Mayor slams ‘Trumpian’ Sydney election

Sydney Mayor Clover Moore has unloaded on what she called a “pretty awful” and “post-Trumpian” council campaign, as she closes in on a historic sixth term in power following Saturday’s local government elections in NSW.

Speaking on Sunday with 36.8 per cent of first preferences, Ms Moore said she was “delighted” about the outcome of the election but disturbed by the tenor and vitriol of the campaign.

“It was a pretty tough campaign and some pretty awful things were said by some people and on certain corflutes, but I am so encouraged and happy about the city and community endorsing me to do another four years,” she said.

When asked if it was the “dirtiest”campaign she had ever seen, Ms Moore replied it was “really sad”.

“It seems we’re in a bit of a post-Trumpian period,” she said.

“Local government is really important … we build the facilities people use, we create the environments they live in, we approve the development that they have to live with.

“It’s really important work. I think it’s a pity that it is not taken really seriously by everyone who is involved.”

The longstanding mayor is 78 years old and some of her rivals at times suggested she had presided over a “boring”, ossified city.

Ms Moore was heckled at a Darlinghurst forum for mayoral candidates after she claimed her council’s work on night-life had put Sydney ahead of Melbourne.

On Sunday, she said the CBD was “really buzzing”.

“I think some potential candidates need to get out more,” she said.

Her nearest rival for the City of Sydney top job is Labor candidate Zann Maxwell, who booked 17.1 per cent of the primary vote, followed by Greens candidate Sylvia Ellsmore, who secured 13.3 per cent of the vote.

While Ms Moore is on track to win, she has lost ground since 2021 when she secured 43 per cent of first preferences.

“We don’t know the final results yet and we’ll know in the coming days the make-up of the council,” she said.

“I will work with the elected councillors.”

She said she would implement a “huge capital works program” over the next four years.

“And projects like Oxford Street and Chinatown,” she said.

“Street upgrades, tree planting, greening. We’re planning to upgrade or renew another 60 parks.

“These parks are really incredibly important to people living in high densities.”

“The work we do is really important.”

The council altered planning rules for Oxford Street to trigger more development along the legendary strip.

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