Message from the Mayor
Councillor Ola Hamed
The Back to Guildford Festival took over the streets of Guildford recently, and what an incredible time it was! It was wonderful to see such a vibrant community come together to celebrate everything that makes Guildford and Cumberland so special. From the performers and delicious food to the spectacular car show and everything in between, it's clear that the Back to Guildford Festival was a success and here to stay. I hope you all had as much fun as I did!
On a more serious but deeply important note, Council is stepping up to support women escaping domestic and family violence. We’ve donated 45 pre-loved mobile phones to those in need, and now we’re inviting you to join us. Got an old phone lying around? Find out how you can donate it on page 2 of this newsletter and be part of something powerful.
Things have been moving full speed ahead across Cumberland! We’ve wrapped up some key upgrades including the shiny new playground at Munro Street Reserve in Greystanes, and a smooth new road surface on Good Street in Westmead. Plus, we’ve just broken ground on a brand-new footpath on Montrose Avenue in Granville, paving the way (literally!) for easy access to the upcoming Laurie Ferguson Splash Park in Granville Park.
And here’s the coolest news of all. Cumberland City Council is leading the charge nationally with our Cool Carpark Project at Holroyd Gardens in Merrylands. This leafy, vine-covered structure is not just a looker, it’s also slashing surface temperatures by up to 50%! It’s a big win for sustainability, comfort, and community pride. And guess what? More cool carparks are coming. Stay tuned for where we’re heading next!
Take care and see you around Cumberland.
Ola
Community News
Youth Jobs and Skills Expo
Get ready for Cumberland City Council’s Youth Jobs and Skills EXPO on Tuesday 8 July 2025 at The Granville Centre!
Time 10am to 12noon
Who’s it for? Youth aged 15 to 25 years
Whether you're looking for new career options, hands-on experience, or seeking your next training opportunity, we’ve got you covered!
FREE ENTRY for walk-ins. Registration required for workshops – sign up early to secure your spot!
For more information and to register for the workshops, visit: www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/ skills-expo
Wellness Program in Wentworthville
Wentworthville Memorial Swim Centre is excited to launch its new Wellness Program starting Monday 7 July 2025!
Join us for a variety of classes, including Senior's sessions, Pilates, Yoga, and other stretch-based workouts. Sessions will run throughout the week to help you stay active and feel great!
To learn more, visit: www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/wellness-program
Plastic Free July
Council collected a total of 69,065 tonnes of waste, with 9,187 tonnes of that being recyclable materials? Plastic Free July is a great reminder that we can all make small changes to reduce the amount of plastic and waste that ends up in our environment. By taking action, we can help create a cleaner, more sustainable future.
To celebrate the start of this year’s Plastic Free July, and the school holidays, we are hosting a FREE family-friendly film screening at The Granville Centre on Saturday 5 July from 10am to 1pm, with interactive stalls and activities for children to enjoy while learning about plastic-free living!
Please note: Young people under 12 years will require adult supervision to attend.
For more information, visit: www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/ plastic-free-july
NAIDOC Week
Council is hosting NAIDOC Week 2025: Next Generation Dreaming on Wednesday, 9 July from 11am to 2pm at Central Gardens Nature Reserve, Merrylands West.
Come down to enjoy a FREE day filled with cultural performances, children’s activities, aboriginal storytelling, local service stalls, sculpture painting, an inspired yarning circle, bubble soccer, bead making, and more!
For more information, visit: www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/ naidoc
DV Safe Phone
Council will be donating 45 decommissioned mobile phones to 'DV Safe Phone' to support victims of domestic violence, by helping them avoid being tracked by perpetrators when escaping dangerous situations.
For domestic violence victims, a safe phone isn't just a device, it's a lifeline. It provides emergency contacts, safety planning tools, and a pathway to independence.
Do you have a spare phone gathering dust? Council is excited to announce that it has become a DV Safe Phone drop-off location. You can give these phones a new life by donating them at our customer service centres in Merrylands and Auburn!
For more information, visit: https://dvsafephone.org/ donate-phones
What's On
Young Writers Awards
The 2025 Cumberland Young Writers Awards are now open! If you're aged 8 to 18 years and live in Cumberland, go to school locally, or are a library member this is your chance to shine.
Submit your original short story (up to 500 words), poem (up to 30 lines), or graphic short story (up to 10 pages), inspired by a special image for your age group:
- 8 to 11 years
- 12 to 14 years
- 15 to 18 years
Entries will be judged on creativity, originality, structure, and use of language. Winners, runners-up, and highly commended entries will be published and awarded, and all participants will receive a certificate of recognition.
Entries close Friday, 18 July 2025. Submit via the form on our website. Let your imagination soar, and we can’t wait to read your work!
To learn more, visit: www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/writers-award
National Tree Day
Australia's largest tree planting event is almost here! Cumberland City Council, in partnership with Planet Ark, invites you to celebrate National Tree Day on Sunday, 27 July 2025, from 10am to 12noon.
Join us at one of five locations across Council for a family-friendly day of planting over 2,000 native trees, shrubs and ground cover. Enjoy a free BBQ lunch and connect with your local community. Tools and gloves are provided, just bring a hat, closed shoes, and a reusable water bottle. Let's sow the seed of sustainability together!
To learn more, visit: www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/tree-day
In the Works
Footpath Renewals
Road Improvement Projects Council has recently completed footpath renewals at Bridge Street and New Street E in Lidcombe where over 250m of footpath in total was resurfaced and new concrete was laid.
Road Improvement Projects
Council has completed road works along 25 Pendle Way, Pendle Hill which included the installation of a raised crossing threshold and the installation of a pedestrian crossing and refuge.
Let us know of any issues in your area by logging a request via Council's website: www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/report-and-request
Have Your Say
You are invited to have your say on a range of Council projects, plans and policies that are currently on exhibition. Your feedback helps shape Council’s delivery of services, facilities and programs.
For more information visit: https://haveyoursay.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/
Cumberland City Councillors
Residents can contact their local Councillor to share ideas and discuss any issues of concern.
