Skip to main content
Local News May 2025

Our newsletter letting you know what’s happening across our City

19 May 2025

Subscribe to our fortnightly eNewsletter to keep up with what’s happening in your community.

Mayor’s update

Dear Resident,

 
It has been a busy start to the year and Council has hit the ground running offering a wide range of activities and delivering on projects across our City. From upgrading play and open spaces, to investing in our town centres and ensuring our local roads meet our community’s expectations, our focus is on working hard to create a City you love.
 
There’s also a wide range of programs and events available like Help with Reading sessions at our Library and Knowledge Centres and group fitness classes at our Leisure and Aquatic Centres.
 
Also, did you know about the must-see places near you?
 
Read on to find out.
 
Regards, 

Mayor Bilal El-Hayek

Parks and sports fields upgrades

We’ve upgraded Deverall Park in Condell Park

The upgrade includes a new sheltered picnic areas, gym equipment, built-in tennis table and a playground. We’re also renewing the play equipment at Jim Ring Reserve in Birrong, which will open soon.

Recent upgrades at The Crest Sporting Complex in Bass Hill

The upgrades have improved playing conditions to last for years to come. The project includes resurfaced fields, upgraded lighting and drainage and irrigation, and enhanced turf to create a safer, more durable and competition- standard playing surface for local teams and future sporting events.

New fun and fitness at Bennett Park in Narwee

Whether you’re playing, working out, or just enjoying the outdoors, Bennett Park has something for everyone.

The new playground equipment features a smooth, safe rubber surface and is perfect for little explorers, while upgraded seating lets you relax in comfort. If you want to get active, check out the brand new fitness area featuring exercise stations which cater to all ages and abilities! 

More City upgrades

Deepwater Park upgrade

The foreshore and riverbank upgrade at Deepwater Park is now complete.
 
The project, funded by the NSW Government in association with the City of Canterbury Bankstown, included structural improvements to help stop erosion along the Georges River and protect valuable parkland, so the park is an enjoyable space for our community.
 
Plans are also underway for the construction of a major play space at Deepwater Park.

New pathway connection to Waterworth Park

Construction of the The Unwin Street Green Link project is now complete.

The project included improved pathway connections of the Cooks River and Wolli Creek Regional Park along the Two Valley Trail. The project included a new footpath to connect gaps between Waterworth Park and Unwin Street, improved drainage and realigned kerbs allowing space for new street trees, plus new seating and bike parking to create a welcoming space for our community.

Funded by the NSW Government’s Places to Road Program in association with City of Canterbury Bankstown.

Road safety upgrade in Padstow

A new roundabout at the intersection of Faraday Road and Doyle Road is now complete, improving traffic flow and reducing the speed limit to create a safer intersection for school children, pedestrians and drivers.

Fight against flooding

We’re addressing flooding concerns with a drainage upgrade in Starkey Street in Hurlstone Park. The project will improve stormwater management and involves installing a new drainage system, reconstructing kerb and gutter sections to assist with stormwater flow and prevent water buildup.

Turrella Reserve pedestrian bridge, Earlwood

We also worked in collaboration with Bayside Council on recent repairs following damage caused by the 2021 floods, essential protection works were carried out to stabilise the embankments and ensure long term durability. The project has reinforced the bridge’s foundation, improving safety.

Reducing high-risk flooding

Work on the major stormwater upgrade in Bankstown CBD is nearing completion.

The previous stormwater system only had capacity for a one-in-five-year flood, leaving properties and roads along the Appian Way and North Terrace vulnerable to high-risk flooding during heavy rain. This major upgrade increases drainage capacity twenty-fold, allowing for a one-in-a-hundred-year flood, greatly reducing flood risk and impacts in the area.

It will also help make way for the Bankstown Complete Streets Project.

Check out Riverwood’s newest play centre!
Looking for a fun and safe place for your little ones to play?
 
Morris Iemma Indoor Sport Centre’s new indoor play centre is perfect for children aged 0-8. With three exciting play areas, including soft play and a jungle gym, there’s something for every adventurer.
 
Parents can relax in the seating area, enjoy snacks and coffee from our kiosk and watch the fun. The play centre is open weekdays from 9.30am-3 pm, with party packages on weekends.
School safety and safer roads
We’re continuing to invest in safety around schools and local roads.
 
Significant upgrades have recently been completed outside Greenacre Christian College along Shellcote Road.
 
The upgrades include a new roundabout, speed hump and raised pedestrian crossing to improve traffic flow and make the school run safer for parents and students.
 
Greenacre Christian College principal, Susan Kusch, said “although the roundabout has only recently opened, we are already noticing a positive impact on traffic flow and safety at the intersection”.
 
Proudly funded by the NSW Government (Get NSW Active Program) in association with City of Canterbury Bankstown.
Have Your Say

Belmore Town Centre Upgrade

More exciting changes are coming to Belmore Town Centre!
 
Plans are underway for upgrades to enhance the public space and support our vibrant community. We’re in the early stages of developing a concept design with input from the community. When complete, we’ll be seeking further feedback on the design.
 
This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with City of Canterbury Bankstown.
 

Panania Library & Knowledge Centre

We’re in the final stages of developing a concept design for the new, state-of-the-art Panania Library and Knowledge Centre.

Funded by the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program in association with the City of Canterbury Bankstown.

 

Roberts Park Community Hub

The new Roberts Park Community Hub will be a vibrant focal point for Greenacre.

The multi-purpose facility will feature a new Library and Knowledge Centre, flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, playground, landscaping, car park and footpaths connecting to the Early Learning Centre, Greenacre Splash Park and Roberts Park sports field.

With the development application for the Community Hub approved, we are now progressing the design in preparation to tender for the construction.

We are also working through the design of the adjacent playground and outdoor spaces, which are jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Thriving Suburbs Program and the City of Canterbury Bankstown.

This phase of the project is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program in Association with the City of Canterbury Bankstown.

 

New spaces for Villawood

Construction is underway for the Thurina Community Centre in Villawood. The new facility will feature a multi-purpose hall, meeting rooms, kitchen, toilets, parents’ room, secured external courtyard, as well as landscaping and paths connecting to the existing car park and park.

Also in Villawood, Goondah Reserve will be getting an upgrade. Thanks to valuable community feedback, construction will start soon. The upgrade will become a contemporary recreational area and

play space that caters to individuals of all ages and abilities. The park will include a new playground, picnic tables and seating, a hard court area, exercise equipment, toilets and improved paths.

The Goondah Reserve upgrade is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program in association with the City of Canterbury Bankstown.

Illegal dumping reduced by half
We have successfully reduced illegal dumping by 50%.
 
We trialled a new approach at Saigon Place Bankstown and Punchbowl Town Centre that focused on working with businesses to make sure they have sufficient waste services.
 
Through education and enforcement plus increased patrols and camera monitoring - illegal dumping at these centres has reduced by half.
 
Now, we’ll be using this successful approach in more town centres to ensure cleaner, more inviting spaces for our community.
Earlwood resident receives OAM
Earlwood local Grand Master Hassan Iskandar was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in January for his outstanding service to Taekwondo.
 
His achievements were also celebrated at the February Council Meeting, where Mayor Bilal El-Hayek awarded him a Mayoral Certificate of Recognition.
 
Grand Master Iskander has dedicated more than 50 years of his life to the art of Taekwondo and other martial disciplines. A 9th degree black belt, he has guided the careers of many athletes, achieving success at national and international levels.
A young voice of CBCity
At only 16, Birrong resident, Adila, won CBCity’s 2024 Inspirational Youth Award and now she has told her inspirational story in CBCity’s podcast, Voices of CBCity.
 
Adila shares her journey of moving to Australia, forced to flee war at the age of 13. She reconnected with her family after years apart and is now settling into her new life. She talks to podcast hosts, James and Anna, about her fond childhood memories of living in Afghanistan and in her life now in Australia.

Where Interesting Happens brings you the best eateries, experiences and events near you.