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 - Have Your Say on Willmot Park Upgarde

MEDIA RELEASE

3 November 2017

Blacktown City Council invites residents to share their ideas for the revitalisation of Willmot Reserve playground.

Council is planning $163,000 worth of upgrades at this important reserve and wants the local community to have their say on the project.  

“Local residents have told us they want a new and improved play space so more people can enjoy the area,” Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali said.   

“We have listened, allocating funding to build a new playground and successfully applying for a $50,000 grant from the NSW Government.

“The upgrade is not just about the money though.

“We want to engage with the community and hear from residents about what they would like to see at their local park.

“I encourage anyone who is interested in this project to get in touch with Council and share your ideas with us: we really want to hear from you.”

Mayor Bali’s call for public feedback was echoed by Ward 5 Councillor and Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale, who met with residents to discuss the upgrade earlier this month. 

“We got together for a great brainstorm session to talk about their ideas for their park,” he said.

“We received lots of positive feedback, which will help us develop the design, and I thank everyone who attended and put their suggestions forward.”

Fellow Ward 5 Councillor Brad Bunting said residents’ ideas will inform the master plan for Willmot Reserve.

“We hope to have this draft master plan available for public feedback by the end of the year,” Cr Bunting said.

“But before then we want to hear more from the community.

“I encourage those who haven’t yet had their say to send us their suggestions.”

To have your say on the Willmot Reserve upgrade email council@blacktown.nsw.gov.au before 24 November.

Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale meets with residents to discuss the Willmot Reserve upgrade.

Blacktown City Council - Approves People's Budget 2017-2018

MEDIA RELEASE

Blacktown City Council has approved what has been termed “The People’s Budget”

The $610 million budget – the city’s biggest yet – was formally approved at last night’s meeting.

Moving its acceptance, Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale called it “the People’s Budget”.

“Despite the challenges we face as we head toward a population exceeding half a million people – we have, I believe, delivered what should be known as the People’s Budget,’ Councillor Bleasdale said.

“We will deliver a City full of life and opportunity for our residents and the tens of thousands who will make it their home in the years ahead.

“It’s a budget which delivers first-class services and facilities and has a vision for jobs: a vision which will be delivered in partnership with our local business community.

“And a vision for education – seeking to add a full-scale university campus to our great schools and TAFE institutes.”

Councillor Bleasdale highlighted the decision to prove a larger-than-required pensioner discount for rates.

“By maintaining the rates rebate which we substantially increased for our 12,500 pensioners, and this caused us to be named as one of the most socially caring councils in NSW.

“And  - good news for all ratepayers - 80 per cent of Blacktown ratepayers pay rates that are nearly 10% less than the estimated State average, he said.

Click here for Budget Briefing Summary 2017-18

Click here for DEputy Mayor Bleasdale Speech

Mount Druitt Mayor - "Charlie Lowles OAM" Memmorial 13/11/2016 - RIP - All Thanks Blacktown City Council

I have met  former Council Charlie Lowles, on about  multitude of occasions, sometimes we didn't see  'eye to eye' and there was of the recent times where we shared  positive thoughts together. Although, like others I had difficulty in understanding what he said as he also spoke faster and with a rather English distinct accent, but his heart and mind was all Australian.

I'm sure that he knew every square inch of Mount Druitt and I'm am so so sure that every inch of Mount Druitt knew 'Charlie'. At his Memorial Service at Emerton Leisure Centre (heart of Mount Druitt where he  got improved facilities), it was so graceful, all politics was placed aside.  We had  great speeches from Mayor, Councilor Stephen Bali, who demonstrated how he learnt a lot from 'Charlie', NSW State Member for Mount Druitt, Hon. Edmond Atalla, who gave a passionate and brilliant explanation of how he assisted  'Charlie' with mobile phone technology.  To Charlie's daughter, who  made myself understand that his passion for  Everton Football Club and Mount Druitt Town Rangers Soccer club shared common goals and how the family allowed him to spend time within the community. That is why there was  dark blue and white flags for Emerton and  green and yellow flags representing Mount Druitt Town Rangers. This was a beautiful reflection of his football supporting life.

Then Alma his wife, who held back tears as she shared how they embraced  his life and  commitment to the Council and community. To Hon. Ed Husic, Federal Member of Chifley, who also shared the  time he had with him at  'Charlie's Office' in Plumpton Shops.

In fact most of his fellow political colleagues shared coffee at his 'office' at Plumpton.  Hon. Pru Car, NSW Member of Londonderry,  spoke to us audience as if she was speaking to him, as she stated ' She never had a chance to say goodbye to him'. There was Reg Murray,  Mount Druitt Chamber of  Commerce, whom brought his personal experience he had with 'Charlie' in removing graffiti  around the area and the process of how that was done. There was his mate and understudy Councillor Tony Bleasedale, who has a big shoe to  take over and explained how  he is saddened by the loss of 'his mate', both originally coming from Liverpool. There were other speakers that spoke from Mount Druitt Town Rangers President and representative from Rooty Hill RSL.

Really, it was a  beautiful, graceful way of  remembering 'Charlie' but the most predominate speaker I thought stood out, yesterday was,  former NSW State Member of Mount Druitt (retired 2015), Richard Amery, where he  encouraged  the audience to agree to rename the  Emerton Leisure Centre to Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre or Similar, is well thought of. Charlie made Emerton Leisure was it is  today as a true community advocate.

Personally, I wish I  could have  development a more  closer  relationship with him, as Charlie has proven to be, 'The Mayor of Mount Druitt' and the mayor of Blacktown doesn't mind that.

I wish, on behalf of the audience and the community, Council  does go ahead with Richard Amery's suggestion and that in itself is the icing on the cake to ensure our community will remember Charlie.


Rest In Peace




 

Rooty Hill Road Bridge Overpass May Get Nod On The Head - Mt Druitt Standard

Time and time again, it is good to revamp stories, community improvements in our local papers and I must congratulate the Mount Druitt Standard, for producing a great story that brings happiness to thousands on thousands.

In fact, even though I have recently taken interest in this community improvement , thanks will have to go to current  Councilors Stephen Bali, Mayor and Tony Bleasedale, Deputy Mayor and former Councillor Charlie Lowles and  also current State Member of Mount Druitt, Edmond Atalla. They will have all gained their community appreciation, once the Francis Road Davis Overpass is widened allowing for double the amount of traffic to flow through and make it easier for  all to crossover from north to south.


Click here to Mount Druitt Standard article

Clikc here for 'whyilovemountdruitt' previous post 

Councilor Stephen Bali Elected Mayor and Councillor Tony Bleasedale Elected Deputy Mayor, Blacktown City Council

From Lester Pasley, Secretary of the Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc has reported on last nights Mayoral and Deputy Mayor's election:

At the Extraordinary Meeting of Blacktown City Council held on 28th September 2016, the following nominations were received for the positions of:

Mayor
Stephen Bali, ALP Ward 4
Linda Santos, Liberal Ward 4

Deputy Mayor
Tony Bleasdale, ALP Ward 5
Peter Camilleri, Liberal Ward 5

The election was conducted by the General Manager, Mr Kerry Robinson, as the returning officer. The results were:

Stephen Bali, elected as Mayor.
Tony Bleasdale, elected as Deputy Mayor.

Both have been elected for a two year term under new changes to Section 230 of the Local Government Act 1993.

We wish Councilor Stephen Bali and Tony Bleasedale for their succes in leading the council to the right direct of community improvements for the next 2 years.

Councillor Edmond Atalla Moves Return Of Mount Druitt Hospital Bus Service- Unanimous Decision From All Councillors 'Fantastic'!

Well it is good to hear that Councillors on both sides on the political pendulum at Blacktown City Council are working hand in hand for the community in obtaining essential bus services. I have heard that Ward 4 Councillor, Edmond Atalla, has  lead the way in moving a motion in Council for Mount Druitt interchange to Mount Druitt Hospital.

It is pleasing to hear that the proposal was that the service would come from existing bus services, 754, 756 or 757. The most other  interesting fact is secondment of the motion was tied between  Ward 5 Councillors Jacqueline Donaldson and Tony Bleasedale.

A unanimous decision is  as all that the community expects. Well done  to all Blacktown City Council Councillors for making a decision, to improve public transport within the area.