Council Meeting
3 March 2021
Steve Christou (Mayor) |
Councillor |
Eddy Sarkis (Deputy Mayor) |
Councillor |
Ned Attie |
Councillor |
George Campbell |
Councillor (via web conferencing) |
Greg Cummings |
Councillor |
Glenn Elmore |
Councillor |
Paul Garrard |
Councillor |
Kun Huang |
Councillor |
Lisa Lake |
Councillor |
Joseph Rahme |
Councillor |
Suman Saha |
Councillor |
Michael Zaiter |
Councillor |
Tom Zreika |
Councillor |
Peter Fitzgerald |
Acting General Manager |
Melissa Attia |
Director Community & Organisation Development |
Daniel Cavallo |
Director Environment & Planning |
Brendan Govers |
Acting Director Works & Infrastructure |
Richard Sheridan |
Director Finance & Governance |
Also Present:
Colin McFadzean |
General Counsel |
Carol Karaki |
Acting Executive Manager Corporate Services |
Olivia Shields |
Senior Governance Officer |
The Mayor, Councillor Christou declared the meeting open at 6:32pm.
Note: In recognition of the annual World Hearing Day, the Mayor welcomed to the Chamber David McQuiggan, Auslan Interpreter.
Opening Prayer
The opening prayer was read by Fr. Eduardo Orillia from St Joachims Catholic Church, Lidcombe.
The Mayor, Councillor Christou read the following Acknowledgement of Country:
“I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land – the Darug People, and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.”
National Anthem
At this point in the meeting the Mayor, Councillor Christou asked all of those in attendance to stand for the playing of the Australian National Anthem.
Notice of Live Streaming of Council Meeting
The Mayor, Councillor Christou advised that the Council meeting was being streamed live on Council's website and members of the public must ensure their speech to the Council is respectful and use appropriate language.
Min.1038 Apologies/Leave of Absence
Resolved (Sarkis/Elmore)
That the apology tendered on behalf of Councillor Hamed be accepted.
Councillors Attie and Sarkis declared a less than significant non-pecuniary interest in item C03/21-687 as they are both members of the Sydney Central City Planning Panel. As such, they exited the Chamber during the consideration of this item.
Confirmation of Minutes
C03/21-684 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council - 17 February 2021 |
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That Council confirm the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 17 February 2021. |
That Council recognise the significance of World Hearing Day 2021. |
Public Forum:
Speakers on Items on the Council Meeting Agenda
Speaker |
Item # |
Suburb |
Mr Roydon Ng |
C03/21-689 Pippita Rail Trail – Preliminary Feasibility Report |
Lidcombe |
Dr Yadu Singh |
C03/21-693 Notice of Motion - Cultural Festivals and Multiculturalism |
Baulkham Hills |
Min.1041 |
Suspension of Standing Orders |
Resolved (Sarkis/Attie) That in accordance with Clause 8.2 of the Code of Meeting Practice, Council suspend standing orders to allow Items C03/21-689 and C03/21-693 to be brought forward for consideration at this time of the Meeting. |
C03/21-693 Notice of Motion - Cultural Festivals and Multiculturalism |
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That Council: 1. Continue to host cultural events like Lunar New Year, Diwali, Ramadan, and the Cherry Blossom Festival. These Cultural events and activities reflect the diverse mix of cultural backgrounds in Cumberland. Council recognise that these events along with other Council host events bring us together as one community and celebrate what makes Cumberland such a wonderful place to live;
2. Ask Mayor Christou to retract and apologise unreservedly for his comment made in the Sydney Morning Herald article title “Lunar New Year not part of ‘this country’s traditions’: Western Sydney Mayor”; and
3. Reaffirms its commitment to Multiculturalism and recognise Australia is a modern, successful and cohesive multicultural nation and recognise events like Lunar New Year, Diwali, and Ramadan as part of Australian Celebration.
Amendment (Garrard/Attie) That Council: 1. Continue to organise and host cultural events like Lunar New Year, Diwali, Ramadan, and the Cherry Blossom Festival with the respective communities subject to Council’s budgetary position. These Cultural events and activities reflect the diverse mix of cultural backgrounds in Cumberland. Council recognise that these and other events bring us together as one community and celebrate what makes Cumberland such a wonderful place to live; 2. Through the events committee, engage with the respective communities/associations for each festival to assist where possible in obtaining sponsorship and business engagement for the success of each cultural event. 3. Reaffirms its commitment to Multiculturalism and recognise Australia is a modern, successful, and cohesive multicultural nation and recognise events like Lunar New Year, Diwali, and Ramadan as part of Australian Celebration. Many Cultures One Community. The mover and seconder of the original Motion accepted the Amendment which then became the substantive Motion. The Motion moved by Councillor Huang seconded by Councillor Saha on being Put was declared CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY to become the resolution of Council as per below. Resolved (Huang/Saha) That Council: 1. Continue to organise and host cultural events like Lunar New Year, Diwali, Ramadan, and the Cherry Blossom Festival with the respective communities subject to Council’s budgetary position. These Cultural events and activities reflect the diverse mix of cultural backgrounds in Cumberland. Council recognise that these and other events bring us together as one community and celebrate what makes Cumberland such a wonderful place to live; 2. Through the events committee, engage with the respective communities/associations for each festival to assist where possible in obtaining sponsorship and business engagement for the success of each cultural event. 3. Reaffirms its commitment to Multiculturalism and recognise Australia is a modern, successful, and cohesive multicultural nation and recognise events like Lunar New Year, Diwali, and Ramadan as part of Australian Celebration. Many Cultures One Community. |
Min.1044 |
Items by Exception |
Resolved (Sarkis/Attie) That Council adopt items C03/21-685, C03/21-688, C03/21- 690 and C03/21-692 on the Council Agenda in bulk as per the recommendations in the reports. |
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C03/21-688 Response to Notice of Motion - Main Street Program for the South Street Area in Granville |
This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting. |
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C03/21-689 Pippita Rail Trail – Preliminary Feasibility Report |
This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting. |
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C03/21-690 NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program - Project nomination and funding application |
This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting. |
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C03/21-692 Quarterly Progress Report on Council Consultative and Advisory Committees |
This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting. |