Council Meeting

 13 November 2024

Minutes of the Council Meeting 13 November 2024

Present:

Councillors

Ola Hamed (Mayor)	Councillor
Michael Zaiter (Deputy Mayor)	Councillor
Steve Christou	Councillor
Dr Diane Colman	Councillor
Glenn Elmore	Councillor
Paul Garrard	Councillor
Helen Hughes	Councillor
Nadima Kafrouni-Saba	Councillor
Ahmed Ouf	Councillor
Joseph Rahme	Councillor
Suman Saha	Councillor
Eddy Sarkis	Councillor
Sujan Selventhiran	Councillor
Steve Yang	Councillor
Enver Yasar	Councillor

Officers

Peter Fitzgerald	General Manager
Melissa Attia	Director Corporate Performance (Deputy General Manager)
Daniel Cavallo	Director Environment & Planning
Brendan Govers	Director City Services
Nicole Byrn	Director Community & Culture
Charlie Ayoub	Director Governance & Risk
Colin McFadzean	General Counsel
Carol Karaki	Manager Governance
Bianca Mourched	Coordinator Governance

The Mayor, Councillor Hamed declared the meeting open at 6:05pm.  

Opening Prayer

The opening prayer was read by Pandit Jatinkumar Bhatt from Sri Mandir Temple, Auburn.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Mayor, Councillor Hamed 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 Hamed asked all of those in attendance to stand for the playing of the Australian National Anthem.

Apologies / Requests for Leave of Absence/ Requests for Attendance by Audio-Visual Link

Nil.

Notice of Live Streaming of Council Meeting

The Mayor, Councillor Hamed advised that the Council meeting was being streamed live on Council's website and all in attendance must ensure their speech to the Council is respectful and use appropriate language.

Confirmation of Minutes

Min.818

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council - 21 August 2024 and Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Council - 16 October 2024

Motion (Zaiter/Elmore)   That Council confirm the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 21 August 2024 and the minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Council held on 16 October 2024. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.

Declarations of Pecuniary & Non Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest

Councillor Christou declared a Non-Pecuniary, Less Than Significant interest in relation to Item C11/24-27 Notice of Motion - Naming of Rooms at Heritage Centre, Granville, noting he briefly worked with June Bullivant previously.

Councillor Elmore declared that he did not have a conflict of interest with respect to item C11/24-26 Notice of Motion - 109A Church Street, Lidcombe, but noted that if the item were to be discussed in public forum and he remained in the Chamber, that in accordance with the Planning Panels Code of Conduct, he would not be able to consider the matter as a sitting Council member on the Sydney Central Planning Panel in future.

Councillor Elmore declared a Non-Pecuniary, Less Than Significant interest in relation to Item C11/24-33 Tender Evaluation Report - Reactive Plumbing Services Panel and Reactive Electrical Services Panel (RFx680), noting his friend is the Managing Director of one of the tenderers and although not recommended for approval, he will leave the Chamber prior to any discussion in relation to the matter.

Councillor Garrard declared a Non-Pecuniary, Significant interest in relation to Item C11/24-15 Community Grants - Round 1 2024/2025 Funding Recommendations, advising that his wife had submitted an application on behalf of the Granville Historical Society.

Min.819

Mayoral Minute - 2024 Keep Australia Beautiful - Sustainable City Awards

Motion (Hamed) 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. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.

Min.820

Mayoral Minute – Support and Solidarity with Palestine

Motion (Hamed) 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, the Hon. 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. Amendment (Garrard/Christou) Add “and Israel” to the end of point 2. Foreshadowed Amendment (Sarkis) Add “and Lebanon and the Lebanese people” to the end of point 2. The Amendment on being Put was declared LOST. Councillor(s) For the Amendment:           Christou, Garrard, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Rahme and Yang. Councillor(s) Against the Amendment:     Colman, Elmore, Hamed, Ouf, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yasar and Zaiter. The Foreshadowed Amendment prior to being debated as the Amendment, was accepted by the Mayor and was incorporated into the Motion as follows: Motion (Hamed) That Council: 1. Endorse the Mayoral Minute; 2. Express its support and solidarity with the people of Palestine and Lebanon and the Lebanese people; 3. Continues to advocate for a ceasefire and peaceful solution to this matter; 4. Write to the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. 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. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Colman, Elmore, Hamed, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf,  Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Christou, Garrard, Hughes, Rahme and Yang.

Min.821

Mayoral Minute - The Late Fouad Abdo Sarkis

Motion (Hamed) 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. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil. Note: At this point of the meeting, Council observed a minute of silence.

Min.822

Mayoral Minute - Councillor Garrard - Congratulations on 50 Years of Service

Motion (Hamed) 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. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil. Councillor Colman left the Meeting at 6:40pm during the consideration of this item.

Min.823

Mayoral Minute - Condolences - The Late Laith Alaid

Motion (Hamed) 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. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil. Note: At this point of the meeting, Council observed a minute of silence. Councillor Colman returned to the Meeting at 6:49pm during the consideration of this item.

Public Forum:

Speakers on Items on the Council Meeting Agenda

Speaker	Item #	Suburb
Mr Ketharan Partheepan	C11/24-31 Notice of Motion - Tamil Heritage Month	Pendle Hill
Mr Tony Oldfield	C11/24-11 Draft Code of Meeting Practice and Draft Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy	Auburn
Mr Tony Oldfield	C11/24-19 Notice of Motion - Auburn Gardens and Progress Park – Toilet Facility Condition	Auburn

Speakers on General Items

Speaker	Subject	Suburb
Mr Roydon Ng	Fast Trains for Granville & Lidcombe	Lidcombe

Min.824

Alteration of Order of Business

Motion (Zaiter/Sarkis) That in accordance with Clause 8.2 of the Code of Meeting Practice, Council alter the order of business to allow Items C11/24-31, C11/24-11, C11/24-19 and C11/24-24 to be brought forward for consideration at this time of the Meeting. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.

Min.825

C11/24-31 Notice of Motion - Tamil Heritage Month

Motion (Selventhiran/Saha) That Council: 1. Recognise one week commencing 13^th -19^th  January 2025 as Tamil Heritage Week as a one off;  2. Utilise up to $20,000 from the Community Reserve as a one off contribution to fund any initiatives possible for delivery in January 2025. 3. Prepare a report to consider the following: · The declaration of January as Tamil Heritage Month in Cumberland City, celebrating Tamil culture, traditions, and contributions; · Identify local Tamil organizations who may wish to work with Council to organise events such as cultural performances, educational workshops, and exhibitions; · Options available to Council to promote Tamil Heritage Month through Council communications, including newsletters, social media, and the official website; and · The inclusion of a Tamil cultural event on the Council Cultural events program for the 2026 financial year, including the associated costs and funding options. · Write to state and federal MPs to advocate to make January as Tamil heritage month. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.

Min.826

C11/24-24 Notice of Motion - Support for Lebanon and Recognition of Lebanese National Day

Motion (Ouf/Sarkis) That Council: 1.      Write to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and NSW Premier, Chris Minns, urging both State and Federal governments to: ·    Stand with the people of Lebanon by increasing urgently needed humanitarian aid and support, helping to address the severe crisis impacting countless innocent lives and reinforcing Australia’s role as a compassionate global partner. ·    Provide additional funding to offer free or subsidised mental health support and counselling services for Lebanese-Australian families in Cumberland affected by the crisis. Access to mental health resources will provide critical support for those experiencing stress, grief, and trauma due to the ongoing situation. 2.      In recognition of the Lebanese community’s valuable contributions to Cumberland and Australia, Council flies the Lebanese flag on the 22^nd of November, marking Lebanon’s National Day. This gesture of unity and respect honours the resilience, culture, and heritage of our local Lebanese residents and those with family in Lebanon. Amendment (Zaiter/Rahme) Remove the following words from the Motion: ‘Council flies the Lebanese flag on the 22^nd of November, marking Lebanon’s National Day’ and insert the following in its place: ‘Provides at no cost, the Holroyd Gardens flagpoles as a bookable space for local community group Free & Fair Lebanon Foundation Inc. to mark annual Lebanon Independence Day (November 22^nd 2024). The Amendment on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously.  Councillor(s) For the Amendment:          Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Amendment:     Nil. The Amendment then became the Motion as follows: Motion (Zaiter/Rahme) That Council: 1. Write to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and NSW Premier, Chris Minns, urging both State and Federal governments to: · Stand with the people of Lebanon by increasing urgently needed humanitarian aid and support, helping to address the severe crisis impacting countless innocent lives and reinforcing Australia’s role as a compassionate global partner. · Provide additional funding to offer free or subsidised mental health support and counselling services for Lebanese-Australian families in Cumberland affected by the crisis. Access to mental health resources will provide critical support for those experiencing stress, grief, and trauma due to the ongoing situation. 2. In recognition of the Lebanese community’s valuable contributions to Cumberland and Australia, that Council Provides at no cost, the Holroyd Gardens flagpoles as a bookable space for community group Free & Fair Lebanon Foundation Inc. to mark annual Lebanon Independence Day (November 22^nd2024). This gesture of unity and respect honours the resilience, culture, and heritage of our local Lebanese residents and those with family in Lebanon. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil. During the debate on this item, Councillor Sarkis raised a Point of Order, stating that the Mover of the original Motion was willing to accept the final Amendment as part of the original Motion. The Mayor, Councillor Hamed did not uphold the point of order, clarifying  that the Code of Meeting Practice states that the Mover of the Motion has the opportunity to accept the amendment before it is debated, and noted that the mover of the Motion was provided this opportunity from the outset, and refused. Councillor Sarkis left the Meeting at 7:46pm during the consideration of this item.

Min.827

C11/24-19 Notice of Motion - Auburn Gardens and Progress Park - Toilet Facility Condition

Motion (Garrard/Hughes) That the General Manager report to Council in respect to the condition of the toilet facilities at the Auburn Gardens and Progress Park. That the report outline: 1.   The schedule of cleaning for these locations. 2.   Why the general conditions of the toilets are in disgusting condition. 3.   Why the garbage bins within the toilets are missing. 4.   Why toilets are leaking. 5.   Why doors do not lock. 6.   Why lighting, particularly in female toilets do not work. 7.   Why there is no hand sanitiser or hand towels present within the toilets. 8.   Why Council is left for community volunteers to repair toilets. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil. Councillor Sarkis returned to the Meeting at 7:50pm during the consideration of this item. Councillor Rahme left the Meeting at 7:47pm and returned to the Meeting at 7:54pm during the consideration of this item. Councillor Ouf left the Meeting at 7:47pm and returned to the Meeting at 7:48pm during the consideration of this item. Councillor Yasar left the Meeting at 7:47pm and returned to the Meeting at 7:53pm during the consideration of this item. Councillor Christou left the Meeting at 7:48pm and returned to the Meeting at 7:52pm during the consideration of this item. Councillor Ouf left the Meeting at 7:48pm during the consideration of this item.

Min.828

C11/24-11 Draft Code of Meeting Practice and Draft Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy

Motion (Sarkis/Ouf) That this report be deferred to the next Council meeting. Amendment (Zaiter/Elmore) That the motion be replaced with the report recommendation as follows:  That Council: 1.   Endorse the Draft Code of Meeting Practice and Draft Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy being placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days. 2.   Note that a 42 day submission period will be in place for the Draft Code of Meeting Practice, in accordance with Section 361 of the Local Government Act 1993; and 3.   Receive a report following the conclusion of the exhibition period, detailing the results of the consultation process, and the final documents recommended for Council’s adoption. The Amendment on being Put was declared CARRIED.  Councillor(s) For the Amendment:          Colman, Elmore, Hamed, Kafrouni-Saba, Rahme, Saha, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Amendment:    Christou, Garrard, Hughes, Ouf and Sarkis. The Amendment then became the Motion as follows: Motion (Zaiter/Elmore) That Council: 1.   Endorse the Draft Code of Meeting Practice and Draft Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy being placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days. 2.   Note that a 42 day submission period will be in place for the Draft Code of Meeting Practice, in accordance with Section 361 of the Local Government Act 1993; and 3.   Receive a report following the conclusion of the exhibition period, detailing the results of the consultation process, and the final documents recommended for Council’s adoption. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED.  Councillor(s) For the Motion:                    Colman, Elmore, Hamed, Kafrouni-Saba, Rahme, Saha, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:            Christou, Garrard, Hughes, Ouf and Sarkis. During the consideration of this item, Councillor Colman raised a Point of Order, advising that Councillor Garrard made a personal insult towards her. The Mayor, Councillor Hamed requested Councillor Garrard to withdraw any and all comments made referring Councillor Colman’s attire. Councillor Garrard subsequently withdrew his comments. During the consideration of this item, Councillor Christou raised a Point of Order, citing an alleged breach of Clause 15.11(d) and Clause 15.11(e) of the Code of Meeting Practice, advising that Councillor Colman was interrupting another Councillor during their speech. The Mayor, Councillor Hamed did not uphold the Point of Order. Councillor Ouf returned to the Meeting at 7:56pm during the consideration of this item. Councillor Selventhiran left the Meeting at 8:08pm and returned to the Meeting at 8:10pm during the consideration of this item.

Min.829	Items Resolved by Exception
Motion (Sarkis/Saha) That Council adopt items C11/24-10, C11/24-13, C11/24-14, C11/24-15, C11/24-16, C11/24-33 and C11/24-34 on the Council Agenda as per the recommendations in the report. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.
	C11/24-10 Legal Report
Resolved by Exception That the report be received.

	C11/24-13 Annual Report 2023-2024
Resolved by Exception That Council receive the Annual Report 2023-2024.

	C11/24-14 State of Our City Report
Resolved by Exception That the report be received.

C11/24-15 Community Grants - Round 1 2024/2025 Funding Recommendations

Resolved by Exception That Council: 1.     Adopt the 18 applications recommended for funding in Attachment 2 and allocate the $150,873 from the 2024/2025 Community Grants Program budget. 2.     Delegate to the General Manager the authority to execute the grant dispersions and any associated documents. 3.     Advise all successful applications of the funding allocations from the Community Grants Program 2024/2025 and provide feedback and assistance to applicants that were unsuccessful. 4.     Attach a table of the successful applicants to the Minutes.

	C11/24-16 Councillor Code of Conduct Statistical Reporting
Resolved by Exception That Council note the Statistical Report on Code of Conduct Complaints relating to Councillors and the General Manager for the period 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024.

C11/24-33 Tender Evaluation Report - Reactive Plumbing Services Panel and Reactive Electrical Services Panel (RFx680)

Resolved by Exception That Council: 1.      Accept the Tender Evaluation Panel’s recommendation to award the contract to the following companies, in accordance with Section 178(1)(a) of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, for a period of three (3) years terms with an option to extend the terms 2 x 1 year extension. a.   Reactive Plumbing Services Panel i.        Piperight (CH Pty Ltd t/a Piperight Services) ii.       PJC Plumbing Services Pty Ltd. iii.      Prime Water Australia Pty Ltd b.   Reactive Electrical Services Panel i.        HIX Group Pty Ltd ii.       Elec Comm Group Pty Ltd iii.      Lisson Electrical Pty Ltd iv.      Airelectrical Pty Ltd t/a D.J. Staniforth & Co 2.      Delegate to the General Manager the authority to execute the contract and any associated documents

C11/24-34 Tender Evaluation Report - Kibo Reserve Upgrade Project (RFx900)

Resolved by Exception That Council: 1.      Accept the Tender Evaluation Panel’s recommendation to award the contract to Growth Civil Landscapes Pty Ltd ABN 35 601 437 003, in accordance with Section 178(1)(a) of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, for $1,172,670.41 (excluding GST). 2.      Delegate to the General Manager the authority to execute the contract and any associated documents.

Min.830

C11/24-12 Quarter 1 2024/25 Budget Review Statement and Financial Update

Motion (Zaiter/Sarkis) That Council: 1.   Approve the revised estimates of income and expenditure for 2024/25 contained in the Quarterly Budget Review Statement; and 2.   Resolve to hold a Council Meeting on 11 December 2024 to finalise the Financial Statements. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.

Min.831

C11/24-17 Notice of Motion - Dellwood Shopping Centre Condition

Motion (Garrard/Hughes) That the General Manager report to Council in respect to the continual filthy condition of Dellwood Shopping Centre detailing: 1.   The Schedule of street cleansing for this location, including the frequency of cleansing, and time of day the location is cleansed; and 2.   Further actions that the General Manager will implement to ensure it is maintained to a high standard. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Colman, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.

Min.832

C11/24-18 Notice of Motion - Traffic Safety - Auburn

Motion (Garrard/Hughes) That Council seek a report upon the unsafe traffic situation on the corners of: a) Park Road and Angus Ave; b)   Park Road and Mt Auburn Road; and c)   What can be done in the short/medium term to alleviate the problem. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil. Councillor Colman left the Meeting at 8:37pm during the consideration of this item and did not return. Councillor Christou left the Meeting at 7:48pm and returned to the Meeting at 7:52pm during the consideration of this item.

Min.833	C11/24-20 Notice of Motion - Cumberland Road Network
Motion (Rahme/Zaiter) That Council: 1.      Undertake a Cumberland wide transport and traffic study to improve connections to local arterial roads, analyse the major intersections and improve our road crossings within the Local Government area. 2.      Concurrently prepare a report that identifies options, costings and timelines for the upgrade of the Bold Street bridge, Wellington Road bridge, Mona Street Bridge and the Western overbridge in Auburn. 3.      Proceed with the environmental impact and traffic assessment for the proposed new Duck River crossing at Princes Road West and Boundary Road as resolved by Council previously. 4.      Convene a working group which consists of Granville Ward Councillors, Rosehill Ward (City of Parramatta Council) Councillors and other interested Councillors, all  relevant state members, relevant state departmental officers and other key stakeholders focused on the Bold Street Bridge widening / improvement. 5.      Budget the associated costs with undertaking this work within Council’s 25/26 budget. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.
Min.834	C11/24-21 Notice of Motion - New Train Timetable
Motion (Rahme/Zaiter) That Council: 1.      Write to the State Members for Granville and Prospect, and the NSW Minister for Transport and the Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads, asking them to reconsider and to re-instate express services at Granville and Lidcombe, and other affected train stations in Western Sydney such as Wentworthville, Toongabbie, Pendle Hill, Westmead and Auburn; and 2.      Organise a community forum attended by the State Members of Parliament, the Transport and Shadow Ministers, the Lord Mayor of City of Parramatta Council, all affected Ward Councillors from both Cumberland City Council and  City of Parramatta Council and local residents to collectively workshop this urgent matter and agree on required actions moving forward. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil. Councillor Ouf left the Meeting at 9:08pm and returned to the Meeting at 9:11pm during the consideration of this item. Councillor Yang left the Meeting at 9:09pm and returned to the Meeting at 9:13pm during the consideration of this item.

Min.835

C11/24-22 Notice of Motion - Request for Pedestrian Crossing on Tilba Street, Berala

Motion (Yasar/Ouf) That Council: 1.      Investigate the potential installation of a pedestrian crossing or speed hump on Tilba Street, Berala near Jack and Jill Reserve; and 2.      Receive a report at a future Traffic Committee meeting, detailing the outcome of officer investigations including technical studies and any potential implementation costs. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.

Min.836

C11/24-23 Notice of Motion - Review of the Cumberland Local Environmental Plan and Cumberland Development Control Plan

Motion (Ouf/Sarkis) With consideration of these factors, that Council: 1.      Undertake a review of the Cumberland Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan. 2.      Receive a report on the outcomes of the review for further consideration within 6 months. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Hamed, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Elmore, Garrard, Hughes, Saha and Yasar.

Min.837

Extension of Time

Motion (Sarkis/Zaiter) That Council in accordance with Clause 18.2 of the Code of Meeting Practice, extend the meeting by 1 hour to conclude at 11:00pm, or if an item being discussed is unfinished at 11:00pm, at the conclusion of that item. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.

Min.838

C11/24-25 Notice of Motion - Granville Pool Gardens

Motion (Garrard/Hughes) That: 1.      Resulting from a lack of respect for the local environs of Granville Pool and the public domain, that the General Manager take immediate action to resolve this matter; 2.      The General Manager report as to why this problem remained during the first 6 hours of the operation of the pool; and 3.      The General Manager take the necessary action to ensure there are no repeat performances of such poor performance into the future. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.

Min.839

C11/24-26 Notice of Motion - 109A Church Street, Lidcombe

Motion (Hughes/Garrard) That Council: 1.      Provide a written update of this status to residents who had placed objections to the previous DA (DA2023/0130). 2.      Provide a document to residents of Lidcombe indicating this status. 3.      Ensure all material is provided in multilingual material, with an emphasis on English, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. 4.      Outsources the assessment of the DA, so there is no contradictory positioning by Council. 5.      Holds a public meeting to provide upfront information, articulating the update and DA processing which will occur upon its acceptance. ADJOURNMENT 10:07pm        The Mayor, Councillor Hamed adjourned the meeting to seek legal advice in relation to the Motion. 10:24pm         The Mayor, Councillor Hamed resumed the meeting. Debate subsequently resumed. Amendment  (Rahme/Christou) Replace points 1-5 with the below: That the matter be deferred pending further advice in relation to the legality of Council’s involvement in the DA. The Amendment on being Put was declared LOST. Councillor(s) For the Amendment:           Christou, Kafrouni-Saba and Rahme. Councillor(s) Against the Amendment:    Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Ouf, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang and Yasar. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Saha, Selventhiran, Yang and Yasar. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Christou and Rahme. Councillor Elmore left the Meeting at 9:46pm during the consideration of this item. Councillor Christou left the Meeting at 9:46pm and returned to the Meeting at 9:46pm during the consideration of this item. Councillor Ouf left the Meeting at 9:55pm and returned to the Meeting at 9:56pm during the consideration of this item. Councillor Zaiter left the Meeting at 10:05pm during the consideration of this item. Councillor Sarkis left the Meeting at 10:27pm during the consideration of this item.

Min.840

C11/24-27 Notice of Motion - Naming of Rooms at Heritage Centre, Granville

Motion (Garrard/Hughes) That Council acknowledge the contribution of June and Barry Bullivant to the Cumberland community for their dedication to the areas’ ‘heritage and their appreciation and concern toward the conservation of Granville’s 19th Century history by naming the rooms which are presently leased to the Granville Historical Society, the June and Barry Bullivant Rooms. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil. Councillors Elmore, Sarkis and Zaiter returned to the Meeting at 10:30pm during the consideration of this item.

Min.841

C11/24-28 Notice of Motion - Lidcombe Community Hub/Town Centre

Motion (Yang/Hughes) That: 1.   The General Manager prepare a report to a future Council meeting detailing the following: a.   Options to renew or develop the Lidcombe Community Hub site including the Library and Community Centre within the Lidcombe Town Centre; b.   Options for the provision of additional parking in the Lidcombe Town Centre; c.   Funding options for the proposed upgrade or redevelopment of the Lidcombe Community hub; and d.   Number of secondary schools in close proximity to the Lidcombe Town Centre. 2.   Following receipt of the above report, Council write to Local State and Federal MP’s, seeking their advocacy and support to progress any actions. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil. Councillor Rahme left the Meeting at 10:39pm during the consideration of this item.

Min.842

C11/24-29 Notice of Motion - Intersection of Grafton Street and Old Prospect Rd, Greystanes

Motion (Sarkis/Ouf) That: 1.      Council resolve to investigate the implementation of a Stop sign at the intersection of Grafton St and Old Prospect Rd Greystanes. 2.      Refer the matter to the Traffic Committee for consideration at the next meeting. 3.      The appropriate budget be identified as part of the above report. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.

Min.843

C11/24-30 Notice of Motion - Cumberland Heritage Centre

Motion (Garrard/Hughes) That Council consider the establishment of a Cumberland Heritage Centre using the premise of the former Granville Library, and that this matter be considered when formulating the 2025/26 Operational Plan. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba, Ouf, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.

	C11/24-32 Questions on Notice - Submitted by Councillor Garrard
Note: Council received the answers to these questions as published in the Business Paper for this Ordinary Council Meeting (13 November 2024).

Min.844

Matter of Urgency – Councillor Sarkis

In accordance with Clause 9.3(b) of the adopted Code of Meeting Practice, the Mayor ruled that the business raised without notice by Councillor Sarkis in relation to maintenance issues in Pemulwuy be heard by Council as a matter of urgency, as it requires a decision by the Council before the next scheduled ordinary meeting.   Motion (Sarkis/Saha) That in accordance with Clause 9.3(a) of the adopted Code of Meeting Practice, the business raised by Councillor Sarkis in relation to issues in Pemulwuy be considered at this meeting as a Matter of Urgency. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba,Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil. Councillor Rahme returned to the Meeting at 10:45pm during the consideration of this matter.

Min.845

Matter of Urgency – Maintenance in Pemulwuy

Motion (Sarkis/Saha) That: 1. Although maintenance team have reported that algae has no negative effects on the water way and wildlife within Pemulwuy, that Council as a matter of urgency attend to this algae by treating it appropriately and ensuring that Council do not end up in a situation of infestation of any sort. 2. The chain wire/hurricane fencing which has 3 major holes, be urgently repaired through Warin Ave and Durawi St Pemulwuy. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba,Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil. Councillor Rahme returned to the Meeting at 10:45pm during the consideration of this matter.

Min.846

Matter of Urgency – Councillor Garrard

In accordance with Clause 9.3(b) of the adopted Code of Meeting Practice, the Mayor ruled that the business raised without notice by Councillor Garrard in relation to the provision of sponsorship be heard by Council as a matter of urgency, as it requires a decision by the Council before the next scheduled ordinary meeting.   Motion (Garrard/Hughes) That in accordance with Clause 9.3(a) of the adopted Code of Meeting Practice, the business raised by Councillor Garrard in relation to the provision of sponsorship be considered at this meeting as a Matter of Urgency. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED Unanimously. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Christou, Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Kafrouni-Saba,Ouf, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang, Yasar and Zaiter. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Nil.

Min.847

Matter of Urgency – Sponsorship

Motion (Garrard/Hughes) That Council provide sponsorship to ‘Beyond The Horizon’ to a value of $1,000.00 from the operational budget. The Motion on being Put was declared CARRIED. Councillor(s) For the Motion:                     Elmore, Garrard, Hamed, Hughes, Ouf, Saha, Sarkis, Selventhiran, Yang and Yasar. Councillor(s) Against the Motion:              Christou, Kafrouni-Saba, Rahme and Zaiter.

The Mayor, Councillor Hamed closed the meeting at 10:58pm.

Chairperson___________________

Appendix 1 - C11/24-15 Community Grants - Round 1 2024/2025 Funding Recommendations – Successful Applicants

Funding Stream/App No.	Organisation	Project Name	Project Description	Amount recommended	Assessment Panel Comments
Small Grants 24SGR10001	The Provisional Parish of Guildford with Villawood	Public access defibrillator	The project is the installation of a Public Access Defibrillator on the premises of Guildford Anglican Church strategically located at the corner of the main Guildford Road and Bolton Street. This will be accessible and available to all members of the public in event of anyone in the area suffering cardiac arrest.	$2,000	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria, had a detailed budget, and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes.
Small Grants 24SGR10007	BERALA PUBLIC SCHOOL P&C ASSOCIATION	Berala Public School P&C Colour Run	The annual P&C Colour Run will take place on the school grounds and is a fun end-of-year activity that increases engagement with students, teachers and parent volunteers. It is free for students to attend, to enable all students to participate in the event. Our fundraising activities include selling show bags and various treats, which can be purchased from the canteen, which is also operated by the P&C. This popular event is easy and simple to implement and requires minimum resources from the school and parent volunteers.	$1,996.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes. Funding recommended with the note that the final amount has been rounded to a whole dollar value.
Small Grants 24SGR10011	GRANVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC	Family and Local History information enquiries	The project is to focus on a project to provide assistance of local history and heritage enquiries though the subscription to Ancestry and FindMyPast where the records can now be accessed electronically and via a paid subscription. Information will be able to be digitised and added to local council and historical society databases. Increasing requests are coming through which will enhance the access to Granville local and family history - and currently cannot be fully researched without access to these records.	$1,999.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria, had a detailed budget, and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes.
Small Grants 24SGR10013	MCCREDIE PARK AQUATICS SWIMMING CLUB INCORPORATED	Interclub Cup Swim Meet Funding	Annually there is a swimming meet held between McCredie Park Aquatics Swim Club, Merrylands Aquatics Swim Club and Parramatta City Swim Club. This year we will be holding this meet at Wentworthville pool on Saturday 9 November 2024. We are hoping this grant will go towards assisting us to cover some of the costs associated with running this meet.	$1,957.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes. Funding recommended with the note that the final amount has been rounded to a whole dollar value.
Employment and Education Pathways 24EEPR10006	IMMIGRANT WOMEN'S SPEAKOUT ASSOCIATION OF NEW SOUTH WALES INC	Baking Bliss - You are your own Boss	Several refugee and migrant women, supported by SpeakOut, face challenges in securing employment due to language barrier. This project aims to empower them by providing them skills and knowledge necessary to start their own baking businesses. The program focuses on the practical aspects of baking and business management, demonstrating that fluency in English is not a prerequisite for success in the baking industry.  Participants will learn to:  • Bake cupcakes and muffins.  • Bake large cakes.  • Decorate cakes with professional-level icing skills.  • Obtain Food Safety Supervisor certificate.  • Seek guidance from ServiceNSW, local council on starting a business.	$14,131.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes. Partial funding recommended based on budget.
Employment and Education Pathways 24EEPR10013	LIONS CLUB OF PARRAMATTA INC	Dignity Days: Empowering her health	"Dignity Days: Empowering Her Health" aims to transform periods into pathways of opportunity. Our mission is to expand access to menstrual care and education by building global partnerships, supporting social enterprises, mobilizing volunteers, and developing innovative, sustainable solutions. We focus on breaking down stigma and barriers for women and girls. The project will run two programs, each lasting six weeks, to provide essential menstrual products and education, empower women, and create lasting change in communities.	$6,104.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes. Partial funding recommended based on budget.
Community Participation 24CPR10002	ST. VINCENT'S CLINIC as the operator of a PBI	Exit Packages for Independant Accommodation	We will provide more comprehensive exit packages for mothers and children moving from our facility to independent accommodation - basic bed linen & towels, grocery & petrol vouchers, and allowance for Open Support to contribute to a rental bond/first month's rent if needed. Currently we only have capacity to provide most clients (not all) with limited resources on exit (basic kitchen items and some essential toiletry consumables).  This project expands this to ensure we adequately set clients up for longer term independence, safety and empowerment, reducing likelihood of homelessness or return to perpetrator.	$14,000.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes.
Community Participation 24CPR10016	ACCESSIBLE DIVERSITY SERVICES INITIATIVE LIMITED	Learn to Swim for Refugee Women	The project will provide a 20-week swimming program for 40 women from refugee backgrounds who live in Cumberland LGA to learn to swim and enhance their mental and physical wellbeing. These newly arrived refugees otherwise don't have the opportunity to learn to swim and learn about water safety due to affordability and gender perceptions. The project will also provide a pathway to employment for those who demonstrate willingness and capabilities to pursue a career in aquatics such as becoming a lifeguard or swimming/water fitness instructor.	$12,000.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes. Partial funding recommended due to only eligible budget items being funded as per guidelines.
Community Participation 24CPR10017	AFGHAN WOMEN SUPPORT ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED	Afghan Women Empowerment Program	Our project led by AWSA focuses on empowering Afghan women in the Cumberland area. We will offer weekly educational classes and counselling sessions tailored to young mothers often isolated at home. These classes aim to educate women about their rights, enhancing their awareness and self-confidence. Counselling sessions will address mental health needs, facilitated by professionals who share the cultural and linguistic background of the participants, ensuring effective communication and support. By addressing both educational and mental health needs, this initiative seeks to foster a supportive community where Afghan women can thrive, participate more actively in society improve their overall well-being.	$7,739.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes. Partial funding recommended due to gaps in quotations and only eligible budget items being funded as per guidelines.
Community Participation 24CPR10020	ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA (NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH)	CALD Adults Learn To Swim	Royal Life Saving NSW (RLSNSW), in collaboration with Cumberland City Council Swim Centres and Women's Welfare Australia, will deliver a comprehensive 10 week swimming and water safety program tailored for 40 culturally diverse adults residing in Cumberland. By combining education with engagement, this program aims to impart fundamental swimming skills, build water safety knowledge and serve as a platform for locals to forge lasting connections and strengthen community ties. This program will cultivate water confidence and impart essential survival skills, marking the first experience with public pools and water safety education for many participants.	$10,650.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes. Partial funding recommended due to only eligible budget items being funded as per guidelines.
Community Participation 24CPR10023	HEARTDANCERS	Rhythm is Life: Connecting through Dance,  Drumming and Visual Arts.	Our project aims to increase social connectedness and improve the wellbeing of older people in Cumberland LGA through inclusive, and culturally appropriate community dance, drumming, and visual arts workshops. We will explore different cultures through these creative mediums. We are committed to engaging older individuals, especially from First Nations and CALD backgrounds, fostering high-quality relationships, and promoting vital social connections. Our approach ensures safe, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive activities to enhance participants' overall wellbeing. We will also engage local CALD artists/facilitators, providing them with income opportunities to lead the program.	$10,160.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes.
Community Participation 24CPR10031	Walking Football NSW Incorporated	Introduction and Development of WalkSoccer for Seniors, People with Disabilities, and/or Socially withdrawn or isolated	Walking Football NSW Inc. (NFP) t/a WalkSoccer proposes to conduct a series of “Come and Try” WalkSoccer sessions where the community, primarily women aged at least 40 years old and men at least 50 years old, can play in a no-contact, safe game managed by a team of competent WalkSoccer volunteers to allow players to garnish interest to participate in weekly session of WalkSoccer within the local Council area.	$2,028.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes. Partial funding recommended due to gaps in budget detail in some areas.
Community Participation 24CPR10033	SYDNEY SCHOOL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP LIMITED	Invest In Yourself	Invest In Yourself is a two-day culturally safe, sensitive and trauma-informed program that combines financial literacy with entrepreneurship to help women impacted by domestic and family violence gain confidence and knowledge of money budgeting and management, uncover their own skills and strengths, and explore how to grow these into a successful business.	$13,871.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes.
Community Participation 24CPR10039	Orphans and Widows West Africa (O.W.W.A) Incorporated	The Harmony House Project: A Safe Community Hub for Vulnerable and At-Risk Women	The Harmony House project aims to create a nurturing and empowering environment for vulnerable and at-risk CALD women. Our mission is to provide essential resources, guidance, capacity building, social cohesion and a sense of belonging to help women rebuild their lives, achieve self-sufficiency, and foster a supportive community. Our holistic approach ensures that women receive immediate relief and long-term support to thrive independently.	$11,833.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes. Partial funding recommended due to only eligible budget items being funded as per guidelines, or items that do not contribute to the project's core objectives.
Community Participation 24CPR10046	Australia Nepal Public Link Incorporated	Mental Health Literacy training for Nepali speaking and broader community members in Cumberland City Council catchment area	Mental Health challenges including the thought of Suicide are experienced by many Nepalese Australians who have low help-seeking behaviour due to poor mental health literacy. The Standard Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health First Aid Conversations About Suicide courses are evidence-based training courses available for the general public. These courses teach participants how to identify, approach, and support someone experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours using a practical, evidence-based Action Plan. Participants practice the skills taught in a safe environment and are guided by an experienced Instructor. Interested community members will attend training by completing an expression of interest form.	$12,770.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes. Partial funding recommended due to expenses that do not demonstrate effective value for money.
Community Participation 24CPR10049	WESTERN SYDNEY COMMUNITY CENTRE INCORPORATED	Twenty for Plenty - essential food voucher	Every week WSCC's Food Pantry provides green groceries and other daily essential food to the people who have no income or low income. The proposed 'Twenty for Plenty - essential food voucher' will be an extension program of WSCC's food Pantry project. The new program will provide a voucher of $20 from Woolworth to the families who do not have any source of income. Each family will receive a voucher every week up to 3 months. The voucher will be only used to purchase healthy and nutritious food.	$15,000.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes.
Community Participation 24CPR10068	Rainbow Crossing Incorporated	Young Champions Leadership Workshop	The Young Champions Leadership Workshop is a free, interactive program for the 100 Finalists of the highly successful Cumberland Young Champions Awards, aimed at inspiring young people 18 years and below to develop leadership skills. Through engaging activities, group discussions, and practical exercises, participants will learn key principles such as effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making. The workshop focuses on building confidence, fostering responsibility, and encouraging initiative in both community and personal life. By the end, attendees will better understand their strengths and gain the tools needed to become proactive and impactful leaders in our community.	$4,000.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes. Partial funding recommended due to expenses that do not contribute to project core objectives.
Community Participation 24CPR10069	SYDNEY TAMIL MANRAM INC	Let's Connect Together For a Better Mental Health and Well- Being with Traditional Music and Folk Art Forms	This project aims to contribute to the overall well-being of kids and adults by encouraging them to reduce screen-time and engage in offline activities like music and folk arts. By replacing screen-time with these activities, participants can improve their concentration, attention skills, build community connections, get an expressive outlet for their creativity, fostering better emotional well-being. This initiative will be available for all genders and age groups, promoting social interactions and increasing the individual’s sense of belonging in the community. The expected outcome is a healthier, happier and more connected community with reduced stress and enhanced social engagement.	$8,635.00	Applicant has met all eligibility criteria and demonstrated clear project aims and outcomes.