Labor has seized control of Sydney’s fastest-growing CBD for the first time in more than a decade, with Councillor Donna Davis as its new Lord Mayor, only the third woman to lead the City in its 160-year history.

Councillor Donna Davis was elected unopposed as the new lord mayor of the City of Parramatta at a meeting on 10 January. Fellow Labor councillor Sameer Pandey was elected as her deputy.

“It’s a privilege to have been elected Lord Mayor of the City of Parramatta,” Cr Davis said.

“I’m excited to lead this inclusive and diverse Council, which in this term includes a record-breaking number of women. Thank you to my colleagues for placing their trust in me to lead our great City.”

Cr Davis, a member of the Australian Labor Party who represents the Epping Ward, was first elected to City of Parramatta Council in September 2017.

Labor’s Sameer Pandey, who represents the Parramatta Ward and is serving his second term as a Councillor for City of Parramatta Council, became the first Deputy Lord Mayor from the Indian subcontinent.