I am looking forward to delivering real progress for our community this year. We have a diverse set of Councillors and I am confident we can work with you to achieve big things.
Some projects I am looking forward to include:
• The expanded Kevin Betts Stadium at Mount Druitt.
• Upgrading the intersection of Elara Boulevard and Northbourne Drive, Marsden Park.
• Progressing plans for an expanded Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.
These are just some of the exciting projects underway.
We will continue to seek your input so our planning serves the people who matter most: you.
As always, if you see me around town, please come up and say hello.
Help to beat the heat
Summer is in full swing and there are more hot days to come.
We know people in Western Sydney experience extreme temperatures, so Council is playing an active role to keep our community safe.
Council is working with community organisations to provide Cool Centres – places where people can find relief from the heat – on heatwave days through to the end of March.
Libraries, community centres and other venues can be used as Cool Centres. Cool Centres will be advertised at Council venues and online (website, social media) when available.
We have also developed a contact register so we can reach vulnerable people quickly.
For children, Council has extended the hours of our splash parks from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm until 28 February. These are great places to cool off.
Council continues to plant more trees and is working with the building industry to encourage materials that reduce heat.
Council CEO Kerry Robinson OAM is Chair of the Greater Sydney Heat Taskforce, which is exploring more ways we can make Blacktown City a cooler place to live.
Can you provide a good home to an abandoned pet?
At this time of year we sadly find many cats and dogs abandoned.
In some cases these animals were Christmas presents that proved too much for their owners.
If you can provide a permanent home to an animal in need, the staff at the Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre at Glendenning would love to hear from you.
BRAD BUNTING is Mayor of Blacktown City.
