Opposition local government spokeswoman Sophie Cotsis, alongside Shellharbour MP Anna Watson and Labor candidate for Kiama Glenn Kolomeitz, announced the pledge on Friday.

 Before Shellharbour City Council was placed in administration in 2008, the council had 12 councillors  representing six wards, plus a mayor elected by the people.

When the council was reinstated in 2011, the number of councillors was cut from 13 to seven, the ward system abolished and the mayor is now elected  by councillors. 

“Regional centres like Wollongong, Newcastle, Maitland and Lake Macquarie already directly elect their mayor, and Labor has announced plans to make all mayors in Sydney directly elected if we are elected in March,” Ms Cotsis said.

“Currently, the Local Government Act requires councils to hold a referendum to adopt the direct election model, but this cumbersome process means it can take up to eight years before voters can choose their mayor.

“Labor will allow local communities to adopt the direct election model, provided there is sufficient support to do so.

‘‘This is about empowering communities, and it’s also providing stability to the community, to businesses, to council staff.’’

Ms Watson said the city deserved a mayor chosen by the people, ‘‘not a handful of councillors in a back room every year’’.

Mr Kolomeitz said this model would empower Shellharbour residents.

 If  the minister was  happy that the community  wanted a direct election then it would be put in place by  amending  the act, without the need  to hold a  referendum, he said.

Liberal Kiama MP Gareth Ward recently declared Shellharbour City Council ‘‘dysfunctional’’ after the council voted to hold a referendum on having a popularly elected mayor and increasing the number of councillors.

Councillors voted 4-3 to have the questions put at the 2016 council elections.

‘‘It was sacked for dysfunction as a result of majority Labor grouping ... This government brought back democracy to Shellharbour,’’ Mr Ward said.

‘‘This is the arsonist running into the fire; now they’re saying they’re all for democratic process.

‘‘The Liberals are of the view that there are enough politicians in our community.

‘‘I think that is a decision for the residents to vote for as part of the referendum.’’

Labor Mayor Marianne Saliba, who has long advocated for the change, said it was not about politics but restoring a system the community had previously put in place.

‘‘If the state opposition are going to give that right back, I think that’s fantastic.

‘‘If that doesn’t happen, we’ll be asking the people of Shellharbour themselves whether they want to vote.

‘‘If we can do it without a referendum and save council $40,000, that would be fantastic.’’