Mayor of Ryde, Labor Councillor for West Ward

Jerome Laxale is the Mayor of the City of Ryde. He was elected to Ryde Council in 2012 after years of experience in private enterprise. Representing suburbs including Marsfield, Eastwood, Denistone and West Ryde, Jerome has been an enthusiastic and accessible elected official during his term on Council. At 31, Jerome was elected as the youngest Mayor in Ryde’s history, and only its second ever Labor Mayor. Jerome served as Mayor from 2015-2016 and was elected Mayor for the 2017-2019 term.

As a member of the Australian Labor Party, Jerome places a great deal of emphasis on fairness and equality. He acknowledges that Government can play a role in solving problems, rather than making them, and he draws much experience from his years operating a family business in Western Sydney.

Jerome graduated from the University of New South Wales in 2004, and is currently a company director and a business consultant.

In his years on Council, he has fought for better facilities, more open space for community events that bring people together. He also initiated Council’s entry into Social Media, its partnership with Australia’s Racism it stops with me! campaign, led a national push against changes to the Racial Discrimination Act and was the driving force behind Council’s recent adoption of its Affordable Housing policy.

Recent years have seen a push in divestment of fossil fuels, banning the use of single use plastic in Council operations and Events, further investment in Solar power in Ryde and investigating a renewal energy target for the Council.

Jerome is a Ryde local and has three children. Having a family firmly planted in Ryde means that he wants his area to be the best that it can be. He wants the best schools, the best environment, and a fair and affordable housing mix across the City.

Current and Past Roles on Ryde Council

• Mayor 2015-2016 and 2017 - Current
• Councillor 2012 - Current
• Chair of the Parramatta River Catchment Group
• Chair of the Sports & Recreation Advisory Committee
• Chair of the Macquarie Park Forum
• Chair of the Centenary of ANZAC and Commemoration of World War 1 Committee
• Member of the Planning and Environment Committee
• Member of the Works and Community Committee
• Member of the Finance and Governance Committee
• Member of the Civic Hub Committee