Former Lord Mayor Paul Barber passing

The City of Parramatta recognises the contribution and lasting legacy of former Lord Mayor Councillor Paul Barber.

Mr Barber was raised in East Parramatta, educated at Parramatta East Public School and Macquarie Boys High School. After a career as a shift controller at the Shell Oil Refinery, a concern for Parramatta’s heritage and urban design standards prompted his first interest in local government in the 1990s.

He went on to be a long-time member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee to the City of Parramatta, served on the upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust and on the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils where he lobbied both State and Federal Governments for a better deal for local governments. 

Mr Barber went on to have a long and impactful career as an elected Councillor with the City of Parramatta Council from 2001, including as Lord Mayor of Parramatta in 2007 and 2008.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Pierre Esber said:

“Paul Barber was the epitome of hard work and dedication to the people of Parramatta.

“In his time involved with the City of Parramatta, he was involved in the creation of the Parramatta Artists Studio, the restoration of the old Parramatta War Memorial Pool, the introduction of the free shuttle bus in 2008, delivery of the first Sustainability Expo in 2007 and the successful delivery of Social Enterprise Grants for the unemployed, plus many more achievements.

“Our sincere condolences go to his family at this time.”