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121 of the 128 local government areas in New South Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Registered | 4,838,137 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 83.05% ( 6.45pp) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Largest party in each LGA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2021 New South Wales local elections were held on 4 December 2021 to elect the councils of 121 of the 128 local government areas (LGAs) in New South Wales. Several councils also held mayoral elections and/or referendums.[1]
Previous referendums took three net councillors in three LGAS: Cabonne, Coonamble and Dungog.
The Liberal Party did not run in Kiama, North Sydney or Shoalhaven, however a number of party members chose to contest as independents.[2]
Background
Following the 2012 elections, the Local Government (Areas) Act 1948 was introduced, leading to the amalgamations and mergers of a number of councils. This resulted in 79 councils being contested in 2016 and 46 2017. 2021 marked the first time in 9 years that the vast majority of councils were being contested at the same time.
The elections were scheduled to be held in September 2020, but as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia they were delayed until 4 September 2021. On 24 July 2021, it was announced the elections would again be delayed until 4 December 2021.[3]
Two councils − Fairfield and Penrith − opted to use the services of the Australian Election Company, while all other elections were conducted by the New South Wales Electoral Commission.[4]
The election for Norfolk Island Regional Council, which was meant to be held at the same time as New South Wales, was also postponed in 2020. It was later scheduled to be held in March 2021, however the council was suspended in February 2021 and eventually dismissed on 6 December 2021.[5]
Lead Greens candidate for Orange, Melanie McDonell, announced on 21 May 2021 she would leave the Greens and stand on a "McDonell Team" independent ticket.[6]
Political parties
The following registered parties contested the elections. This does not include unregistered groups of independents:
- Animal Justice Party
- Greens
- Labor Party
- Liberal Democrats
- Liberal Party
- Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
- Socialist Alliance
- Sustainable Australia Party
- The Small Business Party
In addition, a number of local government-registered parties also contested the elections.[7]
Party changes before elections
A number of councillors joined or left parties before the 2021 elections.