Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Mayor Stephen Bali MP Steps Down / Councillor Tony Bleasedale OAM Elected Mayor

10 October 2019


The State Member for Blacktown Stephen Bali has stepped down from the position of Blacktown City Mayor after 5 years in the role.

Under the Local Government Act, Mayors and Councillors can only continue in the office for 2 years after being elected to the NSW Parliament.

Mayor Bali was elected to Parliament at the 14 October 2017 by-election for the seat of Blacktown triggered by the resignation of former NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson.

Mayor Bali stepped down from office at an Extraordinary Meeting of Blacktown City Council on Wednesday (9 October). His resignation from Council will take effect from Monday (14 October).

Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM was elected Mayor unopposed and Councillor Julie Griffiths was elected Deputy Mayor, also unopposed.

Councillor Stephen Bali was first elected to Blacktown City Council in March 2004. He was Deputy Mayor from 2009 to 2010 and was elected Mayor in September 2015. “It has been an absolute honour and privilege to represent the people of Blacktown as a Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor. “I thank my Council colleagues, Council’s staff and most importantly the people of Blacktown for their support and belief in our City and for giving so much of their time and effort in seeking to make a difference,” Cr Bali said.

Councillor Bali paid tribute to those on Council who paved the way for him including former Mayors the Hon. John Aquilina, the late Jim Lynch, the late Leo Kelly and his late father and former Deputy
Mayor, Charlie Bali.  Councillor Bali said working with the community had been the most fulfilling aspect of his time on
Council. “We campaigned against the negative stereotyping portrayed in the SBS Struggle Street program, we restored pensioner rates discounts and reopened Mt Druitt Swimming Centre. We fought the world’s largest incinerator and saved hectares of precious Cumberland Plain Woodland.”

As Mayor, Stephen Bali has led Council’s transformational projects including the redevelopment of the Warrick Lane precinct in the Blacktown CBD, the establishment of Australian Catholic
University’s Blacktown Campus and the planned International Centre of Training Excellence at the Blacktown International Sportspark.

In his acceptance speech, Mayor Tony Bleasdale said he was deeply honoured to be elected Mayor of Blacktown City.
“I am honoured to follow in the footsteps of the historic term of our colleague and great friend Stephen Bali.

“Under his 5 years of leadership, a valuable legacy has been established for Blacktown City, a legacy of stability and clarity of vision and respect for all our communities.

“Mayor Bali’s leadership has resulted in collaboration on Council which underpins the dynamic transformative program that will establish Blacktown as a city of talent, diversity and sustainable
growth and development.

“I know that any history of our city will hold Councillor Stephen Bali in the highest regard for the many achievements and landmark moments under his leadership.

“Under my leadership we will complete the transformational projects that Stephen Bali and Council started.

“Blacktown City Council must continue the fight for Indigenous recognition, we must continue to lead and advocate for our community, we must continue to engage with our communities and we will continue to build on the excellent work going on in the economic development in our city,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths was first elected to Council in 2008 and is now serving in her second term. Councillor Griffiths has been a long time member of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association NSW Branch including terms as President and City Vice President. She is currently a Councillor on the Hawkesbury River County Council and on the Board of LG NSW.

“It is an honour and privilege to serve the Blacktown City Community and I look forward to joining with Tony and my fellow Councillors in ensuring Blacktown City continues its journey of sustainable growth and development while celebrating diversity and multiculturalism,” Deputy Mayor Griffiths
said.

“I am committed to fostering Blacktown City’s infrastructure and providing good quality child care and further developing services for our youth through local apprenticeships and traineeships.“

Council will seek the Minister for Local Government’s approval not to hold a by-election to replace Councillor Bali. Ward 4 would then be served by 2 Councillors for the remainder of this Council term which concludes in September 2020.

(from Left) Retiring Mayor Stephen Bali MP with Mayor
Tony Bleasedale & Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Mission Cements Business And Government Ties

8 October 2019

Blacktown City Council’s Trade Mission to India has been

lauded a success, with delegates planning follow-up

business meetings before the end of the year.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said: “The business

and civic ties formed during the trade mission have already 

formed strong business ties which will help our business 

delegates and ultimately grow the economy of the city.

“This trade mission also built key relationships for Council 

with different levels of government in India planning to visit 

Blacktown City.”

Two weeks ago Council hosted a 7-member delegation from 

Tamil Nadu (a province of over 70 million people in South 

India) seeking to learn about Council’s road safety program.

“We are very proud to have delegations that have identified 

Blacktown as a growing city where they use what we do to 

improve programs in India and like-wise we can improve our 

programs by learning by the projects they are doing,”

I am delighted that all 8 businesses that were part of the 

Trade Mission have already been talking to businesses they 

met during the visit,” Mayor Bali said.

Roy Rosario, Sales Director, Dynaflow said: “The trade 

mission provided an opportunity for us at Dynaflow to get a 

fantastic perspective of the potential market in the span of 

week, which could take us years if we did it ourselves.

“Blacktown City Council needs to be commended for having 

the foresight to embark on a dual civic-business mission and 

executing such an intense program.”

David Mumford, Director, RBK Nutraceuticals said: “The 

trade mission to India organised by Blacktown City Council 

was one of the best trade missions that I have participated in.

“It was a very intense, action packed mission across 3 

regions that was extremely well organised. The quality of the 

business meetings and official functions that were arranged 

by Austrade were perfectly matched to my requirements.”

“The mission has provided me with the knowledge, business 

contacts, potential partners and confidence to pursue India 

as my next export market priority,” he said.

Other events included a business roundtable with the 

Confederation of Indian Industry, a presentation to the 

Mumbai Stock Exchange including a workshop with a 

business incubation centre, and networking seminar at the 

Australian High Commission in New Delhi organised by the 

Australia, New Zealand and India Business Association.

Mayor Bali also commended two of the trade mission 

business delegates who are finalists in the 2019 Premier's 

NSW Export Awards.

Murray Bridle, CEO, Container Rotation Systems is a finalist 

in the Minerals, Energy and Advanced Materials category 

and David Mumford, Director, RBK Nutraceuticals is a finalist 

in the Western Sydney category.

“I wish both these businessmen the best of luck in their 

respective categories,” Mayor Bali said.

Trade Mission delegates

India’s Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Kiren Rijiju receive an Aboriginal artwork from Blacktown City’s civic delegation, comprising former NSW Premier Nathan Rees, Mayor Stephen Bali MP, Councillor Moninder Singh and Councillor Susai Benjamin.

Even 'The Mayor is A Giant' - GWS Giant - 'Blacktown City Council Twitter

So even the Mayor of Blacktown City Council, Councillor Stephen Bali' and his Councillors are going to watch and  back the GWS Giants. I wonder if the GWS Giants win, would they hold the winning parade from Parramatta through to Blacktown to Penrith!  I also wonder if they all have front row tickets at the MCG!We wish the GWS Giants all the best ahead of this week's AFL grand final!

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Rev up Riverstone!

7 February 2019

Car enthusiasts in Western Sydney are being catered for at a

new monthly festival that will feature classic cars, muscle

cars, motorbikes and trucks.

Rev up Riverstone is a monthly auto-festival being held for

the first time in Riverstone Marketown car park on Saturday,

16 February.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said Rev up

Riverstone will cater to everyone.

"This month it will be a display for Ford fanatics but the

displays will vary month to month.”

“Holdens, Jeeps, muscle cars, vintage cars, motorbikes,

trucks and classic cars will all be on display at various times,”

Mayor Bali said.

There will also be a range of market stalls and activities for

children, as well food trucks ranging from the classic Aussie

barbecue breakfast through to Dutch pancakes,” Mayor Bali

said.

Event details:

When: Saturday, 16 February – the event will continue

monthly

Time: 9 am to 12 pm

Where: Riverstone Marketown car park, Riverstone Parade,

Riverstone

For future Rev up Riverstone dates

visit: 

www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-activities/Rev-

up-Riverstone

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Bali And Bleasedale Elected

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.

Blacktown City Council - Media Release -Mayor Laments Newspapers’ Closure

MEDIA RELEASE

12 December, 2017

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP has expressed sadness over the closure of six north Western Sydney community newspapers at the end of this year.

“I am devastated Fairfax Media’s Australian Community Media does not think Blacktown deserves local newspapers to serve our growing and very diverse community,” Mayor Bali said.

“My thoughts are with the journalists, photographers and production staff who have lost jobs in the lead up to what probably is not for them the festive season,” he said.

His comments follow last month’s announcement that Fairfax will be closing down six community newspapers in the north western region. The Blacktown Sun, St Marys-Mt Druitt Star, Rouse Hill Courier, Parramatta-Holroyd Sun, Hills News and the Penrith City Gazette all cease publication next week.

“Fairfax publications are part of the history of our communities and farewelling these six publications is very difficult,” he said.

“Instead of completely leaving Blacktown City, I am very surprised they were not amalgamated into one paper,” he said.

“Blacktown’s current population of 350,000 is projected to reach 500,000 in 20 years; is growing at 10,000 a year and will be larger in population than Tasmania.

“If small country towns a tenth the size of Blacktown can support local papers, surely a growing city like Blacktown can.

“On a personal note, I want to thank the current and previous Fairfax journalists for their on-going support of community campaigns, bringing the stories of different people to the pages for us all to read, and for raising important issues with we elected members of the community.

“I understand digital and social media has put a lot of pressure on the business operation of these newspapers.  But the reality is that, with the closure of this group of publications, our community is less well served.

“For our community it was always interesting, entertaining and informative to see news delivered in different suburban newspapers, so closing this stable of papers leaves a massive void in the growing north western region of Sydney,” he said.

“As a community we should campaign for these publications to be resurrected and kept running as our communities grow,” Mayor Bali

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Mayor Donates Blood To Save Lives

MEDIA RELEASE

25 July 2017

Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali has rolled up his sleeves to give a life-saving blood donation to the Red Cross Blood Service.

Mayor Bali donated blood at the Red Cross mobile blood donor van at Blacktown Kmart carpark, as part of Blacktown Council’s Red25 Blood Challenge.

“It is important that as many people as possible take the opportunity to donate blood,” he said.

“Donating blood doesn’t take long and you could save three lives in the process.”

The Red25 Council Blood Challenge is run by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service and encourages staff at local councils to donate blood between July and September.

NSW council blood donations throughout this period are tallied against each other with the most blood donations from the one council winning the challenge.

Mayor Bali’s donation takes Council’s tally to 20 blood donations, which could save up to 60 lives.

He has set a goal of 100 donations from Council staff, which could save 300 lives.

In Australia, about 25,000 donations of blood are needed every week.

Australian Red Cross Community Relations Officer Ronny Maroun said the need for blood was constant, but Winter was a particularly tough time for Australia’s blood supply.

“The reason Winter is so crucial to us is it’s cold and flu season and that rules out a lot of our regular blood donors,” he said.

“Even if you’ve got a sore throat or a runny nose we encourage people not to donate at that time because they may need the blood product themselves to fight off that cold or flu.”

An Australian Red Cross Blood Service mobile blood donor van will be at the Blacktown Kmart carpark on Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 August and Thursday 21 to Friday 22 September.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali donates blood with help from Red Cross nurse Darshan Madhukanth Shah.

 

Blacktown City Council - Media Alert - New Outdoor Gym To Be Unveiled In Tregear

MEDIA ALERT

23 June 2017

Event Details

Opening of new outdoor gym at Tregear Reserve

2.00pm, 27 June 2017

Tregear Reserve

Corner of Wilkes Cres and Debrincat Ave, Tregear

Meet at the Wilkes Cres carpark for a photo shoot at the gym equipment nearby.

Mayor Stephen Bali and students from Mt Druitt Clontarf Academy will be available to be photographed.

Media release to follow.

Blacktown City Council Media Release - Cheap Stat Politics

MEDIA RELEASE

13 June, 2017

The Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali has accused the Federal Government of using raw data to play cheap stat diversionary politics.

Councillor Bali says a proper analysis of the suburbs where it’s claimed inordinate numbers of Centrelink clients are not reporting for interviews shows the rate is about the same for each suburb.

“Blacktown is one of the largest cities in Australia – so when the raw data is chased of course there are going to be more people for anything in any category, whether its road accidents, heart attacks, or children crossing the road.

“But, when the rate is more properly expressed as a percentage of the population rather than by raw data, it reveals something perhaps Centrelink wants to hide.

“There is only about a one percent difference between the highest and lowest across the 15 suburbs reported by Minister Tudge,” he said.

“This shows to me that, rather than Blacktown having a problem, Centrelink has a systemic client service problem across the nation that it is unable to solve.

“If there was a problem with individual areas, you would expect larger spikes – but the fact all 15 are all within one percentage point belies this.

“I would have thought that by now, particularly after the flak his department copped over the “Robo debt” program that Minister Tudge would have learnt some messaging and client service lessons.  Apparently not.

“Rather than playing cheap shot diversionary politics and blaming the people, this shows Centrelink should be working to improve its customer service.

“The Minister should be coming to us with the solution, rather than the problem.  Let’s start with a return to previous levels of funding for youth employment programs.”

% Rank	Suburb and Centrelink Raw Data Ranking	Centrelink Stat	Suburb Population	Percentage
1	1.       Caboolture QLD	387	21929	1.76%
2	15.   Morwell VIC	217	14005	1.55%
3	5.    Deception Bay QLD	276	19672	1.40%
4	3.      Mildura VIC	329	30647	1.07%
5	11.   Woodridge QLD	241	24919	0.97%
6	13.   Liverpool NSW	218	24095	0.90%
7	4.       Frankston VIC	280	35009	0.80%
8	2.       Blacktown NSW	333	43378	0.77%
9	14.   Southport QLD	217	28315	0.77%
10	8.       Dubbo NSW	245	32327	0.76%
11	9.       Auburn NSW	244	32327	0.75%
12	10.   Dandenong VIC	244	33122	0.74%
13	6.       Werribee VIC	276	37737	0.73%
14	7.       St Albans VIC	255	35091	0.73%
15	12.   Orange NSW	225	35990	0.63%