POLITICS
Coral McLean Awards
with Ed Husic MP
Earlier in the year, we celebrated the 14th annual Chifley Coral McLean Awards, recognising the outstanding women whose compassion and leadership continue to strengthen our community. If you wanted to see how incredible community spirit, care and plain old hard work can improve people’ s lives, you saw proof of that at large during the awards.
We also took the opportunity to raise funds for local women’ s group Community in Fellowship Together( CiFT).
A special thank you to our special guest speaker, journalist and presenter Chris Bath who was winning votes for being the one of the funniest guest speakers we’ ve ever had! Her warmth and wisdom truly struck a chord with everyone in the room.
Our warmest appreciation as well to Coral’ s daughter Anthea, who reflected on her mum’ s amazing above and beyond efforts to help those in need.
Congratulations to all the nominees, especially:
Coral McLean Award Winner – Sister Carlene Allen For nearly two decades, Sister Carlene has supported women, families, and vulnerable
locals through her work at Holy Family Parish, a true pillar of compassion in Mount Druitt.
Progress for Richmond Road!
We all know what a punishment Richmond Road is, but we’ re now one step closer to crushing that congestion.
It’ s official. Construction contracts have been signed to begin the next stage of the Richmond Road upgrade. These contracts are funded out of the joint Australian and NSW govts $ 520m investment into fixing this road.
The upgrade between the M7 Motorway and Townson Road, Marsden Park, will include:
• Widening Richmond Road to six lanes
• A new fly-over from the M7 off-ramp to Richmond Road northbound
• Safer intersections and pedestrian crossings
• New shared pathways for cyclists and walkers
And this is not just about making driver’ s lives easier- it’ s important to support the growth of business and local jobs in our area too. Huge!
If I can be of assistance about a Federal matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office. See my details below.
MESSAGE
with Brad Bunting Mayor, Blacktown City Council
Welcome proposals for Marsden Park North and West Schofields
I was pleased to see the Minns Government has listened to Blacktown City Council after rezoning proposals for two flood prone suburbs were published.
Council commissioned expert advice on the potential for new employment lands after the Minns Government halted the residential proposals in 2023.
It was good to see the value of local jobs reflected in the new rezoning proposals.
Marsden Park North would have an employment hub supporting about 3,900 jobs, alongside up to 960 homes.
West Schofields would have up to 2,900 homes and almost 170 hectares of open space for people to enjoy.
I encourage you to have your say on these plans via the Planning NSW website before 30 January 2025.
Thanks to Deputy Premier and Member for Londonderry Prue Car as well as Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby for their work on this important issue.
Thanks for your feedback on the proposed Special Rate Variation
Thank you to everyone who took part in Council’ s community
FROM THE
MAYOR
consultation on the proposed Special Rate Variation.
More than 3,800 people shared their views through pop-up sessions, forums and online submissions.
Council will consider the feedback at the November Ordinary meeting and decide whether to proceed with the proposed Special Rate Variation application.
If Council chooses to proceed, we will submit an application to the Independent Pricing And Regulatory Tribunal( IPART) in early February 2026.
IPART would then exhibit this application which would likely be in March to April 2026, and our community can provide feedback directly to IPART.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year
I have thoroughly enjoyed representing Blacktown City in 2025 and hearing from so many of you about making our community an even better place to be. I hope you find peace and joy this Christmas and are able to spend it with those you love.
If you are having a break from work, please enjoy yourself in moderation and stay safe on the roads.
I wish you all a happy New Year and look forward to what we can achieve in 2026.
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS! ISSUE 57 // DECEMBER 2025 19