News & Updates

18 October 2023

Message from the Mayor

Community Support

The terrible events that have occurred in Israel and Gaza in the last two weeks have been shocking and overwhelming. My immediate concern is for those residents of Cumberland with family and friends directly impacted by these atrocities. If you, or someone you know needs emergency consular assistance, the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre may be of help on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from within Australia) or visit www.dfat.gov.au. Council also has a list of valuable support services to help with a wide range of matters. This can be found on our website www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/emergency-assistance-and-financial-support

Family Financial Wellbeing Day

Council held a Family Financial Wellbeing Day earlier this week at Berala Community Centre. The free event allowed residents to gain access to additional advice, support and a range of resources from many community services to help with rising living costs. There were also community stalls, workshops and activities for all ages as well as a lunch supplied by OzHarvest. Council offers a range of support services and resources for those who are in

need of any extra assistance. If you or anyone you know needs help, visit

www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/emergency-assistance-and-financial-support

Auburn Teej Mela Vol 2

I was recently invited by the Auburn Nepalese Community (ANC) to attend their Auburn Teej Mela Vol 2 event, held at the Grand Palace Function Centre in Parramatta. The event was an evening of celebrations, music, and dance

as the Nepalese community came together to honour their shared heritage and mark the

Nepalese Teej Festival traditions. Celebrated over three days in Nepal, Teej is a festival for

women and is one of the most popular festivals in the country. At the event, women dressed

in red sarees, tika and bangles and prayed for good fortune in marriage, and for the wellbeing

of their families. Thank you to the ANC for inviting me to be a part of this significant celebration.

Cumberland Women’s Health Centre Annual General Meeting

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending the Annual General Meeting of the Cumberland Women’s Health Centre (CWHC) at Wenty Leagues Club. The evening saw community groups come together to enjoy a range of cultural performances and shine a spotlight on the projects accomplished in the past year by the CWHC. For over 26 years, the CWHC has provided health services and domestic violence specialist response services to women in the Parramatta, Cumberland and Baulkham Hills areas. Thank you to the CWHC for your contribution to our community.

Good Luck HSC Students

The HSC has officially begun and on behalf of Cumberland Council, I’d like to wish all the Year 12 students undertaking these exams the best

of luck. For all those wishing to get some extra study in, Council has opened three new quiet study spaces at the Berala, Wentworthville and Allan G Ezzy Community Centres. There are also extended operating hours at Auburn,

Granville and Merrylands libraries. The spaces will be open from 6pm to 8pm every Friday from now until Friday 20 October. For more information visit www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/event/hsc-quiet-study-space

Mayor Lisa Lake

What's On: October

Cumberland's Biggest Playgroup

To celebrate Children’s Week 2023, Council is holding Cumberland’s Biggest Playgroup on Tuesday 24 October at Central Gardens Nature Reserve, 71 Paton Street, Merrylands West.

Join us from 10am to 12:30pm for a day of fun with pop-up children’s activities and information stalls run by local child and family organisations.

Paint Cumberland REaD’s Poppy the Possum will also be making a special appearance!

For more information, visit our website.

Declutter Workshop

Council has partnered with Susanne Thieb from LessMess to offer a living with less workshop on decluttering, organising and sustainable living.

Come along to Pemulwuy Youth Centre on Monday 23 October for tips on how to reduce clutter, minimise housework, help manage stress and organise your belongings.

For more information, visit our website.

Women in Aviation Workshop

Council is partnering with the Western Sydney Women’s Empowering and Enablement Program to present the Women in Aviation Job Skills Workshop.

Join us from 10am to 1pm on Thursday 26 October at the Auburn Centre for Community and discover the exciting airports and aviation careers available to the women of Western Sydney.

Attendees will also get to learn and prepare for the opportunities coming up at the new Western Sydney Airport.

For more information or to book, visit our website.

Centenary of the Foundation of the Republic of Turkiye

Bring your family and friends along to one of the biggest Turkish events in Western Sydney with a

FREE day full of traditional and contemporary cultural activities to celebrate the Centenary of the Foundation of Modern Türkiye.

The event will showcase Turkish music, dance, entertainment and art and craft activities and will also feature children’s rides and games, backgammon and a variety of fusion foods.

When: Sunday 29 October, 12noon – 9pm

Where: Wyatt Park, Church Street, Lidcombe

For more information, visit our website.

Seniors Christmas Concerts

Cumberland City Council will be celebrating Christmas with free concerts in every Ward for our senior residents, starting on 28 November!

Seniors are invited to enjoy a two-course lunch with live performances as they celebrate the festivities.

Bookings are essential and will close 1 week prior to the concert or once booked out.

To find your nearest concert visit our website.

Local Citizen of the Year Awards

Nominations for the 2024 Local Citizen of the Year awards are still open and are set to close very soon!

If you know someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the community, and deserves recognition, fill out a nomination form today.

Nominations close on Friday 17 November 2023.

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

Cumberland Community Pantries

Give what you can. Take what you need!

The Cumberland Community Pantries are open at the Wentworthville Community Centre on Mondays from 10am to 12noon and at 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, 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 Customer Service Centres at Merrylands or Auburn.

Council is also accepting donations for the community pantry at the upcoming community events. Come and find us at a Council stall at the next major event if you wish to donate.

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

National Recycling Week

To mark National Recycling Week 2023, Council will be hosting a range of events to help educate the community on how they can improve their recycling behaviours.

Program details

Children's Clothing and Toy Swap

When: Tuesday 7 November, 10am to 11:30am

Where: Auburn Centre for Community, 44A Macquarie Road, Auburn

Love Food Hate Waste

When: Thursday 16 November, 12noon to 1pm

Where: Merrylands Library, corner of Newman Street and Miller Street, Merrylands

For more information, visit our website.

Pemulwuy Community Garden Grand Opening

Everyone is invited to the official Grand Opening of the Pemulwuy Community Garden on Saturday 28 October from 11:30am to 2pm.

Join us for a fun day of children’s crafts, lawn games, a coffee cart, giveaways and more!

The garden is located at the corner of Butu Wargun Drive and Driftway Drive with the main entrance on Miles Crescent.

For more information, visit our website.

Verge Garden Program

Did you know that you can create your own verge garden on the nature strip outside of your home?

Fill out the application form here or find out more information by visiting our website.

For assistance on the Verge Gardens Program, call Council on 8757 9000.

Have Your Say

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

Lytton Street Park Landscape Masterplan

Based on the feedback received earlier this year, a Masterplan has been designed to show the proposed future vision for Lytton Street Park, Wentworthville. Proposed improvements include new pathways, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, park lighting, outdoor living rooms with seating and picnic facilities, new plants and bridge improvements.

Submit your feedback by Monday 23 October.

https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/lytton-street-park

Wentworthville Public Domain Plan

The Wentworthville Town Centre is one of Cumberland’s key town centres which is currently experiencing significant growth. We are seeking your feedback to understand the key priority areas and requirements of the local community. Your feedback will help us plan for the future of Wentworthville.

Submit your feedback by Monday 30 October.

https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/wentworthville-public-domain-plan

Local Shops Study

We know the community values our local shops and Council wants to hear from you! The draft Cumberland Local Shops Study explores how we can understand, protect and enhance our local shops to meet the needs of the community now and in the future. Join us at one of the public drop-in sessions in Wentworthville, Greystanes, Granville, Guildford or Berala in October.

Submit your feedback by Tuesday 31 October.

https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/local-shops-study

2-10 Victoria Street East, Lidcombe Public Hearing

Council is hosting a public hearing for the reclassification of Council land at 2-10 Victoria Street East, Lidcombe, in line with the Department of Planning and Environment’s Gateway Determination, issued on July 10, 2023. This aims to amend the Local Environmental Plan as required by the Local Government Act 1993. The hearing will take place on Thursday

2 November from 6pm – 7:30pm at the Lidcombe Community Centre Hall,

3 Bridge Street, Lidcombe.

Registrations for the hearing close at 3pm, Thursday 2 November.

https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/victoria-street-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