Meet The New WSROC President And Board

Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Brad Bunting has been elected as President of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Blacktown Civic Plaza on Thursday, November 21.

Joining him on the Executive Committee are:

• Senior Vice President Julie Griffiths, Blacktown City Councillor;

• Junior Vice President Amanda Kotlas, Hawkesbury City Councillor;

• Treasurer Mary Lyons-Buckett, Hawkesbury City Councillor.

Mr Bunting said he was delighted to have been given the opportunity to serve as WSROC President.

“Western Sydney is experiencing significant growth and cannot be ignored,” Mr Bunting said.

“It is essential that we address the equity challenges that face our region, including the development of infrastructure for our communities, our environmental sustainability, and community wellbeing.

“I am committed to fostering strong partnerships across all levels of government and with other stakeholders to ensure that Western Sydney thrives as a vibrant and inclusive community.”

Junior Vice President, Councillor Kotlash said she was very pleased to be continuing her role on the WSROC Executive.

“The people of Western Sydney need our collective advocacy and efforts to make sure that they get their fair share of resources in this rapidly growing region,” Ms Kotlash said.

“WSROC’s exhaustive advocacy as the peak body for councils in Western Sydney gives local government additional leverage with both state and federal governments, by us working together.

“For example, WSROC has recently achieved significant outcomes via the WestInvest program, including securing more than $536 million in reinvestment from the NSW Government’s WestConnex motorway scheme sale proceeds for a range of projects, including $121 million for the Hawkesbury City Council community for upgrades to cycleways, the Oasis Aquatic and Leisure Centre and Richmond Swimming Centre, the North Richmond Community Precinct and other projects.”

Ms Kotlash said that Greater Western Sydney’s population was growing at such a rate that it was expected to increase from its current 2.4 million to 4.1 million by 2041.

“WSROC has identified over $456 million in additional amenities needed by our communities, ranging from traffic lights to recreational facilities, to open space reserves to State Emergency Service (SES) facilities and more,” Ms Kotlash said.

“There’s no question that by working together, we can get better outcomes for our communities.”

When determining what “our fair share” is, Ms Kotlash said by presenting a common front when dealing with other levels of government, WSROC member councils and project partners not only get greater leverage in negotiations, but are able to develop mutually beneficial outcomes that not only advantage the entire region, but which take into account the special and distinctive characteristics of individual communities within Western Sydney, perhaps the most diverse population in Australia.

“As WSROC Junior Vice President, along with my Hawkesbury Council colleague Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett as WSROC Treasurer, we sit on the WSROC Board, giving us oversight of the very ambitious agenda that the new WSROC leadership team is both developing and implementing.

“These are very exciting times for WSROC and it is vital that the Hawkesbury community is represented.”

Member councils of WSROC are Blacktown City Council, Blue Mountains City Council, Cumberland City Council, Hawkesbury City Council and Liverpool City Council.

WSROC also partners with other Western Sydney councils on a wide range of projects to secure equity in infrastructure and services, to promote liveability and quality of life for Western Sydney communities.

• Topics:

• Community Groups
• Community