2017 New South Wales local elections

The 2017 New South Wales local elections were held on 9 September 2017 to elect the councils of 46 of the 128 local government areas (LGAs) in New South Wales. Several councils also held mayoral elections and/or referendums.

Background
Following the 2012 elections, major changes occurred as a result of the enactment of the Local Government (Areas) Act 1948 and as a result of a review by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) that commenced in 2013. On 12 May 2016, following a further review by the Minister for Local Government and the independent Local Government Boundaries Commission, Premier Mike Baird announced Stage 1 starting with 19 new councils, through amalgamations and mergers, with immediate effect. The Minister indicated in principle support to create a further nine new councils, subject to the decision of the courts. On the same day, the Governor of New South Wales acted on the advice of the Minister, and proclaimed the 19 new local government areas. Another proclamation occurred a few months later with the amalgamation of City of Botany Bay and City of Rockdale.

This resulted in 79 councils being contested in 2016 before the vast majority contested together again in 2021.

Political parties
The following registered parties contested this election. This does not include groups of independents:
 * Animal Justice Party
 * Christian Democrats
 * Greens
 * Labor Party
 * Liberal Democrats
 * Liberal Party
 * Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
 * Socialist Alliance

In addition, a number of local government-registered parties also contested the elections.

Party changes before elections
A number of councillors joined or left parties before the 2017 elections.

Referendums and polls
In addition to the local and mayoral elections, four LGAs held local referendums on questions relating to electoral structures. Advisory polls were also held in Cumberland and Dungog.

Party defections
In 2019, Labor Cumberland councillor Steve Christou defected to Our Local Community, as did directly-elected Canada Bay mayor Angelo Tsirekas in 2021. OLC councillor Andrew Wilson joined The Small Business Party in 2021.

By-elections
The New South Wales Electoral Commission held a number of by-elections to fill vacancies on councils following the 2017 elections up until 2021.

The Central Coast Council was suspended before two by-elections in 2020 could be held.