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The Role of the Lord Mayor & Councillors

The City of Sydney is represented by a popularly elected Lord Mayor and ten Councillors. All Councillors are elected by voters to represent the entire local government area as the City is not divided into wards. All Councillors and the Lord Mayor are elected for a four year term. A Deputy Lord Mayor is elected each year by the Councillors.

Role of the Lord Mayor

The Lord Mayor is empowered by the Local Government Act 1993 to carry out civic and ceremonial functions of the Mayoral office, and to preside at meetings of the Council. 

The Lord Mayor continues to have the role of a Councillor and has other functions delegated to her by the Council.  These functions can be found here:

Role of Councillors

The role of the Councillor, as a member of the governing body of the Council, is to:

  • direct and control the affairs of the Council in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993;
  • participate in the optimum allocation of the Council's resources for the benefit of the area;
  • play a key role in the creation and review of the Council's policies and objectives and criteria relating to the exercise of the Council's regulatory functions; and
  • review the performance of the Council and its delivery of services, and the management plans and revenue policies of the Council.

The role of the Councillor as an individual elected representative is to:

  • represent the interests of the residents and ratepayers;
  • provide leadership and guidance to the community; and
  • facilitate communication between the community and the Council.

Conduct of Councillors

Council has developed a number of policies which set out standards and procedures governing Councillors’ performance and conduct including meeting conduct, access to facilities and expenses, access to information and interactions with Council staff.  These policies are available here.

Lobbying Councillors

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has produced a guide for Councillors, constituents and other interested parties on lobbying and local government Councillors called Lobbying local government councillors.

Lobbying is common in local government and the ICAC has a view that appropriate lobbying of Councillors is normal and is seen as part of the democratic process.

It is in the public interest that lobbying is fair and does not undermine public confidence in impartial decision making.

This and other publications by ICAC can be found here:

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Last Updated: Friday 9 September, 2011

Please Note:
While care is taken to ensure accuracy, the City of Sydney cannot guarantee that information expressed here is correct and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. The City of Sydney makes no warranty or undertaking, whether expressed or implied, nor does it assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect.