Clover Moore has been re-elected as Sydney mayor for a fourth term amid an apparent voter backlash against the Baird government.
Ms Moore, 70, claimed victory on Saturday night with an unbeatable lead over the Liberals' Christine Forster.
She said voters had told her they were angry at the Baird government and the Shooters, Fisher and Farmers party for changed the voting rules to give businesses two votes in the City of Sydney.
"They (the government) wanted to get me out and to get a Liberal mayor in, and that of course hasn't happened," Ms Moore told AAP.
Labor claimed large swings towards it in the western Sydney local government areas of Liverpool, Penrith, the Blue Mountains, Blacktown, Campbelltown and Camden.
"Grateful to people of western Sydney for your support for NSW Labor candidates today. You have sent Mr Baird a big message," Opposition Leader Luke Foley tweeted.
Final results in the 78 NSW council elections held on Saturday are not expected until after preferences are distributed, while dozens more local governments had their polls deferred until next year due to mergers.
