One year since new Inner West Council was sworn in
Friday, 21 September 2018
12 months of getting things done
Today marks one year since the new Inner West Council was sworn in.
The election of the new democratic Council brought an end to a 16-month period of administration, following the merger of Marrickville, Leichhardt and Ashfield councils in May 2016.
In 12 months, the new Council has delivered significant policy and infrastructure achievements for the people of the Inner West.
“When I was elected Mayor one year ago we promised to make this new Council work for Inner West residents,” said Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.
“I also promised to lead a government that was progressive, effective and got things done. I have delivered on those promises.”
Some of Council’s achievements include:
- Investing $65 million in park and aquatic facilities over three years, including the rebuilding of Ashfield Pool into a state-of-the-art facility; spending $2 million upgrading Waterfront Drive sports fields in Callan Park; creating Sydenham Green Skate Park – one of Sydney’s best skating destinations; and partnering with Sydney Swans and Newtown Jets to upgrade Henson Park.
- Leading the nation on environment and sustainability by entering into an innovative new power agreement to buy 25% of Council’s electricity from renewable sources; achieving the highest percentage of non-fossil fuel investments of any Council in the history of NSW; and investing more than $25 million to create the GreenWay, a pedestrian, cycling biodiversity corridor that stretches from the Cooks River to Iron Cove.
- Establishing EDGE to showcase the artists living and working in the Inner West in a cultural event to rival Vivid Sydney.
- Delivering a new category of liquor licence for craft breweries, making it easier for them to open, operate and grow.
- Appointing a new LGBTIQ project officer to support the work of the Inner West LGBTIQ Forum.
- Taking the lead on cleaning up bike share in Sydney.
- Expanding the Refugee Welcome Centre in Callan Park to include free swimming lessons, lifeguard training and school holiday programs.
- Setting up a new independent ombudsman service to act as an impartial watchdog over Council’s activities.
“These are just a few of the achievements we have reached in just one year. We are showing NSW and the rest of the country how progressive principles can be put into practice at the local government level,” said Mayor Byrne.