The NSW Greens have elected 73 Greens Councillors in Saturday's statewide local government elections. This is a significant increase on their previous 58 Councillors, and a result that we hope bodes well for the November 2008 statewide local government elections in Victoria.

The NSW Greens' best result was in Byron Shire, where Greens Mayor Jan Barham polled 50% of the primary vote, and there is likely to be a Greens majority on Council. In Leichhardt the Greens outpolled both Liberal and Labor, and elected five and possibly six of the twelve-member Council. In Marrickville, five Greens were elected with 40% of the vote. Four Greens were elected in Waverley, three each in the Blue Mountains and Woolahra and two in Sydney City.

GREENS LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION RESULTS – SUMMARY 14 Sept 2008 from NSW Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon

Overall Total

• About 73 Greens elected to councils across NSW - up from 58 in 2004
• Breakthroughs with first Greens councillors likely to be elected in local government areas of Burwood, Willoughby, Lane Cove, North Sydney, Wagga Wagga, Ballina, Yass, Hurstville, Armidale and Wyong.

Byron Shire

• Greens Mayor Jan Barham re-elected with an increased in support, polling 50% of the primary vote.
• Greens polling 42% of the vote. Likely Greens majority on council with 5 out of 9 councillors.

Leichhardt Council

• Greens poll 46% of vote, Labor 25% and Liberals 22%.
• 5 Greens elected with a further candidate in a too close to call count. Labor has 3 councillors elected on the 12 Councillor municipality. Has significant implications for the state seat of Balmain. Mayoral outcome to be determined by councillors.

Marrickville

• Greens 40% of the vote, Labor 29%.
• 5 Greens elected with 4 Labor elected and 3 independents. Has implications for the state seat of Marrickville. Mayoral outcome to be determined by councillors.

Waverley

• Greens 29%, Labor 21%, Liberals 43%
• 4 Greens elected, 5 Liberals and 3 Labor. Greens and Labor likely to prevent Liberals gaining the position of Mayor.

Blue Mountains

• Greens 23%, Independent, 32%, Liberal 23%, Labor 21%
• 3 Greens, 3 Independent , 3 Liberal, 3 Labor elected. Mayor to be decided by councillors.

Sydney City

• Greens increase from 1 to 2 councillors.

Woollahra

• Liberals 46%, Greens 24%, Residents First 23%.
• 3 Greens elected.