​

The City of Canterbury Bankstown has claimed Local Government NSW’s 2021 AR Bluett Award.

Described as “the greatest accolade a council can achieve” and “the pinnacle of local government achievement”, the annual AR Bluett Awards recognise the most progressive councils in the state.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said he was honoured Council had been given the prestigious award.

“This is a fantastic achievement to take out this award after the year we have just endured,” Mayor Asfour said.

“The entire City was subjected to harsh restrictions and lockdowns, but Council continued to deliver and exceed all expectations.

“I am so proud of the hard-working staff and the support by the entire community.”

Some of CBCity’s 2021 achievements include:

• Creating the state’s first Council-run online entertainment hub, CBTV;
• A focus on waste management, with the award-winning Closing the Loop on Waste project using artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect waste contamination and improve waste management, and the bringing in-house of Canterbury waste collection service;
• A partnership with CSIRO to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education and local employment;
• Increasing the annual community grants by $250,000;
• Supporting the community and local businesses during the COVID pandemic;
• Hosting an online commemoration for the ANZACs;
• Facilitating the construction of a $260 million university campus;
• Significant moves towards securing the financial sustainability of the Council;
• A partnership with South Western Sydney Local Health District to provided online fitness instruction for public fitness facilities in parks, helping people keep fit outdoors during COVID-19 restrictions;
• Holding the largest Citizenship Ceremony in NSW, inviting 2,021 new citizens; and
• Constructing a roundabout in 72 hours.

Council’s General Manager Matthew Stewart said he was immensely proud of his staff.

“Our staff and Councillors should be extremely proud of this achievement,” Mr Stewart said.

“They have clearly demonstrated a progressive and forward-thinking approach to all we do, at the same time having our communities needs and concerns at front of mind.

“We must build on this success and look to the future of making this City greater.”

In announcing the award, AR Bluett Awards Trustee Chairman Les McMahon said CBCity played a monumental part in helping its community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The City of Canterbury Bankstown is a remarkable council with its motto, ‘a council working hard and smart’, delivering innovative programs whilst its community withstood high bouts of both Delta and Omicron COVID,” Mr McMahon said.

“The delivery of programs focusing on closing the loop in waste management, healthy minds and bodies, encouraging female leaders in the community and undertaking the largest citizenship ceremony in Australia were but a few of the outstanding programs delivered by this innovative council.”