NSW: Lucy Turnbull expected to be named new Sydney Lord Mayor

00-00-0000
NSW: Lucy Turnbull expected to be named new Sydney Lord Mayor

SYDNEY, April 7 AAP - Lawyer Lucy Turnbull is expected to be named Sydney's first femalelord mayor tonight when Frank Sartor officially resigns after 12 years in the role.

Another female legal professional, barrister Dixie Coulton, could take out the deputyposition and make it an all-woman team leading the city.

Lord Mayoral spokesman Rod Metcalf said today Mrs Turnbull was favoured to take Mr Sartor's job.

"Lucy Turnbull is expected to be nominated successfully for Lord Mayor," he said.

"We aren't aware of any other nominations as they will not be received until the (council)meeting tonight. It is anticipated, though, that she will be running unopposed."

Mrs Turnbull, a mother of two, is the wife of former Australian Republican Movementchairman Malcolm Turnbull, and holds several board positions.

If successful she will remain interim lord mayor until council elections in September this year.

Mr Sartor, the City of Sydney's longest-serving lord mayor, steps down tonight afterwinning the southern Sydney seat of Rockdale in last month's state election.

In a vote for the position of deputy lord mayor, Mr Sartor is expected to support thecity's ALP councillor, Robert Ho, but Ms Coulton is tipped to win.

The successful nomination for Lord Mayor will be handed to NSW Governor Marie Bashirfor approval before the end of the week.

The council meeting begins at 5.30pm (AEST) today.

AAP rh/nf/wjf/br

KEYWORD: MAYOR (PIX AVAILABLE)