Brisbane Deputy Mayor Krista Adams calls time on council career

Brisbane City Council Deputy Mayor Krista Adams has revealed she will not contest the next local government election, saying it was time to consider a “new path”.

Brisbane Mayor Adrian Schrinner and outgoing deputy Krista Adams. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Brisbane City Council Deputy Mayor Krista Adams will not contest the next election, saying it was time to consider a “new path”.

“With much consideration, I have made the decision to step down from Civic Cabinet, my role as Deputy Mayor and will not contest the 2028 election,” she said in a statement.

“I was first elected as a local councillor in 2008 and have had the privilege of serving in Council’s Civic Cabinet in various roles for the past 15 years.”

She became Brisbane’s Deputy Mayor in 2019.

Working as a teacher for 17 years before she moved into local government, Cr Adams said she wanted to look at new ways to help make Brisbane even better.

“I’m enormously proud my decision means the Lord Mayor will be able to refresh our leadership team and Cabinet from the ranks of our very talented council team, the majority of which are now women,” she said.

“From suburban skate parks and local men’s sheds to major infrastructure and planning improvements, my roles over the past 17 years have been challenging and complex but most of all they gave me the opportunity to make the suburbs I am so passionate about even better.”

Brisbane Mayor Adrian Schrinner with Cr Adams.

Cr Adams said she remained passionate about serving in her local community.

“ … and as I step away from my role as Deputy Mayor and Civic Cabinet, I look forward to continuing to serve my local community.”

“I feel incredibly lucky to have helped Brisbane evolve into the best place in Australia to live, work and relax.”

Cr Adams said she also had the opportunity to lead Brisbane City Council’s efforts in relation to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“On a local level, I’m proud to have been involved in establishing a social enterprise cafe at Mt Gravatt Outlook, helping deliver the Mt Gravatt East swimming pool, providing support for the Mt Gravatt Neighbourhood Plan and the subsequent Macgregor St upgrade, establishing the Mt Gravatt Men’s Shed, upgrading the Whites Hill Recreation Reserve, protecting wildlife, upgrading intersections and chairing the Aged Care and Retirement Living Taskforce which led to so many more housing options for people to age in place.”

Ms Adams said helping deliver the Mt Gravatt East pool was one of the highlights of her time as councillor. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon, Cr Adams said 17 years was a “long time” when questioned on her decision.

“The job of a local councillor, and then on top of that civic cabinet and deputy mayor is huge, it’s the only way to describe it,” she said.

But she was adamant that she would continue to represent her local area.

It is understood possible candidates for Deputy Mayor could be councillors Fiona Cunningham, Vicki Howard or Ryan Murphy.

The cabinet will return to eight chair roles with potential contenders for Cr Adams’ former positions of Civic Cabinet Chair for Economic Development, Nighttime Economy and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Committee including Cr Danita Parry, Cr Penny Wolff or Cr Sandy Landers.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council would be holding a ballot of the team in a democratic fashion.

“The Olympic responsibilities in council continue, and what will happen going forward, though, is that I’ll step in and take more of those responsibilities myself,” he said.

“What we’ll be doing now is I’ll be taking on a key part of that Olympic role, but I’ll be supported by another councillor, and that will be determined in the coming weeks as well.”

Mr Schrinner said Cr Adams had been a fantastic deputy mayor, a fantastic senior member of the team and a fantastic local councillor.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with Krista for almost six years as my deputy, but also for longer than that, for the 17 years that she’s been a local councillor,” he said.

“We have an incredibly talented and passionate team of councillors, and this is an opportunity to renew our leadership and refresh our Civic Cabinet.”