Blacktown City Council - 'Media Release' - Library Media Diary - February 2017

Blacktown City Council - 'Media Release' - Library Media Diary February 2017.

Here is a 'Media Release' from Blacktown City Council on Media Diary 2017.


Basically they are activities/events that are being held during the month of February 2017 at Council Libraries, available to the public and inviting all community members within Blacktown Local Government Area, to attend.

So, if you are interested to attend, I 'm pretty sure you will feel most welcome to do so.

Click here for BCC Libruary Media Diary - February 2017

Blacktown City Council - 'Media Release' - Media Diary February 2017

Here is a 'Media Release' from Blacktown City Council on Media Diary 2017.


Basically they are activities/events that are being held during the month of February 2017 at Council venues, available to the public and inviting all community members within Blacktown Local Government Area.

So, if you are interested to attend, I 'm pretty sure you will feel most welcome to do so.

Click here for BCC Media February 2017

Blacktown City Council Will be Releasing Media Releases To 'Whyilovemountdruitt

Yes, I am  honoured and proud to announce that Blacktown City Council, will be  providing their 'Media Releases'
 to us from now on and we will publish them on our website for our Mount Druitt and wider community to view, understand and inform everyone of what is happening within Blacktown local government area. Especially in and around Mount Druitt area.

 I take this opportunity to 'Thank' the Blacktown City Council Media  Team in provide us with their Media Releases.

How Does the NSW Government/Busways Deal With Bus Non-Payers?

This is a good question, that I have thought of as it happened in front of my eyes today.

What or how does the  NSW Government or Busways deal with non-paying customers? It happens - they have no Opal Card and they claims they have no money and how does the bus driver deal with it? It is difficult when this happens as I feel all public transport commuters should pay for their fares. Why should I pay for fares and they are let off.

This morning there was a young lady that I noticed not far from the Mount Druitt Bus Interchange, appearing to be waiting for  someone, well dressed. I then headed to the 780 bus stop waiting about 15 minutes, until the bus arrived. Bus came, I swiped my card and so did another gentleman. Then came  the young lady that I previously noticed, screaming, 'I've been waiting for 3 hours and I'm not going to pay for fares.' She then just rushed towards the back of the bus.

The young bus driver reacted by saying she has to pay but what power does he have to make her pay - I think very little. He cannot fine her or has the power to do so.

As I returned to Mount Druitt from Emerton on Luxford Road, I spoke to a young couple,  pleasant speaking. When the bus came I offered them to enter the bus first and the lady young said, 'You can go first, we haven't got money and we have to explain to the bus driver'.

And so they did. The  bus driver then shrugged his shoulders as if to say 'What can he do?' and let them in.

So what can The NSW Government/ Buseays do, they could have a system that bus driver could alert the Bus Depot, who will inform the NSW Police and by the time the bus reaches the next couple stops the NSW Police would be there checking tickets and then dealing with situation. Otherwise,  I have no other suggestion here.

 What do you think?

What Would We If We See Homeless People Around?

A very simple question with  many different answers. I have been  phone text from a member of our 'whyilovemountdruitt' Face Book Group a question, which I doesn't think I  have answered fully.

In fact, I am throwing this question to our local community,  to gauge our community reaction and  how we would respond. My answers are based on local knowledge and  may not be the best.  The situation provided to me was  numerous people have sighted a woman and her child sleeping in a car within Mount Druitt of recent. The woman is originally from a different country. 

'What can be done about this is a few things:

• Notify NSW Families for assistance
• See if someone can  approach these unfortunate people to see if they are homeless
• Then refer them to Ignite Store Emerton
• St Vinnies have a van at nights at Mount Druitt Mall from about 8.30pm at night to help the needy and poor, mainly drinks, light refreshments, blankets and daily essentials.
• Also suggested to contact W.A.S.H. Mount Druitt for assistance
• Also ask her to call Lifeline for assistance
• If she is in an area of harm, maybe notify the local Police.
• And finally  pray to God that she has  a good Samaritan that leads her and her son into a better lifestyle

One of the things we don't know here is what has caused her and son to be in this state: whether it be  family issues, personal and/or  violence against women. I  do hope that I was helpful to the  Face Book member and hopefully he/she can use this or  pass this on to someone who sights these people.

Is that what you all would suggest as well? What would you all say?

Rooty HIll 'Australia Day 2017 Fireworks' - Blacktown City Council

On the 26th of January,  people of Mount Druitt and Blacktown Local Government Area came to The Rooty Hill at Rooty Hill to celebrate our great day of when Australia was discovered by Captain James Cook from the European sub-continent 240 years ago.

This was the day our country Australia started to be a nation of people as we are today. People have migrated from all around the world and from many many different nations with taken with dream their life long dreams. These people and us live in Australia because of our land, beauty, nature, people and it has always been a a land of promised life long  and  many opportunity goals, being achieved. That is, families migrating to Australia raising children and these children are first generation born Australians that really make a mark of their life on our land.

By this, I don't mean being famous, each one of us  have personal goals to achieve in life and in doing  so a majority of us reach them and make  their  home a great home, make their suburb/town a great suburb/town,  make our Cities a great State, make our States/ Territories a great State/Territory and make our country a great country to live in.

Australia comes form the Latin word 'Southern' and was originally called 'Terra Australis' by Matthews Flinders, meaning 'Land of the Unknown' until it was modernised to its current name 'Australia'.

Our history shows we are all truly spirited people and care for each other in all times of happiness: neighbour with neighbour, friend to friend and family to family.

I would like to say that on the night, light drizzle of rain was falling onto Rooty Hill and I'm pretty sure, the hundreds of people that left before the fireworks event, were not prepared for this to happen. Yet they missed out on again, a wonderful event.

So without further hesitation here is the Australia Day Fireworks at Rooty Hill sponsored by Blacktown  City Council, Channel 9 and Featherdale Wildlife Park Click here for Part 1 video and Click here for Part 2 video

Plese fimd an appropriate song for  Australia Day to sing too and its lyrics: Click here for 'I am Australian'

Click here for previous post

Mount Druitt Pool Events To Celebrate Australia Day today 2017 - Mount Druitt Pool Face Book Page

Here is a post I shared from Mount Druitt Swimming Centre today to celebrate 'Australia Day 2017', maybe before we all head off to  the Rooty Hill Fireworks today. Here are the  following details:

J

john Svoboda shared Kerri Bradbury's post to the group: WhyIlovemountdruitt.....

· 47 mins ·

Great Place to Celebrate 'Australia Day' - Mount Druitt Pool

Kerri Bradbury shared We Love Mt Druitt Pool's photo to the group: Mount Druitt Pool .....it's our pool.

· 1 hr ·

#MountDruittSwimmingCentre is open until 6pm today. 🇦🇺💚💛
Fun ativities from 11am - 3pm.
* Inflatable thong races *
* Zinc face painting *
* Kids cricket *...
* Inflatables *
Make a day of it, bring a picnic, and have lots of fun! #funforfamilies #funforkids #funforall #australiaday2017 #mountdruitt #welovemtdruittpool

Mount Druitt Says "No" To Ice Open Commenty Event - Baabayn Aboriginal Corpporation

So today we have received advice of an extremely important event  which the local Aboriginal group 'Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation' is organising and providing  local cultural  dances as well.

It is the Say Mt  Druitt "No to Ice" event on Saturday 25th February 2017 at Mount Druitt Swimming Pool from 10am-4pm.

This will be a good time to come over and share issues you may have directly or indirectly, so we can shake off this bad drug and eliminate it from our communities.

Click here for previous post on 'Ice'

Click here for event details and program

'Happy Australia Day' To All Mount Druitt And Wider Community

Yes, today is the time of year, where we as Australians, seek pride as we remember our heritage, of being discovered by Captain James Cook.

We look back how our Sydney colony started and how we placed our aboriginal people in our civil society.

Personally, we need to embrace all original backgrounds of Australians and know that we are all different as individuals, by race, religion and origin of birth. Our parents may have had their different native tongues before settling in Australia and  made us who we are. 

We must feel positive and appreciate that our 'Australia' land is free from world wars, free from starvation as we are able to feed each  day and can be the on world forefront for  forever eternal peace, in all lands.

As Australians, we talk to our neighbours, friends and families as we offer happiness and forever  peace on our  joyful celebration 'Australian Day'. Let's say 'Happy Australia Day', to someone you don't know.

We can all stand up together with our country pride as we work together for a stronger united nation of peoples that actually care for each other, in peace love and with strong forever hope.

As usual, the  locally famous event is the Blacktown City 'Australia Day' fire works at Rooty Hill click here for details. I will be posting the annual Fireworks video that I produce. so if you miss it and you are at home, you can see it.

The weather report indicates a ' Chance of shower today Click here for weather details from weatherzone. We hope there is no rain but if there is and the event is cancelled keep an eye on @blacktowncc on twitter for results.


We also  congratulate Jo Brigden-Jones, Ambassador for Australian Blacktown City Council of the year 2017 -  Australian Olympian Kayaker.

Free 'Start Something' Workshop - Western Sydney Community Forum

From the Western Sydney Community Forum great initiative, to help our community:

Are you looking for new ways to secure funding and build partnerships? Register now for the free 'Start Something' workshop

Do you have a bright idea that would help your community and the natural world but aren't sure how to start or what to do next? The Office of Environment and Heritage are running a free workshop for local community groups, who may be looking for new ways to secure funding and build partnerships. Hear from experts and successful entrepreneurs at the 'Start Something' workshops, and gain practical skills and knowledge to shape your ideas, discover ways to finance and gain a greater understanding of how to tell your story. The workshop will be held on Saturday 11 February 2017 from 8am-5:20pm at Oatlands House, 42 Bettington Rd, Oatlands NSW 2117. For more information and to secure your registration, please click on the link  here.

Media Rlease - Vale Leo Kelly OAM - 'Media Release' - Blacktown City Council

As we announced  yesterday the sad loss of Blacktown City Councillor Leo Kelly OAM, I have since received a 'Media Release' from Blacktown City Council  providing a brief outline and history of his commitment to our local Government Area and also funeral services as well.

In this Media Release, you can see the strengths he had and the achievement obtained. Which is always something to be proud of, for anyone that hold local government  elected office.

It is the first time (and I hope not the last time) that I receive 'Media Releases' from Blacktown City Council for myself to pass onto our Mount Druitt and wider community. I therefor 'Thank ' Blacktown  City Council Media, for providing us with  this 'Media Release'.I

Click here for Media Release

Click here for previous post or go to previous post

It is With Sad News That We Inform Our Community Of The Recent Loss Of Life for Ward 2 Councillor, Leo Kelly OAM......R.I.P.

Yes, sometimes we have to inform our community of the sad loss of life of a advocate for our our community or even wider community. Thus with Councillor Leo Kelly OAM Ward 2,  passing away yesterday, is will send  a large  shock waves to his family and dear friends that in deep sadness of their recent loss.

Councillor Leo Kelly OAM... R.I.P.

Whilst Councillor Kelly, was not from any of the Mount Druitt Wards, as part of a large Council of Blacktown and a former Mayor, his decisions help improve Mount Druitt area within his  over 36 year years of service to local government of Blacktown City Council.


We offer our sympathies to all  people that he has touched in their lives as they peace for his eternal peace. I am sure that Blacktown City Council will be their to provide an exemplary funeral service for him and  everyone else.


Thank you Mayor Stehpen Bali for informing us on your Face Book Page ans Lester Pasley and  well.

Community Composters On Bike - Something We Need To Do Reduce Waste Costs And Making Our Community Environmentally Household Friendly To Use

Imagine that  are young are sitting at home doing nothing and they cannot find work. They think the there is no opportunity for them to do anything, but there is always something they can do. It all can start at home.

As we see this on this video on  'Bike Composters' and it instantly makes you think our local community world could change to accommodate a recycling bin process, like this. Council's could reduce wasted wastes being thrown out, cleaner and more happier environment to live in. 

Something like this  makes the person fit, as your using bicycles, proud of you are going and  there is financial reward as well provided. So Street Composts are the way to go, especially when Council's are looking at avenue to lower their costs. Allow contractors to do this and creating community gardens, in the same process engages our the community. I would like to see All stake holders take this up. Let Mount Druitt be the first to do  this.

Go to  the website  to learn more on: letuscompost.org

Click here for the Bike Composters video

This is from Ron, Member of our 'whyilovemountdruitt' Face Book Group. Again we thank you for your contribution.

New NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian - News Local

The new  NSW Premier is Gladys Berejiklian as of today and is someone I have met in the past lobbying for public transport, that I can respect. Whether she can carry her NSW Government  to the next election, is yet to be seen as she will have s strong opposition government, in the leadership of Luke Foley, who seems to have the charisma to lead his team onto the next State Election and possibly beyond.

For her team to win the next election, she needs to advocate for her people, not just the wealthy but the poor as well and also for the needy. She will need to build and restore confidence within all NSW Communities, strengthen her own team and provide favourable decisions that do not have diverse reflections on all communities, make New South Wales the place we want to live in all the time, changing  with the times. Be there for e the people.

So let her take her leadership for the next 2 years up front and see we end up. 

Click Here for Story from News Local

This Is What We Need In Mount Druitt and Blacktown LGA - Recycling Stations for Bins

We, in Blacktown City Council of which Mount Druitt in a  major  part have sister cities, as follows:

• Porirua, New Zealand, since 1984.
• Suseong-gu, Daegu, South Korea, since 1994.
• Liaocheng, China, since 2003.
• Liverpool Plains, Australia, since 2005.

Yet,is it possible that we can pick up  important improvement changes, to make our community better from other places around the world. This is how communities change as well as using our local knowledge.

So on a recent  trip to Akaroa in New Zealand,  these bins caught my eye and is it something we could look at  having rather than having multiple bins we have at present:

The signs stay "Not for commercial or domestic use', it is used for public use in parks, gardens and open public spaces. Now I know that. I think it will be unique if we can teach our community to use different bins for different waste products, the  our community will be a better cleaner and tidier place. It doesn't take  much to set these up - an extra cost. But an extra cost in the right direction - in the long run costs could be well reduced and that means less rates to pay.

Too Late To Lodge Citizen Of The Year for 2017.....

I must say that I was honoured to be emailed a  nomination form for 'Blacktown Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the year and Community Event of the Year' on the 5th January 2017.

Due to my absence being overseas, I wasn't able to  respond or reply until today. This I consider to be not a fault of Blacktown City Council, they are not aware a lot of people that could nominate a community member, may not be here. Not only that the nominations closed on 13th January 2017.

I may suggest that from next year on, if community members can be emailed in early  December 2016, from Blacktown City Council, then there is more opportunity for nominations to be provided and return prior to closing date. 

Click here to Linked documents

Western Sydney Airport Plan - Western Sydney Community Forum

Thanks to the Western Sydney Community Forum has provided the the New Portal to the Western Sydney Airport Plan, the Australian Government, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development. I'm not too sure why the Australian Government doesn't advertise this  to all forms of media, so that the public can view it and  provide feedback or understand how it will operate.

Transport is a major issue out west tied up with car parks not being used for the right purposes or Premium Prices for visiting patients in NSW hospitals. Now you may say what has car parks got to do with it? Easy, we wouldn't need car parks if all levels of governments got together and focused of infrastructure for bus and taxis that reach into the heart of  local communities. Provide low cost  public transport services, this would allow for the community to  leave their private cars and vehicles at home and there could be 5 minute services.

Now we are looking at creating Western Sydney International Airport, what will be definitely provided as the completion of plans eventuates, will be car park after car park and little or no bus or taxi services provide to bring people back  to their front door home. They will  create 5-6 lanes of roads, they will use up more land, they will spend at a greater cost in areas where it is not needed.

Here is the details from Western Sydney Community Forum:

Have you seen the Western Sydney Airport Plan?

A new interactive portal sets out the vision for the Western Sydney Airport. The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development has confirmed that the Western Sydney Airport Plan has been finalised and an interactive portal has been launched to demonstrate what the Western Sydney Airport could potentially look like.  Inside the portal, you can look at the Western Sydney Airport site in 3D, view a series of short information videos on the vision for the site, and view an image gallery of before and after photos. Authorisation has also been granted for the construction and operation of the first stage of the airport, which is planned to open by mid 2020. This includes the construction of a passenger terminal, one runway, cargo facilities, dedicated maintenance areas, a public transport hub, easy access parking, and areas set aside for a business park. The site will also include on-site water recycling, service water treatment, and an environmental conservation zone along Badgerys Creek.  Click here for further details