Favourite sports team? In Australia (Western Sydney Wanderers). Overseas Team Liverpool Football Club (FC) English Premier League
PARKS WARD
Favourite pastime? Spending time with family Favourite place in Fairfield City? Bossley Park 13
What’s On
Upcoming Council Events DECEMBER Thursday 6 December
Christmas in Fairfield City Centre Epoch Plaza, corner Nelson and Station streets, Fairfield 6.30pm-8.30pm
Friday 7 December
Santa visits and carols Cabramatta Town centre 9am-2pm Canley Vale 12pm-2pm Canley Heights 3pm-7pm
Saturday 8 December
Christmas Carols Horsley Park Reserve, 5pm-10pm
Saturday 8 December
Christmas at Fairfield City Museum & Gallery 6pm-8pm Bring your picnic rugs, snacks and festive outfits to this free family friendly event. Call 9725 0190.
Thursday 20 December Aquatopia is open every day of school holidays and weekends. For opening times call 9725 2433
Monday 31 December
Illuminate New Year’s Eve event Calmsley Hill City Farm, Abbotsbury 4.30pm-9.30pm See back page for further details. Bookings essential
JANUARY 2 January-25 January
School holiday activities Open Libraries 9725 0333 Fairfield City Museum & Gallery 9725 0190 Fairfield City Leisure Centres 9725 2433
Community bus booking available from today for community organisations. 9725 0222
Saturday 26 January
Saturday 26 January
Australia Day Free family activities at Fairfield and Prairiewood leisure centres, Fairfield Youth and Community Centre and Canley Heights Town Centre
Australia Day Community Award Ceremony and Citizenship Ceremony
Tuesday 29 January
Sunday 3 February
11 February-15 February
16 and 17 February
Wednesday 6 February
Tuesday 12 February
FEBRUARY
Fairfield City Youth and Community Centre Open Day Vine Street Fairfield, 11am-4pm
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Wednesday 23 January
2019 ClubGRANTS Information and Submission Workshops Council Administration Centre, Wakeley, 9am-12.30pm or 5pm-8.30pm, 9725 0222
Lunar New Year Storytime Fairfield City Open Libraries More information call 9725 0333
Starting a Small Business Workshop Whitlam Library 165 Railway Parade, Cabramatta To book call 9725 0333
Learn to Swim Term one begins Fairfield City leisure centres 9754 2078
Lunar New Year celebrations Welcome the Year of the Pig Cabramatta, 10am-4pm
Thursday 21 February
Seniors Wellness Day Fairfield Youth and Community Hall, 10am-2.30pm
YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES MAYOR
Frank Carbone Mayor of Fairfield City 9725 0203 fcarbone@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
CABRAVALE WARD
Peter Grippaudo 0436 299 612
Dai Le 0410 899 787
Kien Ly 0412 564 388
Adrian Wong 0416 535 617
Del Bennett 0409 665 101
Anita Kazi 0428 639 642
Charbel Saliba 0417 708 582
Joe Molluso 0418 440 971
Andrew Rohan 0431 264 990
Sera Yilmaz Deputy Mayor
pgrippaudo@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au dle@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
kly@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
awong@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
FAIRFIELD WARD
@FC.FrankCarbone @FairfieldMayor
CONTACT US Wakeley Administration Centre 86 Avoca Road, Wakeley Monday to Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm Phone TTY TIS
9725 0222 9725 1906 (Hearing Impaired) 131 450 (Interpreter Service)
Paul Azzo 0414 303 175
pazzo@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
dbennett@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
akazi@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
csaliba@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
PARKS WARD
Mailing Address PO Box 21 Fairfield NSW 1860 mail@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS
Follow us @FairfieldCity
Ninos Khoshaba 0447 112 210
nkhoshaba@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au jmolluso@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
arohan@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
0436 434 141 syilmaz@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
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Four colour
#IlluminateFairfield
Celebrate New Year’s Eve across the City FREE fireworks at 9pm
EVERYONE CAN ENJOY NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS 9PM AT FIVE LOCATIONS Calmsley Hill City Farm
Sold Out
YOU CAN STILL ENJOY THE FIREWORKS AT
121 Prairie Vale Rd, Bossley Park
14 Anzac Ave, Fairfield
101 Meadows Rd, Mt Pritchard
Corner Cumberland Hwy and Neville St, Smithfield