Image: City of Syndey Councillor Yvonne Weldon. Image: Facebook
City of Sydney’s first Aboriginal Councillor, Yvonne Weldon has announced she will be running for mayor of this September, with the hopes of bringing a fresh vision for the city’s future.
“I think it’s time for a refresh in our city. You can’t do that with the same person that isn’t open to listening to others.” Cr Weldon told City Hub. “I really want to see that we are bringing a city together, a global city, that is inclusive and accessible for all, but also represents so much more than one view.”
Born and raised in inner Sydney, Cr Weldon was first elected in 2021. She maintains strong ties to her Wiradjuri homelands of Cowra and the Riverina areas of New South Wales and was the first Aboriginal councillor to be elected in the City of Sydney’s 180-year History.
She’s ready to make history again, announcing her candidacy on Thursday, August 1.
Making History
“Three years ago, we made history when I was elected as the City of Sydney’s first Aboriginal councillor. Today, I’m announcing that I’m running to be Sydney’s next Mayor. I’m running to build a better future.”
Prior to her tenure at the City of Sydney, Cr Weldon served as the elected Chair of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Deputy Chair of the NSW Australia Day Council, and as a Board member of Domestic Violence NSW.
For her service to the Aboriginal community, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. In 2022, she was recognised as the NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year.
Weldon’s announcement comes after Clover Moore stated her intentions to run for a sixth term as Lord Mayor in May 2024.
Having held the position since 2004, councillors from both Labor and Liberal, have voiced their dissatisfaction with Cr Moore’s decision to run, and the lack of accountability she holds for incomplete projects and clean-ups around the city.
Importance Of Local Government
Cr Weldon was among these detractors. She stated that the neglect of places like Oxford Street, and art institutions have all happened under Clover Moore’s watch and something needs to be done about it.
“I don’t think that vision being by one person for over two decades is healthy for the city. And if you look at the city around the city, it’s a testament to what should not continue.”
She went on to explain that in her four years as a councillor, she has seen the importance of local government and its ability to look after constituents.
“Local government is pivotal to everyone’s lives, and people don’t realise that it’s actually the local government that has some of the greatest impacts on their lives.” She explained.
“We have a responsibility to listen and walk with the people that we represent. We are the closest level of government to our streets, our neighbourhoods, our communities, and we need to be about that so much more.”
Affordable Housing
Across her term, Weldon has advocated for affordable housing, accessible streets, community and domestic violence support, greater representation of First Nations culture, transparent decision-making, and public information access.
In her announcement, she stated she would continue championing these areas, including doubling the City’s Affordable Housing Fund, as well as establishing rate rebates for households and businesses who install solar or switch to green power.
“We have land, and other people have money to be able to build on that land, and we should be able to do that in partnerships, you know, equally, not just for some parts of society, but all parts of society.” Cr Weldon concluded.
