Bridging Australia and the Arab World
Latest News From:
:أخر الأخبار من
Canterbury-Bankstown Council has taken immediate action following a review into our waste service. Our preliminary findings have identified around 700
As the Mayor of this great City,
there are many projects and events
that we are working on for our
entire community.
Some of the things we’re planning
include master plans for our main
centres that will deliver job
opportunities, major events to
support out local businesses, and
trialling new technology which will
enhance our services.
However, it is the small things we do
for our community that mean so much
and quite often, go unnoticed.
We supported our local cafes and
restaurants by waiving footway dining
fees, assisted our nurses and medical
staff by providing free hospital parking
passes, and when it was brought to my
attention our sporting organisations
needed a hand, it was time to step in.
The recent rain meant that our parks
and most of our sporting facilities
were waterlogged. Several
of our grounds were forced to close
because they were unsafe to use.
Thousands of players missed out on
their weekly games, and in some
instances, the grounds were so badly
affected they were shut for weeks on
end. As a father myself, I know how
disappointing it was for the kids who
had been looking forward to their
weekend games, to be told their
games were put off.
But it wasn’t only the kids who were
devastated by the unprecedented and
constant heavy rain… there were huge
financial implications on the many
sporting organisations and federations
that run sport in our City.
These sporting bodies are not
multi-million dollar organisations that
are dripping with cash… they rely on
the mums and dads paying registration
fees, the weekend barbeques, the
canteens and the sausage sizzles to
stay afloat.
To put it simply, when the grounds are
closed, there are no games and they
take the financial hit.
That’s why at the last Council
Meeting, I ensured these sporting
organisations wouldn’t be left behind.
Council decided to waive the sporting
ground fees for winter sports, which
had been affected by the weather for
two months.
Hopefully, we’ve seen the last of
the lousy weather and our sporting
organisations can get back on the field
without the financial burden.
Yours sincerely,
Clr Khal Asfour
MAYOR
I have no doubt that our City is
the perfect location for the
SBS headquarters.
From the early days where most households struggled to get any reception, to the digital
transformation of today, the SBS
has told the stories of diverse communities from across Australia.
And as our country’s most diverse, multilingual, multiplatform media organisation, it just makes sense that
it be situated in the multicultural heartland of Australia.
It’s no secret that our City boasts one
of the most diverse populations in the state. According to the latest Census data, we’re home to more than 371,000 people, with 268 different ancestries and 176 languages spoken.
That’s why I’m doubling down on
calls for the SBS to be shifted from
its long-term home in Artarmon.
Let’s not forget that SBS was established in Artarmon because it needed to be located near the other networks such
as Channel 9 and ABC, which have since moved elsewhere. And thirty years on, it’s time for SBS to once again evolve
and plant its roots into a diverse, multicultural community which aligns with its charter and values.
The Federal Government is undertaking a feasibility study to examine the merits of moving SBS to Western Sydney.
In 2018, we presented a proposal to the Federal Minister for Communications
to create an exciting and ambitious cultural and media hub in the heart
of Campsie.
I have a vision of a media zone called ‘Campsie Cultural and Creative Centre’ – a purpose built $120 million hub in Campsie. This is about breathing new life into our City. It’s a partnership that will showcase our vibrant multicultural community, create hundreds of jobs and attract major investment.
But a lot has changed since that proposal and it’s time to review and update our decisions. At the last Council Meeting, I called for Council to update the proposal to give us the best possible chance of securing SBS in our City. We will be identifying other suitable sites to house the media giant and any major City partners which may have something to offer our bid.
In the last week, we’ve seen the ABC shift 300 staff to the Parramatta CBD. We don’t want to see the same thing happen here. I will fight to ensure we
do not miss this opportunity.
It’s time to bring SBS to where diverse communities have made their home!
Yours sincerely,
Clr Khal Asfour
MAYOR
Dear Resident, It’s no secret that our City is the perfect destination to enjoy international cuisine. Nowhere else in the
It’s one of Sydney’s best and most beloved food festivals and now Bankstown Bites is back to delight foodies and
Dear Resident, There’s a saying that lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place!But the latest rain bomb that dropped
In an unprecedented effort from any council in NSW to support local businesses in accessing the marketing potential of the
Dear Resident, Get up, stand up, show up!A strong message and the theme of this year’s NAIDOC Week.It is a
Dear Resident, We’re all aware of the three R’s when we refer to education. But I’m seeing the three R’s
Bankstown Basketball Association, in conjunction with the Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce – CBCC, is inviting all local businesses & sponsors to… Bankstown
