Bob Dwyer is new Parramatta Lord Mayor, Michelle Garrard elected deputy
The newly-elected mayor of Sydney’s second largest city has called for councillors to behave better after his predecessor’s “tumultuous” two years in the top job.
Parramatta
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New Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer’s peers expect him to flex his Liberal muscle to advance the city but not forget about the “little people” while the city grows wealthier.
Cr Dwyer defeated Labor contender Pierre Esber eight votes to six at a meeting tonight, and has taken over the role from Andrew Wilson.
Independent Lorraine Wearne abstained from voting in the council-only poll.
Our Local Community’s Michelle Garrard pipped Labor’s Donna Davis to retain her role as the deputy mayor.
On the 20th anniversary since he became a Parramatta councillor, Cr Wilson did not nominate for the top job but has been the only mayor to hold the position for two years.
Three weeks after Benjamin Barrak was partially successful in his appeal against the council in the Supreme Court, Cr Wilson said it had been a challenging term as the mayor but praised councillors.
“This council, I believe has done far more than any other metropolitan council could reasonably be expected and has done that overwhelmingly well,’’ he said while shaking off a virus with a shaky voice.
“When you look at it you are doing an absolute pile of work, councillors, and I congratulate you for your support.’’
Cr Dwyer credited Cr Wilson, an Our Local Community representative, for his achievements over the past “tumultuous couple of years’'.
“Everything was done extremely well and he’s achieved very great things and we have to congratulate him for that because as a chamber our conduct is not what it should be and for that I would apologise for that,’’ he said.
“We have many, many things on the board coming up, whether it be the pool or the light rail or Riverside situation (theatres upgrade).
“I would like to think we could conduct our meetings in a very amenable manner and respect each other and not drag meetings on for the sake of it.’’
Cr Dwyer was born and raised in Dundas Valley before moving to Winston Hills and has lived in the Parramatta district for almost 60 years.
“I’ve been a very proud person of Parramatta and watching our city grow and watching our teams grow,’’ he said.
“We are now on the horizon. Everybody knows where Parramatta is when they see Bankwest on the television.’’
Fellow Liberal Cr Barrak said the council had to tackle unfair revenue raising.
“This city is very big, it’s very rich, it’s very successful, it’s growing but I believe we are forgetting about things like homelessness, things like substance abuse ... bringing the people with us and not to forget we are here to serve the little people in on the street.
“I hope we can remember the little person — the mums and dads and the kids.’’
Cr Davis called on the new leader to use his Liberal position to work closely with the Parramatta Park Trust and fight for heritage campaigns such as Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace historic buildings, and to upgrade the Riverside Theatres.
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