NSW election 2023: Donna Davis, Karen McKeown, Michael Regan reveal plans to juggle local, state responsibilities

High-profile mayors and councillors have revealed if they’ll remain on council when they enter parliament as newly minted MPs. See their decision here.

Grassroot local campaigns from the northern beaches to the geographical heart of Sydney and the foot of the Blue Mountains has seen current and former Labor and independent mayors push the Liberal Party out of power.

High-profile mayors have revealed whether they’ll remain on council when they enter parliament as newly minted MPs.

In western Sydney, Labor’s Parramatta mayor Donna Davis brought the seat back into the hands of Labor, while at the foot of the mountains, former Penrith mayor and current councillor Karen McKeown looks set to oust Liberal Stuart Ayres.

Ms McKeown revealed she would see out her term as a councillor, while juggling her responsibility as Penrith MP.

“This is not unusual, we have seen a good transition of councillors to representing our community at state level,” Ms McKeown said.

“It will be a challenge juggling local and state priorities, but I am up for the task.”

NSW Labor candidate for Penrith Karen McKeown. Picture: Ben Symons

She said she would surround herself with a brain’s trust to ensure she could juggle both roles “to make Penrith proud”.

“I am surrounding myself with incredible people to ensure that I give Penrith the best foot forward,” Ms McKeown said.

A decision about whether Ms Davis continued as Lord Mayor could be made as early as Monday, at the council’s fortnightly meeting.

Mrs Davis, who became mayor in January last year, said it would be too early to make a decision given that counting continues.

Parramatta Labor candidate Donna Davis enters Rosehill Bowling Club after winning the election.

On Sunday, she had 48 per cent of the vote compared with the 35 per cent of Liberals’ candidate Katie Mullens.

Former Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer had been vocal about Mrs Davis relinquishing her role as mayor if she was successful at the poll, pointing out her income could exceed $300,000.

“I’m not too sure this will meet the public’s pub test,’’ Mr Dwyer said at the time.

On the Northern Beaches, in Brad Hazzard’s old seat of Wakehurst, popular independent mayor Michael Regan looks set to claim an incredible scalp, although he reiterated there was still more than 40 per cent of the vote to count and was “taking nothing for granted”.

He revealed, if elected, he’d stand down as mayor in April, but would remain on council to lend experience and counsel.

“I’ve made it clear that, if elected, I will step down to allow someone else to take on the role,” Mr Regan said.

Independent Michael Regan celebrates with volunteers and supporters on Saturday night at the Manly Warringah Football Club. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“But the community and fellow councillors have said it would be good for me to stay on council, to use my experience. ”

He said council was on the scout for a new CEO and he wanted to ensure he could lend his knowledge through the recruitment and transition.

Mr Regan said – whatever the eventual outcome in Wakehurst – the community had made its voice heard.

“It was incredibly humbling and overwhelming,” he said.

Michael Regan, with friend and supporter Steve Menzies, former Manly Sea Eagles great, flanked by supporters at the Manly Warringah Football Club at Cromer after grabbing the safe seat from the Liberals. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

“It wasn’t strictly a vote for me, but a vote for friends, families, neighbours and the future of the area – it was extraordinary to be a part of.”

In Balmain, which remains too close to call, although the national broadcaster had called it for the Greens’ Kobi Shetty on Saturday night, either eventual victor would be an Inner West councillor.

Inner West Council voted at the inception of its current term to pursue the countback method to determine replacements.

Nathan Hagarty, pictured with his family, says he is overwhelmed by the news but is ready to serve his community for the next four years. Picture: Annie Lewis

In Balmain, on that method, Labor would gain a new councillor if Ms Shetty were to resign and in Leichhardt, the ward Labor’s Philippa Scott represents, a Green would be elected – making it unlikely either would stand down.

Liverpool councillor Nathan Hagarty, who is also the treasurer of Local Government NSW, said he had yet to weigh up whether to stand down from council.

“I want to give 100 per cent to my new role, but at the same time I committed to a full term – so I haven’t made my mind up,” he said.

“If I feel I can give 100 per cent to both roles, I will – but if I can’t, I’ll pull the plug.”

Judy Hannan with husband Neil Hannan on election day at Wollondilly Shire Hall. (AAP/Image Matthew Vasilescu

In Wollondilly, councillor Judy Hannan looked set to topple Liberal Nathaniel Smith in a major upset while Labor councillor Charishma Kaliyanda was elected in Liverpool.

A senior Liberal source has blamed the party’s losses at the election for its failure to field candidates on councils.

The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, pointed out how former Parramatta Lord Mayors Julia Finn, David Borger and Tony Issa, and incumbent mayor Donna Davis, “romped in’’ as elected MPs.

“The party’s only got itself to blame,’’ the source said.

“The community isn’t dumb and what’s very clear is that local government makes a difference.’’