News & Updates

23 August 2023

Message from the Mayor

Veteran’s Day Commemoration Service

Last week, I attended the Vietnam Veteran’s Day

Commemoration Service, held by the Seven Hills–

Toongabbie-Wentworthville RSL Sub Branch. The service commemorated the 50th anniversary of the end

of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, where over 60,000 Australians served from 1962 to 1972. The Vietnam War took place

between 1962 to 1975 and was one of the longest conflicts of the 20th Century. The service honoured the sacrifices of those who died and said thank you to those Australians who served.

1st/2nd Merrylands Joey Scout Award Presentation

I recently had the privilege of attending the Joey Scout Challenge Award ceremony at the 1st/2nd Merrylands Scout Hall. The event was held in recognition of two young scout members, Kaysanne and Oliver, who each completed the challenge, earning themselves a prestigious award. The Joey Scout Challenge Award is the peak award for its category and is given to Joey Scouts after they have completed the Joey Scout Challenge. Congratulations to both Kaysanne and Oliver on completing the challenge and reaching this incredible milestone.

Guildford Public School Book Launch

I recently had the pleasure of attending the

launch of The Big Book of Stories at Guildford

Public School. The book was created in collaboration with best-selling author Ashleigh

Barton and Year 3 students, as part of Ardoch’s

Writer in Residence, where students wrote and illustrated their own stories over 4 weeks. It was great to meet all the children and read their creative stories. Thank you for inviting me to be part of this wonderful occasion.

Domestic and Family Violence Forum

Last week, Council hosted the Domestic and Family Violence Forum at the Holroyd Centre. The forum was a great opportunity for us to gather and hear from people who either work with victims of domestic and family violence

(DFV) or help to prevent such violence from occurring. We were also able to identify gaps in support services, which allowed us to come up with solutions on how best to provide those who need help with more streamlined assistance. Domestic and family violence is a crime. If you or anyone you know has experienced any kind of violence and are in need of assistance, visit

www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/domestic-and-family-violence for a list of resources in multiple languages.

Mayor Lisa Lake

What's On: September

Where We Start Matters

Cumberland City Council is partnering with the Integrated Violence Prevention and Response Service (IVPRS) to host the Where We Start Matters event on Tuesday 5 September from 10am to 1pm.

This free event is for families with children aged 3-5 years and will include interactive stations focusing on ‘Me and My Body: emotional literacy and body safety for pre-schoolers', plus activities and information from local services.

For more information or to book, visit our website.

Kitchen 2 Gardens Compost Bag Giveaway

Calling all Green thumbs!

Cumberland City Council is giving you the chance to grow your own vegetable garden!

The Kitchen 2 Gardens Program is now taking registrations from Cumberland residents.

To help reduce food and packaging waste in households, we’re giving away FREE compost bags and vegetable seed packets to kick start your veggie garden.

Stock is limited so be quick to register by visiting our website.

Merrylands CBD Infrastructure Road Closures

From Monday 28 August until March 2024, Addlestone Road at the intersection of Merrylands Road, Merrylands, will be closed off to the public for construction of a new major stormwater culvert.

As part of this project, one westbound lane of Merrylands Road will be closed from 14 August until

mid-October (weather permitting).

Pedestrian access will be provided around the site, as well as access to the shops. Access to Addlestone Road carpark (behind Oporto) will remain open.

For more information visit our website.

Win Tickets to Tim

COMPETITION TIME!

Council’s Seniors & Disability Services is giving you the chance to win 1 of 3 double passes to Riverside Theatre’s production of Tim!

To enter, simply answer the two Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022-2026 related questions on our website for your chance to win.

Entries close Sunday 27 August 2023.

For more information or to submit your ballot visit our website.

Local Citizen of the Year Awards

Nominations for the 2024 Local Citizen of the Year and are now open.

Fill in a nomination form before Friday 17 November 2023.

For more information or to make a nomination, visit our website.

Cumberland Community Pantries

The Cumberland Community Pantries are now open at the Wentworthville Community Centre on Mondays from 10am to 12noon and the Auburn Centre for Community on Tuesdays from 10am to 12noon.

Residents in need can pick up essential items such as pantry staples, toiletries, personal hygiene products and more.

These pantries rely heavily on donations to keep them open and running, so if you would like to contribute and support this cause, non-perishable donations can be made in person to one of

the pantries during operating hours or during normal business hours at either of Council’s administration centres at Merrylands or Auburn.

Give what you can. Take what you need!

To learn more about the Community Pantry and what you can donate, visit our website.

Education and Care Services

Did you know that Council offers affordable and flexible education and care options across Cumberland City?

Enrolment requests are now open for 2024 so get in quick to reserve your child's spot. We also have limited vacancies available at some services for the remainder of this year.

To request enrolment into one of our services, or for more information, visit our website.

Children's Clothing and Toy Swap

Back by popular demand, Council will be holding a Children's Clothing and Toy Swap on Tuesday 29 August at Berala Community Centre.

Residents can exchange clothes and toys your child has outgrown, for something more fitting. All clothes must be in good, wearable condition and toys must be clean and in working order.

Cumberland City's Native Plant Giveaway

Don’t miss out on your free plants!

We are giving away over 1,000 native flowering plants to residents of Cumberland City to help add greenery to homes and make our suburbs an even more beautiful place to live.

Planting trees in your yard will provide more shade, habitats for our wildlife, more privacy and cleaner air. Register now and collect up to 2 free plants per household, while stocks last!

Terms and conditions apply.

Have Your Say

We want to hear your thoughts on projects happening in Cumberland City:

Draft Marrong Reserve Plan of Management

Have your say on the future of Marrong Reserve in Pemulwuy. Council is seeking your feedback on the categorisation of land and how the space can be managed and used in the future.

Submit your feedback by Wednesday 30 August.

https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/marrong-reserve-pom

Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan

We want to hear your thoughts on Council's Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan.

This plan aims to improve safety for families and individuals in the Cumberland Local Government Area.

Submit your feedback by Friday 1 September.

https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/community-safety-2022

Duck River Parklets

Council has prepared concept plans for two new Parklets located at the end of Seventh Street and Mimosa Street, Granville and is seeking your feedback.

Submit your feedback by Monday 18 September.

https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/duck-river-parklets

Duck River Active Transport Link

Council has prepared concept plans to extend the Active Transport link between Heath Street and Horlyck Reserve, Granville.

Submit your feedback by Monday 18 September.

https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/duck-river-active-transport

Heritage Planning Proposal

Council invites you to have your say on a Planning Proposal (PP-2023-158) to amend the Cumberland Local Environmental Plan (LEP) 2021.

Submit your feedback by Friday 22 September.

https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/heritage-planning-proposal

Community Preschools in Cumberland

Do you think Cumberland City needs more preschool services for children in the year before they start school? Council is currently exploring if there is interest in state funded preschool services within our local area and is seeking your feedback.

Submit your feedback by Friday 1 December. https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/preschool-eoi