Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Rooty Hill Forum Beats State of Origin

MEDIA RELEASE

13 July 2017

Cries for a lift at Rooty Hill train station opened the question session at Blacktown City Council’s Have Your Say community forum, staged at Rooty Hill School of Arts last night.

More than 60 people braved winter cold and traded watching the State of Origin for hearing from the council at the latest of its monthly community forums.

“The strong turnout, particularly with lots of competition, shows the forum format is working and residents and ratepayers are keen to exchange points of view with Council,” the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said.

Other issues raised included poor state government infrastructure, bad parking around railway stations, dangerous traffic conditions on local roads and limited parking at new developments.

Many speakers also complained about plans to build an Energy from Waste incinerator at Eastern Creek and their concerns about the effects of Badgerys Creek Airport on the city.

“We were able to give first-hand information about issues of concern and they are now being followed up by council officers,” Mayor Bali said.

“Being able to get an immediate response when matters are raised is the one of the great benefits of the Have Your Say forums.

Mayor Bali said resident’s concerns about the lift at the station came hot on the heels of the State Government’s announcement to only repaint Doonside station when the real issue was the desperate need for a lift to help the community.

“At that time I said Doonside needed a lift not a `facelift’ and we have been lobbying for lifts at both stations,” he said.

“I urge the community to continue raising this issue with local State MPs, and we will continue our campaign to have lifts installed at both the Doonside and Rooty Hill stations.”

Some 15 questions were posed to a panel of Councillors and Council experts on the night with a further nine taken on notice to be reported back to the community.

“Council’s community forums are proving to be a good opportunity for residents and ratepayers to engage with Councillors and Council staff face-to-face,” said General Manager Kerry Robinson.

“At last night’s forum Council presented updates on recent upgrades to local parks and reserves and road projects in the neighbourhood.

“Those who attended were clearly interested in what we are doing, which is Building the Best council in Australia.”

Council’s next community forum will be held at Glenwood Community Hub in Glenwood at 7pm on Wednesday, 2 August.  

Next Forum details: 
Wednesday, 2 August, 7pm at Glenwood Community Hub,

72 Glenwood Park Drive, Glenwood.

Email: Forums@blacktown.nsw.gov.au

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali addresses the Rooty Hill forum.