Late Agenda of Council Meeting - Wednesday, 26 February 2025

Councillor Contact Details

Granville Ward
Clr Steve Christou	0419 651 187	Steve.Christou@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Joseph Rahme	0418 995 471	Joseph.Rahme@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Ola Hamed (Mayor)	0405 070 007	Ola.Hamed@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Greystanes Ward
Clr Dr Diane Colman	0400 279 200	Diane.Colman@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Eddy Sarkis	0425 348 000	Eddy.Sarkis@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Nadima Kafrouni-Saba	0447 605 158	Nadima.KafrouniSaba@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Regents Park Ward
Clr Enver Yasar	0497 428 929	Enver.Yasar@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Helen Hughes	0400 264 534	Helen.Hughes@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Steve Yang	0448 836 197	Steve.Yang@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
South Granville Ward
Clr Paul Garrard	0414 504 504	Paul.Garrard@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Ahmed Ouf	0436 936 553	Ahmed.Ouf@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Glenn Elmore	0418 459 527	Glenn.Elmore@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Wentworthville Ward
Clr Michael Zaiter (Deputy Mayor)	0418 432 797	Michael.Zaiter@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Suman Saha	0419 546 950	Suman.Saha@cumberland.nsw.gov.au
Clr Sujan Selventhiran	0427 104 940	Sujan.Selventhiran@cumberland.nsw.gov.au

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

26 February 2025

Item No: MM02/25-8

Mayoral Minute - Recognising the Contributions of Antoine 'Tony' Issa OAM

Author: Mayor Ola Hamed

Summary

It is with profound respect that this evening, we reflect upon the political career and significant contributions of Antoine "Tony" Issa OAM, a distinguished member of our community whose dedication to public service has left a positive mark on both local government and the broader political landscape.

Born on 14 August 1955 in Lebanon, Tony migrated to Australia in 1973 with his father, as one of seven children, becoming an Australian citizen in 1976. Deeply committed to community development, he held several key positions, including notably:

• Treasurer (1984–1987) and President (1987–1991) of the Granville Multicultural Centre

• Board Member of the Australian Lebanese Welfare Group (2004–2008)

• School Representative on the Catholic Diocesan Parramatta Regional Council

• Member of the Bicentenary Committee (1988)

• Board Member of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC)

• Chairman of the Sister City Organisation.

His unwavering commitment to fostering multicultural understanding and community cohesion was evident through these roles.

Tony's political journey commenced with his election to the Parramatta City Council in 1988. Serving as an independent councillor until 1998, he then continued his service under the Liberal Party banner from 1998 to 2012. Demonstrating leadership, he was appointed Deputy Mayor from 2000 to 2001 and achieved the historic milestone of becoming the first Liberal Party Lord Mayor in New South Wales, serving from September 2008 to September 2009.

In 2011, Tony contested the seat of Granville in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, and was elected, securing the seat with 52.7% of the two-party vote. He served as the State Member for Granville until 2015, advocating for the interests of his constituents.

In recognition of his extensive service to local government and the Lebanese community, Tony was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1995. Further acknowledging his over two decades of dedication to the Parramatta City Council, he received the Order of Local Government in 2007.

Residing in Merrylands as a Cumberland local, Tony is married to wife Sue, with four children, including Steven Issa, Councillor and former Lord Mayor and Deputy Mayor of City of Parramatta Council.

Given Tony’s extensive contributions to the local community, it is only befitting that we mark his contributions within Granville. There is no better place to do this, than the Councillor rooms adjoining our iconic and heritage listed Granville Town Hall. This is a historic site where the foundation stone for the Town Hall was laid on the 5^th September 1888, and the Council chambers officially opened on 16^th January 1889. Following the amalgamation of local councils in 1949, Granville Town Hall site became part of the City of Parramatta, where Tony served as a Councillor from 1988 to 2012.

Therefore Councillors, tonight I move:

Recommendation

That Council:

1. Congratulate Antoine ‘Tony’ Issa OAM on a distinguished career within Australian politics and for his contributions to the community;

2. Name the Councillor office space adjoining Granville Town Hall after Antoine ‘Tony’ Issa, in recognition of his contributions to the community; and

3. Provide a copy of this Mayoral Minute to the Issa family and invite the family to a civic function to unveil the naming.

Attachments

Nil

Council Meeting

26 February 2025

Item No: MM02/25-9

Mayoral Minute - Federal Government Funding Announcement for Upgrade of Toongabbie Bridge

Author: Mayor Ola Hamed

Summary

Our community has long voiced concerns about the congestion at Toongabbie Bridge. The Bridge is a critical connection for the residents of Western Sydney, playing a key role in traffic movement between Parramatta and Seven Hills, as well as providing essential access through to Westmead Hospital. As one of the few crossings over the rail line and the only local link to major arterial roads—including Seven Hills Road, Prospect Highway, and the Cumberland and Great Western Highways—the bridge is a vital part of our transport network.

At 78 years old, with only a single lane in each direction, the bridge has long been identified as a congestion hotspot, particularly during peak periods. Recognising this, yesterday the Federal Government announced that $25 million of funding would be provided to Cumberland City Council and City of Parramatta Council to enable this critical project to become a reality.

Monday’s funding announcement is much welcomed news for many residents and motorists who have endured the delays and frustrations for many years. This investment will complement Council’s planned public domain upgrades for the Toongabbie town centre, further enhancing the area’s accessibility and liveability.

The planned upgrades are expected to include intersection improvements and lane widening. This will not only enhance traffic flow but also support economic growth and improve liveability for residents and motorists of Toongabbie and its surrounds. This is also a great outcome for pedestrian and cyclist safety. With the Cumberland, Blacktown, and Parramatta Local Government Areas expected to experience significant population and economic growth, the demand on our local transport infrastructure will continue to be under immense stress, and this funding announcement is welcomed.

I extend our gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Hon. Anthony Albanese, the
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government the Hon. Catherine King for this announcement. I also extend our gratitude to Dr Andrew Charlton – Member for Parramatta, former Mayor of this Council, Lisa Lake and Councillors for advocating for this important project, and for helping secure this significant investment for the future of our community. The Cumberland community will greatly benefit from this infrastructure project.

I look forward to Cumberland City Council working closely with all stakeholders to see this project come to fruition to deliver this much required infrastructure upgrade.

Therefore Councillors, tonight I move:

Recommendation

That Council:

1. Note the Mayoral Minute;

2. Write to the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Anthony Albanese and the
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government the Hon. Catherine King, expressing Councils gratitude for the $25 million funding announcement for the upgrade of Toongabbie Bridge.

3. Write to the Federal Member for Parramatta Dr Andrew Charlton, expressing Council’s gratitude to him and his Office for advocating for this important project funding.

Attachments

Nil