Canterbury-Bankstown Councillor Khal Asfour has been re-elected Mayor today, vowing to instil a sense of pride throughout the community.

Mayor Asfour won the majority of support from fellow Councillors ahead of Council’s first meeting since the Local Government Elections were held. Councillor Bilal El-Hayek was elected Deputy Mayor.

“As Mayor, I intend to continue to build on the great work this Council has achieved since amalgamation and to realise its vision of becoming a better, smarter City,” Mayor Asfour said.

“I want the community to be proud of living in our City.”

Earlier, newly elected Councillors, took the oath and swore affirmations, during a colourful ceremony attended by family and friends.

They then proceeded to Council Chambers, and for seven of the Councillors, it was their first meeting for the City of Canterbury Bankstown.

The makeup of the Council consists of nine Labor, five Liberals and one Independent.

Including Councillor Bhadra Waiba, in the Roselands Ward, the first Nepal-born woman to run for public office in Australia.

“An outstanding achievement and an affirmation for multiculturalism in this country,” Mayor Asfour said.

Mayor Asfour said that this term of Council will be one of the most important terms, as the City undergoes some major changes.

“A new university being built, potentially a new hospital and TAFE, the arrival of the Metro and the massive investment being planned in our major town centres,” he said.

“And rest assured, I will continue lobbying the Federal Government to relocate SBS to our City, preferably Campsie, transforming it into a truly cosmopolitan and cultural hub.

“There is no question, we are on the cusp of major change and to keep pace we must also reinvigorate the night-time economy in our centres and attract investment and people to our City.

“The future of the City is in our hands!”

Mayor Asfour thanked the community for their overwhelming support, and said it came on the back of public sentiment.

“The community knew I stood up to the State Government over many issues, including harsh COVID restrictions and government grant rorting,” he said

“And they appreciated I had their backs.”

Canterbury-Bankstown’s newly elected Councillors are:

Bankstown Ward – Darani (Ghost Gum)

• Khal Asfour (ALP) – Mayor
• Bilal El-Hayek (ALP) – Deputy Mayor
• George Zakhia (LIB)

Bass Hill Ward – Burra (Kangaroo)

• Christopher Cahill (ALP)
• Rachelle Harika (ALP)
• Charlie Ishac (LIB)

Canterbury Ward – Budjar (Paperbark)

• Barbara Coorey (IND)
• Jessie Nguyen (LIB)
• Clare Raffan (ALP)

Revesby Ward – Bunya (Tea Tree)

• Charbel Abouraad (LIB)'
• Linda Downey (ALP)
• David Walsh (ALP)

Roselands Ward – Bunmarra (Blue Tongue Lizard)

• Sazeda Akter (LIB)
• Karl Saleh (ALP)
• Bhadra Waiba (ALP)