NSW Bus Region 1 - New Bus Service - 794 - Busways

Here is the new Busways Service in  NSW Bus Region 1 - 794 'Penrith to Glenmore Park':
Click here for details

Blacktown City Council Media Release - Marathon Runners Make It Two In A Row

MEDIA RELEASE

31 July 2017

Matthew Cox and Kirsten Molloy have taken two on the trot at the Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival on Sunday, July 30.

For the second year in a row, Cox from Moorebank won the men’s marathon in 2:23:51 – slightly slower than his marathon winning finish last year.

Molloy from Port Macquarie also enjoyed consecutive wins, taking out the women’s marathon in 3:01:01 this year and in 2:51:16 last year.

“Congratulations to Kirsten and Matthew on a race well run,” Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said.

“The Westlink M7 marathon is a gruelling track, so to win two years in a row is an impressive feat.”

More than 900 people from across Australia and the world took part in the Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival.

This year’s Blacktown City Council-organised event was one of the most popular in the running festival’s 12-year history, Mayor Bali said.

“This year we had 948 people participating in the Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival,” Mayor Bali.

“The marathon attracted 144 participants and the half marathon attracted 222 participants, starting and finishing at Blacktown International Sportspark.

“We also had five international runners, including three from Kenya, one from Hong Kong and one from Ireland, lining up to compete.”

Blacktown City Sport and Recreation Advisory Committee Chairman, Councillor Brad Bunting, said the fact the marathon was held on the Westlink M7 shared pathway contributed to the event’s success.

“The Blacktown Running Festival is one of the few traffic-free marathons in Australia, meaning runners have a smooth running event without having to worry about kerbs, gutters or traffic,” he said.

“It also means that motorists are not inconvenienced by road closures.

“This is partly why the event is so popular; with runners from all over Australia and across the world gearing up to compete every year.”

First “local” across the line was Jonathan Hayes of Blacktown, clocking in at 3:41:15, placing him 41^st in the marathon.

First “local” woman across the line was Caroline Wooden of Lalor Park, with a time of 4:56:49, placing her 108^th.

Five of the runners completed the marathon for the 12th time, having competed every year since the Westlink M7 Blacktown City Running Festival was first staged in 2006.

The marathon attracted 146 participants and the half marathon attracted 234 participants, starting and finishing at Blacktown International Sportspark.

They were Jane Trumper from Dee Why, Anne Owen from Oatley, Gary Aitkenhead from Naremburn, Bob Fickel from Sutherland and Eric Schmierier from Terrey Hills.

Men’s marathon winner Matthew Cox with his prize.

Women’s marathon winner Kirsten Molloy with her prize

Bob Fickel, Jane Trumper, Anne Owen and Gary Aitkenhead line up to compete in their 12^th consecutive marathon.

International runners Shan Ching Chan (Hong Kong), Andrew Kimanthi Kilonzi (Kenya) and Elizabeth Adokomit (Kenya) with Cr Brad Bunting.

Children start the Kids Marathon at the Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival.

Results:

MEN’S MARATHON TOP THREE

Place	Name	Time	Suburb
1	Matthew Cox	2:23:31	Moorebank
2	Dane Verwey	2:31:35	Edithvale
3	Andrew Kimanthi	2:38:12	Sippy Downs

WOMEN’S MARATHON TOP THREE

Place	Name	Time	Suburb
1	Kirsten Molloy	3:01:01	Port Macquarie
2	Kaori Hirakawa	3:05:15	Pots Point
3	MagdKarimali-Poulos	3:09:25	Carinbah

MEN’S HALF MARATHON TOP THREE

Place	Name	Time	Suburb
1	Thomas Do Canto	1:09:11	West Ryde
2	Tim Ford	1:20:12	North Parramatta
3	Gary Howard	1:22:42	Kaleen, ACT

WOMEN’S HALF MARATHON TOP THREE

Place	Name	Time	Suburb
1	Daniela Burton	1:26:38	Cammeray
2	Brooke Hammond	1:26:58	Sydney
3	Lilian Molesworth	1:30:53	Birrong

The 10km Run and 5Km Run events, attracted 394 participants starting and finishing at Blacktown International Sportspark.

MEN’S 10KM RUN

Place	Name	Time	Suburbs
1	Angela Leadbeatter	0:36:07	Pelican
2	Elese Gallan	0:36:47	Oakville
3	Louise Noble	0:38:55	Wattle Grove

WOMEN’S 10KM RUN

Place	Name	Time	Suburbs
1	Harry Summers	0:30:30	Mortdale
2	Russell Dessaix-Chine	0:31:47	North Wollongong
3	Liam Ridings	0:32:33	Haberfield

MEN’S 5KM RUN

Place	Name	Time	Suburbs
1	Kevin Batt	0:13:49	Ryde
2	James Tunbridge	0:15:23	North Wollongong
3	Stefan Music	0:15:23	Edensor Park

WOMEN’S 5KM RUN

Place	Name	Time	Suburbs
1	Marine Pontoon	0:16:40	Glenbrook
2	Paige Campbell	0:16:44	Warren
3	Imogen Stewart	0:17:00	Stanhope Gardens

Was The Australian Government's Naming of the 2nd Sydney Airport Looking At WSPTU Face Book Poll Page

Western Sydney Airport name was supported by 6 people before the naming of the airport from Western Sydney Public Transport Users* Face Book Page Survey/Poll.

1on the 10th November 2013, as a then active member, I posted a Poll to plant seeds to our public and see what the feeling was in relation to  the naming of  the 2nd airport for Sydney.

The results showed that 6 people recommended Western Sydney Airport, 7 people recommended Greater Western Sydney International Airport, 4 recommended Greater Western Sydney Airport and 2 people recommended Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Airport. There were others that  received 1 recommendation and others that got none click here for details


So did  WSPTU poll created 10th November 2013 assist or guide the Australian Government to naming the airport. Who knows? At least we  put it out to the public before the Australian  Government did.










Click here for Western Sydney Airport Details

Prue Car MP - Politics in The PUB - Parramatta - Prue Car Face Book Page

From Prue Car's ( Member for Londonderry)  Face Book Page, she is inviting  our local community to meet her with Ryan Park MP for 'Politics in the Pub' in Parramatta. Here is the advert:

Maybe, a suggestion , would be for  Edmond Atalla MP, Member for Mount Druitt and Prue Car MP, to have one of these 'Politics In the Pub' in any of the Hotels within these 2 electorates.

Westfield Mount Druitt Security Assist With On Site Car Accident Incident - Great Work

It is amazing how a local community member had told myself of an incident that happened in the car park of Westfield Mount Druitt, the other day.

It happened yesteray just after 5pm, whete the community member was entering into Westfield, Mount Druitt after heading straight passed the round about. The lady driver hrard a big 'bang'. She thought she hit a gutter and carried on driving.

Then another lady driver tried to get attention and the lady infront stopped her car, not knowing what has happened. The lady driver behind caught up with the other lady and explained what she had witnessed. She witnessed another lady driver entering left into the round about, just and hit the rear passenger side of the first ladies car. The witness lady took a photograph and noticed the lady just didn't stop , parked her car and went shopping.

So witnessed lady provided her details as a witness. The first lady picked up her husband at Mount Druitt train station and then returned to where the lady that caused the accident, car was parked.

Westfield Management were immediately contacted and their security attended straight away. He assisted when the lady that caused the accident returned to her car and was confronted with what she did. The elderly lady knew what she did before and felt embarrassed. She thought the firsty car was a write off. It was small damages on both cars but noticeable.

So, the Westfield Security officer advised that he would complete an incident report to assist Police and insurance companies. It is pleasing that Westfield provide their Security making it easy to deal  and resolve accident issues that occur on site.

The lady that caused the accident provided her contact details quite easily as she had seen the damages to her car and the only lady.

So this community lady that had the accident thanked the lady and security offer with their assistance. So, we need to recognise the contribution provided by Westfield for their security, it was very much welcomed.

I would like to also make a couple recommendations to Westfield Management, Mount Druitt that may be helpful with accidents at it's three roundabouts based  near the entrances of Luxford Road, Carlisle Avenue and North Parade:

• Turn left wire care signs place  on the left side of intersections, before anyone enters the intersection, like so:

• Video cameras a near or at this intersections, which can encapture and  video footage require for NSW Police or insurance companies to resolve disputes

Blacktown City Council Media Release - Blacktown Stray Dogs Stats Slide

MEDIA RELEASE

26 July 2017

Blacktown City pet owners seem to be heeding calls to take better care of their canine companions, according to the latest Council data.

Over the last four years, fewer dogs have been ending up as strays on local streets and in the Animal Holding Facility, Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said.

“The number of stray dogs has more than halved from 2,252 to about 800, while the number of impounded dogs has also dropped significantly to a four-year low of 1,700,” he said.

“This is particularly pleasing, given our population has grown rapidly in that time.

“I congratulate all the pet owners who do a great job looking after their furry friends, and I encourage them to keep up the good work.

“With Council due to open a new animal rehoming centre in the next couple of years it’s exciting to know pet owners will have even more support to take good care of their pets.”

Companion Animal Advisory Committee Chairperson Councillor Chris Quilkey said the figures showed Council’s pro-active pet education campaign was working.

“Council has ramped up all aspects of its responsible pet ownership program over the past four years,” he said.

“The employment of our full time animal education officer, Jacqueline Benito, has been a key to driving these improvements.

“Jacqueline regularly holds animal education programs at schools, libraries and community events to raise awareness about how to properly take care of pets.

“Other initiatives include subsidised pet desexing and free microchipping days. 

“I thank Jacqueline and all the AHF employees and volunteers for the important work they do in helping us all be better pet parents.”

Ms Benito said it was wonderful to see the positive effects Council’s education campaigns were having.

“The onus is on the pet owner to be responsible, but it’s up to Council to lead the way,” she said.

“Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, but there are still people who don’t have pets.

“We want to have as much cohesion between pet owners and non-pet owners as possible and make having pets an enjoyable part of our lives.”

Declining figures mean fewer dogs are roaming the streets.  Source: Blacktown City Council

Follow the link to download photos below:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/sg2ihchzhj7he7a/AADzBzVKZ3ejNVQPmpJ8tTv3a?dl=0

Councillor Chris Quilkey, Animal Education Officer Jacqueline Benito and Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali.

Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali with a puppy from AHF.