Liverpool Council elections 2021: Ned Mannoun leads mayoral vote

A southwest Sydney mayoral hopeful is poised to roll out his ambitious plans for the community after his main rival conceded defeat.

Liverpool mayoral hopeful and Labor councillor Nathan Hagarty has conceded defeat in the race to lead the southwest council, paving the way for Ned Mannoun’s comeback.

Early last week, it was only “mathematically possible” for a Labor to lead Liverpool and Cr Hagarty, who was still re-elected in the north ward, congratulated Mr Mannoun on his win.

“I look forward to working with all of my fellow councillors in delivering the services and infrastructure our area needs and deserves,’’ he wrote on Facebook.

Last week, Mr Mannoun has so far secured 42.3 per cent of the vote, followed by Cr Hagarty (37.65 per cent), independent Michael Andjelkovic (8.46 per cent), Liverpool Community Independents Team’s Peter Harle (7.11 per cent) and Greens Asm Morshed who picked up 3.94 per cent as votes continue to be counted.

“Probably disappointed is the best word on a campaign of hard work, integrity, trust and it would appear that’s not enough,’’ Cr Hagarty said last week.

“Perhaps the demographics of the area are changing and we need to be aware of that.’’

Defeated mayoral candidate Nathan Hagarty.

Mr Mannoun led by 4000 votes and was almost poised to declare victory on December 6 but online votes, which were due to be counted by 6pm, were delayed till Wednesday that week.

However, he was confident and said while it was “mathematically possible’’ for Labor to nudge ahead, “that’s their only chance of getting through”.

Cr Hagarty won prepoll in his suburb of Green Valley by 800 votes and Carnes Hill by 200.

The Liberals won Wattle Grove, Casula and the Liverpool CBD but lost Austral.

Away from the mayoral race, Cr Hagarty has welcomed Labor representation, which is on course to dominate the chamber, so “we can keep them (Liberals) in check”.

Sunday, December 5

Mr Mannoun has pledged bold projects including swimming pools and a Metro station for the neglected community

After a five-year hiatus, Liverpool mayoral hopeful Ned Mannoun is likely to return to public office and serve a region that is shifting from a traditional Labor heartland into one gravitating towards the Liberals.

Former rural suburb-turned residential subdivision Austral, and Miller Technology High School booth is tied between Labor and Liberal.

The Liberals claimed booths at Holsworthy Public School by 70 votes, Newbridge Heights Public School at Chipping Norton by 231 and Dalmeny Public School by 32 votes.

As well as Mr Mannoun stepping closer to wearing the mayoral chains for the first time since 2016, the council is on course to becoming a Liberal-dominated chamber.

Ned Mannoun looks likely to clinch the mayoral vote again.

The Liberals could even win Labor-entrenched Miller.

“What have they done to deserve your vote?’’ Mr Mannoun said he asked Miller voters about Labor.

“Labor heartland is in the Miller 2168 area and it’s eroding.

“We’re going to lift the area up.’’

The Middleton Grange resident (where Labor won by 50 votes) has goals include building swimming pools at Carnes Hill and east Liverpool. He also wants to lobby the government to extend the Sydenham to Bankstown line to Miller and improve transport links.

“It’s about improving the quality of life for people in Liverpool and southwest Sydney,’’ he said.

“Seventy per cent of Liverpool leaves home to go to work every day and we spend two to three hours to travel.

“Our goal is to become like Parramatta but better than Parramatta. We need better connectivity.’’

He wants more open space to make the Georges River more accessible — a plan he hoped to execute with a 10km riverside boardwalk stretching from Chipping Norton to Pleasure Point.

“We’re unlocking Georges River,’’ he said.

“The Georges River is Sydney’s most untapped resource and it should be the jewel of southwest Sydney. Everyone deserves to have a nice day along the river.’’

Pulling the council out of its $11 million deficit is also on his agenda and going back to basics.

Mr Mannoun, who says his the tally results are positive, looks to be having the last laugh to the finish line despite images of his face being splashed in manure the night before polling.

On Saturday morning, NSW Police confirmed Liverpool police were investigating the vandalism of signs outside a polling location in West Hoxton overnight when images of his face were covered in manure.

On Sunday, he said he was happy to be leading with 2000 votes.

“People have voted to bring back Ned and what that means is it’s a positive vision for the area,’’ he said.

“It’s a vote for hope in a neglected area.’’

Mr Mannoun, who served four years on the council between 2012 and 2016, was investigated and cleared by ICAC after a Shooters and Fishers MP claimed he was corrupt, as well a Liberal Party power struggles.

In 2016, he went on to run unsuccessfully for the federal seat of Werriwa and he retired from politics that year.