Steve Issa becomes Parramatta Lord Mayor

The ‘best local government area in the country’ has a new Lord Mayor to steer its unprecedented growth as it emerges out of lockdown and develops into a global city.

Joanne Vella

@Parramatta_News

3 min read

September 28, 2021 - 11:21AM

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Liberal councillor Steven Issa has been voted in as Parramatta’s Lord Mayor, a role he aspired to since he was a child when his father Tony first joined the council before becoming a state MP.

Cr Issa defeated Labor councillor of 22 years, Pierre Esber, while Our Local Community’s Michelle Garrard was re-elected as the Deputy Mayor after pipping Labor hopeful Donna Davis.

Cr Issa, a Merrylands father of three who has served on the council since 2012 including as Deputy Mayor, said it was a privilege to be elected “the greatest city in the world, Parramatta”.

“It’s a place that my heart is deeply connected to, my family’s deeply connected to, it’s where I grew up and where I will continue to raise my family,’’ he said.

Steven Issa has fulfilled a childhood dream to become the new Parramatta Lord Mayor. Picture: John Appleyard

“I’m excited to be leading one of the biggest local government areas in Australia and the best local government area in the country.

“We’re experiencing unprecedented growth in the city. We’re at the precipice of something really special for Parramatta and as we go through that growth and look to transform through projects like the light rail, the Sydney Metro, Parramatta Powerhouse, the aquatic centre and the Parramatta Square development, it’s an amazing thing to be able to contribute not only as a councillor but as Lord Mayor.’’

He said he looked forward to welcoming people back to Parramatta and “into the centre of global Sydney” after Covid.

“It is a pivotal time to be Lord Mayor a city and I’m proud to represent not only the people of Parramatta but western Sydney as a region,’’ he said.

“This is a position that I’ve relished, as a kid growing up watching Dad and others sitting on this chair is being one of those things you strive for.’’

He said he wanted to advocate for Parramatta to get “more than its fair share” of the $5 billion WestInvest fund.

The mayoralty is history repeating for the Issa family, with Steven’s father Tony serving in the top job from 2008 to 2009, two decades after he was first elected on to the council.

The former Granville state Liberal MP is ill with brain cancer but was watching the election being live streamed.

“Mate, you’re my role model, my mentor, I’m glad you’re watching this, you’ve sat here before me and I’ve learned such a great amount from you and your sage advice.’’

It could be a brief stint in the top job and votes must be cast after the December 4 local government elections.

Cr Davis said Labor would continue its strong opposition after Cr Issa’s “short albeit sweet victory”.

“We will ensure we take the challenge up to you for all the matters though I am pleased to hear that you are keen to pursue the government on their (developers’) contributions scheme and do what’s right for our city, not what’s right for the state government.’’

Fellow Liberal Bob Dwyer is resigning after the poll.

He thanked his family, the council for his time in public office including the two years as a mayor and at a time when “Covid has knocked us around for two years”.

The mild-mannered farewell was a stark contrast to his spray against the council in August when he labelled the chamber dysfunctional and that he felt trapped.

Like Cr Issa, Cr Garrard also hails from similar political stock, with her father and current Cumberland councillor Paul Garrard a local government veteran who was first elected to Parramatta in 1974 and most recently served as Lord Mayor of Parramatta in 2016 before council amalgamations.

Miichelle Garrard retains her role as Deputy Lord Mayor. Picture: John Appleyard

In August, the consensus among the council was to re-elect Cr Dwyer to see out the rest of the term instead of a new mayor serving for a disrupted six weeks before the council goes into caretaker mode ahead of the December 4 poll.

Last week, Labor opposed voting in the mayor for a short stint.

“The strong possibility that the Lord Mayor will change so close to the election and caretaker period is not good governance and the state government should have prevented this,’’ Cr Davis said last week.

“The possible election of a new Lord Mayor, for just a handful of weeks, strengthens the argument for embracing a popularly elected Lord Mayor model.’’

Councillor Lorraine Wearne, Andrew Wilson, Bill Tyrrell, Andrew Jefferies, Martin Zaiter, Cr Dwyer, Cr Garrard, Benjamin Barrak voted for Cr Issa while Pierre Esber’s failed to muster enough votes. Labor’s Cr Davis, Patricia Prociv and Sameer Pandey supported him, along with the Greens’ Phil Bradley.