Canterbury Bankstown

Please punt plastic pollution!
World Environment Day is once again a stark reminder of the devastating effects that plastic waste has on our natural environment. A message reinforced in this year’s campaign ‘#BeatPlasticPollution’.
A mind-blowing 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced across the globe every year, half of which is intended
to be used only once. But what most of us are not aware of is that an estimated 19-23 million tonnes ends up in our lakes, rivers and oceans.
Our Council has been leading the way in the phasing out of such single use plastics. In 2018, we committed to a staged phase out of plastics in all of our facilities and events.
We know that many of you are behind us in these efforts and have embraced recycling. But despite a number of education campaigns, I’m alarmed to learn that some people still aren’t recycling correctly.
The most common items mistakenly “recycled” are soft plastics, and a prime example is when people put all of their recyclables into a plastic bag before placing it in the yellow bin. When this happens, the whole bag ends up in landfill.
Punt the plastic! Put your recyclables in a cardboard box instead, or collect them in a container and just tip them into the yellow bin – they don’t need to be wrapped.
As for electronic waste, the safe way to recycle this is to take advantage
of our free drop-off event this Saturday 10 May.
I encourage you to clear out your cupboards and bring your old TVs, cameras, phones, hand tools and more to Council’s e-waste collection, and they might even be recycled into a variety of useful products.
I’m clearing out my garage and collecting my old electronic items
to drop off this weekend! For more information, and for a full list of
items that can be collected, visit
cb.city/Ewaste

I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the significance of this week, as we come together to observe National Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June).
National Reconciliation Week provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to reflect on how each of us can contribute to the journey of reconciliation in Australia.
You might be interested to learn that the dates of National Reconciliation Week commemorate two significant milestones in Australia’s reconciliation journey.
On the 27th of May 1967, over 90% of Australians voted yes to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be counted in the national census and subject to Commonwealth Laws. The largest ever ‘yes’ vote in Australian referendum history.
And the 3rd of June commemorates the 1992 high court Mabo decision – recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander occupation of Australia and acknowledging their rights to their land and waters.
I’m proud of our City’s rich aboriginal roots, dating back some 70,000 years, and I can happily say that we have come a long way towards reconciliation. We’re a City that acknowledges the original inhabitants of the land and makes every effort to work closely with this community.
Just last week, we participated in National Sorry Day with a special ceremony held at Bankstown Girls High School. We had the privilege of hearing from local Elders
Aunty Noeline Holten and Aunty Jennifer Newman, and reflected on how we can all play a part in the healing process of our people and nation.
For over 20 years, National Sorry Day has been an important time for us to face and acknowledge the actions of our Country’s past. It’s a time to recognise the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the power of saying ‘sorry’.
Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians, families and communities and we can all be a voice for reconciliation in our everyday lives. Together with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, let’s work to further strengthen a community where all members are truly equal partners in shaping this vibrant multicultural City.
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
MAYOR
31 May 2023
Dear Residents
Mayoral Message
@MayorBilalElHayek

What a first week on the job!
From meeting some of the wonderful residents in our City, to inspecting the projects happening around town – I couldn’t wait to get stuck into things.
And how timely that it also happened to be National Volunteers Week, an opportunity to thank the countless people who selflessly give up their time for our community – something very close to my heart.
Wednesdays are pretty special, when I get a chance to jump in the ute with a few of the Meals on Wheels volunteers and drop off food packages to our elderly locals. This week, I also got the chance to personally thank some of our regular helpers and hand out certificates and pins.
And during the week, we also recognised our wonderful SES volunteers with Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW) Day.
Over the years, I’ve worked with many amazing people at the Canterbury and Bankstown SES Units. Through
times of storms and flooding, major
car crashes, or rescuing someone’s
pet caught up a tree – you can always rely on them to be there to lend a helping hand.
Other events, included attending a Mayoral Summit on Waste, checking
on construction of kerb, gutter and footpaths at Roselands, looking over plans for a new playground at East Hills and attending a special multicultural coffee and talk event, which saw a number of diverse communities
come together.
But I was, most excited to host my
first Citizenship Ceremony yesterday
in Campsie, welcoming more than
300 new citizens. How good did it
feel that a kid who migrated to this
City at the age of 12, was able to swear in new migrants.
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
MAYOR
24 May 2023
Dear Residents
Mayoral Message
@MayorBilalElHayek

A dream come true!
Being elected Mayor of the City of Canterbury Bankstown is something
I have aspired to since coming to this beautiful country from Lebanon, some 24 years ago.
The realisation that no matter who you are, or from whatever background you come from, it is possible to achieve and reach your goal in life.
My story is not uncommon to many other migrants who have settled in this country. I arrived in 1999 as a 12-year-old, not speaking a word of English.
I attended several local schools before marrying and settling with my wife, Maysa, and four children at Greenacre.
My interest in politics, and the Labor party, was borne out of a desire to help those who have no voice, those struggling to make ends meet and to tackle social injustices and prejudices.
Being Mayor brings with it many new responsibilities and there is no doubt our City faces many challenges ahead. One thing you can be assured of, is I will continue to listen and do what I can within my remit.
It is my intention to get out and about and chat with as many of you as possible – from town centres, to local neighbourhoods and suburban streets across the entire City. I want to hear your stories.
I am a firm believer that if you do
the small things right, you are on the right path.
We have without doubt one of the largest multi-cultural and diverse cities in the country and I will strive to work closely with religious and cultural organisations and do what I can to promote harmony and inclusivity.
I will continue to support local charitable organisations and still roll up my sleeves to do my fair share of volunteering. I hope my story of the boy who migrated here and couldn’t speak a word of English, becoming Mayor, will inspire the younger generation.
I look forward to continuing the great work of our Council and meeting you all.
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
MAYOR
17 May 2023
Dear Residents
Mayoral Message
@mayorbilalelhayek