مع إقتراب إنتخابات المجلس البلدي في ولاية نيو ساوث ويلز، تجري سفير الشمال لقاءات مع رؤساء البلديات في الولاية، للحديث عن الإنجازات التي قاموا بها في مدنهم، وما هي تطلعاتهم المستقبلية والمشاريع المطروحة قيد التنفيذ.
إنتخب الأستاذ بلال الحايك رئيساً لبلدية كانتربري-بانكستاون وهي أكبر البلديات في الولاية، وأثبت لسكان المدينة عن كفاءة عالية وعن قدرته على إدارة شؤون المدينة.
تحدث الرئيس الحايك عن المسؤولية الكبيرة التي لا ينبغي الإستخفاف بها في تولي منصب عمدة إحدى أكبر البلديات في الولاية، وعلى المهمات التي تقع على عاتق العمدة تجاه سكان المدينة.
كما تحدث عن الإنجازات والأعمال التي قام بها خلال عام على توليه منصب رئاسة البلدية، ومنها الحملة التي نُظمت حول العنف المنزلي وإستضافة اثنين من المشردين الذين ينامون في الشوارع، وجمع أكثر من 40 ألف دولار لأولئك الذين يعانون من التشرد. كما قام بحملة للتبرع بألعاب للأطفال والعائلات المحتاجة، ورحب بأكثر من 3000 مقيم جديد تم منحهم الجنسية الأسترالية.
بالإضافة إلى أعمال عديدة قامت بها البلدية من أجل المدينة وسكانها، بما في ذلك الإهتمام بالطرقات، والمشاريع الترفيهية وتلك التي ما زالت قيد التنفيذ في المدينة. وقال الحايك: “إن أكبر إنجازاتي هي القيام بكل أعمال البلدية، مع مواصلة عملي الشبابي والتطوع بتقديم كل الواجبات والمساعدات على أكمل وجه وأسرع وقت ممكن. أحب رد الجميل للمجتمع الذي أعطاني الكثير.”
وفي ختام اللقاء تحدث الحايك عن الوضع في قطاع غزة قائلاً: “الوضع في غزة مفجع وأريد تقديم الدعم بأي طريقة ممكنة. أنا فخور بقيادة أول مجلس يرفع العلم الفلسطيني من أجل إظهار الدعم لجميع ضحايا الحرب على غزة. كما طالبنا بوقف إطلاق النار، وقدمنا إحتجاجات إلى الحكومة الفيدرالية بهذا الشأن. وقمنا أيضاً بتنظيم حملة أطفال من أجل فلسطين، حيث جمعنا أكثر من 35,000 دولار من أجل توفير الإمدادات الطبية والمياه والغذاء والملابس للأبرياء في غزة.
في ما يلي نص المقابلة الكاملة باللغة الإنجليزية مع رئيس بلدية كانتربري- باكستاون الأستاذ بلال الحايك.
Q – What sorts of responsibilities come with being a Mayor?
A- Being Mayor of one of the largest local government areas in Australia is a huge responsibility and not to be taken lightly.
I am the voice of the Council and a champion of our community. I represent the Council and promote the projects and good work Council is doing.
One of my favourite responsibilities is welcoming in the newest citizens who have chosen to call our City home. In the last 12 months, I’ve had the privilege of welcoming in more than 3,000 new citizens, each adding to our City’s unique diversity and culture.
Q – How do you connect with your communities?
A – I love meeting people in the community and hearing their stories. I’m always attending community events, whether it be an awards ceremony at a local school, a charity fundraiser or sporting club presentation.
I’ve embarked on my listening tour around the City, Bilal’s Bus, where I visit different suburbs and hear local’s concerns. The aim is to meet as many residents as possible and understand what is important to them.
I’ve also launched my Mayoral Certificates of Recognition Program, where I meet and acknowledge those in the community who have done great things. It’s always inspirational to hear the stories of those who go above and beyond for our community.
I encourage people to reach out to my office if you have any issues and, of course, come along to by Bilal’s Bus meet and greet events.
Q – What are the biggest achievement you have been to make during your term as Mayor?
A – It’s been a huge year in my first term as Mayor and in a very short space of time, we’ve achieved so much.
I’m proud to have held a domestic violence summit and hosted two homeless sleepouts, raising more than $40,000 for those experiencing homelessness. We’ve hosted toy drives for children and families in need and welcomed in more than 3,000 new residents who will now call our City home.
We’ve completed a massive capital works program across our City, including patching something like 77,000 square kilometres of road and filling more than 6,700 pot holes.
We’ve also started work on some exciting projects including the new $65 million Canterbury Leisure and Aquatic Centre.
One of my biggest achievements, is doing all of this while continuing my youth work and volunteering with meals on wheels. I love giving back to the community that has given so much to me.
Q – Has your ethnicity been a source of strength or weakness in running the Council and why?
A – My background is a source of strength when it comes to running the Council and connecting with the community.
Having come to this country at the age of 12, not speaking a word of English, I’m able to understand what the community are going through.
We’re a community with a high percentage of people born overseas and I’m able to connect with their plight and their culture.
Q – What is your vision for the next term Council after the 14 September Council elections?
A – My vision is to see the City grow.
I’m keen to continue working with the Government to ensure there is sensible and well-placed building in our City. I want to see recreational spaces and facilities are maintained.
There’s going to be master planning for a whole raft of town centres and work on the new hospital is set to begin in the next year. I’ve been having several meetings with the Health Minister to ensure our community gets the best hospital possible.
We’ll also see a new TAFE and Vicinity site, Metro and improvements to Appian Way.
There will be so many improvements to Canterbury-Bankstown for the future and I’m looking forward to being part of that.
Q – You would be aware the situation in Gaza is having a huge impact on your local community, what has your council done to help the local community deal with this issue?
A – The situation in Gaza is heartbreaking and I want to support in any way possible.
I’m proud to lead the very first Council to raise the Palestinian flag, showing our support to those innocent lives lost.
At the same time, we called for a ceasefire and made representations to the Federal Government.
We also held a Children for Palestine appeal, where we raised more than $35,000. The money raised will go directly to providing medical supplies, water, food and clothing to innocent people in Gaza.
