The 2017 New South Wales local elections were held on 9 September 2017 to elect the councils of 46 of the 128 local government areas (LGAs) in New South Wales. Several councils also held mayoral elections and/or referendums.

Background

Following the

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, major changes occurred as a result of the enactment of the ''

Local Government (Areas) Act 1948 Local Government (Areas) Act 1948 was a landmark New South Wales statute that was notable for its wide-ranging reforms for and amalgamations of the Local Government Areas of New South Wales within the County of Cumberland. Largely informed by th ...

'' and as a result of a review by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) that commenced in 2013. On 12 May 2016, following a further review by the Minister for Local Government and the independent Local Government Boundaries Commission,

Premier Premier is a title for the head of government in central governments, state governments and local governments of some countries. A second in command to a premier is designated as a deputy premier. A premier will normally be a head of governm ...

Mike Baird announced Stage 1 starting with 19 new councils, through amalgamations and mergers, with immediate effect. The Minister indicated in principle support to create a further nine new councils, subject to the decision of the courts. On the same day, the

Governor of New South Wales The governor of New South Wales is the viceregal representative of the Australian monarch, King Charles III, in the state of New South Wales. In an analogous way to the governor-general of Australia at the national level, the governors of the ...

acted on the advice of the Minister, and proclaimed the 19 new local government areas. Another proclamation occurred a few months later with the amalgamation of City of Botany Bay and City of Rockdale. This resulted in 79 councils being contested in

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before the vast majority contested together again in

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Political parties

The following registered parties contested this election. This does not include groups of independents: * Animal Justice Party * Christian Democrats *

Greens Greens may refer to: *Leaf vegetables such as collard greens, mustard greens, spring greens, winter greens, spinach, etc. Politics Supranational * Green politics * Green party, political parties adhering to Green politics * Global Greens * Europ ...

* Labor Party * Liberal Democrats * Liberal Party * Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party * Socialist Alliance In addition, a number of local government-registered parties also contested the elections.

Party changes before elections

A number of councillors joined or left parties before the 2017 elections.

Results

Council totals

Referendums and polls

In addition to the local and mayoral elections, four LGAs held local referendums on questions relating to electoral structures. Advisory polls were also held in

Cumberland Cumberland ( ) is a historic county in the far North West England. It covers part of the Lake District as well as the north Pennines and Solway Firth coast. Cumberland had an administrative function from the 12th century until 1974. From 19 ...

and Dungog.

Referendums

Polls

Aftermath

Party defections

In 2019, Labor Cumberland councillor Steve Christou defected to Our Local Community, as did directly-elected Canada Bay mayor Angelo Tsirekas in 2021. OLC councillor Andrew Wilson joined The Small Business Party in 2021.

By-elections

The New South Wales Electoral Commission held a number of by-elections to fill vacancies on councils following the 2017 elections up until

. The Central Coast Council was suspended before two by-elections in 2020 could be held.

Notes

References

{{New South Wales elections New South Wales Elections Local elections in New South Wales