Deputy Lord Mayor - Councillor Olly Arkins

Cr Olly Arkins (she/her) was elected to the City of Sydney in 2024. 

Olly is a lifelong Sydneysider. Before running for council, she became concerned with what was happening in our city; housing becoming less affordable, key council services being privatised and our nightlife and creative sector struggling.   

That's why she ran for council, because she believes that Sydney can do both: get our basic services right for our residents, while ensuring we are the creative, welcoming and social place we all know we can be. Taking our place as a global city, while deeply respecting our First Nations people, whose culture should be at the forefront and centre of how we set policy.

Olly trained as a nurse at Notre Dame in Darlinghurst, while working as a swim instructor at the City's Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre. Since then she has spent over a decade working in cultural policy and advocacy across the music industry, festivals and government. 

Since her election, Olly has built a track-record of delivering wins for an improved and diversified nightlife, in-housing delivery of council services and more affordable housing. She has championed initiatives that support renters, young people, and a more inclusive, vibrant city. Her work has included advocating for Special Entertainment Precincts, investing in affordable housing, supporting our LGBTQIA+ community, extending library opening hours, and backing landmark events such as Yabun and Mardi Gras.

Olly is the Deputy Chair of the Cultural, Creative and Nightlife Committee, and Co-Chair of the Creative and Nightlife Advisory Panel. She is also a board member of Local Government NSW.

Olly uses her experience in complex policy spaces to bring diverse stakeholders together, in order to reach practical, impactful outcomes. 

She is also proud to be the first openly trans councillor to be elected to the City of Sydney.