With the Local Council Election only a few short weeks away, find out who the lead Parramatta candidates are vying for your vote.
For those who are unfamiliar with how Council elections work, the Parramatta Council area is divided into five wards, with residents to vote for the Councillors in their ward.
Voters get the option to vote above the line or number every candidate box below the line. Read on to find out who the lead candidates listed above the line are in your ward:
Dundas Ward
In the Dundas Ward, Anthony Ellard replaces current Lord Mayor Pierre Esber, who is not recontesting, as first on the ticket for Labor. The longtime local’s campaign will be a plan for community improvement focusing on preserving the character of neighborhoods, enhancing parks, playgrounds and sporting fields.
Our Local Community (OLC) Councillor Michelle Garrard, who has served on Council since 2017, is back and promises to “provide honest, genuine and independent representation”.
“OLC has consistently delivered results for Dundas Ward, ensuring fair distribution of funding and essential services across all our suburbs,” she said.
“From upgrading local shops to enhancing parks with age-diverse activities, OLC has worked tirelessly to improve our community’s quality of life. I have delivered more in the Dundas Ward than another Councillor in the time I have been on Council.”
The Liberals are also set to make their return to shake-up the Labor-dominated Council this election, with Tanya Raffoul, the former Chief of Staff to senior Minister David Elliott, throwing her hat into the ring.
Rounding out the contenders for the ward is Kellie Darley, who is representing her newly-formed Community Champions and is looking to secure another four years on the Council.
“Too often, Councillors have made decisions without proper community input and accountability, as seen with the Parramatta Eels sponsorship, demonstrating a lack of transparency and a focus on self-interest rather than community needs,” she said.
“Our community deserves genuine representation and evidence-based decision-making, not decisions driven by party politics or profit.”
Epping Ward
Current Hornsby Shire Councillor Sreeni Pillamarri will vie for a spot in Parramatta’s Epping Ward at the upcoming election. A resident of Cherrybrook, Pillamarri grew up in Carlingford and is focused on supporting families, local businesses and sporting clubs.
Businesswoman, parent and disability carer Sophie Edington is first on the ticket for the Greens. She said the Greens want to be a voice for those bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis.
“Epping residents should vote Green because we will prioritise growing our green power infrastructure, making our buildings sustainable, pushing for better planned village hubs, and increasing our tree canopy to defend against deadly urban heat,” she said.
“We are also committed to improving community wellbeing through better access to parks and green spaces, as well as connecting existing cycleways to create safe active transport choices.”
Former Deputy Lord Mayor and current Parramatta Labor Councillor Cameron Maclean is looking to get a second term on the Council. The Epping resident aims to improve the district and give residents a sense of pride about where they live.
Natalie Ng, Community Champions, is hoping to provide genuine representation on Council, building on her experience of raising a family in the Epping community for the past 14 years and volunteering for local support services, sports clubs and P&Cs to best assist residents.
Passionate about promoting multiculturalism, Charles Chen will represent the Lorraine Wearne Independents. Chen said Epping Ward residents should vote for him because he is dedicated to addressing the community’s key needs with practical solutions.
“I support high-density housing in suitable areas, such as around train stations and commercial centers, where it can be integrated effectively without causing traffic problems. I will ensure that these developments include robust parking plans to minimize any negative impact,” he said.
“Another pressing issue in the Epping Ward is the high number of vacant commercial sites. To combat this, I plan to implement strategies that support and attract new local businesses, helping to revitalize our commercial areas and create a vibrant local economy.”
North Rocks Ward
Hayley French, an artist, curator and writer, will fight to get a spot on the North Rocks Ward for Labor. She’s previously worked in the Community and Culture team at City of Parramatta for six years.
First on the ticket for the Liberal party is former Independent and Winston Hills resident Georgina Valjak.
“As a former Independent, I am excited to be joining the experienced Liberal team who have a proven track record of initiating infrastructure in our great city such as Parramatta Aquatic Centre, Stadium, Powerhouse, PHIVE/Library, Riverside funding, refurbished Town Hall and Parramatta Light Rail,” the current Councillor said.
“The Liberal team is best placed to manage our city’s budget without burdening residents with rate rises to provide community amenities that our residents and ratepayers deserve, while also fostering a dynamic and prosperous CBD for our businesses.”
OLC’s Donna Wang will also contest again and is looking to continue her work in addressing key issues like parking, street lighting, the maintenance of parks, parklands, and waterways.
The final candidate who is first on the ticket for the North Rocks Ward is Justin Mulder. Representing Community Champions, Mulder has over 20 years of local, state and federal government experience, including as the former Chief of Staff for the Parramatta Lord Mayor.
Parramatta Ward
OLC’s Henry Green will contest for another four years as a Parramatta Ward Councillor and is looking to continue championing for local causes, such as securing a permanent home for the PCYC in Parramatta.
Former Randwick City Councillor and heritage advocate Judith Greenwood will represent the Greens. A resident of North Parramatta, she’s focused on ensuring sustainable development and transparency in decision making. Current Councillor Phil Bradley is second on her ticket.
Representing the Libertarian Party – formerly known as the Liberal Democrats – is Charlie Rios.
If elected, Rios said the Libertarian party will work towards delivering reduced rates to residents and business, as well as focus on improving roads.
“Parramatta Council has seen the traditional parties of ALP, LNP and Greens control local government and all we see is more spending, increased rates, yet roads are still a mess,” he said.
“Our plan is simple: get Council back to being a service provider to residents for rubbish collection and road repair – not social engineering.”
Former Lord Mayor and current Councillor Sameer Pandey is leading the Parramatta Ward ticket for Labor. He’s served on the Council for the past seven years and will focus on doing his very best for the community with professionalism every day.
The Liberal party’s Martin Zaiter, a chartered accountant and former Councillor, rounds out the candidates for the Parramatta Ward.
Rosehill Ward
Current Deputy Lord Mayor and Rosehill resident of over 45 years Patricia Prociv will again contest for Labor next month.
She said “placing people and communities at the centre of planning decisions so local needs are included in development” and “increased services and transport options to meet an increasing population” are two of her key focus areas.
Community Champions’ Jayne Christian, an experienced lawyer and Baramadagal woman, will also contend for a spot on the Council. Having chaired multiple committees within City of Parramatta and worked with both Federal and State Government’s in a legal capacity, Christian said social justice is at the core of who she is.
Former Lord Mayor Steven Issa is seeking to be voted in as a Liberal Councillor for the Rosehill Ward. He believes a vote for the Liberal party is a vote for strong leadership experience and real progress.
Believing in personal freedom, low tax and an honest government, Mark Guest will fight for a spot on the Council for the Libertarian party.
The Rosehill Ward will also see current Councillor and former Labor Party member Paul Noack gunning for a spot as an Independent.
Noack said a vote for his Independent team is a vote for a “genuinely Independent voice” to represent the community, rather than big party interests.
“I have a proven record of strong, independent leadership and delivering for the community,” he said.
“I think it is essential that all candidates understand the needs of our ward and my team of Independents is the only ticket where all candidates live in the Rosehill Ward.”
Lee Malkoun, who is currently teaching at St. Patrick’s Marist College in Dundas, has teamed up with OLC to run as a candidate. He aims to advocate for more open spaces and support local businesses. Former Councillor Dan Siviero is second on the ticket.
Westmead resident Harry Gian will also run as an ungrouped candidate in the ward.
Who isn’t returning
Current Councillors not recontesting are long-time Parramatta Councillor Lorraine Wearne, who was the first female Lord Mayor of a Sydney Council, and Lord Mayor Pierre Esber. Labor North Rocks Councillor Ange Humphries will also not recontest.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.