Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Blacktown’s Third MP Mayor

MEDIA RELEASE

16 October 2017

The Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali is the third Mayor of the city to be elected to the NSW parliament.

“Mayor Bali’s election over the weekend is not the first time a Mayor of Blacktown has become a local MP,” said the Council’s General Manager, Kerry Robinson.

“The city’s first Mayor, John Aquilina, was elected member for Blacktown in 1981 and remained in parliament until 2011, having moved to the seat of Riverstone in 1991.

“Jim Anderson, Mayor from 1991 to 1995, was elected to the seat of St Marys in 1995 and remained in parliament until 2003, having moved to the seat of Londonderry in 1999.

Blacktown City Council has been the proving ground for many political careers, Mr Robinson said.

“Most recently former councillor Edmond Atalla was elected to the state seat of Mount Druitt and former councillor Michelle Rowland was elected to the federal seat of Greenway,” he said.

“Under state legislation, councillors elected to the NSW parliament can remain councillors until the next council election, or two years – whichever is the shortest period.

“This means Mayor Bali is eligible to remain on the council until October 2019.”

Editors Notes (whyilovemountdruitt): On behalf of the community of Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs, I would like to congratulate the current Mayor and newly elected member of NSW  Seat of Blacktown, Mayor Stephen Bali. We understand you have passion for Blacktown City and for its people and have demonstrated what a great Mayor you have been in your current role. We wish you the best in your future in the NSW Parliament and hope that in your time in Parliament, you will  keep the Greater Western Sydney in  your heart for making decisions.

Response On Non- Airconfditioned Buses And Trains In Mount Druitt - NSW Shadow Minister For Transport

We have now received a wonderful acceptance to place the NSW Government will be held accountable for promises as The NSW Shadow Minister of Transport, Hon. Jodi McKay will be keep  the "suggestions and experiences in mind" as Labor develops their  approach to Transport and Roads for the next Labor Government.

We also thank the Hon. Jodi McKay, for taking interest and also raising this issue with our local  NSW State Member for Mount Druitt, Hon. Edmond Atalla. She also compliments Mr Atalla for the work he is achieving being our local State Member.


The comfort for both bus drivers and commuters are exemtrely important improvements for the  people of Mount Druitt, in using public transport.


Click Here for Letter From NSW Shadow Minister of Transport, Hon Jodi Mckay


Click here for previous post

The Next Generation 'Incinerator' - Have Your Say In Minchinbury - 6th Fedruary 2017

Community members that have concern over a new incinerator that is looking to be built not far from the Minchinbury suburb 

"The proposal will place the incinerator just across the M4 from Minchinbury and Mt Druitt (it will be next to the M4, about 500m west of the ANZAC interchange)," as quoted by a Blacktown City Council Officer.

So this might affect communities Health And Safety issue, with released fumes, the air we breathe and the lifestyle we live. This could be  effectively changing our  healthy lives  by having this 'Incinerator'.

Although, The Next Generation Company has businesses in 'Dial A Dump' and they are proposing to develop Australia’s first Electricity Generation Facility. My question here is in relation to renewable energy, I though we are heading away from electricity, we are heading to wind turbines and solar energy.  Would the owners of  the 'Incinerator' live next door to the incinerator? I doubt it. Are they calling this Incinerator' Dial an Incinerator?

So, although it you may think this incinerator may affect you, the further away you are from the incinerator. This could be wrong, your health could be affected in time and the release of waste gases in to our oxygen air we breathe, may not leave us with much good quality oxygen to breathe. Have we got a NSW Health Report on this proposal, I doubt not. So should you feel, you would like to have 'Your Say', if you are concerned of our community, then I would suggest 100% to attend the meeting on this Monday. Maybe, don't think about it come over.   Check for below details.

 Click here for Document 1

Click here for Document 2

Click here for Document 3


Click here for previous post on Next Generation ' Incinerator'


Click here for details of The Next Generation

Men's Shed In Emerton - Losing Federal Funds - Mount Druitt - St Marys Standard

As  reported in the Mount Druitt - St Marys newspaper, the "Men's Shed" in Emerton, may be losing Federal Funding and Federal Labor Member for  Chifley, Hon. Ed Husic, is backing up to have these funds for the men's shed still come from the Federal Government for continuing support. Being a Member of Parliament in opposition, it is difficult to do this.

Yet the more voices that shouts or are heard, through local press, the more the messages get out there.

This seems to be a political football at present as I feel that the funding transferred from the States and that means instead of the Australian Federal Government Paying  supplying funds, it may come from the NSW State Government. This is as the Australian Government is moving duplicate ministries to  the States and Territories.
 
What I find concerning is that the Emerton Men's Shed is not part of the Australian Men's Shed Association (AMSA) Click here for AMSA's website

As quoted by the AMSA's website: 
 “Men’s Sheds are not just fixing furniture and building toys, they are helping men and building communities.”

 

Public Walkway At Public Work Health And Safety Issue - Why I Love Mount Druitt Face Book Group!

Time and time again Whalan another 'Whyilovemountdruitt' face book group member Ron from Whalan,  raises issue after issue or provided beautiful pictures of our area.

Today, an issue was raised and another 'whyilovemountdruitt' face book member, took action straight away, Lester!

Here is what happened and all comments so far:

I am surprised countless local governing council members and their appointed inspectors have not noticed this breach in public safety . Yes, it is the lower entrance to the Shop Smart complex, Adjoining Vinnies outlet. Repeated phone calls appear to fall upon deaf ears over the last twenty years I know of.

 

Comments:

• Margaret Walsh That is a disgrace

  14 hrs · Unlike · 2
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• Sheilagh Gatt They'll do somethingabout it when they have a law suit against them.

  13 hrs · Unlike · 2
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• Lester Pasley Hello Ron Vorbach

  9 hrs · Unlike · 2
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• Lester Pasley I have forwarded these photos to Cr Jacqueline Donaldson at Blacktown Council. It is a safety hazard which I would fail as an OHS/WHS inspector. Jacqui is a person who gets things done. Hopefully some action will happen.

  9 hrs · Unlike · 4
• 
• Ron Vorbach A big thank you Lester. To see some one get injured is a price not worth paying for any one.

  4 hrs · Edited · Unlike · 1
• 
Jean-Francois Svoboda Ron Vorbach thank you for raising this issue and Lester Pasley for taking action. I also believe within this small group we have Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson and Isabelle White both interested in this group. Also I have invited other Councillors and State Mp for Mount Druitt as well for the future! I will also publish blog on the blogspot as well!
We hope that that Blacktown City Council take immediate action to proceed with a work place inspection  on this sight and lower the potential risks for accidents, by making decisions to improve this area. We also ask that the State Member of Mount Druitt Edmond Atalla, follows though with this as well.

Extension of Sunday Early Bus Services Requried In And Around Mount Druitt!

Vanshi from Homebush travels 6 to 7 days a week to St Clair for work  and catches 775/6 bus to Mount Druitt train station. He finds that due to working shift work he finishes Sundays at 7am and has to wait 2 hours for the first bus to take him  home. He would like life to be easier and improved by the NSW Government  to have bus services commencing around 7.30am at least, so he can get home earlier.

We, only think that only our community members have been asking for years for early bus services on Sunday mornings to get to family activities, public events or to get to work. Yet, we forget that by not providing early bus services to our local suburbs in and around Mount Druitt, there are people that being affected living outside our area that really rely and depend  on these vital bus services to get home!

We ask NSW Members of Parliament: newly elected Hon. Edmond Atalla, Member for Mount Druitt and Hon. Tanya Davies relected Member for Mulgoa, to request the New NSW Minister of Transport, Hon. Andrew Constance ask that  NSW Bus Region 1 be reviewed to increase early morning bus services as an extension of bus services in all areas of Mount Druitt, St Marys in early hours of all Sundays and public holidays.

By doing this, we can create more job stability for all community members and members of other communities that live outside our area but work within NSW Bus Region 1. For over  5 years I have been personally advocating for these public transport improvements, to date falling on deaf ears.

Bidwill is a fine example where bus services do not run on Sundays along Chestnut Crescent. So that means that tomorrow  (Friday), Sunday and Monday will be non-event for bus services. This is based on current time tabled services.This will need to be addresses as well!

NSW Labor Party Wins State Local Seats Of Londonderry And Mount Druitt and NSW Liberals Wins NSW Government!

On Saturday 28th March 2015, we have an election of surprises, in relation to results around the NSW State.

Locally, we have NSW Labor Prue Car who won the Londonderry seat and Councillor Edmond Atalla who won the seat on primary votes. This will make it 2 new members entering the NSW Parliament to represent their well deserved wins.

Both candidates obtains swings of 13.4% in Londonderry to 11.1% in Mount Druitt. That means that NSW Labor  and grabbed back heartland seats they lost in 2011 NSW State Elections.

I congratulate each candidate for their winning results and being part of 'whyilovemountdruitt'.

On a State level the Baird Liberal Government will retain NSW with currently 52 seats, 32 Labor, in relation to  seats won by primary parties with *70% of the votes counted, currently.

So my issue will now be how will Labor opposition get the improvements required in both Londonderry and Mount Druitt with a Liberal held NSW Government.  It is very simple, a lot of the improvements will come from The NSW Baird Liberal Government (from decisions made), yet both candidates need to be strong not just be strong advocate for the Labor Party only but for the local community first representing then Labor Party. They will be on test for the next 4 years, as is every NSW Government elected member.

We, in Mount Druitt need to look at such improvements that make our place an improved better place to live in with the essential services required by each of us, being mindful that our community will change with a growing population. Whilst promises were thrown at us from both parties during the election, we need to ensure both promises are kept, not just worded.

We need the new members of NSW Parliament not to be just opposing every item that NSW Government improves and we need improvements to be congratulated not ignored and they will need NSW Ministers meet local new members, placing party hats aside and work jointly, harmoniously for the 'Better' of the community.

We wish all NSW Members of Parliament a great 4 years in Government as they all work hard representing the best interests of their respected communities.

In  relation to candidates that did not win the NSW State Election, we offer strength, courage and suggest be an advocate to ensure our local 2 newly elected State Members - stay in line! Become Shadow members of each seat!

*Click here for ABC Election results 

Nominations Close For NSW State Elections By 12th March 2015 As A Canditate....

Should anyone wish to run for the NSW State Seat of Mount Druitt, Londonderry or any  other State Seats, as a representative of a Political Party or independent the closing date is 12th March 2015.

93 members are to be elected for the Legislative Assembly and 21 members of the 42 members, of the Legislative Council.

You may wish to run on one issue or covering many issues that will make improvements within our Mount Druitt community electorates.

Click here for details for Candidates of the NSW Election 

I Met Prue Car - NSW Labor Candidate For The Seat Of Londonderry - Have You?

This morning I met Prue Car, NSW Labor Party candidate for the seat of Londonderry at the bottom of the  escalators at Mount Druitt Bus Interchange. I only had a brief encounter with her as I was running (or in my case) walking late!

She advised she has heard about myself and I  jokingly asked, 'In a bad way?' She replied and said, 'No'.

She confirmed she will be providing her 'whyilovemountdruitt' to share around and to the community, shortly.

So far we have Councillor Edmond Atalla, NSW State Labor Party candidate for Mount Druitt, who has responded, so quickly.   
Click for Edmond Atalla's 'whyilovemountdruitt'

We will provide the community with all candidates from NSW State seat of Londonderry and Mount Druitt 'whyilovemountdruitt', as soon as they are received.

Electronic Sign Boards At Mount Druitt Train Station Is Now Fixed!

The good news is I can now report that the Electronic Sign Boards were working today at Mount Druitt train station today, but there was stickers remaining on one of them!

Maybe, this can be fixed up in a shorter time!

Click here for previous blog 

NSW State Election On 28th March 2015 - Candidates Will Be Asked 'whyilovemountdruitt'

Yes we have a New South Wales State Election coming upon the 28th March 2015. In Mount Druitt areas we have the following State Seat boundaries within Mount Druitt and surrounding suburbs:

Londonderry, covering localities of the following: Agnes Banks, Berkshire Park, Caddens, Cambridge Park, Castlereagh, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Cranebrook, Emerton, Jordan Springs, Kingswood, Lethbridge Park, Llandilo, Londonderry, Mount Druitt, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, Ropes Crossing, Shanes Park, St Marys, Tregear, Werrington, Werrington County, Werrington Downs, Whalan and Willmot.

Mount Druitt, covering localities of the following: Bidwill, Blackett, Colebee, Dean Park, Dharruk, Eastern Creek, Glendenning, Hassall Grove, Hebersham, Minchinbury, Mount Druitt, Oakhurst, Plumpton, Rooty Hill and Shalvey.

Click here for Londonderry and Mount Druitt State Seat Boundaries 2013

Click here for voting details or if you wish to become a candidate

Once candidates are officially declared for Londonderry and Mount Druitt, we will send then a request by e-mail to hear them say 'whyilovemountdruitt', reasons why and also their future visions.

So make sure your vote counts!

We Pay Respects To Fomer NSW Deputy Leader and State Members of Nepean, Penrith and St Marys - Ron Mulock!

A former State member of St Marys (part of Mount Druitt), Penrith and Nepean , Mr Ron Mulock died on the 4th September 2014. He was also NSW Deputy Leader and my favourite Ministerial portfolio of Transport 1986  to 1987.

He had touch my life at the Sydney Alliance Meeting 2-3 years ago, when we spoke of public transport and we both agreed that the NSW Government needs to have duplicate rail tracks from St Marys to Emu Plains/Penrith train stations.

This matter has fallen on deaf ears, but maybe he can hear what I am still trying to do. He knew little of myself and yet I knew somewhat a lot of him, but yet I knew not much of him as well. I can remember he was a strong and good Education Minister. On behalf of the residents of Mount Druitt that knew you, we which your soul Rests In Peace.

Click Here for original blog