Exclusive Read: “We want the next 10 years to be the golden era for Parramatta,” former Lord Mayor Sameer Pandey

Sameer Pandey, the first person of Indian origin to hold the coveted position of Lord Mayor has been replaced by Veteran Labor councillor Pierre Esber owing to lack of majority votes and internal politics.

Compiled By Nidhi Kumari

The former Mayor, Sameer Pandey, inaugurated the Parramatta Aquatic Centre in the morning of September 25 and he was ousted from his position by the same evening.

While speaking to Indus Age, City of Parramatta former Lord Mayor Sameer Pandey said, “It has been an honour to serve as the Lord Mayor of Parramatta. I am disappointed at the outcome but I am immensely proud to have played a part in the ongoing transformation of our City, particularly in a time where we experienced incredible investment and delivered community infrastructure that has been in planning stages for years. Strengthening Parramatta’s brand globally as the diverse heart of greater Sydney and a destination for visitors, workers and students has been a key achievement during my time as Lord Mayor. We want the next 10 years to be the golden era for Parramatta.”

While many of the community members feel that Pandey will be back in the next election, there were many among his supporters who were upset with this decision.

Also read: Sameer Pandey Achieved What Many Migrants Don’t Even Dare To Think!

“Sameer Pandey’s ouster as Lord Mayor is disheartening not only for the Indian community, which comprises about 11% of the population, but the broader community; there is a massive population other than the Indian community that stands in support of Pandey, and therefore, the decision is disappointing for the broader community for a number of reasons, including it disrupts the stability of the council, and the work that they have been doing slows down. It is disappointing at all levels,” one of the community members was quoted as saying.

Pandey was preceded by Veteran Labor councillor Pierre Esber. Esber stands as the third Mayor in 5 months at the Sydney’s second CBD.

Since being elected on 22nd May, former Lord Mayor Pandey has sought to achieve several goals including:

• Establishment of a masterplan to build an Art and Cultural precinct in Parramatta CBD
• Activation of River foreshore in Parramatta
• Advocacy to bring Vivid to Parramatta
• Advocacy for Metro and Light Rail stage 2
• Development of a Tourism Strategy
• Development of a Pedestrian Strategy for Parramatta CBD
• Promoting Parramatta as a Global City
• Positive media enhancing Parramatta’s International and national reputation.
• Listening through Engagement and Collaboration
• Building World-Class Infrastructure
• Celebrating Arts, Culture, Sports, Recreation, Environment, History and Heritage
• Advocating for City of Parramatta.

Expressing hopes of Pandey’s return as Mayor in next term, Councillor Moninder Singh, Blacktown City, added, “Sameer did a great job in his tenure as Lord Mayor. He has a very bright future. The selection of a Mayor is for one year, and so there will be another opportunity, and hopefully, Sameer should be back.”