News & Updates

3 June 2022

Message from the Mayor

Granville was a hive of activity with the Good Vibes Granville Festival held recently in

South Street, the first street event of its kind. Many attended the week-long event with residents of all ages coming out to enjoy the delicious cuisine, music, art and culture that our community has to offer. We are very proud to host events that highlight our cultural diversity and encourage residents to explore our streets, interact and engage with each other and support our local businesses.

I am thrilled to announce that Council was a finalist in seven categories in the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards, and ‘Winner’ in the category of Community Development for the project ‘COVID-19 Community Support Hubs’. Furthermore, Council was ‘Highly Commended” in the category of Partnerships and Collaboration for the project ‘COVID -19 Vaccination Programs - Staff & Community Safety Project’. Congratulations to all of our dedicated staff who contributed to these projects.

If you’re a senior citizen in Cumberland, did you know that you can stay informed and stay connected by joining our free mailing list? If you’re a senior aged 55 and older, sign up to this distribution list and be one of the first to know about the latest in news, services and programs. For more information visit the website

Lastly, I would also like to share with you the amazing work of the Holroyd Musical and Dramatic Society (HMDS) who recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary Gala which was held at the Wentworthville Leagues Club. I was delighted to be in attendance and to meet the cast and crew from the many different local productions that have entertained audiences for over 50 years.

HMDS life Member Pam Brown (left) myself and Kay Cater (right) who held starring roles in many past productions including Calamity Jane, Camelot, The Pyjama Game and The King and I.

What's On

Lidcombe@night

- Wyatt Park

Round up your family and friends and enjoy a night under the stars at the Lidcombe@night – Wyatt Park event on Saturday, 18 June.

Cumberland City Council is inviting you to join us at this family friendly event to showcase the recent infrastructure upgrades along Church Street and celebrate one of Cumberland City’s proudest town centres. The evening will include:

Free outdoor cinema screening Spiderman – Into the Spiderverse.

Engage with local community groups at their stalls.

Clinics hosted by sports organisations and clubs including Western Sydney Wanderers and The Western Magpies.

OzHarvest, Granville Rotary Club and Blend Bike serving up free food and drinks.

For more information visit the website

FREE Studio Workshop Program

Council is calling on emerging artists with a disability, who are deaf or hard of hearing and who identify as Disabled Creatives to join our Studio Workshop Program.

This exciting 14-week studio program will run two days a week from July to November 2022 and will allow emerging artists to network and connect with other professional artists in our community within a supportive environment.

Submit an EOI now as applications close on Friday 17 June.

For more information visit our website.

Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival 2022

One of Australia’s most photographed, natural and instragrammable cultural events, the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival is making a comeback to Auburn Botanic Gardens this August.

Held over nine days, the event pays homage to Japan’s traditions, music, pop culture and food all while capturing the hearts of thousands as the Cherry Blossoms burst into colour across the grounds. The festival promises to bring back crowd favourites including; the ‘Cherry Trail’, the Japanese fusion food village and Izakaya Bar, the iconic Hello Kitty and loads more.

Council is currently seeking Expressions of Interest for suitable food stallholders and mobile food vehicles to participate in the event. If you are a vendor and are interested in being a part of this great festival, register your details by visiting the website.

Ageing Wiser and Healthier: Info Sessions

Learn more about the services that can help you stay healthy, active and connected at the Ageing Wiser and Healthier Information Sessions for seniors.

Cumberland City Council Seniors & Disability Services in partnership with Multicultural Health Services and Western Sydney Local Health District will be delivering two information sessions catered for seniors, from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

There will be information and free demonstrations including:

My Aged Care - different government funded support
EnCOMPASS: Multicultural Aged Care Connector
Cumberland City Council Seniors and Disability Team Services - assistance available from Council
Stepping On: Falls Prevention - a local health program, providing info on fall prevention and independent living
Zumba Presentation - exercise and learn new dance moves that you can do at home

The sessions dates and times will be held on;

Monday 27 June Chinese (Mandarin)
Thursday 30 June Arabic sessions

Book your spot online or for more information you can call the Service Development Team on 8757 9041.

Cumberland City Council’s Community Wellbeing Survey

Have your say for your chance to win a $100 shopping voucher when you take part in Cumberland City Council’s Community Wellbeing study.

If you’ve wanted to voice your concerns or pitch your ideas on parking, walkability or new places in the community, now is your chance to share your input.

Once the survey is completed, participants go into the draw for a chance to win 1 of 10 shopping vouchers, each valued at $100.

The survey closes on Sunday 5 June at 11.59pm.

Simply visit the website to fill out the survey.

NSW Plastic Ban

From June, The NSW government will ban single use plastic bags under the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021.

The ban includes shopping bags made from biodegradable, compostable or bio-plastics and applies to all businesses and community organisations.

This means local cafes, restaurants and takeaway shops will need to switch to paper, biodegradable alternatives or encourage customers to bring their own.

Steep fines of $250,000 are in place for businesses that fail to follow the rules.

It's estimated that single use plastics and plastic packaging comprise about 60 per cent of the state's total litter.

For more information visit our website

Alcohol Free Zones 2022

Council is seeking your feedback on the number of alcohol-free zones and locations in Cumberland .

Council has already established 46 alcohol-free zones throughout the area, in line with the Local Government Act 1993, and is proposing to renew these existing zones so that the dates for future renewals are aligned and all 46 areas are assessed in the same time periods.

The consultation period will close on Thursday 23 June, so submit your feedback before then by visiting the website

Have Your Say on the Community Engagement Strategy

Whether you live, work, study or play in Cumberland City, we want to know your thoughts about our new Community Engagement Strategy, which will outline the guiding principles and approach to ensure the community has an opportunity to provide feedback in a meaningful way.

The Cumberland City Council Community Engagement Strategy has been developed to guide engagement practices with the local community, businesses and stakeholders when Council is developing its plans, policies and programs.

Submissions close: Thursday 30 June

Have your say by heading to the website

Lifestyle & Leisure Links Program

Council is rolling out a new Seniors & Disability Services (Lifestyle & Leisure Links Program) to provide inclusive opportunities for people with disability to reach their goals and aspirations.

The program commencing 18 June will feature:

Opportunities to develop skills in independence
Programs to achieve fitness, health & wellbeing goals
Programs in the Arts
A bowling competition with other peer groups and much more

This NDIS funded program has a proud history of developing social networks and establishing meaningful friendships for local adults with disability.

To find out more and how to join please visit the website

Cumberland City Council Launches Anti-Violence Campaign

It’s Not OK To Abuse Council Staff

Cumberland City Council is making a stance against violence, rolling out a new anti-violence campaign to curb assaults towards Council staff including parking patrol officers and rangers.

Council’s Work Health and Safety Committee received a report about incidents of verbal and physical assault against staff which found that from January 2020 to April 2022 there were over 65 reported incidents of either physical or verbal assault, with many other incidents that go unreported.

The majority of these assaults were reported at school pick up/drop off zones, parking lots, at town centres and along suburban streets across the Cumberland Local Government Area, including locations in Auburn, Guilford, Granville, Lidcombe and Merrylands.

The anti-violence campaign is encouraging the community to see past the uniform in an attempt to reduce violence and improve the working conditions and environment for staff.

The campaign will also build on other Council initiatives including license plate recognition technology, dashcam and bodycam technology, staff training and police support.

One parking patrol officer said the verbal and physical abuse they have experienced on the job has made them feel concerned about their safety.

“My job as a parking patrol officer is one that helps the community, especially at local schools where it is so easy for children to be injured by cars. When I’m approached by an aggressive person for doing my job it makes me feel belittled, scared for my safety and the safety of my co-workers.

I leave home hoping to have a safe day at work.”

Mayor Lisa Lake encourages the community to take heed of the campaign’s message and asks the community to please be respectful to Council staff.

“These incidents of abuse and assault are just unacceptable. Alarmingly, a lot of these incidents are happening throughout our town centres, school zones, and residential streets where staff are out just doing their job.”

“Everyone deserves to work in a safe environment. I implore the community to work together to be kinder to our rangers and officers who are doing their best every day to ensure our safety.” Said Mayor Lake.