Financial reports presented to councillors identified the sale of the council civic centre, village green, carpark, additional buildings including the Leo Kelly Art Gallery and a substantial portion of Kmart carpark owned by council was devalued from approximately $90M to the Walker Corporation sale price of $42M.
Cr Peter Camilleri confirmed that the council properties devaluation of $48M as well as the minimum seven and half year lease that Council has locked into with Walker Corporation will cost an additional $674,000 per year due to land tax payments.
Cr Camilleri indicated that councillors were not aware of total leasing cost to council resulting from the sale to Walker Corporation in March 2022 as other costs including utilities, maintenance had not been disclosed to councillors and has requested further information.
Councillors unanimously agreed to the need modernise the Blacktown CBD masterplan with a future report to Council, requesting the NSW State Government to provide funding and resources to support Council.
The 3-part Council resolution that received the most attention was the request for former Blacktown City Mayor and current State Member for Blacktown, Stephen Bali MP, in his capacity as Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Public Spaces to intervene in negotiations between State Government and Council.
For the past two years the Blacktown News has published numerous articles regarding the vision for Blacktown Central Living District concept. See articles at Our Evolving City – www.greaterblacktownnews.com.au
Mr Bali has called for a safe and modern environmentally designed structures, with a thriving nighttime economy, improved pedestrian streetscape, additional carparking and a town square to promote festivals.
His outspoken comments raised the ire amongst some councillors, including Cr Julie Griffiths who said: “Put your [State Government] money where it needs to be instead of flapping your gums and hold him accountable.”
Cr Camilleri added: “State Member for Blacktown has gone out many a time with ideas.” Cr Fitzgerald said: “The good member for Blacktown would relish the challenge.”
Councillors raised concerns of the lack of funding Blacktown Council has for modernising the CBD masterplan and the lack of community consultation.
“These things [master planning] can achieve great results, but it takes money. As it has been stated many times in this chamber, we don’t have it [money],” Cr Camilleri said:
Cr Mohit Kumar and Cr Damien Atkins called for greater community consultation with residents and organisations.
Mayor Brad Bunting said council needed to “get on and make a change to the city.”
Mr Bali said: “Community organisations and residents over the past few years have been holding their own meetings to reimagine the vision for Blacktown Central Living District (CLD).
“I am pleased that I can be a conduit between the residents, State Government, Council, Walkers Corporation, local businesses and property owners in delivering a central living district in the heart of Blacktown that current and future generations want for our Blacktown.
“We are stronger together and our collective success will provide the realisation and opportunities that our community so richly deserves.”
