LUCY Turnbull becomes the City of Sydney’s first female lord mayor at midday today, replacing Frank Sartor, the man who saw Sydney through the Olympics and was elected last month to the Carr Government.

Mr Sartor is Sydney’s longest-serving Lord Mayor, having begun his reign in 1991. He is known for his frenetic energy and combative but pragmatic style.

Even his old sparring partners, such as Councillor Kathryn Greiner, were complimentary at ceremonies at Sydney’s Town Hall last night. “You’ve been waiting years for me to say nice things about you,” Ms Greiner, wife of former NSW premier Nick Greiner, said as she praised his “undoubted energy, capacity and commitment to the city”.

Mr Sartor is credited with making Sydney and the city council more user-friendly.

As he officially loses the lord mayoral position at lunchtime today, he will be in his office acting as the new Minister for Energies and Utilities, among other titles, in the revamped Carr Government.

The last council minute presented by Mr Sartor as Lord Mayor, at a council meeting last night, recorded his gratitude to family, friends, staff and Ms Turnbull, his deputy for 3 1/2 years.

A statue of Ms Turnbull’s great grandfather, Thomas Hughes, who in 1902 was the city’s first lord mayor, looked on as the council voted unanimously for her to be the city’s next lord mayor. Also watching were her husband, Malcolm Turnbull, daughter Daisy, 18, and father Tom Hughes.

Spirited applause from observers and council staff showed the historic significance of the moment was appreciated. Daisy said: “She is setting a great precedent for women in politics. We are very proud of her.”

Ms Turnbull will be acting lord mayor until such time as the Governor of NSW, Marie Bashir, confirms the position. Full council elections will be held in September.

Ms Turnbull said she would continue with Mr Sartor’s reforms “to enhance people’s experience of the city”.