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Governance Consultation - Do residents want a popularly elected Lord Mayor?

Currently, Parramatta City Council Lord Mayoral elections are held annually, with popularly elected Councillors voting amongst themselves which member of the Chamber will be the Civic Leader of the city for the following twelve months.

An alternatively model adopted by some Council’s has a popularly elected Lord Mayor, in which residents vote directly for a Lord Mayor from amongst the candidates at Local Government elections held every four years. There are arguments for and against this. 

A mail or email based survey (depending on Resident Panel preferences) will be sent to all members on the 18th of November 2009 

To gauge community opinion on this matter, all Resident Panel members will be asked about this later in the year. We have also provided information for and against these two alternative models for Panel members to consider when making comment. 

Research Objectives 

To seek public opinion on whether Parramatta’s governance system should have in place a popularly elected Lord Mayor 

Major Findings 

Community Support for the Council having a popularly elected Lord Mayor

64% of residents indicated that they do support Parramatta City Council having a popularly elected Lord Mayor.

Some of the supporting reasons were:

  • People should be allowed to vote, as it’s more democratic
  • A Lord Mayor can only achieve a certain amount within a one year term. The four year period would allow them to see their vision and accomplish their goals

Councillor knowledge, popularity and cost main reasons for not supporting

36% of respondents specified that they do not support Parramatta City Council having a popularly elected Lord Mayor. Supporting reasons were:

  • Councillors should select the Lord Mayor as they know the best qualities for a Lord Mayor
  • Individuals may pick a Lord Mayor based on their popularity and not on their ability
  • It would cost rate payers much more money

Males tended to want more choice than females

Within their own gender groups it was apparent that males prefer to have the choice of a popularly elected Mayor more so than females.

  • 70% of males support Council having a popularly elected Lord Mayor
  • 61% of females support Council having a popularly elected Lord Mayor

Persons aged 26-40 and 41-55 have a higher discretion than older residents

Data analysis shows that nearly 70% of persons aged 26-55 would like to choose who their Lord Mayor is. Interestingly there was a downward trend for older persons who support a popularly elected Lord Mayor; 56-69 (59% support) and those 70+ (53%).

All suburbs in the affirmative – with the exception of Chester Hill

It is apparent that all suburbs across the LGA were in support of a popularly elected Lord Mayor, except Chester Hill, where there was 33% only support.

Report 

PDF Icon Popularly Elected Lord Mayoral Consultation Report for Resident Panel

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