Cr Matthew Blackmore, Mayor of Strathfield

Last night, we joined other Sydney councils by turning off the lights on our Christmas decorations, in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The request came from members of the Ukrainian Parliament and aims to remind the rest of the world of the ongoing conflict in their country. If you would like to help, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has established United24 as the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Make a donation and learn more here.

Closer to home, this week Cr Benjamin Cai and I handed over 34 Christmas Hampers to Senior Constable Dickson and the Auburn Police Area Command to distribute to vulnerable residents within our local government area. The hampers were created by our Council management team and we hope they provide a bit of Christmas cheer. Thank you to the Police Officers who will be checking in on our residents as they deliver the hampers.

Finally, as we head into the Christmas break, I would like to remind locals that even though Council will be closed for a short time, you can still have your say on the future funding of asset management and the Strathfield Connector bus. Please visit the website to have your say.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and look forward to meeting you again in 2023.

If you have any local matters that you would like to discuss, please reach out to me on 0428 952 095 or cr.mblackmore@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This is our last eNews for the year, and we wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you to our locals for a great 2022. We hope you've had an enjoyable year and will be able to spend some time with family and friends over the Christmas break.

Thank you to everyone who has sent in their positive feedback on our new Christmas decorations. If you haven't seen them yet, make sure you visit the light installations in Strathfield Square, and the Nativity Scene at Council Chambers. Take your pics and tag us at #StrathfieldChristmas

Christmas Cheer 1932

Ninety years ago the world was in the grip of the Great Depression. Life was tough and, in Australia, unemployment soared to 32%. In December 1932 the Homebush P&C Association and the Strathfield Community Service Club collected toys for Christmas for local children in need. More than 300 parcels of toys were collected. ‘The distribution gladdened the hearts of more than 900 children in the Strathfield and adjoining districts. The success of the effort was due in a large measure to the co-operation of the teachers and children of the Homebush Public School.’ True community spirit. Merry Christmas to all!

Image: Homebush Public School, 13 December 2022. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies

Holiday Notification Period

During the Christmas and New Year period, notification for all Development Applications, Section 4.55 Applications and Section 8.2 Review Applications, will be extended beyond the regular notification periods in accordance with Council’s Community Participation Plan and Schedule 1 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 to exclude any days between (inclusive) 20 December 2022 and 10 January 2023. Please contact Council for information on 9748 9999.