Councillor Stephen Bali MP has been re-elected Mayor of
Blacktown City Council and Councillor Tony Bleasdale has been re-elected Deputy Mayor.
In a 10-4 vote along party lines, Labor Councillor Bali enters his fourth term as Mayor of Blacktown City, defeating Liberal candidate Councillor Jess Diaz.
“Being elected for a fourth term as Mayor of Blacktown City is a great honour, privilege and responsibility. I sincerely thank the Councillors of this city for their faith and trust,” Mayor Bali said.
“My pledge is to continue to be a strong advocate for our city and a voice for Western Sydney.
“The past term of office has been highlighted by strong economic growth and the commitment to Transform Blacktown City.
“This year we announced Blacktown City Council’s largest budget, $623 million, cementing our plan to ensure the City is prepared for the 522,000 people who will live here by 2036. Blacktown City is the economic powerhouse of Western Sydney with a $15.6 billion local economy with an economic growth rate of 7.2% compared to Australia’s 2.4% growth rate.
“While Council is proud of its economic management, we are also proud of our record in providing services to our community budgeting more than $110 million dollars towards acquiring and improving our parks, recreation areas and community facilities in new release areas and across the city.
“Council will continue the transformational projects to deliver a vision for Blacktown to be a City of Talent.
Construction will begin next year on a multi-storey underground car park in Warwick Lane, which will be the springboard for the transformation of our CBD with a multi-storey business, commercial, residential and education precinct.
“An Expressions of Interest process has been called for universities to establish a campus in the transformed CBD, giving our kids the opportunity to reach the highest levels of education here in Blacktown. Council expects to confirm a partner during 2019
“Our vision for Blacktown City brings with it strong expectations and in return we promise stability and consultation as we seek to continue to deliver the outcomes needed for our community.” Mayor Bali said.
Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale said he was honoured and privileged to be re-elected to the position.
“I am looking forward to continuing in the office and supporting Mayor Bali and my fellow Councillors on our transformational journey and using my position to benefit the community of Blacktown.
“Having a strong and united Council brings stability of decision making, but also brings with it the responsibility to consult all our residents and ratepayers to ensure Council is a seen as service provider and leader, not a faceless, soul-less bureaucratic machine,” Deputy Mayor Bleasdale said.
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