Sutherland Shire, St George local government election 2021 results

Powerful independents are set to shake up the status quo at local councils in Sydney’s south, as the 2021 local government election results gradually come into view in the Sutherland Shire and St George.

The make-up of southern Sydney’s local councils is slowly coming into view as vote counting continues in the 2021 local government election.

The rise of powerful independent groups has shaken up the status quo across the Sutherland Shire and St George, while a major party declining to endorse any candidates – even existing councillors seeking another term – has caused uncertainty in one particular council.

One council is all but decided with only three of 15 seats left to be determined, while two others still have almost half up in the air.

Carmelo Pesce. Picture: Britta Campion

Several Sutherland Shire Council stalwarts appear to have already secured their spots on the new council, including Liberals Carmelo Pesce and Carol Provan and Labor’s Diedree Steinwall and Jack Boyd.

Newcomers including Labor’s Jen Armstrong – formerly a candidate for the state seat of Miranda – along with Liberals Stephen Nikolovski, Louise Sullivan and returning former councillor Hassan Awada are also thought to have made it past the post.

Existing councillors taking another tilt who are yet to learn their fate include Liberal Kent Johns and Labor’s Peter Scaysbrook, Greg McLean and Michael Forshaw – signalling uncertainty and a possible power shift against the Shire’s Labor team.

New councillor Jen Armstrong.

Support for Labor crashed by 6.1 per cent, compared to just a 1.3 per cent swing against the Liberals as independent candidates picked up another 11 per cent of the vote.

A host of independents remain in the running for the seven remaining seats.

Outgoing Sutherland Shire mayor Steve Simpson did not run in this election, leaving the top job open once the seats are claimed.

In Georges River, there is far more certainty – with a new independent outfit muscling in on the previously Labor and Liberal-dominated council.

The Georges River Residents and Ratepayers Party picked up a significant 21.8 per cent of the vote to Labor’s 32.3 and the Liberals’ 29.2.

Mayor of Georges River Council Kevin Greene. (AAP Image/Jeremy Ng)

Existing councillors including Labor’s Kathryn Landsberry, Colleen Symington, Nick Katris, Warren Tegg and Mayor Kevin Greene and the Liberals’ Sam Elmir, Nancy Liu and Lou Konjarski are back for another term.

Newcomers including the Liberals’ Nick Smerdely and the Georges River Residents and Ratepayers’ Natalie Mort, Christina Jamieson and Peter Mahoney are also on their way into the council for the first time.

2016 councillors yet to learn their fate include independent Sandy Grekas, Kogarah Residents’ Association’s Leesha Payor and Liberal Stephen Agius.

Based on predictions, three seats remain up for grabs.

Returning Bayside Labor councillors Bill Saravinovski and Joe Awada.

Meanwhile, all the chips were up in the air in Bayside after the NSW Liberals declined to endorse candidates for the local election – despite commandeering 27.2 per cent of the vote in 2016.

Three 2016 councillors who were previously elected as Liberals ran again as independents in 2021, including Michael Nagi, Paul Sedrak and Ron Bezic.

Existing Labor councillors Christina Curry, Scott Morrissey, Bill Saravinovski, Edward McDougall and Joe Awada have secured re-election, along with Liberal-turned-independent Paul Sedrak and independent Liz Barlow.

Liberal-turned-independent Paul Sedrak.

Former councillors waiting to see if they have the numbers again include Liberals-turned-independents Michael Nagi and Ron Bezic, and independents James Macdonald and Andrew Tsounis.

The only newcomer to have secured a spot so far is Labor’s Jo Jansyn, with six seats still up for grabs.