Labor now holds nine of 12 seats in the Blue Mountains, where the Liberals previously had three councillors and now have none. Labor also holds nine of 15 seats in Penrith, and the Liberals two.
Labor also fended off challenges from the Greens to retain an outright majority on Inner West Council, holding eight of 15 seats, including Darcy Byrne’s mayoralty.
Despite the debacle, the Liberals excelled in councils they did not contest in 2021, claiming four seats in Cumberland, five in Bayside, and six in both Blacktown and Parramatta.
In Byron Shire, where the independent sitting mayor was charged with domestic violence offences six weeks before the election, political parties have roared back on to council, taking six of the nine seats on offer.
Former mayor Michael Lyon, who was charged with common assault and intimidation after an incident at his home on August 1, lost his position to Greens candidate Sarah Ndiaye but managed to hold on to a seat on council. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which will be heard at Tweed Heads Local Court in March.
Last, the 20-year-old in Ryde, was among several successful Gen Z candidates including Bonnie Harvey, a 22-year-old University of Sydney student who became a Northern Beaches councillor.
Bonnie Harvey, 22, and Ethan Hrnjak, 21, were both elected to Northern Beaches Council.Credit: Louie Douvis
Harvey was at Manly Dam with fellow incoming Greens councillor Ethan Hrnjak, 21, when she learnt her fate on Tuesday morning. The pair finished the day trading stories with independent federal MP Sophie Scamps, who was speaking at an event at Newport Bowling Club.
Hrnjak, who lives in Frenchs Forest with his family, said he had been “hopeful” of success at this year’s poll, following losses in the last local, state and federal elections. He said the council was made “quite winnable” for himself and Harvey after the Liberal Party nomination bungle.
He will balance his responsibilities as a councillor with his law degree at Macquarie University, and expects to keep his part-time job at KFC’s head offices in Frenchs Forest for a “couple more months” before settling into public life.
“I look forward to advocating for young people, and finally giving [them] a bit of a voice on council.”
The newcomers may be young, but they have ideas. Last is interested in cost-of-living relief and ensuring council rates stay steady or decrease, and keeping Ryde Library open 24/7, saying his experience as an HSC student made clear the “importance of getting a late-night study space”.
Harvey hinted at revamping council’s social media presence to “close the gap” between council and residents, particularly younger people. “My biggest asset that I bring to council is the ability to get our residents more aware of what council can do for them … we’re all shareholders, and we all pay.”
The Fairfield and Liverpool elections were run by private firm Australian Election Company. Liverpool is still being counted.
All of the elected candidates across Greater Sydney
