Mayor of Liverpool Wendy Waller today met with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to discuss concerns facing South West Sydney including COVID-19 curfew constraints and the need for an economic repair package.
Joining Mayor Waller were mayors from other Local Government Areas of concern including Fairfield, Campbelltown, and Canterbury-Bankstown.
"We are pleased that the NSW Premier has now invited local government to have a place at the table. Today's meeting reinforced the need for the NSW Government to listen and take advice from local councils which are the grassroots level of government closest to the community," Mayor Waller said.
"Today's meeting was an opportunity to send a strong message to the NSW Premier we are more than just a postcode."
Mayor Waller expressed concerns that the growing divide between the South West and West and other parts of Sydney could be irreparable – even after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
"Many members of the community have told me they no longer feel like we're all in this together. It has been an isolating experience when you look at some parts of Sydney captured in the media over the weekend, frolicking on the beautiful beaches and enjoying the spring sunshine. Meanwhile, police helicopters continue to fly over the South West and Western suburbs in an unnecessary show of force.
"I along with the rest of the Liverpool community want our way of life and freedoms to be restored when it is safe to do so. I've asked for the curfew to be lifted as it is unnecessary.
"The vast majority of the Liverpool community are doing the right thing and we continue to show our great resilience even though we are doing it tough. I'm proud of our COVID-19 vaccination rate which stands at around 80 per cent for first doses and Council continues to be highly supportive of the vaccination hubs in Liverpool," Mayor Waller said.
While today's meeting was an achievement for South West and Western Sydney, Mayor Waller said more consultation is necessary.
"I look forward to more meetings in the future with the NSW Premier so I can continue to voice the concerns of the people of Liverpool," Mayor Waller said.
