Council Meeting
Wednesday, 13 November 2024 at 6:00 PM
Cumberland City Council Chambers
Merrylands Service Centre, 16 Memorial Avenue, Merrylands
Council Meeting
Wednesday, 13 November 2024 at 6:00 PM
Cumberland City Council Chambers
Merrylands Service Centre, 16 Memorial Avenue, Merrylands
Councillor Contact Details
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Granville Ward |
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0419 651 187 |
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Clr Joseph Rahme |
0418 995 471 |
Joseph.Rahme@cumberland.nsw.gov.au |
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0405 070 007 |
Ola.Hamed@cumberland.nsw.gov.au |
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Greystanes Ward |
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Clr Dr Diane Colman |
0400 279 200 |
Diane.Colman@cumberland.nsw.gov.au |
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Clr Eddy Sarkis |
0425 348 000 |
Eddy.Sarkis@cumberland.nsw.gov.au |
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Clr Nadima Kafrouni-Saba |
0447 605 158 |
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Regents Park Ward |
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Clr Enver Yasar |
0497 428 929 |
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Clr Helen Hughes |
0400 264 534 |
Helen.Hughes@cumberland.nsw.gov.au |
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Clr Steve Yang |
0448 836 197 |
Steve.Yang@cumberland.nsw.gov.au |
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South Granville Ward |
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Clr Paul Garrard |
0414 504 504 |
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Clr Ahmed Ouf |
0436 936 553 |
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Clr Glenn Elmore |
0418 459 527 |
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Wentworthville Ward |
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Clr Michael Zaiter (Deputy Mayor) |
0418 432 797 |
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Clr Suman Saha |
0419 546 950 |
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Clr Sujan Selventhiran |
0427 104 940 |
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Statement of Ethical Obligations
Oath or Affirmation of Office
In taking the Oath or Affirmation of Office, each Councillor has made a commitment to undertake the duties of the office of councillor in the best interests of the people of Cumberland and Cumberland City Council and that they will faithfully and impartially carry out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in them under the Local Government Act 1993 or any other Act to the best of their ability and judgment.
Conflicts of Interest
A councillor who has a conflict of interest in any matter with which the council is concerned, and who is present at a meeting of the council when the matter is being considered, must disclose the interest and the nature of the interest to the meeting as soon as practicable. Both the disclosure and the nature of the interest must be recorded in the minutes of the Council meeting where the conflict of interest arises. Councillors should ensure that they are familiar with Parts 4 and 5 of the Code of Conduct in relation to their obligations to declare and manage conflicts of interests.
For information on Council services and facilities please visit www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Council Meeting
13 November 2024
MM11/24-1 Mayoral Minute - 2024 Keep Australia Beautiful - Sustainable City Awards 4
MM11/24-2 Mayoral Minute - Support and Solidarity With Palestine................. 5
MM11/24-3 Mayoral Minute - The Late Fouad Abdo Sarkis................................. 7
MM11/24-4 Mayoral Minute - Councillor Garrard - Congratulations on 50 Years of Service 8
MM11/24-5 Mayoral Minute - Condolences - The Late Laith Alaid................... 10
13 November 2024
Item No: MM11/24-1
Mayoral Minute - 2024 Keep Australia Beautiful - Sustainable City Awards
Author: Mayor Ola Hamed
Summary
It gives me great pleasure to advise of awards received by Cumberland City Council at the 2024 Keep Australia Beautiful – Sustainable City Awards at the NSW Keep Australia Beautiful Awards function held on 10 October 2024.
Since its inception in 1994, the Sustainable Cities Awards Program has been instrumental in recognising and rewarding the incredible efforts of metropolitan Sydney Councils, community groups, businesses, schools and individuals who are leading the way in sustainable practices and initiatives.
This year, Cumberland City Council were very successful and received two awards:
· ‘Top Honours’ in the Liveable Cities category to the Place and Economy Team for the 'Guildford Laneway Revitalization' Project; and
· ‘Highly Commended’ in the Litter Prevention category to the Environment and Resource Recovery team for the ‘Approach to Litter Prevention in Cumberland’ Project.
Staff’s diligence on projects, efforts on consulting with our community, and passion for their work should be commended. The dedication of our staff is always evident, but it is nice to see Council being formally recognised for their hard work.
I would like to congratulate Council staff: Christopher Manoski, John Khoury, Josh Fattal and Eshita Dutia from the Place and Economy Team and Daniel Anderson, Josh Hayden, Tim Nguyen and Marion Winkler of the Environment and Resource Recovery Team for making our community a better place through their hard work.
Therefore Councillors, tonight I move the following:
That Council congratulate all Council staff involved for their achievements and outstanding contributions in Council receiving awards at the 2024 Keep Australia Beautiful – Sustainable City Awards.
Attachments
Nil
13 November 2024
Item No: MM11/24-2
Mayoral Minute - Support and Solidarity With Palestine
Author: Mayor Ola Hamed
Summary
The Cumberland City Council area is a place where people from many parts of the world, call home. These people hold dear to themselves, their cultural heritage and their place of origin. When there is conflict overseas, the effects are felt profoundly within our community.
In this Chamber, this Council has previously moved resolutions, strongly advocating for a ceasefire and appropriate resolution be reached for the conflict occurring in Israel and Gaza.
We have always strongly condemned the killing of any innocent people. This can be seen previously in a Motion that I moved and was carried at the 19 May 2021 Council meeting, as well as previous Mayoral Minutes from former Mayors of this Council.
The official death toll reported in the media stands at 44,383 Palestinians and 1,139 people killed in Israel since October 7, 2023.
This amounts to 10 times the number of lives lost in all previous Gaza conflicts since 2008. One life lost in this conflict, is one too many.
This is a matter that is close to my heart, and of utmost importance to our community, and it’s important that this Council show leadership and solidarity on this important issue, and call for this conflict to come to an end.
We stand with all of the innocent victims of this long-running conflict and their families, who are suffering and have suffered over so many years.
November 29 marks the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. As a symbol of our support, it is only befitting that we allow an appropriate local community group the ability to mark this occasion for our local Palestinian community. I also propose that the General Manager prepare an appropriate concept for a public art installation.
Therefore Councillors, tonight I move the following:
Recommendation
That Council:
1. Endorse the Mayoral Minute;
2. Express its support and solidarity with the people of Palestine;
3. Continues to advocate for a ceasefire and peaceful solution to this matter;
4. Write to the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong, providing a copy of this Mayoral Minute and seeking her support and advocacy on this issue;
5. Provides at no cost, the Holroyd Gardens flagpoles as a bookable space for local community group PAWA (Palestinian Australians Welfare Association) to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (November 29); and
6. Authorise the General Manager to prepare a concept for an appropriate public art installation, funded through the Operational Budget.
Attachments
Nil
13 November 2024
Item No: MM11/24-3
Mayoral Minute - The Late Fouad Abdo Sarkis
Author: Mayor Ola Hamed
Summary
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the recent passing of the late Fouad Abdo Sarkis. Fouad was born in Haifa, Lebanon in 1938 and moved to Damour at the age of 8. He began as a tiler at 12 years old to support his family. He later migrated to Australia, and contributed to the delivery of significant construction landmarks in his professional life such as the Queen Victoria Building, International Exchange bank and railway stations such as Strathfield are testament to this strong work ethic.
Fouad, the father of Councillor Eddy Sarkis, was a gentle man, had a strong work ethic, and was prominent in the local community. Fouad loved dearly his wife, his children, and all of his grandchildren.
He was the president of the Australian Damour Charitable Association, uniting the Australian Lebanese Damour community.
Fouad was a family man, a beloved Father, Uncle and Grandfather. He famously grew the first Lebanese cucumber in Australia, a legacy which lives on til today.
On behalf of Council, we express our deepest sympathies to Councillor Sarkis and his family on the passing of Fouad, and we pray that his soul rest in eternal peace.
Therefore Councillors, tonight I move the Motion on screen.
Recommendation
That Council:
1. Acknowledge with deep sadness, the passing of the Late Fouad Abdo Sarkis;
2. Acknowledge the many contributions made by Fouad Abdo Sarkis to the local community and beyond;
3. Observe a Minute of Silence in honour of his life; and
4. Provide a copy of this Mayoral Minute to the Sarkis family, with the Mayor to offer support to the family.
Attachments
Nil
13 November 2024
Item No: MM11/24-4
Mayoral Minute - Councillor Garrard - Congratulations on 50 Years of Service
Author: Mayor Ola Hamed
Summary
Tonight, I would like to congratulate Councillor Paul Garrard on 50 years of service to the community.
On 21 September 1974, Councillor Garrard was elected to represent the then Parramatta City Council in the Granville Ward, later (in 1995) to be renamed to the Woodville Ward.
Councillor Garrard was re-elected on ten continuous occasions to Parramatta City Council until Council amalgamations in May 2016. During his 42 years of service, he also served many terms as Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor.
On 7 September 2017 Councillor Garrard was elected to Cumberland City Council, South Granville Ward, where he has continued to be re-elected and to serve the community.
For the past five decades Councillor Garrard has worked tirelessly advocating for the needs of Council’s residents. 50 years is an amazing achievement and one that speaks volumes about your passion, values, and love of the community.
On behalf of Cumberland City Council and the community, I would like to extend my congratulations to Councillor Garrard on reaching this incredible milestone of 50 years of dedicated service. Your unwavering commitment has made our community a better place and touched many people’s lives.
I also propose as part of this Mayoral Minute, that we mark this significant milestone for this Council with an appropriate civic function.
Therefore Councillors, tonight I move the following:
Recommendation
That Council:
1. Congratulates Councillor Paul Garrard on 50 years of service as an elected Councillor;
2. Organise a civic function to mark this milestone in early 2025, budgeted through the current operational budget; and
3. Invite local State and Federal Members of Parliament along with the Premier of NSW and Minister for Local Government and any other relevant Councillors, ex-Councillors and family and friends of Councillor Garrard to the civic function.
Attachments
Nil
13 November 2024
Item No: MM11/24-5
Mayoral Minute - Condolences - The Late Laith Alaid
Author: Mayor Ola Hamed
Summary
It is with great sadness that I note the tragic passing of local Granville resident 11 year old Laith Alaid, and wish to extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Laith was enjoying a family fishing day out at The Entrance, Central Coast, NSW on Sunday the 3rd November, when sadly he was swept out to sea while trying to cross The Entrance Channel. His father desperately tried to rescue him but could not reach him.
Local volunteers, NSW Police, Surf Lifesaving NSW, Central Coast Council Lifeguards and Marine Rescue NSW dedicated significant resourcing to conduct a thorough search to locate Laith, and we thank them for their tireless hard work and efforts.
This is a heartbreaking loss for the Alaid family and the Cumberland community. The Alaid family are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Therefore Councillors, tonight I move the following:
Recommendation
That Council:
1. Notes with great sadness the tragic passing of local resident Laith Alaid, and express Council’s sincerest condolences to his family;
2. Observe a minute of silence in honour of the life of Laith Alaid; and
3. Provide a copy of this Mayoral Minute to the Alaid family, and the Mayor to make contact with the family offering support during this difficult time.
Attachments