Sydney’s first female Lord Mayor, City of Parramatta Councillor, Lorraine Wearne, has today announced she will not be contesting the Local Government Election on 14 September.
The long-serving councillor was first elected in September 1995 and held the position of Lord Mayor on two occasions, in 2000/01 and 2011/12.
“To be the first female Lord Mayor in Sydney was indeed an honour,” Cr Wearne said in a statement today.
“I have been able to carry out the role of councillor and assist the community over the last 29 years which has included the creation of the conservation zones in Epping, the construction of appropriate development, the acquisition of the Boronia Grove Community Centre and the retention of free parking in Epping,” she said.
“At my last formal council meeting on 12th August I was delighted to ensure that the chamber voted to ensure that future planning for the Epping Town Centre will include a community civic space and car park. It has been my pleasure over 29 years, to assist many residents with council issues and fulfil my role as a councillor at a local level.”
She said that during her two terms as Lord Mayor, she was delighted to welcome the Olympic Torch into Parramatta Park, help Council staff to be ambassadors of the city to the many local and international visitors during the Olympic Games period and subsequently travel as an invited delegate to a Conference in Athens to assist with their preparation for the next games.
“I believe Parramatta and Australia showed the world the true meaning of volunteering during this period.”
While in the city’s top job she also headed up Council’s Business Exhibition to a Business Expo in Singapore where she met and discussed the future of Parramatta with the late Lang Walker, whose subsequent interest In Parramatta ensured the completion and success of Parramatta Square.
“Also we have achieved the construction of our world class iconic library and civic building ‘Phive’ contributing to our Global positioning of the city,” she said.
“I am pleased to advise that Mr. Charles Chen will head my team for the upcoming election on 14th September, and I believe that he will carry forward my legacy of upholding the community interest and wishes.
“I would like to express my immeasurable gratitude and thanks to the people of my Ward with all its changes in name and boundaries from Lachlan Macquarie to Epping for their continued support and assistance which has enabled me to achieve my 29 years ‘on the job’,” said Cr Wearne.
My supporting councillors in the chamber were able to share the vision for our city and in fact voted to spend what was possibly the first $1,000,000 towards a feasibility study for light rail even if we were more interested in a North to South connection at the time.
To end on a high note? I must mention that whilst Lord Mayor, as a fundraising event, I abseiled my way from the roof top to the ground of the Park Royal Hotel in Phillip Street. A feat I look forward to a future Lord Mayor completing.
Thank you to council staff, councillor colleagues and most of all the Epping Ward community.
Media Enquiries can be made directly to Cr Wearne by contacting her on 0416 035 817.
