Electing your Lord Mayor

Did you know, there are two ways of electing a Lord Mayor?

Right now, the City of Parramatta's Lord Mayor is elected every two years by the Councillors. Another way is for people to elect the Lord Mayor by popular vote at the election. This method is used by some other Councils in Sydney.

Community engagement

From Monday 3 April to Wednesday 15 May 2023, City of Parramatta residents were invited to complete a survey which asked:

  1. Which option for electing the Lord Mayor do you prefer?
  2. Would you support a Referendum to change the way a Lord Mayor is elected?

Every household in the LGA received a letter and invitation to answer the survey. We received 3,830 responses.


Findings

  • Election by popular vote was preferred by 64% (2,451 responses) of survey respondents.
  • Election by Councillors was preferred by 34% (1,302 responses)
  • Unsure responses were 2% (77 responses).
  • 71% of respondents supported having a Referendum.

Council decision

On Monday 24 July 2023 Council resolved:

  • That no further action be taken until full information is provided to residents.
  • Further, that a full education campaign be put in the 2024 DPOP for Community consultation in relation to the structure of Council, Council Wards and boundaries/Councillors role and the role of the Lord Mayor.

Fast Facts

The position of Lord Mayor is currently decided in a vote between Councillors every two years.

Another option is for people to elect the Lord Mayor, usually for four years, at the local government elections.

The Lord Mayor chairs the Council and represents the City at official occasions.

To change the way the Lord Mayor is elected, a Referendum is required.