Administrator’s Minute presented to the inaugural meeting of Cumberland Council held in the Historic Grandville Town Hall on Thursday 19 May 2016.
Administrator’s Minute
“Cumberland Council was proclaimed in the NSW Government Gazette on 12 May, 2016.
It is fitting that we meet this evening in the historic Granville Town Hall.
This beautiful heritage listed building was erected in 1889 to act as the home of the Granville Borough Council, itself created in 1885.
So much history has passed through this building and this area.
As a publication celebrating the Centenary of Granville noted, “…Granville is of particular historical significance because the country about Granville was explored before Parramatta, in 1788…”
Tonight we will add to that history as we hold the first meeting of the Cumberland Council.
Granville, and indeed the rest of the former Woodville Ward of the City of Parramatta, now unites our new Council area; with the former Holroyd Council area to the west and the former Auburn Council area to the east. These two areas are also rich in history.
The Holroyd municipality came into being in 1927, by way of name change from the original Municipality of Prospect and Sherwood formed in 1872.
The Auburn Local Government Area was formed in 1948, when Auburn and Lidcombe Councils merged into Auburn Municipal Council.
It is appropriate that Cumberland Council acknowledge the passing into history of Holroyd City Council and Auburn City Council and the substantial contribution that both elected officials and staff have made over many years.
These two proud local government areas have served their residents for many decades, providing services and helping to create a sense of community. Now their legacy of achievement passes to the new Cumberland Council.
We also warmly welcome the residents of the former Woodville Ward of the City of Parramatta into our Council and acknowledge the civic contribution over many years of elected officials and staff. Now is the time to build on this stable foundation and we look forward with enthusiasm to a prosperous future for Cumberland Council and its many communities.
The creation of the Cumberland Council provides us with a unique opportunity for a fresh start and we embrace the challenge of building with the collective spirit, history and endeavour of all the people from all the communities within its boundaries.
I have and will be making some tough decisions. It is acknowledged that there are some in the community who are aggrieved by the decision of the Government to merge Councils across the State. But let’s all commit to move forward in a spirit of cooperation.
Be assured that I will do my best to independently serve in an open and transparent way ensuring that all voices are heard.
Accordingly, I formally move:
That Council recognise the legacy of the former local Government areas of Holroyd City, Auburn City and the Woodville Ward of the City of Parramatta, and welcome all their residents to the Cumberland Council. “
