New direction for Sister City partnership

Representatives from Canterbury-Bankstown Council visited Broken Hill today to deliver drought relief funding and discuss the future of the cities' relationship.

Canterbury-Bankstown delivered a cheque for $5,000 to Mayor Darriea Turley AM, and Council will now liaise with community welfare organisations to determine how the funds can best be used.

The visiting delegation, headed by Mayor Khal Asfour and General Manager Matthew Stewart, also attended a meeting with Councillors and Council's Executive about the future direction of the traditional Sister City relationship.

Mayor Turley said the visit was an ideal opportunity for both Councils to reconnect.

"The merging of Canterbury and Bankstown created the largest Council in the State, so we've been mindful of giving them time to settle into their new arrangement before discussing the future of our relationship," said Ms Turley.

"It was great to touch base with them again though, and although today was just a preliminary meeting, I think everyone was on the same page about how we move forward.”

Mayor Turley said both Councils agreed that the nature of the relationship had changed significantly since its original inception.

"I think both Councils understand that the prospect of transporting hundreds of kids by bus to be billeted out by families in a sporting exchange is not really an option in this day and age, but that doesn't mean our partnership needs to come to an end.

"Both parties see it as a bit of an evolution from a Sister City Partnership to a Smart Communities Partnership, whereby we share knowledge and expertise, build capacity, and work together on advocacy and other common issues such as grant applications.

"Even today our staff were sharing ideas on asset management, works programs, project delivery software, and discussing video conferencing to share ideas and plans.

"There's certainly great potential to take our partnership in a new direction that will benefit both organisations."

Mayor Turley said both Councils would meet again in the new year for further discussions around the partnership.