A shock mayoral election result leaves the local Liberal Party with the whip hand for another two years.

In a move that defies the results of the recent local election, Les Sheather has been elected Mayor of Hawkesbury, with Sarah McMahon selected as Deputy Mayor, maintaining a Liberal-aligned leadership team for the Council. 

Last night, 12 newly elected councillors were sworn in before casting their votes for a new mayor and deputy mayor to lead the council in the upcoming term. This followed last month’s local government elections, which saw significant voter backlash against major parties. The Liberal Party experienced one of the largest electoral swings in Hawkesbury's history, while the Labor Party lost a seat in the Chamber.

The September election saw a remarkable shift away from large party-affiliated candidates, with Mary Lyons-Buckett, a leading independent councillor, receiving a strong mandate. Her “People Not Parties” group gained an extra seat, highlighting voter dissatisfaction with the status quo and delivering a clear message for change.

The Liberal Party, led by former Mayor, McMahon lost more than 25% of its formal vote and barely held onto its fourth seat, reflecting a significant erosion of public trust. McMahon’s individual vote fell by over 36% compared to the last election.

Despite a clear mandate for change, last night's Mayoral vote saw Liberal-aligned Independent, Sheather win against Lyons-Buckett, Labor’s Amanda Kotlash, and Independent, Nathan Zamprogno. Lyons-Buckett was backed by Greens Councillor Danielle Wheeler, Independent Tom Aczel, Zamprogno, and Kotlash in the final vote. Meanwhile, Zamprogno received two votes in the first and second rounds, supported by Shane Djuric of the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers Party. Kotlash secured only her own vote and dropped out after the first round.

Sheather, however, maintained solid support from all Liberal-aligned councillors throughout the rounds, and in the final vote, gained additional backing from Djuric and Kotlash. This solidified a right-leaning bloc on the Council and indicated that the controversial Liberal/Labor alliance will likely persist this term. With this alignment, Sheather secured a seven-vote majority, clinching the mayoral seat.

At last months Council elections, Sheather’s Group garnered just 3.38% of the formal vote, representing about one-third of the support received by the Groups led by the other mayoral candidates. Personally, he secured a mere 0.55% of the vote, with his popularity slightly exceeding that of Kotlash, who received just 0.39%, amounting to only 139 votes from the community.

The Deputy Mayoral election last night played out similarly. McMahon won the position after a drawn-out voting process that pitted Lyons-Buckett and her supporters against McMahon and her allies.

In the first round, McMahon received six votes, with Lyons-Buckett trailing with four, while Zamprogno received two votes, supported by his own and those from Djuric. The tie was ultimately broken by lot, securing McMahon’s position as Deputy Mayor. 

The new leadership faces significant challenges in addressing critical issues that have fueled dissatisfaction among the Hawkesbury community. Key concerns during the election included inappropriate and rapid development, the protection of natural environments - particularly native animal habitats - and the integrity of councillors.

Voters overwhelmingly supported candidates who prioritised greater transparency and sustainable growth, stressing the need for a Council that not only listens to its residents but also takes decisive action on their behalf.

Sheather and McMahon will serve in their new roles until September 2026.