Sutherland Shire Mayor - Cr Carmelo Pesce

We all know how important beach safety is here in the Sutherland Shire.

Today I had the pleasure of recognising the extraordinary role one group has played a crucial role in keeping generations of local kids safe.

This year marks the 40th annual Tradies Surf Awareness Clinic, an event hosted each year by Elouera SLSC, which teaches young kids learn the skills they need to stay safe on our beaches.

Congratulations to all the kids who graduated from this year’s Surf Awareness Clinic and thanks to all those who’ve helped over the years to promote this vital beach safety program!

Wishing everyone from my family to your families a Very Merry Christmas 🎄
I hope Santa was very kind to you all 🎅

🛝 The gates have been flung open and families are already flocking to the new children’s playground in Cronulla Plaza.

🐳 I was recently down there to check this amazing playground out with Deputy Mayor Carol Provan and I know kids are going to have a “whale” of a time exploring the new features including slides, an all access carousel, climbing tower, play panels, trampolines, centred around a central whale tail design.

🛍️ If you’re finishing off your Christmas shopping, dining out or meeting with friends in coming weeks, make sure you get down there to check it out, along with the suite of upgrades Council has delivered to one of the Sutherland Shire’s premier retail strips.

Tonight I had the pleasure to attend my old school De La Salle College Caringbah for the Class of 2023 end of year graduation ceremony.

I was lucky enough to present an award to students that they have achieved excellence in the past year.

It brought back memories when I graduated 39 years ago.

Mark Speakman

Last week shopkeepers and shop owners came into council to meet with myself, Ward councillors and council staff to discuss how we can work together to better activate the leafy suburb of Jannali, whilst enhancing and encouraging its “village-feel”.

This morning we popped down to Jannali and walked through visiting businesses having conversations with the local business and community and asking them about what can council can do to improve Jannali.

Thank you again to Seamus from Dose ☕️, Joe from Tony’s Pizza and Pasta 🍕, Mike from Steak Out Butcher 🥩 and Brett from Jannali Number 1 1️⃣ for your hospitality and insights.

Also a shout out to Joel from Skeeta’s 🍹 who we’d spoken to earlier this week, but couldn’t make it as he is volunteering his services with the local RFS 👨‍🚒🙏🏼

A big thank you to Councillor Haris Strangas Jen Armstrong - Sutherland Shire Councillor and Councillor Hassan Awada for looking out for your local community.

One of our most-loved and best utilised sports precincts is set to undergo a major transformation, with the $2.39m upgrade of sports fields and facilities at Sylvania’s Box Road Reserve officially getting underway today.

I was delighted to be able to meet with representatives from Cricket NSW, Football NSW and Sylvania Heights Community & Youth Club and local club members today to turn the first sod on what will be a major upgrade to the facilities available on site.

A huge thanks to the Shadow Minister for Sport and Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos MP for her advocacy in securing $1.79m in state government grant funding towards the project, and to Sutherland Shire Councillors past and present who have lobbied to see this project get off the ground, particularly Councillor Haris Strangas, Cr Hassan Awada and Jen Armstrong - Sutherland Shire Councillor.

I can't wait to return for the grand opening mid-2024 and see our talented local athletes making the most of the state-of-the-art facilities that are coming their way!

⚠️ Final chance to join us for an end of year celebration in business this Friday, 01 Dec 2023! Hosted by the Cronulla Chamber of Commerce and Bianchini’s latest installation Panel Discussion: How Development and Planning is Impacting Business Growth If you're trying to, have established or even wanting to make physical changes to a "bricks and mortar" operation, then you'll relate to the confusion and complexity of the process, working with DA's, CDC's and the rest of the ABC's to make it happen! Join the conversation to better understand the process and contribute to the ideas to make it easier for us all. Panelists: • Peter Couvaras - Director, Couvaras Architects • Geoff French - Registered Certifier, My Building Certifier Pty Ltd • Brad Lord - Director, Ray White Commercial Ticket Price includes breakfast, barista coffee, a donation to Project Youth and connections within our business community and stakeholders. Bianchini's Cronulla Rear, 2/49 Gerrale St, Cronulla 2230 (Enter via Surf Lane) Special Guests: • The Hon. Mark Speakman MP - Member of the Legislative Assembly, Member for Cronulla, Leader of the Opposition, Member of the Liberal Party • Eleni Petinos MP - Member of the Legislative Assembly, Member for Miranda, Shadow Minister for Finance, Shadow Minister for Sport, Member of the Liberal Party $50 + booking fee https://events.humanitix.com/cronulla-chamber-end-of-year-breakfast

Improving the supply of quality, affordable housing is an issue that all tiers of government need to work together to address. But it’s important that the interests of local communities aren’t steamrolled in responding to this issue.

Today I spoke to Channel 10 News and Sky News presenter Laura Jayes to address state government plans to bypass Councils in fast tracking higher density living near transport hubs and town centres across Sydney, the Hunter, the Illawarra and the Central Coast.

We recognise the need for more quality local housing and we’re doing our bit to meet that need – but it’s vitally important local people still have a voice in how we plan to meet this challenge, just as it is crucial the state government provide the rail services, road infrastructure, hospitals and schools needed to support this growth.

I’m sure local residents are keen to hear how the state government plans to address these pressing issues within the Sutherland Shire.

I had the pleasure of joining the team at Spectrum Medical Imaging at the opening of their new Miranda premises today. 🩻

As an independent provider of state-of-the-art medical imaging to patients throughout much of Sydney, it’s a great win to see these vital diagnostic tools and medical expertise are now even more readily accessible in our community. 👨🏻‍⚕️

Thanks to Dr Anthony Kaplan and the Spectrum team for investing in our community – I look forward to visiting you again soon, though hopefully only in my Mayoral capacity! 🤕

Every year the Sutherland Shire comes together to send a powerful message – there is no place for domestic violence in our community.

The annual Walk for Respectful Relationships community event aimed at raising awareness of the problem posed by domestic violence in our community first started as the brainchild of staff and students of Woolooware High School.

In the years since it has become a mammoth community event, drawing a diverse range of participants from schools, businesses, community groups and individuals committed to standing together to take a stance against this scourge on our society.

I was proud to stand alongside Member for Cook Scott Morrison (ScoMo), State Opposition Leader and Member for Cronulla Mark Speakman, Minister for Women, Seniors and Prevention of Domestic Violence Jodie Harrison MP, Member for Miranda Eleni Petinos MP, Maryanne Stuart MP - Member for Heathcote, NSW Police Force Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell and all the amazing participants who braved the elements and leant their support to this year’s event.

Thanks too to all the outstanding community groups who do so much to support this event, and to tackle the issue of domestic violence year round, including The Family Co., Enough is Enough Anti Violence Movement Inc., Caringbah Rotary and Sutherland Shire Police Area Command

It was great to have so many talented local skaters ‘on board’ to launch the amazing new facilities at Seymour Shaw Active Precinct this morning, along with NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Public Spaces Stephen Bali MP, the Member for Miranda, Eleni Petinos MP, and my fellow Councillors Louise Sullivan and Jack Boyd - Sutherland Shire Councillor . 🛹

With new half-court basketball facilities, children’s playground, climbing elements, an incredible skate ‘plaza’ course and two new skate bowls including an Olympic competition level bowl that now measures among Sydney’s deepest, there is now something for everyone to enjoy at what has always been one of the Sutherland Shire’s most loved sports reserves 🏀🧗🏻

The facilities have already been given a huge thumbs up from New Zealand Olympic squad member Jett De Hann and fellow elite skater Aimee Massie, so we can’t wait for the rest of the Shire’s keen skaters to ‘drop-in’ and try them out.

📸

This morning Wanda Surf Life Saving Club launched their new inflatable rescue boat named in honour of hard working volunteers Brett Porteous and Mark Lake.
This is the fifth IRB The Holt Estate has donated to Wanda to help members save lives and contribute towards many more safe rescues in the water.
Mark Speakman

Thursday night we celebrates 20 years of the UOW Loftus Campus 🎉

As we reflect on the past two decades, it's essential to recognise the profound benefits the Sutherland campus has brought to the residents and businesses of Sutherland Shire.

Here is for the next 20 years 🎉🎉🎉

We Will Remember Them.
Lest We Forget
Cronulla RSL Cronulla RSL Sub Branch

Public Speaking in a professional forum under competitive conditions is enough to make most people break out into a cold sweat, yet an impressive cohort of local secondary school students attended Council last night for the 56th Sutherland Shire High Schools Public Speaking Finals, confidently and articulately expressing their opinions to an audience of other students, teachers, and Council staff.

This is an event I have committed to attending every year since I became Mayor. Last night, I oversaw the Public Speaking Finals along with Deputy Mayor, Councillor , and and we were in awe of the compelling speeches delivered by the young speakers, addressing some challenging subjects with understanding and a focus on solutions.

The knowledge and presenting skills that our younger generation possess is nothing short of inspiring. One particular highlight was the acceptance speech delivered by the winner of the Junior Division, Cooper Jones from De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah. His acceptance speech had the room laughing and he received his trophy with grace, thanking and congratulating other students.

Congratulations to the Senior Division Winner Sophie Yenson from Inaburra School and Runners up from the Senior Division Jessop Hartley from Port Hacking High School and from the Junior Division, Franklin Yenson from Inaburra School.

I would like to thank all competing schools for their participation which included Port Hacking High School, De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah, Inaburra School, St John Bosco College Engadine, , andEndeavour Sports High School.

Tonight I will be delivering a Mayoral Minute addressing the concerns local residents are expressing about the Draft Overland Flood Study Council has recently been compelled to undertake.

I will be calling on my fellow Councillors take support a number of steps to address these concerns, and pressing the NSW Government to ensure that these views are heard and answers are provided on the modelling and criteria that have determined which properties are identified as being potentially flood affected.

The full details of tonight Mayoral Minute are available below, and via Council’s website.

For more information on tonight’s meeting for those who are impacted by this issue, please visit: https://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/your-council/council-and-committee-meetings/council-and-committee-business-papers-and-minutes/council-and-committee-business-papers-and-minutes-2023

Today Caringbah RSL Sub-Branch held a Remembrance Day Luncheon.

We acknowledged the legacy of service men and women who have given their lives in wars , conflicts and peace operations.

Todays theme was acknowledging dogs that played an important role in war 🐶

I also want to acknowledge Ted smith who was awarded the highest honour that can be bestowed on a member,
The Meritorious Service Medal

We will remember them

Mark Speakman

On Thursday night we welcomed 180 Australian citizens at our Citizenship Ceremony 🌏

As the Mayor of Sutherland Shire, I have the privilege of guiding our new citizens through their Pledge of Commitment to become Australian citizens. 📜

Congratulations to our Shire's newest citizens! Thank you for selecting the Sutherland Shire as your new home. Together, we celebrate unity in diversity, and we look forward to the incredible contributions you'll make to our vibrant community

We’re hearing loud and clear from many local residents that they are confused and frustrated by news they received over the last week indicating that their property has been identified as potentially flood prone during extreme weather events.

For those who have received this notification, I want to assure you that we share your frustration at how this issue has been tackled. Sutherland Shire Council, like all other councils across the state, has been forced to conduct this process by the NSW Government, and I intend to seek answers from them as to how they have got this issue so wrong.

On Monday night I will be delivering a Mayoral Minute to Council calling on the NSW Government to urgently revisit this issue, and to investigate how the modelling which forms the basis of these studies was conducted so we can find a more sensible path forward. I’ll also be inviting some of those local residents who have expressed concerns about this issue to speak, to ensure their voices are heard.

We take our role in keeping our community safe during natural disasters seriously. But we need to look sensibly at those who are genuinely at high risk and those who are less likely to face danger in the event of flooding to ensure we can appropriately tackle any natural disasters we face in the future.

Last night, Council had the pleasure of hosting the 56th annual High School Debating finals. Since I have served as Mayor, I have attended these events each year, and every time the student’s high calibre of voicing their opinions and expressing and debating ideas in a public forum never ceases to amaze me 🗣

Presenting in a room full of peers, students from other schools, teachers, and Council members, while being judged for your debating prowess is a daunting experience, and for some unimaginable. Yet students from Years 7-10 did so last night with absolute grace and ease. Their professional and polished approach was nothing short of inspiring 🤩

Joined by Deputy Mayor, Carol Provan, and Councillor Haris Strangas, I had the pleasure of taking photos with the winners in Council Chambers – a fitting location given this is where fellow Councillors and I meet to discuss, debate and make important decisions for our community.

Congratulations to all the students from Port Hacking High School, Kirrawee High School, and Caringbah High School for competing and demonstrating your advanced debating skills. Witnessing your energy and enthusiasm for debating makes me excited for the next generation of future leaders and influencers in our community 👏

Last night we went and saw David Campbell at The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre Sutherland.
Amazing show great entertainer 🎤 🎶

I’m excited to announce the opening of the rejuvenated playground at Jelba Reserve, Bangor 🌟

Since we took down the fencing, this beloved playground has become a hotspot for the local community.

This morning, it was great to meet with Ward Councillors Laura Cowell and Stephen Nikolovski on-site to help officially reopen this fantastic, renewed play space.

We had the pleasure of catching up with a number of residents that joined us for the opening and had the opportunity to hear what these new playground facilities mean to them and their families.

Before the pandemic, Council pledged to assess and rejuvenate playgrounds across the Sutherland Shire as part of our Playground Renewal Program 🌳

Today, as we see the beautiful result of our dedicated project teams' hard work, careful planning and design, it fills me with pride. This is a testament to Council's unwavering commitment to maintaining and providing high-quality outdoor spaces and recreation facilities for everyone to enjoy and for the younger generation to stay active.

Thank you to Council's project team and the contractors in delivering another great outdoors play space for our community to enjoy 🙌

It's that time of year again when we're reaching out to you for nominations for the Sutherland Shire Australia Day Awards! This awards program is our way of saying thank you to the many locals who work tirelessly behind the scenes, enhancing the quality of life here in the Sutherland Shire.

This is our chance to shine a light on those deserving individuals and groups that generously give their time back to the community through their work, volunteer efforts, or simply go above and beyond to support and enrich the lives of those around them.

When you think of someone that has selflessly contributed to making our community a more remarkable place to live, work and enjoy, but whose efforts often go unnoticed, who comes to mind?

I encourage you to nominate inspiring individuals and groups into one of the following four categories: 1) Outstanding Citizen, 2) Young Citizen, 3) Community Group, 4) Environmental Citizen. To nominate, head to the following link before the 13 October https://go.ssc.nsw.gov.au/AusAwards23

Let's come together as a community to honour those who make our home an even more incredible place to live. Your nominations make all the difference! 🌟🏆

Friday I attended the Memorial Service For Police Rememberance Day, at Woronora Cemetery.
We Honoured those police who have given their life in the line of duty, may their memory never be forgotten.

Today is dogs in politics day and for me my two little buddies Dexter and Hudson are my mates who are extremely loyal to me and my family.

Last night was another remarkable Citizenship Ceremony as we gathered to welcome 143 individuals from 46 different nationalities as our newest Australian citizens 🌏

This ceremony was extra special, as it coincided with Australian Citizenship Day, a day that holds immense significance for all of us, whether we've been Aussies from birth or made the choice to become a part of this diverse, welcoming nation. It's a day to celebrate our shared identity and reflect on the meaning of being an Australian citizen.

As the Mayor of Sutherland Shire, I have the privilege of guiding our new citizens through their Pledge of Commitment to become Australian citizens. 📜

Congratulations to our Shire's newest citizens! Thank you for selecting the Sutherland Shire as your new home. Together, we celebrate unity in diversity, and we look forward to the incredible contributions you'll make to our vibrant community.

Last night I was honoured and humbled to once again received the support of my colleagues to be re-elected and to continue serving as Mayor.

As a lifelong resident of the Sutherland Shire I’ve always appreciated how lucky I am to be part of such an amazing community and am passionate about preserving the unique character of this incredible part of the world.

I never lose sight of how privileged I am to have the support of local residents and my fellow Councillors to lead them in championing the causes that matter to us all here in the Sutherland Shire.

Eight years is a long time to lead our Council’s elected representatives in effectively responding to a diverse range of community needs that we experience across Sutherland Shire. Yet I am just as committed and enthusiastic today as I was when first elected as Mayor in 2015.

I’m incredibly proud of the team I lead here at Council and the incredible amount that we’ve been able to achieve on behalf of the community.

Congratulations to my good friend Councillor Carol Provan who also was re-elected as the Deputy Mayor she has served the community of the Shire for many years and will continue her hard work.

There are so many amazing community support organisations out there that do incredible work in helping those in need throughout our community.

And at Council we’re happy to support those who do such a vital work supporting others, through our annual Grants and Subsidies program.

This year’s program saw $500,000 in funding distributed to support 48 fantastic projects being run by 39 local not-for-profit organisations, each of which will deliver targeted support in areas such as aged and disability care, mental health support, social and family assistance, youth engagement and multicultural initiatives among many others.

Congratulations to all the grant recipients, and thank you for the exceptional work you do in making the Sutherland Shire a wonderful, welcoming and supportive community for all!

Out and about this morning starting with the NSW RFS 'Get Ready Weekend' Open Day at Engadine Rural Fire Brigade Station,
Then to Sutherland for the annual Sylvanvale Pre WWll Vintage Car Show.

Sylvanvale NSW RFS - Engadine Brigade