Council Meeting
Wednesday, 30 April 2025 at 6:00 PM
Cumberland City Council Chambers
Merrylands Service Centre, 16 Memorial Avenue, Merrylands
Council Meeting
Wednesday, 30 April 2025 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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0405 070 007 |
Ola.Hamed@cumberland.nsw.gov.au |
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Clr Steve Christou |
0419 651 187 |
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Clr Joseph Rahme |
0418 995 471 |
Joseph.Rahme@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
30 April 2025
MM04/25-12 Mayoral Minute - Passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis.............................................. 4
MM04/25-13 Mayoral Minute - 2025 Mayoral Cricket Challenge - Cumberland City Council Vs City of Parramatta Council................................. 6
MM04/25-14 Mayoral Minute - Establishment of the Annual Mayoral Sports Awards Program..... 8
MM04/25-15 Mayoral Minute - Establishment of the Annual Mayoral Civic Pride Awards Program 10
MM04/25-16 Mayoral Minute - Toy Library Draft Fees and Service Expansion.................................... 12
30 April 2025
Item No: MM04/25-12
Mayoral Minute - Passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis
Author: Mayor Ola Hamed
Summary
I was very saddened to learn that His Holiness, Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He died peacefully in his residence at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. On behalf of Cumberland City Council, I’d like to convey Councils deepest condolences on his passing.
Pope Francis was a moral voice not just for Catholics, but for the global community — a man of humility, compassion, and unwavering commitment to justice, peace, and inclusion. His papacy was marked by a call to embrace the marginalised, to welcome the excluded, and to care for both our neighbours and people all over the world. He is famously quoted as saying: “The Church is not a tollhouse; it is the house of the Father, where there is a place for everyone, with all their problems.”
His passing occurred on Easter Monday — a time of renewal, hope, and resurrection in the Christian tradition. As we grieve the loss of this extraordinary leader, we are reminded of the Easter message and wish our community who celebrated, a Happy Easter. From sorrow emerges hope, and from endings, new beginnings.
The Cumberland community is enriched by many thriving faiths and cultures, who all come together in harmony. The local influence and values of the late Pope Francis are shared across our entire community, and our community mourns this immense loss.
As a gesture of respect and to allow our community to share in mourning and remembrance, I propose that books of condolence be opened at Council’s Customer Service Centres, allowing residents to pay tribute and reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis.
May Pope Francis rest in peace, and may we all continue to espouse and demonstrate those values that have so positively influenced the world through his actions.
Vale Pope Francis.
Therefore Councillors, tonight I move the following:
That Council:
1. Acknowledge with deep sadness the passing of the late His Holiness Pope Francis, and recognise his many profound contributions to the global community.
2. Open books of condolence at Council’s Customer Service Centres, allowing residents to pay tribute and reflect on the life and legacy of the late Pope Francis.
3. Make a donation of $2,000 to Caritas Australia Limited (ABN: 90 970 605 069) to honour the legacy of the late Pope Francis from the Emergency Relief Fund.
4. Observe a Minute of Silence in honour of his life.
Attachments
Nil
30 April 2025
Item No: MM04/25-13
Mayoral Minute - 2025 Mayoral Cricket Challenge - Cumberland City Council Vs City of Parramatta Council
Author: Mayor Ola Hamed
Summary
On Saturday the 5th April 2025, Cumberland City Council hosted the City of Parramatta Council in the 2025 Mayoral Cricket Challenge at Mona Park, Auburn.
After winning the coin toss, we sent Parramatta in to bat. Our team of Councillors and staff played a great game, led by our team Captain and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Michael Zaiter.
The Cumberland City Council team showed amazing skill in the field, as we bowled City of Parramatta out for 61 runs in 16 overs.
In our own innings, the team did an amazing job in leading us to victory, reaching the 62 run target in just 12 overs, with only 3 wickets down.
Thank you to our winning team, comprising of Clr Zaiter, Clr Saha, Clr Garrard, Clr Selven, Clr Kafrouni-Saba, Clr Christou and myself representing the elected Council, as well as a special mention to Council officers Jai Shankar, Saravanan Sivakumar, Praven Uthayanathan, Inderjit Pabla, Bahauddin Ahamed and Danny Bourchdan.
Personally, I really enjoyed my first game of cricket, and I had a great day. A big thank you also to Council officer Siva Sivakumar for volunteering to be our scorer for the day.
I’d also like to send a special thank you to Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter and the entire City of Parramatta Council team for being part of yet another competitive and fun annual cricket match. The cricket match was full of fun, banter and a lot of skill from both sides. I also hope that Lord Mayor Zaiter has had a swift recovery, after he required special medical attention for a suspected hamstring injury immediately after realising that his team were well on their way to defeat!
The Mayoral Cricket Challenge traditionally involves a charity component, where the Mayor of the winning team nominates a charity of their choice, to which matching donations of $2,000 are made by both Councils. As the winning team, I have chosen Parramatta Women’s Shelter as the nominated charity for this donation, for their important ongoing work in establishing emergency housing for victims of domestic and family violence in Cumberland.
I am pleased that this organisation will receive two donations, totalling $4,000 as a result of the 2025 Mayoral Cricket Challenge. In addition to this, I am proposing a further $2,000 in kind donation, to support the fantastic work this organisation does within our community.
Therefore Councillors, tonight I move the following:
Recommendation
That Council:
1. Congratulate all participating Councillors and Staff from Cumberland City Council and City of Parramatta Council for their engagement in the 2025 Mayoral T20 Cricket Challenge;
2. Make a donation of $4,000 to Parramatta Women’s Shelter Inc. (ABN 71841699780) from the Emergency Relief Fund; and
3. Send a copy of this Mayoral Minute to the City of Parramatta Council Lord Mayor.
Attachments
Nil
30 April 2025
Item No: MM04/25-14
Mayoral Minute - Establishment of the Annual Mayoral Sports Awards Program
Author: Mayor Ola Hamed
Summary
Sport is an essential pillar of community life in our Council. It brings people together, promotes health and wellbeing, teaches valuable life skills, and fosters a sense of belonging and pride.
Cumberland City Council is home to many sports participants, with over 170 clubs participating in sport across the Local Government Area. Participation rates though Ausplay, the Australian sport and physical activity participation survey indicate that there are over 20,000 participants in organised community sports across Cumberland.
Recognising and celebrating the achievements within local sport is vital to supporting continued participation, encourage excellence, and acknowledge the invaluable role sport plays in shaping our community.
I am proposing that Council establish a Mayoral Sports Awards Program, to be held annually, to recognise and celebrate outstanding sporting achievements and contributions within our local government area.
The Awards would be open to individuals, teams, clubs, and organisations across all levels of sport — from grassroots to elite — and could include categories such as:
· Junior Sportsperson of the Year
· Senior Sportsperson of the Year
· Team of the Year
· Coach of the Year
· Volunteer/Administrator of the Year
· Sporting Organisation or Club of the Year
· Inclusion and Diversity in Sport Award
· Outstanding Contribution to Community Sport
An annual awards event, hosted by the Mayor, would provide an opportunity to publicly celebrate our sporting community’s successes, promote local pride, and further strengthen community spirit.
It is intended that the program be developed in consultation with local sporting bodies and community representatives to ensure it is inclusive, accessible, and appropriately reflective of our community’s sporting landscape.
Therefore Councillors, tonight I move the following:
Recommendation
That Council:
1. Endorse the establishment of the annual Cumberland City Council - Mayoral Sports Awards Program to recognise community excellence and local contributions to sport;
2. Requests the General Manager develop the program framework, including nomination processes, eligibility criteria, judging guidelines, event details and promotional strategies; and
3. Launch the program in 2025 funded through the community reserve, with the program to be included in the operational budget annually.
Attachments
Nil
30 April 2025
Item No: MM04/25-15
Mayoral Minute - Establishment of the Annual Mayoral Civic Pride Awards Program
Author: Mayor Ola Hamed
Summary
Civic pride is the foundation of a strong, vibrant, and welcoming community. The way our neighbourhoods, homes, and gardens are cared for says so much about the spirit and pride of our residents. Across Cumberland City Council, many individuals and families dedicate significant time and effort to creating beautiful, well-maintained properties that contribute to the overall character, amenity, and appeal of our city.
It is important that we as a community, recognise and celebrate those efforts. Encouraging civic pride not only rewards those who actively contribute, but also inspires others to enhance their surroundings, fostering a greater sense of community ownership, environmental stewardship, and neighbourhood pride.
I propose that Council establish an annual Mayoral Civic Pride Awards Program to formally recognise residents who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the care and presentation of their homes and gardens.
The Awards could include categories such as:
· Best Lawn Presentation
· Best Residential Garden
· Best Sustainable Garden (recognising environmentally friendly practices)
· Best Street Appeal
· Community Spirit Award (for collective neighbourhood beautification projects)
This program would provide an opportunity to highlight the positive efforts of our residents, promote civic pride across all neighbourhoods, and enhance the overall appearance and reputation of Cumberland City Council.
It is intended that the program be open to all residents, with nominations accepted from individuals, neighbours, community groups, and Council officers.
Winners would be recognised annually at a special civic ceremony hosted by the Mayor, with recipients receiving certificates, prizes, and public recognition through Council’s communication channels.
Therefore Councillors tonight I move:
Recommendation
That Council:
1. Endorses the establishment of an annual Mayoral Civic Pride Awards Program to recognise outstanding residential presentation and community pride; and
2. Requests the General Manager develop the program framework, including nomination processes, eligibility criteria, judging guidelines, event details and promotional strategies.
Attachments
Nil
30 April 2025
Item No: MM04/25-16
Mayoral Minute - Toy Library Draft Fees and Service Expansion
Author: Mayor Ola Hamed
Summary
The Wentworthville Toy Library is a valuable resource that supports early childhood development, sustainability, and community connection. It provides families with access to a wide range of quality toys and educational materials without the financial burden of individual purchase.
I acknowledge that membership and borrowing fees may act as a barrier to participation for some families, particularly those facing cost of living pressures.
Council would note that within the Draft Fees and Charges in tonight’s business paper recommended for public consultation, that it is proposed that the membership fee for the Wentworthville toy library be reduced to no cost. The financial impact of this initiative is minimal in the context of the overall budget, and represents a strong return on investment in terms of community wellbeing and engagement.
This aligns with Council’s commitment to:
· Support families and young children;
· Promote lifelong learning and play;
· Encourage sustainable consumption and reuse; and
· Enhancing access to community services.
I have also instructed the General Manager to expand the toy library service across the local government area, to ensure that all Cumberland residents irrespective of their location have local access to borrow such toys. With a toy library being established at Granville and Lidcombe libraries, Council can ensure that this highly subscribed service can be accessible to all within Cumberland.
Therefore Councillors, tonight I move:
Recommendation
That Council:
1. Note the Mayoral Minute.
2. Establish a toy library service at Granville and Lidcombe libraries, funded from the community reserve.
Attachments