The recent government election saw an increase in female representation across the board in NSW, with the number of women on council growing by 8.5 per cent on the proportion of those elected in 2016/17. 

Across the Western Plains, the number of women elected onto local councils was 31, out of a total of 95 councillors in the region. 

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) President Darriea Turely said that women now make up 39.5 per cent of councillors in NSW. 

“Councils are the closest level of government to their communities, so to ensure everyone has a voice it is important that they reflect the communities they represent,” Ms Turley said. 

Of the 124 councils across NSW that held elections, 69 have more women on them than in previous terms, and 27 councils have a female majority, nearly three times the number in the last term. 

Bogan Shire Councillor Jodi Douglas said that while she feels her shire has always been in good standing with at least three women on council throughout all of her terms, there is definitely room to move. 



Where she would like to see real improvement in representation, however, is in more points of diversity. 

“It’d be nice, certainly, to see more diversity across age, gender, culture, everything, you know.” Ms Douglas said. 

“I think we’ve had a good mix of people in the past, but there’s still ways to go I think. I’d like to see younger people on there, we don’t necessarily get a lot of younger ones,” Ms Douglas said. 

She noted too that the council doesn’t necessarily reflect the growing multicultural population of the area. 

While perhaps lacking in other factors of representation, Ms Turley said that reforms and campaigns have led to the significant shift in female representation on council. 

Part of the advocacy secured childcare for women councillors, in an effort to remove obstacles. 

“These reforms are all about breaking down the barriers to community service, so NSW communities benefit from councils that truly represent them and their needs,” Ms Turley said.

Cr Turley said another important contribution to the higher proportion of women standing for council was the introduction of superannuation for mayors and councillors, bringing them into line with the rest of the Australian workforce. 

"Lack of superannuation for councillors has been a real disincentive to stand for council, particularly for women, and I'm proud that LGNSW helped put our elected representatives on an equal footing to other workers."