POLITICS
Family becomes 20 millionth
visitors to Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope
What began as a routine holiday outing turned into a moment to remember for local resident Divya when she and her children became the 20 millionth customers to visit Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope.
Divya arrived on Tuesday 23 December 2025 with her children Japreet and Samar for a swim, unaware she was about to be part of a milestone for the centre.
Centre management welcomed the family members and presented them with a merchandise pack, a 12-month complimentary Gold Membership, and complimentary family swim passes.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting said the milestone reflects how central Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope has become to the community.
“ Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope has become part of everyday life for families across Blacktown,” he said.
“ With leisure and tennis facilities alongside the Dennis Johnson Branch Library, it’ s a genuine community hub that continues to serve families from across Blacktown City
and the wider region.
“ Milestones like this highlight the value of well-planned community facilities that grow with the city and continue to serve people over time.”
Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope is Blacktown City Council’ s flagship leisure facility, growing to meet the needs of the community and reinforcing its role as a vital sporting, leisure and social hub.
For information on Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope contact 9421 2600 or see the website at www. blacktownaquaticandsports. com. au.
Left to right: Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope Coordinator Bek Davis, Divya, Japreet, Samar, Service and Training Officer Kirsty Chaszczewski and Operations Coordinator Belinda Mcatear.
Have your say! Great Koala National Park
Great Koala National Park a Step Closer with community invited to have a say in recreational opportunities
The NSW Government is seeking community input to shape recreational opportunities in the proposed Great Koala National Park on the NSW Mid North Coast.
The Minns Labor Government is delivering on an election promise to create a Great Koala National Park, which will provide habitat for more than 100 threatened species, including more than 12,000 koalas and 36,000 greater gliders.
The Park will also create opportunities for better visitor experiences and recreation, boosting tourism and local economies.
An online survey is now open on the NSW Have Your Say website to seek feedback on current use of the State Forests and reserves within the planned area of the park. We also want to hear from people who haven’ t been to the region but might like to in the future. The survey complements ongoing wider consultation with community groups who have so far provided more than 300 responses on what matters most to them when they visit these areas. Input from 4WD clubs, mountain biking clubs, hiking / bushwalking clubs, archery and gun clubs, sporting car clubs, local government, environment groups and Aboriginal communities is already feeding into the planning for future management.
The Have Your Say survey is open from 7am today until Sunday, 1 March and is available online: www. haveyoursay. nsw. gov. au / greatkoala-national-park.
20 ISSUE 59 // FEBRUARY 2026 theindependentmagazine. com. au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT