The NSW Greens have won a record number of council seats across NSW. Prior to the election The Greens held 54 council seats. The Greens have now won between 60 and 80 seats. Across NSW sitting councillors increased their vote, often gaining election without preferences and beating Labor and Liberal candidates.

 

The Inner City saw a large increase in the Greens vote. In the Inner West suburbs of Newtown, Stanmore, Petersham Annandale and Leichhardt The Greens achieved over 50% of the primary vote. Leichhardt is likely to have its first Green Mayor, as is neighbouring Ashfield. Marrickville should also have a Green Mayor.  On the City of Sydney, the Greens increased our representation from 1 to 2. In Waverley the Greens have surpassed Labor’s vote.

 

The Greens also expanded our coverage, picking up seats in new councils around Sydney such as Canterbury, Burwood, Hurstville, North Sydney, Lane Cove and Willoughby. 
 
Prior to the election we had only one Greens councillor west of the Great Divide. Now, Jeremy Buckingham has doubled his 2004 vote and may yet be joined by a second Green in Orange. Ray Goodlass looks like being the first Green elected to Wagga Wagga Council, and Yass Valley and Armidale will also gain Greens councillors for the first time.
 
Jan Barham set new records for The Greens by gaining 50% of the primary vote for the directly elected mayor of Byron Shire. Ballina will also have its first Greens councillor, and the growth of the Greens continues in Lismore, Tweed and Bellingen.
 
In Coffs Harbour The Greens came second in the direct mayoral election and are likely to double the number of Greens on council to two. Newcastle, Cessnock and Lake Macquarie had a significant increase in vote and how many seats they receive will come down to preference flows. A Green will sit on Wyong Council for the first time, and we are likely to have two councillors on Gosford Council.
 
Our previously lone councillor on Hornsby Council, Wendy McMurdo, will be joined by Councillor-elect Andrew Martin (our membership officer). We've also done well on the Northern Beaches of Sydney were we may get two Councillors elected to Warringah Council and held seat on Manly Council with an increased vote, despite strong Independents in the area.
 
In the Blue Mountains, The Greens have become the major party at a council level and will gain an one or two extra councillors. We've also built on our presence in the Western Suburbs of Sydney with some solid results.
 
The public and media have certainly recognised that The Greens are still growing and becoming more and more relevant to public debate and electoral results. On the back of good results in federal by-elections. It is clear the community sees the Greens as a genuine and serious alternative to the major parties. The Greens are also seen as having deep roots in local communities and understanding community issues.
 
The Greens NSW and all our candidates would like to say 'thank you' to all the members and hard working volunteers who helped us to succeed in the election.