Content about Municipality of Strathfield

Mr Deputy Speaker

I am pleased you are in the Chair for my address. You’ve been a friend and wise counsel since my early days in this house.

I rise today with a unique privilege – of someone who has been given a second chance to make a difference in this great State.

Not since the earliest days of this Parliament has someone generally had the opportunity of representing more than one geographically separate electorate.

In the late 1940's the Cumberland County Council revolutionised how planning was being done for a big chunk of metropolitan Sydney. They included long term planning for major roads and set aside strategic corridors for future motorways, the need for a road corridor for what we know as the M4 today was foreseen by visionary people in 1951.

The Future Directions for Local Government Report and its predecessor  introduced the disturbing proposal of an instant expert to run Councils – a highly paid Executive Mayor with power over Council’s General Manager.

The Report’s panel has determined “enhancing the role of mayors" to make a major contribution to:

·       focusing councils on strategic issues,

·       improving governance and

Strathfield’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP) – the blueprint for the municipality’s growth over the next decade – has finally been approved by the NSW State Government.

The result of one of the largest consultation exercises in Strathfield’s history, the plan paints a fascinating picture of the changing face of one of Sydney’s oldest suburbs.

As you may be aware, the NSW Government is currently considering forcing Strathfield Council to amalgamate into a larger mega-council area. 

I am strongly opposed to this because I believe is against the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Strathfield residents. 

My fellow councillors and I were loud and clear about our opposition to amalgamation in the recent local government elections and we were elected by the community on that basis. 

Strathfield schools have scored significant success in this year's HSC results, and are punching well above their weight.

Of the Sydney Morning Herald’sTop 100 schools, four are from the Strathfield Local Government Area. Meriden School, Santa Sabina College, St Patrick’s College and Strathfield Girls High School all made it to the prestigious list.

A Sydney Sunday newspaper recently claimed in a leading article about Saturday’s poll for councillors that it was “ A complete waste of time and money”.

The Sunday Telegraph called for reform, and suggested the O’Farrell government “re-draw the boundaries and set up a system that actually works for the people and the state”.

The paper cited the Sydney Business Chamber’s push to cut the state’s 152 councils.  In particular, it suggests 10 “super” councils to run Sydney.

The three main contestants battling for seats on Strathfield Council in the upcoming September elections have now announced the majority of their candidates – and the Strathfield Scene asked them to spell out their stance on the major issues.

One new group, Strathfield First Action Group, is leading the charge for the independents’ ticket with a team including the Mayor, Cr Paul Barron and his deputy, Cr Helen McLucas.

Strathfield’s leading position in the inner west as a commercial and transport hub has prompted a council move to seek city status  – a significant step in ensuring the area’s assets are fully recognised.

Higher-density residential development along Parra-matta Road, increased building heights at the Town Centre, a food hub next to Sydney Markets and new business parks to attract jobs are among the highlights of Strathfield’s plans for the next decade, which went on show this month.

The town square is to be reclassified to allow for events like weekend markets, while a mixed business and residential area is proposed in Homebush, north of the railway station.

This weekend marks an important milestone for Strathfield.

It will see the first in a series of big events designed to transform Sydney’s view of the municipality – and hopefully position it as one of the movers and shakers of the inner-west.

It is, in effect, the launch of Brand Strathfield. Expect to hear much more of this in the coming weeks.

Strathfield Council has been branded as not fit for the future by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) report to the state government on possible council amalgamations.

A merger between close neighbours Auburn, Burwood and Canada Bay was given the nod by the Tribunal, raising concerns that Strathfield might be forced to join the group.