Since I was elected in 2013, Council has invested heavily in making Fairfield a better place to live for families – and all while being financially responsible and providing high quality services for our residents and ratepayers.
Our City now has some excellent assets and facilities, such as the iconic Fairfield Adventure Park and the outstanding Fairfield Youth and Community Centre.
Residents requested more car parking spaces and Council has delivered by building more than 1,000 spaces throughout the City – in Fairfield City Centre, Canley Vale and Canley Heights, Bonnyrigg, and of course the new 275-space Dutton Lane Car Park at Cabramatta.
Two weeks ago I announced that Council is about to start work on 100 more parking spaces in Prairiewood.
Council is investing in the future with more than $10 million allocated to the Sportsfields Upgrades Program.
Dozens of our parks have received upgrades involving new play and/or outdoor gym equipment, refurbished change rooms and Everybody Walking paths.
Wilson Road Reserve will be opened on Thursday 28 July. It has been transformed with a $1.5 million makeover that includes new dog offleash areas, outdoor gym and play equipment, toilets, a futsal court, landscaping and parking.
Our local roads are constantly being upgraded by our dedicated works staff, but we've also undertaken $13.5 million in major works along the Cumberland Highway and rebuilding Wetherill Street, Smithfield.
A $16.4 million upgrade to Smithfield Road will start soon, turning it into four lanes all the way between Polding Street and Elizabeth Drive.
Our City has been made safer though a $1 million CCTV program.
Coming soon will be the long-awaited water park at Prairiewood and the obstacle course and tree top walk at Fairfield Park, as well as city centre upgrades in Cabramatta and Fairfield Heights and another $1 million project to build The Crescent Plaza in Fairfield City Centre.
These are just a few of the many fantastic projects council has delivered or will deliver in coming months. It's been an exciting time watching these projects come about, but it's not been without challenges.
We were proud to meet the Fit for The Future process, which proved to the State Government that your Council was in such a sound financial position that it could remain a standalone Council and not be merged with another Council.
This will be my last weekly column until after the Local Government elections on 10 September.
On behalf of myself and Councillors, I thank you for your support and look forward to seeing Fairfield City continue to progress into a wonderful, vibrant and modern City.