2017 New South Wales mayoral elections

The 2017 New South Wales mayoral elections were held on 9 September 2017 to elect mayors or lord mayors to 13 of the 46 local government areas (LGAs) up for election in New South Wales. The elections were held as part of the statewide local elections.

While most mayors in New South Wales are elected by councillors at meetings, several choose to have directly-elected (or popularly elected) mayors.

This was the last time the position of mayor of North Sydney was directly-elected, as a referendum held on the same day as the local elections saw 52.4% of residents vote in favour of replacing the election with a vote from councillors. The change came into effect in 2021.

2014 Willoughby by-election
On 20 January 2014, Willoughby mayor Pat Reilly  died in hospital after a short sickness.

Although she finished in third place on first preferences, candidate Gail Giles-Gidney won the by-election on 12 April with 50.8% of the vote after preference distribution.

2014 Newcastle by-election
On 17 August 2014, Newcastle lord mayor Jeff McCloy resigned following an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry into donations he made to Liberal Party candidates during his tenure as a property developer.

The subsequent by-election on 15 November was won by  candidate Nuatali Nelmes.

Candidates
Incumbents at the time of the elections are highlighted in bold text.

Retiring mayors

 * Peter Blackmore − Maitland, announced 17 May 2017
 * Steve Russell − Hornsby, announced July 2017
 * Bruce McKenzie − Port Stephens, announced 9 August 2017
 * John Davis − Orange, announced 10 August 2017; not directly-elected
 * Yvonne Keane − The Hills, announced 2017; not directly-elected
 * Peter Abelson − Mosman, announced 2017

Newcastle

 * Changes compared with 2014 Newcastle lord mayoral by-election

Orange

 * This was the first time the position of mayor of Orange was directly-elected
 * John Davis was the incumbent mayor, having been first elected in 2009

The Hills

 * This was the first time the position of mayor of The Hills was directly-elected
 * Yvonne Keane was the incumbent mayor, having been elected in 2016

Willoughby

 * Changes compared with 2014 Willoughby mayoral by-election