14 February 2017 – Media Release
Cumberland Council Administrator, Viv May, welcomed the announcement by the NSW Government today that merged Councils would continue with their important reforms, saving money and providing better and cheaper services for residents.
“It is welcome news that the idea of de-merging is off the agenda for Cumberland. We have come a long way in nine months and we have much work to do prior to Council Elections in September 2017, including generating more savings for residents,” Mr May said.
While Council has reported savings of $4.5m, Mr May indicated he had recently been briefed by staff and this figure had increased to $6.4 million at the end of 2016.
“Residents will benefit through reinvestment of these savings in either expanded services or new infrastructure.
“Council is already investing heavily in new community infrastructure including a $20 million multipurpose community centre, library and regional arts facility for Granville, due for completion in 2019. This project is funded through State Government contributions and via Council generated savings.
“Further infrastructure investment of $4 million will also help fund: upgrades to the Auburn Botanic Gardens, including a playground that will feature water play equipment offering a free accessible place for kids to cool down in summer; a replacement bridge in Westmead; an expansion of Auburn library; 30 mobile CCTV units in the former Holroyd area to improve community safety; and a regional playground in Central Gardens Merrylands that will also feature water play equipment.
In addition to the above, since proclamation Cumberland Council:
- has implemented a new online DA tracking system (e-Planning) that allows community members to view and comment on planning matters online. Previously members of the public had to physically visit a Council office to view Development Applications, some of which were hundreds of pages long. These documents can now be downloaded and scrutinised by residents.
- has established the Cumberland Council Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel (CIHAP) to provide an independent forum to determine Development Applications.
- is developing a Draft Auburn and Lidcombe Town Centre Strategy to prompt economic growth and enable more diverse and improved design outcomes.
- has completed a ‘Youth Needs Assessment Study’ that identified key interests and issues of young people growing up in the region.
Mr May, said in relation to the CIHAP, “Not only has this panel demystified the former Councillor involvement in planning and made the process more transparent, on a professional level it validates or exposes the quality of Council’s planning work. This highly experienced body applies a degree of rigour to the planning process that was absent when Councillors made these decisions. The Panel is now turning its attention to design excellence.”
“It is great news that Council can continue with this work, confident that the speculation concerning Cumberland’s future has ended. The General Manager, Malcolm Ryan, and his staff are to be congratulated for the exceptional progress they have made in such a short period,” Mr May said.
