Welcome to WSROC’s last e-news of the year ▶ – and it’s an action-packed issue.

First, it was my privilege to have been re-elected as WSROC’s President, for a second term.

As President, it is my responsibility to chair the WSROC Board, which sets the strategic direction for the organisation, based on agreed regional priorities devised by WSROC’s member councils.

Joining me on WSROC’s Executive Committee are:

• Councillor Julie Griffiths AM, as Senior Vice President,
• Mayor Ola Hamed, as Junior Vice President, and
• Councillor Suman Saha, as Treasurer.

I would like to congratulate my fellow Executive Committee members and thank our outgoing Executive Members for their work over the last 12 months.

All WSROC Board members volunteer their time and effort above and beyond their ordinary Councillor duties, and I thank them for their continuing dedication and tireless work on behalf of our communities.

You can read more about them here.

2024-2025 WSROC Annual Report

Also in this edition, I am pleased to present WSROC’s 2024-2025 Annual Report, outlining how Western Sydney councils have worked together to save councils and ratepayers tens of millions of dollars, massively reduce carbon emissions, pilot an ambitious region-wide biodiversity rescue project, reduce litter and waste, and put downward pressure on the cost-of-living.

Some of the reported outcomes are quite remarkable. For instance, WSROC member councils have saved some $75 million through a suite of innovative energy projects, have secured $9.5 million to date to deliver waste reduction and circular economy projects, and $2.5 million to support councils to improve local heat management.

This latest newsletter touches on just a few of the many outcomes covered in the report, achieved through WSROC’s collaborative programs and partnerships, including:

• The Heat Resilience Program – WSROC launched a five-year, multi-sector plan to protect Sydney from Australia’s deadliest natural hazard – extreme heat.
• The Western Sydney Regional Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy – A partnership with eight councils that is laying the groundwork for a circular economy transition in the region, supporting waste avoidance, recycling and reuse.
• The Western Sydney Energy Program – Which is delivering energy, cost and emissions savings through collaborative action between councils; and
• The Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan – Through which WSROC has been working with councils to protect strategically important biodiversity areas while enabling sustainable urban growth across the Cumberland Plain, and is working with councils to fund local First Nations’ programs

For a summary of the WSROC 2024-2025 Annual Report, or to download a full copy, follow this link.

Beyond our projects, WSROC has been hard at work advocating to state political leaders on critical issues including heat resilience and the waste infrastructure crisis affecting our city. Collaborating with key partners, including Resilient Sydney, other Regional Organisations of Councils, and The Parks Councils, helps us make the voice of local government stronger.

Also in this edition are a range of training, professional development and networking programs to support our members in their work across the region.

Looking ahead

I am extremely proud of the work that WSROC has achieved this year. From delivering direct cost-savings for councils, to advocating to our political leaders, and representing our region on the international stage.

Looking ahead, WSROC remains committed to championing Western Sydney while advocating for better infrastructure, stronger support for local government, and sustainable development across our wonderful, vibrant region.

I look forward to continuing our work in 2026.

Councillor Brad Bunting

President