The NSW Electoral Commission has completed its distribution of preferences for the 2024 City of Sydney election and announced our Council for the coming term.
I have officially been re-elected as Lord Mayor, with 62.9% of the two-party-preferred vote, and will be joined on Council by three of our team candidates: Robert Kok, Jess Miller and Adam Worling.
We are so grateful for your trust in us to continue the work to ensure our City is the best place to live, work in and visit.
The result does mean that, disappointingly, two of our serving Councillors – Emelda Davis and William Chan – have not been re-elected.
Emelda was the first Black woman elected to serve on the City of Sydney Council in its 180-year history.
She joined our ticket in 2021 as a passionate Pyrmont local and volunteer with experience in government and community sectors. During Emelda’s term, she served as Deputy Chair of the Resilient Communities and Economy Committee and led the City’s recognition of Mabo Day, Africa Day, and Australian South Sea Islander Day, bringing a fresh viewpoint on cultural diversity, climate action, First Nations Justice and grassroots social policy.
William continued our team’s proud tradition of planning expertise.
He too joined our ticket in 2021, as a respected architect, urban planner and recent fellow in sustainable cities with the United Nations, bringing a history of city-making projects that addressed affordable housing, smart infrastructure, public space and the circular economy. William served as Deputy Chair of the Transport, Heritage and Planning Committee, Deputy Chair of the Environment Committee, and chaired the Local Pedestrian, Cycling and Traffic Calming Committee. His work amplified our efforts to make a city for people, with a more sustainable and equitable urban environment.
Emelda and William, the community and I are grateful to you both for your service as Councillors and I know that you will continue to be involved in other capacities.
I also want to thank Lachlan Barker-Kennedy, Claudia Bowman, Jenny Burn and Christine Byrne, who put up their hands to run for election on our team.
Running for election requires a lot of work, vulnerability and humility, and these wonderful community leaders did so with gusto because they are genuinely committed to supporting our work. I know this is not the last we’ve seen of them either, and our City will be better for their continuing involvement.
Finally, I want to thank you, our amazing community, for supporting us through this campaign.
From door-knocking to street stalls to volunteering on booths at pre-poll and on election day, managing our campaign office, putting up and taking down posters and countless other jobs – this has been another truly special, grassroots community campaign, and we’re very grateful to you all.
The City has been transformed since 2004, and that’s because people like you have supported our Independent teams to create a more liveable, sustainable and thriving city and villages.
This term, we will be working alongside two representatives from the Labor Party (Zann Maxwell and Mitch Wilson), two representatives from The Greens (Sylvie Ellsmore and Matthew Thompson), one Liberal (Lyndon Gannon) and Independent Yvonne Weldon.
I look forward to working with all elected Councillors, regardless of their political background or affiliation. During my previous terms on Council the vast majority of motions were passed unanimously, and I’m very hopeful that a collaborative environment will continue.
I have already spoken with elected Councillors to discuss priorities for the term, to ensure stable management of Council business and to ensure a fair distribution of leadership of our various committees and advisory panels.
Despite the breadth of political spectrum on Council and a sometimes-bruising election campaign, it’s clear we all share the desire for an economically, culturally, environmentally and socially sustainable city.
All Councillors have voiced a commitment to addressing housing challenges, breathing new life into our nighttime economy and supporting our community with world-class infrastructure and services.
I’m hopeful we can work together to achieve these aims and ensure the City of Sydney continues to thrive.
This term we will work tirelessly to:
- Progress our $2.2 billion infrastructure program;
- Meet the State Government’s new housing targets while delivering more Affordable homes than any other council;
- Address accelerating climate change, pursuing our ambitious emissions reduction and tree canopy targets;
- Complete the renewal of Oxford Street and Chinatown;
- Ensure the return of Moore Park Golf Course and Wentworth Park Greyhound Track to public parkland;
- Complete important connections in the bike network;
- Introduce Special Entertainment Precinct status in our late night trading areas;
- Secure new affordable cultural space by establishing a Creative Land Trust;
- Progress our 9km Harbour walk celebrating First Nations culture and heritage; and
- Secure mass transit to Green Square.
