Councillor Cameron MacLean has been elected Lord Mayor of the City of Parramatta, becoming the youngest person to hold the position in the city’s history at the age of 28.
Representing the Epping Ward, Cr MacLean will lead Parramatta through the next stage of its growth after being chosen by fellow councillors for the Lord Mayoral position. He will serve as Lord Mayor until September 2028.
MacLean described his election as an honour and said he was proud to serve the community where he grew up. He said Parramatta had moved beyond being described simply as a city of the future and was now helping shape Australia’s future.
The newly elected Lord Mayor said his priorities for the term would include supporting Parramatta’s growing communities, attracting investment, delivering major infrastructure and creating vibrant public spaces while maintaining the character of the city’s established neighbourhoods.
He also pointed to Parramatta’s expanding role in culture, education, business and innovation. Among the initiatives and events expected during his term is Parramatta Lanes, alongside major projects and programs designed to improve experiences for residents, businesses and visitors.
MacLean has been a member of Parramatta Council since December 2021 and was re-elected in October 2024. He has previously served as Deputy Lord Mayor on two occasions. Council records show that he represents the Epping Ward, which includes areas such as Epping, Beecroft, Eastwood, Dundas Valley and part of Carlingford.
Born and raised in Epping, MacLean attended Epping Public School and Epping Boys High School before completing a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Economics and Applied Finance, at Western Sydney University. His council profile also highlights his interests in creative arts, live entertainment, open spaces and youth services.
MacLean’s election at 28 marks a change in Parramatta’s leadership history. The City’s historical records identify former Lord Mayor David Borger as having previously held the distinction of being the youngest person to serve as Lord Mayor, taking the position at the age of 30.
Alongside MacLean’s election, Councillor Kellie Darley has been elected Deputy Lord Mayor. Representing the Dundas Ward, Cr Darley will work with the new Lord Mayor and fellow councillors during the next stage of the current council term.
Darley said she was pleased to take on the role and highlighted strong governance, transparency and the delivery of services for the local community as key priorities. She also said the council had an opportunity to strengthen its organisation and set a high standard within the local government sector.
The Deputy Lord Mayor will hold the position until September 2027, while MacLean’s Lord Mayoral term will run until September 2028.
The leadership change comes as Parramatta continues to experience significant population growth and urban development. The current council term runs from September 2024 to September 2028, with the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor elected by the councillors.
MacLean has previously been involved in council discussions around community infrastructure, social sustainability and inclusion, while also advocating for open spaces, youth services, creative industries and appropriate development across Parramatta.
His election places a relatively young local government leader at the centre of a rapidly changing metropolitan city. During his term, the council is expected to continue work on major infrastructure, public spaces, cultural initiatives and services responding to the needs of Parramatta’s growing population.
For MacLean, the new role represents a progression from his earlier service as a councillor and deputy lord mayor to leading the council for the remainder of the current four-year council term.
As Parramatta prepares for its next phase of development, the new Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor will work with the council’s 15 elected councillors and staff on the delivery of local services, infrastructure and community priorities across the city.
