Tony Bleasdale, the mayor of Blacktown City Council since 2019, has died on a flight home from China after a study tour. Bleasdale, who had been a Blacktown City councillor since 1996, was leading a delegation to the council’s sister cities in Korea and China. The news of his passing was confirmed by other councillors, although the council had yet to release an official statement. Bleasdale, who was 77 years old, was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2010 for his charity work and service to the municipality of Blacktown.
Blacktown City Council, located in Sydney’s most populous local government area with an estimated population of 426,000, was grieving the loss of their mayor. Bleasdale, a Labor veteran, was known for his advocacy for western Sydney and his efforts to ensure proper funding for community infrastructure. He had accompanied Premier Chris Minns on a trip to support the state government’s initiatives to boost housing supply in key areas. In one of his last public appearances before his passing, Bleasdale highlighted the need for proper levying of landowners and developers to fund community projects, citing the lack of new pools, libraries, and community centers in the area despite a significant population growth.
The sudden death of Mayor Tony Bleasdale has shocked the Blacktown community and left many in mourning. Bleasdale’s commitment to serving the people of Blacktown and advocating for their needs has left a lasting impact on the municipality. His dedication to public service and charity work earned him recognition with the prestigious Order of Australia medal. As Blacktown’s leader, Bleasdale worked tirelessly to address the challenges facing the local community and ensure that residents’ voices were heard in decision-making processes. His presence will be sorely missed in the council chambers and throughout the municipality.
Blacktown City Council’s sister city relationships with Suseong-Gu in Korea and Liaocheng City in China demonstrate Bleasdale’s commitment to fostering international connections and promoting cultural exchange. The friendship and cooperation between these cities have created opportunities for collaboration and mutual understanding. Bleasdale’s leadership on the delegation to the sister cities exemplified his dedication to promoting goodwill and building bridges between communities. His passing leaves a void in the council’s international relations efforts and underscores the importance of continuing his legacy of fostering positive relationships with sister cities.
In the wake of Mayor Bleasdale’s passing, the Blacktown community will come together to mourn his loss and celebrate his legacy. As they honor his memory, residents and officials will reflect on his achievements and contributions to the municipality. Bleasdale’s leadership and vision have left a lasting imprint on Blacktown, and his absence will be deeply felt by those who knew and worked with him. The council will undoubtedly pay tribute to his legacy and ensure that his ideals and values continue to guide their actions and decisions in the future.
The passing of Mayor Tony Bleasdale is a profound loss for Blacktown City Council and the broader community. His dedication to public service, advocacy for western Sydney, and commitment to improving the lives of residents have left a lasting impact on the municipality. As they mourn his sudden death, Blacktown residents will remember Bleasdale’s leadership and passion for serving the people. The council’s future actions and decisions will be influenced by his principles and values, ensuring that his legacy endures in the community he worked so tirelessly to support. In the days and weeks ahead, as they come to terms with this unexpected tragedy, Blacktown will unite in paying tribute to Mayor Bleasdale and the indelible mark he left on their city.
