Busways Update - NSW Bus Region 1

From Thursday 5 December to Friday 20 December, Stands 5, 6 and 7 at St Marys Interchange will be temporarily closed to allow for Sydney Metro to conduct drilling works within the interchange.

The following changes will be in place at St Marys Interchange during the closures:

• Route 771 & 779 will depart from Stand 1
• Route 759 will depart from Stand 2
• Route 770, 774, 775 & 776 will depart from stand 9/10

Blacktown City Council - Christ home Lights Competition - Twitter

Click here for details

@blacktowncc

Retiring from Blacktown City Council Public Transport Forum

This morning, I thought hard about this and I feel that I have to let go of things in life I was passionate about as I  have taken volunteering roles in different areas. Here is my retirement email from the Blacktown City Council Public Tranport Forum 2019:

Good Morning Keiasha,

I understand that I have accepted invitation to the Transport Forum to be held today.

I have been a member of this Forum since 2010 and have attended these important forums, representing communities and report through 'whyilovemountdruitt', 'Save Our Bus Services", "Mount Druitt & Surrounding suburbs" & " Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc" Blogspot and Face Book Pages. The reason I did this was we lost 3 bus services in 2009 and retained 2 of them in 2010. I was asked to lead a community group for one bus service but then discovered that there were other services being lost in the area. It seemed that Council had none or little  power to get the buses back as I discovered, they  are pretty much an advisory of public Transport around the area.

I was the founding Chair of both' Save our Buses, Mount Druitt and Surrounding Suburbs and 'Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc and held position of secretary - I resigned in 2013 as I was not allowed to write posts on blogspot (without groups permission) on commending Hon. Richard Amery's eervice in State Government as he retired as well as issues with current Chair expecting more than I could do as Secretary.

I attended a Sydney Alliance Meeting in Bowman Hall attended by over 300 people, explaining how we all got  2 bus services back in Mount Druitt. I was pleased that when we got the full 755 bus service back that the front page of the local news paper in 2010 that it wasn't about myself - it was about the people of Mount Druitt getting back services that should not have been taken away. I was told by a former local  Labor Party Branch Member that - Once services are taken away - 'you will never get them back again'. 

It was pleasing to Know that The Then NSW Minister of Transport met with six of our groups representatives as they all had an opportunity to present our case and when the Federal Member of Chifley, Ed Husic invited myself and members of group for a cup of tea/morning tea chat. I could not attend as I had working obligations and when I was informed that The Hon. Member really only wanted to speak with 'me' not the ladies - that was very surprising to me! 

We lobbied hard for a free bus service looping around Mount Druitt with the help of a young Blake Bardowski - approved by Council at a time the NSW Government was removing many Free Bus Shuttle Services from different regions. I nominated Blake for the inaugural Ed Husic's Chifley Awards and  blowing me out  of shape - he won it. I remember his mother was so ecstatic. We were nominated as a  community group in the inaugural Western Sydney

'Zest' Community Awards and Blake also won a prize as an young individual, as well.

I was secretary of Western Sydney Public Transport Users Group, until I resigned and was a strong participant in the NSW Public Transport Review for 2030 and one of two  people that made presentations to the Council's Transport Policy.

I later turned as a community advocate ranging from holes in the ground, streets and eventually traffic light improvements on Luxford Road entrance to Westfield, Mount Druitt - this was a giant step in saving pedestrian lives.

I must Thank Blacktown City Council Media Unit in providing media releases to myself, to inform the community through social media. I think I have the record for Blacktown City Council Australia Day videos on You Tube (each year).

So, I have come to the conclusion that as I am retired and not residing in the Blacktown LGA area ( Yet I still have real interests in the area), I tender my resignation from the Council'd Transport Forum as of toda. I Thank Council's Trasnport Officers and Media Unit for their support. Further Thanks goes to former  Mayor, Stephen Bali, Tiny Beasedale and all current and former Councillors that I have spoken to as well as State members for Mount Druitt, Hon.

Edmond Atalla, Hon Member for Londonderry, Pru Car,= all past and current members of the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group INc and  most importantly to all Members of the Mount Druitt and wider community.

You may wish to keep me posted on all annual events, post each Transport event- Wishing Blacktown City Council a great success as it because a greater City.

Cheers

John Svoboda,jp

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Contest Shines Light On Diwali

9 November 2019

The Sadhu family from the Blacktown suburb of Bungarribee,

has been announced as the winner of Blacktown’s 2019

Diwali Lights Competition for the second year running.

In announcing the winner, Blacktown City Mayor Tony

Bleasdale, OAM, said, “Blacktown is one of the most

culturally diverse cities in Australia and is home to more than

83,000 people of Indian descent.

“This competition is a celebration of light and life and it is

impressive to see the team work and the meaningful 

traditions behind all the light displays.”

The competition was organised by Blacktown City Council in

association with Indian Link Media Group to celebrate the

annual Diwali Festival.

The ancient Hindu festival of Diwali celebrates the victory of

light over darkness, with observers around the world lighting 

lamps and candles in and around homes and temples.

“The competition continues to grow in popularity each year 

and it’s exciting to see so many families celebrating their 

culture and decorating their homes,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

In second place was the Kaukar family from Schofields 

followed by the Upadhyay family from The Ponds in third 

place.  Best Rangoli was awarded to Sarita Kadukar in 

Schofields.

Best Street was won by Ward Street, Schofields, which had 

7 decorated entries. The Ward Street road sign will now 

proudly display the words; ‘Best Street Diwali lights 

competition 2019’.

Cash prizes were also awarded to the winners, $800 for first 

place, $600 for the runner up and $400 for third place. Each 

ward winner was also awarded $100.

The winning home in Bungarribee, Blacktown.

Councillor Moninder Singh with the competition winners, the Sadhu family.

Blacktown City Council - Dog Story Time

Click here for details

Invitation to Community For Suggestions, Recommendations & Question For Blacktown Transport Forum

As usual, I have been invited to the Blacktown City Transport Forum for 2019. Members of the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group members will be invited as well. This is a 'Closed' Meeting offering stake holders information of public transport changes within the Blacktown Local Government Area.

If anyone would like to offer suggestions, improvements or has questions they would liked asked on their behalf, please let us know.

The forum aims to identify and highlight the key transport needs and challenges facing residents and businesses in Western Sydney, and in particular, Blacktown City.

It will bring together the region's transport providers, users and planners as well as representatives from government, industry and the community.

NSW Government News This Week

Click here for NSW news 1st November 2019

NSW Rail Museum - This Weekend

Click here for a day out with Thomas


Click here for Moss Vale Steam Shuttles


Click here for details on the Hydro Express

Congratulations To Eddie For 1st Overall Winner for the Garden Competition - Blacktown City Council Twitter

 

Blacktown Council

@blacktowncc

Congratulations to Eddie for getting 1st overall winner for the garden competition!