East Ward is currently represented by five Councillors, including current Mayor Todd Carney. It takes in some of Penrith’s newer suburbs, like Caddens, as well as older areas like Colyton and major population hubs like St Clair and St Marys.
With the Liberal Party nomination fiasco leaving East Ward void of candidates outside of Labor, locals do not have to vote in the September 14 election.
There is no Independent ticket running in East Ward and no candidates from other parties like the Greens.
The NSW Electoral Commission has confirmed that as East Ward is uncontested, voting will not occur.
That means no polling places will be set up for East Ward residents on September 14.
Labor is the only ticket running in East Ward, meaning all five candidates on the ticket will be elected to Council.
Todd Carney is leading Labor’s ticket in East Ward. Carney along with Garion Thain, Sarbjeet Kaur, Edwin Mifsud and Libby Austin will be declared Councillors following the formal election processes.
East Ward will lose significant experience after the September 14 poll.
Former Mayor Tricia Hitchen confirmed her retirement from local government some months ago, and recently took up a position on the Board of Panthers.
Independent Councillor Marlene Shipley was to run for the Liberal Party, but the nomination farce sees her unable to run.
The nomination debacle has also cost Bernard Bratusa his spot on the nomination form.
East Ward is a particularly important part of Council given it takes in a range of suburbs impacted by the new Metro, which will ferry passengers to the new airport at Badgerys Creek.
Suburbs in East Ward
Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, parts of Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair and St Marys.
Candidates in their own words
Todd Carney – Labor
I have had the great honour of serving the people of Penrith since 2016 as an East Ward Councillor and the past 12 months as Mayor. During the past eight years on council, I have tried to ensure the direction of council is of benefit to the Penrith community, now and into the future.
Our team is committed to working collaboratively with all those who will be elected on the 14th to ensure that all voices are represented and can continue advocating for their communities.
There are a lot of challenges the council will face, but I know my team is ready to meet these challenges head on.
Garion Thain
Garion worked as a forklift operator while completing his Bachelor of Communications at Western Sydney University.
In 2023, he ran as Labor’s candidate for Badgerys Creek in the NSW State Election. Garion is looking forward to representing the community of East Ward and the wider Penrith region. He understands the challenges and looks forward to serving the city he grew up in and is looking at starting his own family with his fiancé.
Sarbjeet Kaur
Calling Penrith home for the past 17 years, Sarbjeet has worked as a management accountant for a local western Sydney firm.
Sarbjeet is raising her children in Penrith, mentored many business and accounting students as well as tutoring Punjabi youth in language and religion.
Edwin Mifsud
Edwin (Eddie) started his apprenticeship as a Telephone Technician. After 36 years of service with Telstra he ventured out starting up his own Communication Company, specialising in Telephone System Installation, Integrated Cabling and Data Installations.
Eddie and his wife have raised their three children in the St Clair area, and they are the proud grandparents of four grandchildren.
Libby Austin
Growing up in St Clair and attending school at Banks Public School and Emmaus Catholic College, Libby is now pursuing a double Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Communications at the University of Western Sydney.
She has gained experience working in local businesses such as Cassandra’s on the Park in St Marys and Pizza Rocco in St Clair.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.