Mayors & Councillors
- Details
- Written by: Adam Gatt Penrith City Council (02) 4732 7777 (02) 4732 7958 council@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au https://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au 601 High St Penrith NSW 2750 Australia
Mayor and Deputy Mayor
- Todd Carney - Mayor
- Ross Fowler OAM - Deputy Mayor
Councillors
Visit our Government & Wards page to find out more about local government including the ward boundaries within Penrith. The NSW Electoral Commission has today announced the fifteen Councillors elected to represent the Penrith community following the Local Government Elections on September 14. The fifteen Councillors are (*denotes newly elected Councillor).
Please view the Councillor Contact list here
South Ward
The South Ward includes the suburbs of Badgerys Creek, parts of Emu Plains, Glenmore Park, Jamisontown, parts of Kingswood, Leonay, Luddenham, Mulgoa, Orchard Hills, parts of Penrith, Regentville, South Penrith and Wallacia.
- Hollie McLean*
- Faithe Skinner*
- Kirstie Boerst*
- Sue Day
- Vanessa Pollak*
Councillor Sue Day
Cr Sue Day is serving her second term as Councillor, after being first elected in December 2021. She has been a Penrith resident since 2002 and is a proud working mother and grandmother.
Cr Day’s key motivation is to ensure balanced growth for Penrith, supported by the infrastructure required to ensure the City is liveable, accessible and prosperous. She is especially focused on advocating for sustainable, affordable and accessible public transport.
Cr Day is family-oriented with a strong interest in supporting children in Penrith to reach their potential. She volunteers with the Schools Industry Partnership in Penrith, which connects students with potential employers.
Cr Day has 30 years’ experience in finance management, with diplomas in Business Management, Financial Services, Communications and Accounting.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 386, Penrith NSW 2750
Phone
Fax
02 4732 7958
Councillor Faithe Skinner
Cr Faithe Skinner is currently serving her first term as a Councillor, elected in September 2024. A resident of South Penrith for 22 years, she is married with three adult children, and has a deep knowledge of her area.
Cr Skinner is a registered BAS Agent with a Diploma in Accounting. She is a dedicated small business owner, providing bookkeeping services for small businesses. She is also an experienced Buyer's Agent, bringing a wealth of experience to the local community. Cr Skinner co-owns a registered NDIS and Approved Aged Care Provider, with a specialisation in dementia care, passionately supporting vulnerable community members with tailored services.
Cr Skinner is focused on assisting the community work through issues and concerns, and helping people understand the choices available. She enjoys giving back to the community. She supports Penrith CBD Corp, assisting with the Penrith Community Kitchen at Christmas time.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Fax
02 4732 7958
Councillor Hollie McLean
Cr Hollie McLean is serving her first term as Councillor, elected in September 2024.
A third generation Penrith local, Cr McLean is a working mother living in Glenmore Park. Cr McLean was taught from an early age about the power of using her voice to advocate for change, and she now works as a consultant Change and Project Manager.
Cr McLean sees Council as the home of local city-shaping and place-making. She is passionate about creating equal opportunities for all people, and driven to build an inclusive, equitable, and thriving community in Penrith.
Cr McLean has a special interest in public policy, and says that the people who make policy matter. She is proud to bring the voices of disability and inclusion into policy-making for Penrith.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Fax
02 4732 7958
Councillor Kirstie Boerst
Cr Kirstie Boerst is serving her first term as Councillor, elected in September 2024.
A Penrith local, Cr Boerst is an experienced creative producer, founder and director of the StarBurst Film Festival. She is passionate about producing content that inspires audiences, changes lives, and educates others to do the same.
Cr Boerst is driven to help build a strong, resilient, inclusive and creative community. She is particularly focused on ensuring access to services and facilities for the community, including palliative and aged care, and resources and assistance for people living with disability.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Fax
02 4732 7958
Councillor Vanessa Pollak
Cr Vanessa Pollak is serving her first term as Councillor, elected in September 2024. Born and raised in Western Sydney, she has called South Penrith home for over twenty years.
With a strong educational background, Cr Pollak holds a Bachelor of Accounting (with distinction) from Western Sydney University, along with a Diploma of Accounting and a Certificate IV in Small Business Management from TAFE NSW. She is also a registered BAS Agent.
Passionate about supporting local businesses, Cr Pollak has extensive experience working with small to medium organisations in the region, helping owners manage their financial and payroll needs. For over a decade, she co-ran a property maintenance business while raising her three children with her husband, Dennis. This experience has given her valuable insight into the challenges faced by local families and small business owners.
Community involvement is a core value to Cr Pollak, and she has volunteered extensively in various local roles. As the first member of the Libertarian Party elected to Penrith City Council, she is committed to advocating for the needs of residents and ensuring a responsive and engaged local government.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Fax
02 4732 7958
East Ward
The East Ward includes the suburbs of Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, parts of Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair and St Marys.
- Todd Carney - Mayor
- Garion Thain*
- Sabbie Kaur*
- Edwin Mifsud*
- Libby Austin*
Councillor Todd Carney - Mayor
Cr Todd Carney is serving his second term as Mayor of Penrith. He was elected to Council in 2016, first elected as Mayor in September 2023, and again in October 2024.
Cr Carney is particularly focused on realising the full potential for Penrith and Western Sydney, a time of significant growth and investment. He has served on the National Growth Areas Alliance for the last two years, and The Parks Alliance for the last 12 months, working to advance broad opportunities for the region.
Cr Carney has served on the Access Committee for the last eight years, championing better access for people with disabilities and limited mobility, and on the Board of Children’s Services, working to ensure quality services to give children a head start.
Born and raised in Western Sydney, Cr Carney lives in Glenmore Park with his wife Sharon and their three children. After starting an apprenticeship at the age of 16, Cr Carney worked as a heavy vehicle mechanic for 12 years. He was an electorate officer in the Office of David Bradbury MP for six years, where he advocated for Western Sydney and supported locals. Prior to being elected as Mayor, Cr Carney was the National Service Manager for a global crane manufacturer.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Fax
02 4732 7958
Councillor Garion Thain
Cr Garion Thain is a lifelong resident of the City of Penrith, serving in his first term as Councillor since September 2024.
Cr Thain began his career as a forklift operator in the transport industry while completing a degree in Communications at Western Sydney University. He has subsequently worked in multiple digital and project management roles across the communications space.
Having grown up in Penrith, living in North St Marys, Cr Thain believes in the right to a fair go - that everyone in Penrith deserves fair opportunities. His key focus is to help maximise the opportunities for young people and families during this time of dynamic change in Penrith, as well as help realise a modern and thriving town centre for St Marys.
Cr Thain chairs Council's Heritage Committee, to ensure Penrith's history is preserved during this period of growth and change.
He also serves on the Access Committee to continue his advocacy for people with disabilities, and serves as Council's appointee to the board of the St Marys Town Centre Corporation.
In 2023, Cr Thain ran as Labor’s candidate for Badgerys Creek in the NSW State Election.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Fax
02 4732 7958
Councillor Sabbie Kaur
Cr Sarbjeet (Sabbie) Kaur is serving her first term as Councillor, elected in September 2024.
Cr Kaur is a dedicated member of the Penrith community, having called it home for 17 years. With qualifications in Education, Commerce, and Accounting, Cr Kaur has primarily dedicated her career to teaching while also serving as an accountant for a local Western Sydney firm. These diverse experiences enable her to bring valuable insights to her role, instilling principles of empowerment and fostering a culture of ambition and achievement in the community.
Her ethical approach to leadership emphasises transparency, collaboration, and compliance. In understanding the unique challenges we face, she will leverage her expertise and local knowledge to advocate for business services and solutions that meet community needs in a socially balanced and cost-effective manner. Cr Kaur is further committed to delivering the community's vision for Penrith by enabling sustainable growth and protecting our people, places, and environment.
As a representative, she values open communication with residents and is dedicated to making decisions that reflect the community's priorities and align with the Council’s overall goals. She aims to unite the community and the Council, working towards a brighter future, enhancing opportunities and quality of life for all in Penrith.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Fax
02 4732 7958
Councillor Libby Austin
Cr Libby Austin is serving her first term as Councillor, elected in September 2024.
Council’s youngest ever Councillor, she grew up in St Clair. Cr Austin completed her HSC in 2023 and is now pursuing a double degree in Business and Communications at Western Sydney University, where she sits as a student representative for First Nations students. She has experience working in various small businesses in the community. Cr Austin is particularly interested in amplifying the voices of youth and women in Penrith, and delivering local services, infrastructure and jobs to help build Penrith’s economy. She also is focused on ensuring our community is safer, and more equitable for all those who call Penrith home.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Fax
02 4732 7958
Councillor Edwin Mifsud
Cr Edwin Mifsud is serving his first term as Councillor, elected in September 2024.
Cr Edwin Mifsud is serving his first term as Councillor, elected in September 2024. He and his wife have raised their three children in the St Clair area, and they are the proud grandparents of four grandchildren. Cr Mifsud worked as a telephone technician with Telstra for 36 years, and later established his own telecommunications company specialising in telephone system installation, integrated cabling, and data installations. Cr Mifsud has been a lifelong Labor member. He is well connected throughout the community and is proud to represent the voices of multiple generations.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Fax
02 4732 7958
North Ward
The North Ward includes the suburbs of Agnes Banks, Berkshire Park, Cambridge Gardens, Cambridge Park, Castlereagh, Cranebrook, Emu Heights, parts of Emu Plains, Jordan Springs, parts of Kingswood, Llandilo, Londonderry, parts of Penrith, Werrington, Werrington County and Werrington Downs.
- John Thain
- Robin Cook
- Ross Fowler OAM - Deputy Mayor
- Reece Nuttall*
- Glenn Gardiner
Councillor John Thain
Cr John Thain has been a Penrith City Councillor since 1999. He was Mayor in 2005–06 and 2016–18, and Deputy Mayor in 2004–05 and January 2022.
Cr Thain has been involved with several committees, including as Chair and Vice Chair of Hawkesbury River County Council, Chair of Penrith Sports Stadium, and member of the Ripples Board and the North St Marys Neighbourhood Committee. From 2016–2018, Cr Thain was the Chair of the Western Sydney City Deal Mayoral Forum. He also served on the Penrith Whitewater Stadium Board.
Cr Thain holds electrical qualifications, is a former senior advisor to a NSW Housing Minister, and works in the allied health disability sector. Cr Thain is a strong advocate for people with disabilities, and housing diversity and affordability. He is committed to building strategic alliances and partnerships to deliver Council’s vision for Penrith as a sustainable and vibrant city.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Fax
Councillor Robin Cook
Cr Robin Cook was elected to Penrith Council at a by-election in May 2018.
Cr Cook has lived in the Penrith area for 42 years and her family’s association with Penrith spans many generations. Her great uncle was elected to Penrith Council in 1936.
As a former registered nurse and carer for a parent with disabilities, Cr Cook has a keen interest in the health and wellbeing of the community. She also has a deep respect for the Indigenous peoples of the area and is committed to advocating for members of the community who are marginalised.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Fax
02 9623 3246
Councillor Ross Fowler OAM
A long-term local resident, Cr Fowler is in his seventh consecutive term on Council after first being elected in 1991. He served as Mayor in 1995-1996, 2013, 2014 and 2018-2020.
He also served as Deputy Mayor in 2015. Cr Fowler holds a Bachelor of Commerce, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a registered Company Auditor and Tax Agent and is the Principal of Ross Fowler and Co, a Chartered Accountancy firm in Penrith. Since 1991 he has represented Council on CivicRisk Mutual Ltd, (formerly Westpool) – the local government insurance and risk management mutual –and is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Cr Fowler was instrumental in securing the Whitewater venue for Penrith in the lead-up to the 2000 Olympics, and was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company which operates the facility since its incorporation in 1999. He is a member of the Boards of Penrith Performing & Visual Arts Ltd and Penrith City Children’s Services Cooperative, and also represents Council on the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee and Heritage Advisory Committee. His extensive financial acumen has been of great benefit to Council.
Cr Fowler is leading Council’s aim to increase its property portfolio with the aim of reducing Council’s future financial reliance on rates income.
Cr Fowler’s goal is to help support a strong local economy and ensure Council remains in a sound financial position to best meet the needs and expectations of residents and ratepayers.
Outside his duties as a Councillor, he has been a Director of the Australian Foundation for Disability (AFFORD) since 2004. He is a member of St Marys Rotary Club, having held positions including president, club service director, community service director, secretary and treasurer. He is also the President of the Board of Trustees for Blaxland Crossing Rest and Recreation Ground Land Manager at Wallacia. He enjoys time with his family, gardening, local history and bee keeping.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Mobile
Fax
Councillor Reece Nuttall
Cr Reece Nuttall, elected in September 2024, is serving his first term as Councillor. A proud Cranebrook local and youth advocate, he was named Penrith’s Young Citizen of the Year in 2023.
Cr Nuttall is committed to investing in local sporting facilities, creating safe and fun entertainment and hospitality options, and supporting quality preschool and childcare services.
In addition to his role on Council, he works as an Associate to the Chief Magistrate in the Local Court of New South Wales. Cr Nuttall holds a Bachelor of Laws from Macquarie University and is one of Council’s youngest serving Councillors.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Fax
02 4732 7958
Councillor Glenn Gardiner
Cr Glenn Gardiner was elected to Council in December 2021 and is serving his second term as Councillor.
Cr Gardiner lives in Londonderry with his wife and two children. He has long held an interest in politics and believes the biggest difference can be made on a local level, which is what motivates him to represent his community. Cr Gardiner is focused on ensuring the growth of the Penrith LGA with the goal of creating a liveable City, which respects and harnesses the can-do attitude and family-focused culture of Penrith.
Cr Gardiner works as a Sales Manager for Capricorn Risk Services, and serves as Chair of SeeAbility, a Penrith-based organisation supporting people with neurological disabilities.
Contact details
Postal Address
Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751
Phone
Fax
02 4732 7958