Liberal Martin Zaiter voted in as Parramatta Lord Mayor, Labor’s Cameron MacLean named deputy

The Liberals have declared they are regaining control at Parramatta Council, voting in an aspiring state MP as Lord Mayor, with an independent explaining why she made the surprise decision to back him.

Martin Zaiter is Parramatta’s new Lord Mayor.

The Liberals are making inroads into regaining control of Parramatta Council with Martin Zaiter voted in as Lord Mayor.

Cr Zaiter pipped Labor contender Patricia Prociv 8-7 during the councillor-only vote on Monday night.

Making up the other half of “the odd couple”, Labor’s Cameron MacLean has been elected Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney’s second city until September 2025, after beating Steven Issa for the job.

Cr Zaiter, who some political insiders say has ambitions to become a state MP, lives in Prospect, slightly outside Parramatta, in the Blacktown council area.

He said he would fight for state and federal funding.

Liberal councillor Martin Zaiter. Picture: Fluential Studio

“To all the residents and businesses owners across the LGA, from Toongabbie to Wentworth Point, Epping to Harris Park or North Rocks to Carlingford, I commit to deliver not only for our CBD but also for our suburbs.

“I extend my hand to everyone in this chamber and I challenge all of us to ensure that we bring a high level of corporate governance, professionalism, but most importantly, accountability.

“I also commit to being a loud voice and advocate for our LGA when it comes to obtaining our fair share of federal and state funding.’’

Other councillors voting for Cr Prociv were councillors MacLean, Judy Greenwood, Hayley French, Anthony Ellard, Sameer Pandey and Michael Ng, who said it was disappointing there was not a progressive Lord Mayor.

Cr Zaiter’s other supporters were Georgina Valjak, Tanya Raffoul, Steven Issa, Manning Jeffrey and Sreeni Pillamarri.

Cr Greenwood backed Cr Prociv, but the votes of councillors Chen and Darley pushed Zaiter over the line.

Cr Darley accepted she struggled with the decision, but had confidence in Cr Zaiter.

“When I was elected last term I can’t say I thought I would be voting for a Lord Mayor now,’’ she said.

“I imagine there’s a number of people who would have been quite surprised, potentially confused and some of them might have be disappointed.’’

Kellie Darley at Ermington West Public School on election day.

She defended her “pragmatic” decision and cited the skills and experience of Cr Zaiter, who served on the council from 2017 to 2021 but did not run in the December 2021 poll when the Liberals restricted candidates running in local government.

“I’ve made that decision on the skills and experience that Martin has and that I think are very needed right now to lead and drive this organisation,’’ Cr Darley said.

“It’s not based on character or values. My votes will still be exactly the same in this chamber as they have been — I still will be fighting for protecting, conserving and celebrating our natural environment and heritage that we have.’’

Ahead of the meeting, Cr Darley told this publication Labor was “dysfunctional’’ during the last term and told the meeting that former Lord Mayor Pierre Esber did not share her views or policies, but she initially supported him.

“At that point I thought we needed the statesman-type leadership that he presented, that calm approach in the chamber and tonight I’ve taken the same pragmatic approach and I do hope that I’m proven right,’’ she said.

Cameron MacLean and Martin Zaiter. Picture: Fluential Studio

She dismissed suggestions she had struck a deal with the Liberals so she would become Lord Mayor in the council’s third year of the term, or that she would be Deputy Lord Mayor sooner.

Cr Darley voted for Labor’s Cr MacLean for the deputy role.

First-time councillor Cr Raffoul echoed Cr Darley’s comments about Cr Zaiter being the right candidate to lead the city.

“Parramatta is more than just a city, it’s the heart and soul of NSW,’’ she said.

The Liberals’ return spelt the demise of the Michelle Garrard-headed Our Local Community party in Parramatta, with councillors Garrard, Donna Wang, Henry Green failing to be re-elected, while Dan Siviero resigned in June.

Originally published as Liberal Martin Zaiter voted in as Parramatta Lord Mayor, Labor’s Cameron MacLean named deputy