Donna Davis elected as Parramatta Lord Mayor, Sameer Pandey Deputy Lord Mayor

History has been made in more ways than one when Parramatta elected its Lord Mayor and deputy mayor to lead the burgeoning city.

Labor councillor Donna Davis has become just the third female Lord Mayor to lead Parramatta in its 160-year history, while Sameer Pandey is the city’s first Deputy Lord Mayor to hail from the subcontinent.

Cr Davis, a Tasmanian-raised councillor who was first elected on to the council in the Epping ward in 2017, was uncontested at a meeting at CommBank Stadium on Monday night.

Ahead of the meeting, former Liberal Lord Mayor Steven Issa said Cr Davis was a strong candidate but was concerned pro-growth Parramatta could be stunted with Liberals out of the chamber when they were blocked from standing on several councils including Parramatta and Cumberland.

“She’s (Donna) got big shoes to fill,’’ he said.

“She needs not only to represent only her party but also the city.

“Parramatta’s been on the growth trajectory since the first Liberal Lord Mayor was elected in 2008.

“It’s going to be a travesty if the growth of Parramatta stalls because of this change.’’

Cr Davis said she would see Parramatta thrive.

“As Lord Mayor I am committed to ensuring our city continues to flourish by building on the work that has been done during the previous term of council,’’ she said.

“As Parramatta continues to grow, I believe it is critical that council plays a role in ensuring the construction of sustainable and appropriate development, while also acknowledging the importance of our built and natural environments, and rich heritage.’’

Parramatta councillor Donna Davis at Dundas Park. Picture: John Appleyard

Pierre Esber is a veteran councillor.

Fellow Labor councillor Pandey, who has Indian heritage, was also unchallenged for the deputy role, which like the mayor, he will serve until September 2023.

Women now dominate the chamber, with eight out of 15 councillors being female.

After Liberals were ousted from representing Parramatta Council, the political tide has turned in Sydney’s second city where a Labor hopeful was always likely to hold the top job.

ALP councillor of 23 years, Pierre Esber, was believed to be in the running to wear the mayoral chains but did not contest it after Labor newcomers Ange Humphries and Paul Noack nominated Cr Davis.

Labor won seven spots in the December local government elections, Our Local Community gained four, the Greens secured one and three independents were elected.

The Parramatta Advertiser understands the Labor Party head office pushed for a woman to lead the council, with eight out of the 14 councillors female.

Independent Lorraine Wearne was the first woman to be elected as Lord Mayor in 2000-2001 and wore the mayoral chains again in 2011-2012. Now Granville state Labor MP Julia Finn was the mayor in 2004-05.

Cr Esber said the chamber was now more diverse, with councillors hailing from Middle Eastern, Asian, European and subcontinental backgrounds.

Just under 27 per cent of residents in the Parramatta local government area have Indian heritage.

“I just think it sends out a message for future generations out there that are coming from ethnic backgrounds, like myself … it’s an opportunity that you can climb in community service and there’s nothing more noble than community service.’’

Ex Deputy Lord Mayor Michelle Garrard said Parramatta had been built on accessibility, urban design and heritage.

“It’s fundamentally important, especially to my (Our Local Community) team, that that continues to be driven across the city. We expect as LM you will drive the completion of Parramatta Square and other major projects across the city.

“We need to continue to drive investment across Parramatta for us to be a successful city.

“Whilst maintaining that, one of your primary focuses can’t be forgotten but it does need to be our neighbourhoods and our local community.

“There does need to be a focus on this area because there has been a primary focus on the CBD for the last four years.’’

Independent Lorraine Wearne said the council was still a melting pot of politics despite the absence of Liberals.

“I’m hoping somewhere amongst all of that the seven independents and the Green can give you Labor people a run for your money in making sure we actually do keep the city on track and take it forward the way we would all like to see it go.

Mr Issa said Cr Davis was a strong candidate.

“She’s been one of the stronger ALP councillors in the last term,’’ he said.

“She clearly represented her community. Whilst it’s unfortunate that the Liberals didn’t run, she still got two up (in the Epping ward).’’

Fresh-faced newcomer Cameron Maclean, who ran on Cr Davis’s ticket, bolstered the Labor’s profile in Epping when he was elected.

Former Lord Mayor Steven Issa. Picture: John Appleyard

Parramatta councillors elected in December are Cr Esber, Michelle Garrard and Kellie Darley (Dundas ward); Cr Davis, Cr Wearne and Cr Maclean (Epping); Cr Humphries, Georgina Valjak and Donna Wang (North Rocks), Henry Green, Sameer Pandey and Phil Bradley (Parramatta) and Patricia Prociv, Dan Siviero and Cr Noack (Rosehill).

Cumberland Council will vote for its mayor on Wednesday.

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