A host of veteran Councillors along with some of the city’s youngest ever will form a new-look Penrith City Council.
Counting continues tonight but the overall result is becoming clearer.
In North Ward, it would appear that Labor’s John Thain and Robin Cook will both be elected, along with Liberal veteran Ross Fowler and newcomer Reece Nuttall, the second on Fowler’s ticket.
The fifth spot in North Ward is likely to be filled by Independent Glenn Gardner, who is now building a solid lead over the Greens and the other Independent ticket led by Amanda Cardwell.
In South Ward, Labor’s Hollie McLean and Kirstie Boerst will both be elected to Council for the first time.
“I’m feeling excited, I’m feeling really grateful for the people that have given their trust,” McLean told the Weekender.
“I know that some people voted for Labor in the South Ward because they’d heard a little bit about me or had met me and decided to give me their trust and some people have voted because of the Labor brand and I’m not going to be taking that for granted, this is the start of four years of really hard work, being in the community and showing people that hopefully I deserve the trust that they have given me today and I’m just feeling calm and just really ready for what’s to come.”
Independent Sue Day and Libertarian Vanessa Pollak are both bound for Council, with the fifth spot to be filled by either Day or Pollak’s second. That’s too close to call at this stage.
With East Ward uncontested, Labor’s Todd Carney, Libby Austin, Sarbjeet Kaur, Edwin Mifsud and Garion Thain have all been declared elected to Penrith City Council for the next four years.
John and Garion Thain will serve on Council as father and son, a proud moment for Thain senior.
“I’m really feeling excited and I’m feeling grateful actually that the community has reelected me for another term,” he said.
“I’m excited for him [Garion] as well, but he is his own man, and he will bring fresh ideas. I have experience in different areas, and I think what it is, is it’s an opportunity for Garion but Libby as well that can bring what young people want in the city and I think that’s a great thing so young people have a voice.”
Garion added: “I do feel really good. There was that sense of bewilderment for the first few weeks there, but we all decided to just hunker down and support our North and South Ward candidates.
“There has been a lot of great things to come out of this and I think some new Councillors like Hollie McLean being elected is going to be great for Penrith. Me personally, the work is just beginning, I didn’t want people to think ‘Oh, he got up so he’s disappearing’ the work starts in the first Council meeting.
“I also think to be honest, a lot has been said about her but Libby Austin our number five, Penrith is getting two Councillors for the price of one with her. She has energy [and] enthusiasm [and] she has none of the ego, she will be a really great asset to the Penrith team.”
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.
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.