Liberal candidates return to Parramatta Council

More blue is about to coat the red-dominated Parramatta Council after the Liberals reversed their decision and allowed candidates to represent the party in the local government poll. Read more about the hopefuls.

Liberals Martin Zaiter, Tanya Raffoul and Sreeni Pillamarri.

After an absence of almost three years, five Liberal candidates – including an ex David Elliott staffer and former Lord Mayor – have been endorsed by the party to run for Parramatta Council in the September 14 local government elections.

Former Lord Mayor Steven Issa, ex-councillor Martin Zaiter, incumbent Hornsby councillor Sreeni Pillamarri and Tanya Raffoul, who worked as former senior Minister David Elliott as his chief of staff, are joining the race.

Sitting independent Georgina Valjak is to run as a Liberal in the North Rocks ward.

Mr Issa, who will run in the Rosehill ward, said the team included a lawyer, chartered accountant, small business owner, volunteers and parents who could “fix” increased parking rates, provide more parks and upgrades, and lead the council better financially.

“Without Liberal Party representation over the past two-and-a-half years, the current city council has delivered relatively little in terms of new or improved services and facilities for our community,’’ he said.

Mayor Steven Issa (right) with Joseph Rahme at the Granville polling station in May 2022.

“In fact, amid a cost-of-living crisis, they have raised rates no less than three times – by over 7 per cent – just to maintain their own financial position.’’

Cr Valjak echoed the comments.

“I am excited to be joining the Liberal team who have delivered so much for our city and we’re now seeing their vision come to fruition with projects they initiated and supported,’’ she said.

“Infrastructure such as the Parramatta light rail, Parramatta Aquatic Centre, Phive, Square, Quay, Escarpment, Riverside funding, Metro and the Powerhouse.’’

Outgoing Labor Lord Mayor Pierre Esber, who is retiring after more than two decades on the council, took “umbrage” to Mr Issa’s comments, saying it did not matter who initiated the projects, as long as they were delivered.

Parramatta hopeful Tanya Raffoul.

However, he welcomed the experience he and Mr Zaiter had.

“I just want to see Parramatta keep moving forward,’’ he said.

Mr Pillamarri lives at Cherrybrook and represents Hornsby Council but said he could “do better” in Parramatta “because there’s a lot of opportunities to deliver”.

The IT professional, 46, owns SoftLabs business at Parramatta and grew up in Hornsby.

Ms Raffoul, who lifted the lid on the Liberal Party’s sexist culture in 2022, worked as a parliamentary adviser, senior policy adviser and chief of staff for senior minister Mr Elliott.

“It’s an enormous privilege and it’s one I take seriously,’’ the Dundas ward hopeful said.

“I was born, raised and reside in the heart of western Sydney, and I understand the community’s needs, challenges and expectations – because I share them and hear and see them every day.”

Sreeni Pillamarri. Picture: Facebook

Former Parramatta Lord Mayor Steven Issa. Picture: John Appleyard

At the rival camp, a battle is brewing ahead of preselection on Saturday with multiple hopefuls vying to represent Labor in each ward.

That includes a showdown between the party’s incumbent Epping councillor Cameron Maclean and Alan Mascarenhas who ran No. 2 on the North Rocks ticket in the December 2021 poll.

Former councillor Prabir Maitra is eyeing a return for Labor in the Parramatta ward where he is competing against former mayor Sameer Pandey who is the sitting councillor for that area.

It is understood Ange Humphries is up against five other Labor hopefuls to represent Labor in the North Rocks ward.

Murmurs are swirling that Labor’s Paul Noack will run as an independent in the Rosehill ward, with Patricia Prociv likely to win preselection for the party ballot at the weekend.

Originally published as Liberal candidates return to Parramatta Council