Council Elections – who’s standing and who isn’t – current councillors

There are 12 Hawkesbury councillors. Here’s the current line-up, and what they’re doing.

We’ll have a list up very soon of all the candidates and groups for this election – registration closed today at noon.

Here at the Post we will be producing rolling coverage on each group or candidate in more depth, drilling down into their policies and what they stand for.

We will also be adding standalone news stories, and explainers on subjects, like how to vote.

Hawkesbury Council currently consists of 4 Liberals, 2 Labor, 1 Greens and 5 independents.

Nathan Zamprogno is now standing as an independent, but technically – until the end of this term – he is still a Liberal councillor.

Over this last year, voting in Council has often split right down the middle, with Labor siding this last three years with the Liberals on several occasions – notably in the fight to get a new committee structure through – while the Greens and independents generally have voted together.

Here are the councillors…and what they intend to do

John Ross

Independent

Standing

Cllr Ross marches to the beat of his own drum, sometimes voting with the major parties and sometimes not. Known for considering all issues very thoughtfully before casting his vote.

Paul Rasmussen

Independent

Not standing

He’s what you might call the father of the council, having been a councillor for over 22 years, but now the veteran politician has decided to step down.

Tiffany Tree

Liberal

Not standing

The only Liberal councillor not to put her hand up this year for a place on the new committees, voted through by Labor and her Liberal colleagues, or in fact any committees for the whole 5 year council term.

Emma-Jane Garrow

Independent

Standing

Standing as a member of the People Not Parties (PNP) Group.

Well known and well liked in the community, Cllr Garrow has worked hard on several working groups and council committees. She is playing a major role in the $18m Liveability Project, which will see our three main towns rejuvenated, and the Council Reconciliation Action plan.

More info here and here

Pete Reynolds

Independent

Standing

Cllr Reynolds is heading The Alliance, a group of 6 independents who are all well known in the community. The councillor is known as a man of principle, and his often vigorous and passionate advocation for issues has been a feature of council since his election.

More info here

Nathan Zamprogno

Independent

Standing

The ex-Liberal councillor – he was dumped as a candidate by his party earlier this year in what one Liberal pre-selector called “callous, bullying, and very cruel” – is hard working and known for social media engagement where he makes often complicated and dry issues make sense to voters. He has a mind of his own and has sometimes voted against his party. This election he is leading a team of 6 independents, but he is still a Liberal party member, as is one of his candidates, and another is a member of the Liberal Democrats.

More info here

Mary Lyons-Buckett

Independent

Standing

Current Deputy Mayor

Number 1 on the PNP ticket

The current Deputy Mayor is standing as number 1 on the independent PNP ticket – they have 6 candidates. Arguably the most responsive of councillors, always well informed on subjects, and no-one would doubt her true commitment to the community. She has also been involved in the negotiations and advocacy for the Western Sydney City Deal which delivered the $18M Liveability project, and has raised the profile of the Hawkesbury within and outside the area.

More info here and here

Danielle Wheeler

Greens

Standing

Number 1 on the Greens ticket

Running a group of 6 candidates, Cllr Wheeler is passionate about the environment and can be outspoken on issues she feels strongly about. She’s an incisive politician and whether you like her platform or not, she cannot be faulted on her work ethic and honesty. She has worked hard on committees and working groups and plays a major role in the $18m Liveability Project.

More info here

Barry Calvert

Labor

Standing

Number 1 on the Labor ticket.

An ex-Hawkesbury Mayor, current President of both the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), and Harmony FM radio station, Cllr Calvert has many years of local council experience and was Mayor during our largest bushfires in modern history and during the beginning of the COVID crisis. He believes that he has “earned his stripes” and looks forward to working for the community for the next few years. He is heading a group of 6 candidates, which includes current Council colleague Amanda Kotlash.

More info here

Amanda Kotlash

Labor

Standing

Number 2 on the Labor ticket. Has taken on the issue of sewage pump-out – set to be a major election hot topic. Recently posted a video about it here

More info here

Patrick Conolly

Liberal

Standing

Current Mayor

Number 2 on the Liberal ticket.

The son of Riverstone State Liberal MP – and ex-Hawkesbury councillor and Deputy Mayor, Kevin Conolly – Conolly the younger has been a keen spruiker of all things positive about Council, fronting numerous media releases this year and even doing a weekly video – you can’t say you haven’t seen him. Alongside other councillors he worked hard during the March floods and that increased his popularity. Somewhat surprisingly he is number 2 on the Liberal ticket.

More info here

Sarah Richards

Liberal

Standing

Number 1 on the Liberal ticket.

This Liberal candidate has a high profile in the community and is a tenacious battler for causes she feels strongly about. She is also likely to be the candidate for Macquarie when the Federal election is called, sometime between now and May 2022.

More info here

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