LOCAL LIFE
Blacktown City has a strong and sustainable future
with Brad Bunting Mayor , Blacktown City Council
I am honoured , though it is with a heavy heart , to have been chosen to be Mayor of Blacktown City Council .
Tony Bleasdale will always be part of the Blacktown family , the principles and purpose with which he led our Council remain clear and will continue to guide our path .
I am committed to continue to the important work begun withy Tony Bleasdale as Mayor .
Our Council will continue to deliver high quality community services and facilities .
Blacktown City has a strong and sustainable future .
Our 2024 / 25 budget lays out the blueprint to maintain the delivery of Council ’ s essential services , along with the infrastructure the community needs . We have struck a balance between meeting the increasing needs of our City , and maintaining Council ’ s financial sustainability .
I encourage you to visit one of Council ’ s libraries to have a look and then have your say on the draft Budget and Council Operational Plan .
Our job is clear . Council must continue to seek new opportunities for our 435,000 residents and help foster an environment for business to thrive , and for the investment and new jobs to follow in the years ahead .
We are the heart of Western Sydney
and I will continue to strongly advocate to improve the lives and equity of all who live and work in Blacktown City and greater Western Sydney .
We will finish what Mayor Tony Bleasdale began , the transformation of Blacktown City for all our futures .
Council is revitalising our City ’ s town centres . In the centre of Mount Druitt , we will create a network of attractive , activated , safe public spaces . We shall see a thriving retail , commercial and residential town centre .
Council will put a new Community Resource Hub in the heart of Seven Hills town centre . The Blacktown Aquatic Centre and Mount Druitt Swimming Centre will be upgraded and become modern facilities for the health and wellbeing of our Community .
The revitalisation of the Blacktown City Centre is moving ahead , work is underway on the Blacktown health and medical precinct adjacent to our city centre and Blacktown Hospital .
And of course , there is Blacktown Quarter , private investment from Walker Corporation which will generate thousands of new jobs and new , quality development for the benefit of all .
Council is committed to strong consultation with our community . I know that our residents and businesses are interested and engaged . I look forward to meeting you at our pop-up community forums across our city over the weeks ahead . Look out for more details on Council ’ s website and Facebook page .
Rewarding local drivers
Motorists in the Riverstone Electorate are reaping the reward of their safe driving through the NSW Government ’ s demerit point return trial .
Data broken down by local government area ( LGA ) shows 52,511 drivers in the Blacktown Local Government Area have seen a demerit point removed from their licence for maintaining a 12-month spotless driving record .
In the nearby Hills Shire Council , 31,526 drivers have had a demerit point wiped – a meaningful reward for families and community members who depend on their cars .
More than 1.2 million drivers qualified for the demerit point reward for maintaining a clear record during the initial 12-month period up to 16 January 2024 . The demerit return trial has been extended for a second year as the NSW Government continues to sharpen its focus on road safety in 2024 amid a rising road toll .
Minister for Roads John Graham said , “ If you drive for a living then the reward for safe driving could be the difference between ongoing employment and losing your livelihood .
“ People are used to the stick of enforcement and double demerits , but this is the carrot of reward for good behaviour .”
“ Every demerit point wiped from a licence under this trial is the result of a full 12 months of safe driving by a motorist on NSW roads .
Warren Kirby , Member for Riverstone also commented , “ Earning the removal of a demerit point can mean a lot , especially to motorists who rely on their cars to drive the kids to school or to get to work .” “ It ’ s great to see drivers rewarded for their safe driving . Our community knows how important road safety is and this program is driving that message home .
“ With the demerit point return trial extended for another year , let ’ s keep the momentum going and ensure we ’ re focusing on driving safely every day .”
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 39 // JUNE 2024 5