Zoe Baker returns as North Sydney mayor

9 October 2024

Zoe Baker has been returned as mayor of North Sydney Council with a resounding 8-2 vote at a special general meeting.

The meeting was the first since last month’s election where Baker’s Real Independents doubled their representation to four councillors. With Labor gaining two and the Greens one, Baker will have a comfortable working majority on most votes in the coming term.

Labor’s Godfrey Santer was elected unopposed as deputy mayor.

Incoming Liberal councillor Jessica Keen also nominated for mayor but only received two votes, from herself and fellow newly elected Liberal Efi Carr.

In a short acceptance speech, Baker referred to her focus on campaigning for more open space in North Sydney.

She also singled out fellow councillor Maryann Beregi for praise. “We together have walked over a decade through fire and I think we have become stronger for it. And without your immense strength and good humour, I don’t know that I would still be here. I am also truly blessed to have the wisdom, the patience and the unerring loyalty and support of my family. And for the first time since I’ve been elected to council, my husband, daughter, mother and father are here tonight.”

“I’m really excited that this Council has an opportunity to reset, to work constructively and collaboratively with each other, with council staff and with our community to grab the opportunities before us.”

The meeting concluded shortly after, despite attempts by Cr James Spenceley to bring on an urgent motion about the council’s new parking meter system, which has created a substantial degree of confusion and criticism in the community over its difficulty to use. Spenceley appeared to want to a council report on the matter but was shut down by Baker who said it wasn’t urgent and could wait for another meeting.