After 9 years, and despite Labor's attempted leadership on this issue when they had majority control, unanimous support was given tonight to explore how Parramatta Council can build footpaths for the entire city in a much shorter timeframe, rather than the 40-50 years it was originally projected to take.

The lack of footpaths across our city and suburbs marks Councillors as not being able to fulfill what most would regard as a basic expectation or even public right, especially when we are now in the 21st century and after 220 years since Parramatta was "founded".

With Christmas only four weeks away, Parramatta City Council is planning ahead for next year’s and future Christmases by agreeing to initiate an annual Christmas Lights Competition.

“Christmas is a very special Christian season which many Australians celebrate,” said Clr Chiang Lim.

This proposed annual competition rewards the residents, businesses and nominators where the Christmas lights creations are judged on the basis of creativity, innovation, animation, and alignment to Christmas.

At the 24 November 2008 Council meeting, Councillors considered a staff report originally intended to review the successes of the eight Advisory Committees, but instead recommended the closure of most, the transfer of volunteer members to the Community Capacity Building team, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups and forums, and other technical groups. Other strategies were also recommended.

Normally, I am an advocate for openness and transparency. If an objector feels very strongly to a Development Application proposal, their identity should be disclosed.

However, from recent personal experiences from some residents who were bullied, verbally abused, directly antagonised by a minority of applicants who were able to find our these residents' home or mobile telephone numbers, residential and e-mail addresses, I changed my mind.

Following the Council’s decision in October 2008 to explore expressions of interest to expand the Lake Parramatta Reserve Kiosk’s operations, some community concerns have arisen.

“I always thought Australia was an egalitarian society. If so, Lake Parramatta should not be known as a jewel for only an elite few, but to be enjoyed by everyone,” said Councillor Chiang Lim.