Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye on council’s new gender diversity

For the first time, there are more women on Byron Shire Council than men, with mayor Sarah Ndiaye saying the gender diversity would have positive impacts on decision making in the community.

Byron Shire Council 2024: Top row: (from left to right) Michelle Lowe, Jack Dods and Janet Swain. Middle row: Michael Lyon, Sarah Ndiaye and Asren Pugh. Bottom row: Elia Hauge, David Warth and Delta Kay.

For the first time, there are more women on Byron Shire Council than men, with mayor Sarah Ndiaye saying the gender diversity would have positive impacts on decision making in the community.

As a result of the NSW Local Government elections last month, five women were elected to lead council, and four men. Ms Ndiaye, a sitting councillor, was elected as mayor while former mayor Michael Lyon remained on as a councillor.

Ms Ndiaye said she was excited for the new council, saying the changes will be significant.

“Having women in leadership roles in local government means there is another lens put on decision making. Given that women make up half the population, I think it’s appropriate to have their input,” she said.

In a recent report – the National Strategy to Achieve Gender Equality – 54 per cent of families reported females as primary caregivers. 40 per cent of families reported equal sharing of responsibility and only four per cent of families reported a man usually or always looked after children.

Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye. Picture: File

Ms Ndiaye acknowledged women were usually presented with extra challenges including caring for their children, partners or parents and said it was crucial to support councillors, no matter their gender, and staff.

Council also has two Bundjalung women, Delta Kay and Michelle Lowe, to introduce a First Nations approach to decision making, Ms Ndiaye said.

“Having more equal representation and diversity on council means the decisions we make are more likely to encompass the wishes and needs of a broader diversity of our community,” she said.

Women’s rights activist Mandy Nolan. Picture: File

Ms Ndiaye said the men sitting on council were equally valued for their skills and experience.

“It’s just really nice and refreshing to have new lens on our decision making and the way we collaborate,” she said.

Women’s rights activist and comedian Mandy Nolan said systematic change came as a result of a diverse group of people making decisions on council.

“Women have been absent for so long that - to have not just women on council, but to have a council where we tip the balance allows us to actually engage in processes using a more feminist and humanist framework in the way decision making happens,” the Mullumbimby local said.

Mandy Nolan sitting outside Fletcher Street Cottage at Byron Bay. Picture: Supplied

“In the past it has proved difficult for progressive changes to be made in a rigid environment.

“There’s a lot of women and change makers that have often struggled to make change in a system that is resistant to it.”

“There’s a role for women in leadership to take forward all those in the community who have felt excluded or unrepresented, it’s a style of leadership men can engage in too.”

Richmond MP and Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot said there needed to be a larger female representation in politics on a statewide level.

Richmond MP and Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Scott Powick

To make this happen, Ms Elliot said quotas should be in place for all political parties at all levels of government.

“Cultural change comes from the top down, so we need to start by having more women in leadership roles and more women involved everywhere that decisions are being made,” she said.

She said supporting workforce participation was another way to achieve gender and economic equality.

“That’s why measures like our paid parental leave reforms, including for single parents, and cheaper childcare are working to reduce the gender pay gap for women on the North Coast,” Ms Elliot said.

“By delivering these policies and supports, we’re making it fairer and safer for women in northern NSW.”

In May, to encourage women to run for council, the NSW Government announced The Office of Local Government and Women NSW jointly committed $160,000 in funding for two women’s organisations to host a series of candidate information workshops targeted at under-represented groups of women.

The Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) NSW Branch and Women for Election will deliver workshops covering leadership skills, how to run a successful campaign as well as the roles and responsibilities of elected councillors.

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Originally published as Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye on council’s new gender diversity