After each local government election the Office of Local Government reviews and analyses diversity information provided by councillors and candidates.

The NSW Candidate and Councillor Diversity Report 2017 provides an interesting snapshot of women in local government:

• The 2016-17 council elections saw the highest percentage of female mayors on Office of Local Government records
• Of all mayors, 28 per cent are female compared to the previous high in 2008 of 23 per cent. In 2012 just 19 per cent of mayors were female
• At the 2016-17 elections, 38 per cent of all candidates were female, up from 36 per cent in 2012 and 33 per cent in 2008
• After the 2016-17 elections, 31 per cent of councillors were female, up from 28 per cent in 2012 and 27 per cent in 2008
• In 2016-17, the actual number of women who stood for election dropped by three per cent. This compared to growth between the 2008 and 2012 elections of nine per cent
• At more than 90 per cent of NSW councils, less than half the councillors are women
• Four councils in NSW had no female councillors elected at the 2016 and 2017 local government elections.

Top 10 NSW councils for the highest female participation*

*Based on the results of the 2016 and 2017 local government elections

The Office of Local Government identified five key barriers to female participation in local government at an elected representative level including:

• awareness of local government and the role of councils and councillors
• feeling unqualified
• balancing carer/work commitments
• investment of time and money, and
• perceived culture of councils and councillor conduct.

A range of measures including legislative change, workshops, guidelines, recognition schemes, funding, and marketing campaigns have previously been undertaken by the Government to help address these barriers.

In 2019 the Minister for Local Government established the Election of Women to Local Government Working Group to proactively identify strategies to address the barriers and increase female participation in local government.

Election of Women to Local Government Workshops were held at Parliament House on 6 February 2020 and 12 November 2019 and attended by representatives from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Local Government Women’s Association, Country Women’s Association, Lake Macquarie City Council, Local Government NSW, Office of Local Government, Women for Election, and Women NSW.

The working group formally endorsed an Election of Women to Local Government Action Plan including:

• A promotional campaign with high-profile former and current councillors speaking about their positive experiences in local government
• A range of useful resources and information sessions for potential female candidates
• Utilising local MPs to publicly promote the role of councillors and encourage women to stand for council
• Considering mandatory payment of carer’s expenses for councillors
• Encouraging councils to set meeting times that support councillors with carer responsibilities
• Exploring remote access for council meetings
• Training in social media and time and diary management
• Mentoring programs for female mayors and councillors, and
• Encouraging schools to hold excursions to their local councils to generate interest among students.

The action plan is designed to promote the success of past and present female councillors and encourage and support more women to stand for their local council.

It also seeks to make it easier for women to serve as councillors with family-friendly council meeting times, the payment of carer’s expenses, and training and mentoring programs.

The Office of Local Government will continue to work with key stakeholders to implement the measures in the action plan.

The Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government celebrate the dedication and commitment of female staff and councillors in local councils across NSW.

In addition to recognising the significant contribution of award winners, they also aim to encourage more women to take on leadership roles in local government.

The awards also recognise councils and senior staff who are doing all they can to encourage female participation.

In 2020 the NSW Government announced new award categories to better reflect contemporary approaches to gender equality and changes in the local government sector.

The new award categories for both metropolitan councils and regional/rural councils are:

Minister’s Award – for a female councillor or council staff member for delivering quality outcomes and innovation in helping women in their local community

Employment Diversity Award – a successful council program to increase female participation in senior leadership roles or at the elected representative level

Elected Representative Award – a councillor who has advanced the position of female elected representatives

Champion of Change Award – a general manager or senior manager who has excelled in supporting and encouraging women’s participation at their council

Alternative Pathways Award – a female staff member who is the first to enter a role traditionally held by men or is breaking down gender stereotypes

Young Achiever’s Award – an outstanding trainee/apprentice (aged under 25).

The awards are hosted by the Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Women.

Winners of the 2020 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government

The winners of the 2020 Awards were announced in a video ceremony by the Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock, Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women Bronnie Taylor, and former City of Sydney councillor and social advocate Kathryn Greiner.

Previous winners – 2008 to 2019

• List of Previous Award Winners