The 2017 New South Wales mayoral elections were held on 9 September 2017 to elect mayors or lord mayors to 13 of the 46 local government areas (LGAs) up for election in New South Wales. The elections were held as part of the statewide local elections.
While most mayors in New South Wales are elected by councillors at meetings, several choose to have directly elected (or popularly elected) mayors.
This was the last time the position of mayor of North Sydney was directly elected, as a referendum held on the same day as the local elections saw 52.4% of residents vote in favour of replacing the election with a vote from councillors. The change came into effect in 2021.
Background 2014 Willoughby by-election
On 20 January 2014, Willoughby mayor Pat Reilly () died in hospital after a short sickness.
Although she finished in third place on first preferences, candidate Gail Giles-Gidney won the by-election on 12 April with 50.8% of the vote after preference distribution.
2014 Newcastle by-election
On 17 August 2014, Newcastle lord mayor Jeff McCloy () resigned following an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry into donations he made to Liberal Party candidates during his tenure as a property developer.
The subsequent by-election on 15 November was won by candidate Nuatali Nelmes.
Candidates Incumbents at the time of the elections are highlighted in bold text. LGA Held by Others Burwood John Faker Joseph Del Duca Lesley Furneaux-Cook (ICV) Canada Bay Angelo Tsirekas Helen McCaffrey Charles Jago Daniela Ramondino Hornsby Janelle McIntosh Philip Ruddock Emma Heyde Christine Berman Mick Gallagher Hunter's Hill Zac Miles Mark Bennett Ross Williams Maitland Loretta Baker Bob Geoghegan John Brown Brian Burke Ken Wethered Philip Penfold (PI) Mosman Simon Menzies Libby Moline Roy Bendall (RFM) Carolyn Corrigan (SM) Newcastle Nuatali Nelmes David Compton Therese Doyle Ron Brown Kath Elliott Rod Holding Steve O'Brien (SA) North Sydney Zoë Baker Jilly Gibson Jessica Keen Michael Kong (LDP) Orange Stephen Nugent Kevin Duffy Ron Gander Chris Gryllis Reg Kidd Tony Mileto Scott Munro Paula Townsend Russell Turner (Ind. Nat) Jeff Whitton (Ind. ALP) Port Stephens Des Maslen Geoff Dingle Sally Dover Peter Kafer Ryan Palmer Steve Tucker The Hills Tony Hay Michelle Byrne Jeff Lowe Ray Brown (BAP) Willoughby Angelo Rozos Gail Giles-Gidney (Ind. Lib) Wollongong David Brown John Dorahy Mithra Cox Andrew Anthony Vicki Curran Warwick Erwin John Mullan Greg Petty Gordon Bradbery (WI)
Retiring mayors Peter Blackmore () − Maitland, announced 17 May 2017 Steve Russell () − Hornsby, announced July 2017 Bruce McKenzie () − Port Stephens, announced 9 August 2017 John Davis () − Orange, announced 10 August 2017; not directly elected Yvonne Keane () − The Hills, announced 2017; not directly elected Peter Abelson () − Mosman, announced 2017
Results Burwood
Canada Bay
Hornsby
Hunter's Hill
Maitland
Mosman
Newcastle
Changes compared with 2014 Newcastle lord mayoral by-election
North Sydney
Orange
This was the first time the position of mayor of Orange was directly elected John Davis () was the incumbent mayor, having been first elected in 2009
Port Stephens
The Hills
This was the first time the position of mayor of The Hills was directly elected Yvonne Keane () was the incumbent mayor, having been elected in 2016
Willoughby
Changes compared with 2014 Willoughby mayoral by-election
Wollongong
Notes
References