Collaboration and support key to realising CBCity vision

The City of Canterbury Bankstown is aligning itself with strategic partners to meet the Bankstown CBD’s potential to increase employment and improve the wellbeing of the community through health and education.

Overnight, Council decided it will work with the State and Federal Government, and other key stakeholders, to create a vision for the area.

City of Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said this was an important first step.

"Over the next 12 months, Council officers will work closely with the Department of Education, Ministry of Health, South West Local Area Health Service, Health Infrastructure, TAFE NSW and others, to determine challenges and opportunities for the area," Mayor Asfour said.

"As part of this collaboration, we will be looking at how to increase job numbers, while also enhancing health and education precincts, developing transport connectivity, and ensuring development in Bankstown is of a high standard.

"This collaboration will also give us leverage to ask both the State and Federal Governments funding to see our plans come to fruition."

With Council looking to provide a better direction for growth and renewal across Bankstown, it is also looking to provide consistency across the City, by introducing boarding house controls in Canterbury.

In 2015, the former Bankstown Council became the first council in the state to use the courts to stop boarding houses being constructed in low-density residential areas.

The former Canterbury Council had no specific controls for boarding house development, instead relying on those contained in the NSW Government’s Affordable Rental Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), released in 2009.

Since the SEPP came into effect, the number of approvals for boarding houses increased significantly in Canterbury-Bankstown, with almost 700 rooms in 35 developments.

"We are seeking feedback from the community on these proposed changes to the Canterbury Development Control Plan 2012 (CDCP)," Mayor Asfour said.

"By aligning our boarding house controls, we will put a stop to these poorly-designed developments from occurring."

Mayor Asfour said it was encouraging to have the support of the Department of Planning and Environment on this matter.

"I am glad to see we are on the same page when it comes to reducing these types of ad-hoc developments," Mayor Asfour said.

Keeping in line with well-planned and well-managed development across the City, Council has also prepared a Draft Plan of Management (PoM) for Deepwater and Kelso Parklands.

"We have a real opportunity to maximise the recreational opportunities of these seven reserves, for the future benefit of our community," Mayor Asfour said.

"This Draft PoM will assist in the categorisation of these reserves and inform what their potential future uses could be."

It will be on public exhibition from today (Wednesday 28 November) until Thursday 31 January 2019.

There will also be a number of opportunities for the community to discuss their ideas at engagement sessions and through a public meeting. These dates will be advertised shortly in local media and at cb.city/haveyoursay

In December, residents will also have a chance to have their say on the Draft Canterbury Development Control Plan at cb.city/haveyoursay