Campbelltown has welcomed a new Deputy Mayor, with Councillor Masood Chowdhury elected to the position following a closely watched council meeting that drew strong support from members of the local Bangladeshi community.
Cr Chowdhury was elected Deputy Mayor after councillors voted during an extraordinary meeting on 1 September. His appointment marks his first term in the position since he was elected to Campbelltown City Council in 2016.
The council chamber was met with an enthusiastic response from supporters who had gathered to witness the occasion. The strong presence of the Bangladeshi community reflected the significance of seeing one of its representatives take on a senior leadership position within the local government.
Cr Chowdhury secured nine votes from the 14 councillors present. His supporters included the six Labor councillors, two Greens councillors and other members of the chamber. Councillor Seta Berbari was also nominated for the role.
Following his election, Cr Chowdhury expressed his appreciation to the councillors who supported his nomination as well as his family and community members who have backed his public service over many years.
His election means he will serve as Campbelltown’s Deputy Mayor for the next 12 months, working alongside the Mayor and fellow councillors on issues affecting residents across the local government area.
He said the Deputy Mayor position should not be viewed simply as a title, but as an opportunity to listen to residents and serve the community. His comments highlighted his intention to remain focused on the needs of Campbelltown residents during his term.
Cr Chowdhury’s election comes alongside the return of Cr Darcy Lound as Campbelltown Mayor. Cr Lound was re-elected unopposed at the same meeting and will continue as Mayor until the next local government elections in September 2028.
The Mayor welcomed Cr Chowdhury’s election and said he looked forward to working with him as Council continues delivering projects and initiatives across the city. Cr Lound also thanked former Deputy Mayors Karen Hunt and Jayden Rivera for their contributions during their respective terms.
The leadership change comes at an important time for Campbelltown, with Council continuing work across public spaces, roads, parks and sporting facilities. Recent projects highlighted by Council include improvements at Ingleburn Reserve, road resurfacing, tree planting programs, the new Koshigaya Park playground and upgraded amenities at Bensley Road Reserve.
Cr Chowdhury’s appointment also adds another chapter to Campbelltown’s increasingly diverse political landscape. The city is home to residents from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, with Council regularly highlighting community participation and engagement as an important part of its work.
The Campbelltown Local Government Area is represented by 15 councillors, with councillors electing both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Cr Chowdhury was among those elected to Council at the 2024 local government elections and has continued his political and community involvement since first entering Council in 2016.
His election is likely to be particularly meaningful for Campbelltown’s Bangladeshi community, which turned out in significant numbers to support the councillor. The public show of support underlined the growing role of culturally diverse communities in local civic life and representation across Western Sydney.
For Cr Chowdhury, the new role brings greater responsibility as he works alongside Mayor Lound and fellow councillors on issues affecting residents across Campbelltown. His stated emphasis on listening and community service will now form part of his responsibilities as Deputy Mayor.
With Mayor Lound set to continue for another two years and Cr Chowdhury taking on the Deputy Mayor role, Campbelltown’s council leadership has now been settled for the remainder of the current period. The focus will turn to delivering local projects while responding to the needs of one of Western Sydney’s rapidly growing communities.
