Past suspended Hawkesbury councillor Eddie Dogramaci is reportedly being courted by two of the three groups seeking control of Hawkesbury City Council following his acquittal in Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday.
The NSW Online Registry records that the charge against Cr Dogramaci was dismissed on August 25, 2026, with the formal result:
“Dismissed - Not Guilty after hearing.”
The proceeding, R v Eddie Dogramaci, is marked “closed”.
The decision ended criminal proceedings arising from a $4,109 Council reimbursement for information and communications technology equipment.
Cr Dogramaci had pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
His expected return to the Council chamber could have an immediate effect on the contest for mayor and deputy mayor, which is due to be decided by councillors on September 8.
Two groups approach Dogramaci
The Gazette has been told that representatives of two of the three groups seeking to determine the mayoral election have already approached Cr Dogramaci.
The details of those discussions have not been made public, and Cr Dogramaci has not publicly confirmed which candidate or ticket he will support.
However, sources indicate that his return could increase the number supporting an alternative ticket headed by Cr Mike Creed to four votes.
The group reportedly supporting an arrangement involving Deputy Mayor Sarah McMahon and Cr Mary Lyons-Buckett is understood to remain at five votes.
Under the reported arrangement, Cr McMahon and Cr Lyons-Buckett would each serve as mayor for one year during the remaining two years of the council term. Neither councillor has publicly confirmed the existence or terms of that arrangement.
The third group is centred on Mayor Les Sheather, who is understood to be continuing to back himself for re-election.
If the reported numbers hold, the Council would be divided into three groups:
- five councillors supporting the reported McMahon-Lyons-Buckett arrangement;
- four councillors likely to support the alternative ticket associated with Cr Creed; and
- Mayor Sheather and two other Liberal councillors, whose votes could ultimately decide the result.
The numbers remain fluid. No nominations have yet been formally determined, private discussions do not necessarily translate into votes, and councillors may change their positions before the election.
Suspension removed
Cr Dogramaci was suspended from civic office by NSW Local Government Minister Hon Ron Hoenig in August 2025 after criminal proceedings were commenced against him.
Section 440C(1)(b) of the Local Government Act 1993 allows the Minister to suspend a person from civic office where criminal proceedings for alleged serious corrupt conduct have been instituted.
However, section 440C(4)(b) states that the suspension “is removed” if the criminal proceedings are withdrawn or dismissed.
Because the Local Court dismissed the charge and found Cr Dogramaci not guilty, the legislation appears to provide for the removal of his suspension by operation of law.
The Hawkesbury Gazette has asked Minister Hoenig to confirm whether Cr Dogramaci’s suspension was automatically removed on August 25 and whether he is now entitled to attend Council meetings, vote and exercise all the functions of his elected office.
The Gazette has also asked when the Minister will issue a media release or public statement confirming Cr Dogramaci’s return, and whether Hawkesbury City Council and the Office of Local Government have been formally notified.
The Minister has further been asked whether he will use his power under section 440C(5) to direct that any councillor fees or remuneration withheld during the suspension be paid to Cr Dogramaci.
Political balance restored
Cr Dogramaci’s suspension deprived him of the ability to attend meetings, vote in the chamber or exercise other functions of his elected office.
His return would restore the Council to its full complement of 12 councillors at a critical point in its political calendar.
With six votes insufficient to secure a majority if the numbers divide evenly, the mayoral result could depend on preferences, negotiations or a draw ultimately decided in accordance with the statutory election procedure.
Cr Dogramaci’s own vote could nevertheless prove decisive if the reported alliances shift before September 8.
The court’s decision establishes that the criminal charge against Cr Dogramaci was not proved. It does not make findings about the conduct of Hawkesbury City Council, NSW Police or any other person involved in the investigation or prosecution.
Questions about how the reimbursement was handled, why Council paid it while an investigation remained under way and Council’s subsequent communications with police remain separate matters.
The Gazette will publish the Minister’s response and any further confirmation concerning Cr Dogramaci’s return to office when it is received.
"Get Eddie"
The Gazette will publish this weekend an extended story on the how Cr Dogramaci came to be charged, and who is responsible for the extraordinary cost of this prosecution.
According to one Councillor who has written to the Office of Local Government about the matter:
"In my view, the basis for the allegation was always thin, and it was likely that
the former General Manager, Elizabeth Richardson, initiated this action in part
due to Councillor Dogramaci’s well known public role as a critic of Council
waste."
"You would be aware that Elizabeth Richardson recently resigned from her
role as General Manager of Hawkesbury Council with a handsome payout which
was not stipulated in her employment contract, which has itself undermined
public confidence in the integrity of Council."
