New councils for regional mayors

WHILE the Lockyer Valley, Somerset and Scenic Rim region's mayors have all won a tick of approval, they will all be running new look councils.

Steve Jones is back as Mayor of Lockyer Valley Regional Council.

WHILE the Lockyer Valley, Somerset and Scenic Rim region's mayors have all won a tick of approval, they will all be running new look councils.

In the Somerset sitting mayor Graeme Lehmann stove off two challengers in Graham Peall and Beryce Nelson.

With nearly 80% of the vote counted only deputy mayor Neil Zabel and Cr Dan Hall are set to stay on the council.

Kirsten Moriarty, Helen Brieschke, Michael Ogg and Jim Madden are all on track to win council positions.

Cr Lehmann said while he was disappointed to lose so many councillors he was looking forward to hearing the new councillors' fresh ideas.

"I can't explain why this has happened. We've lost a number of really hard working people," he said.

"I was a bit surprised about it. I thought we might lose a couple but we've ended up losing more than a couple.

I'm looking forward to the next four years ahead. I'm very pleased people have given me the opportunity to get on with the job."

The Lockyer Valley mayor Steve Jones successfully won a second term in the amalgamated council, showing off former councillor Glenroy Logan.

However, with only 18% of the vote collected for councillors, Cr Jones' council could see a number of new faces.

Deputy mayor Graham Moon and Cr Janice Holstein are set to lose their positions on the council with Derek Pingle and Simon Emmerson in line to win seats.

While Cr Jones emphasised the preliminary nature of the results, he said he expected only two or three changes in the council.

"If in face we have three or four of the existing councillors stay on then we've done a lot better than a lot of other councils," he said.

"I think that's something positive for the council and the work we've been doing."

The two Boonah-based seats of the Scenic Rim will also be represented by new councillors.

While mayor John Brent was returned, defeating rival Derek Swanborough, Wendy Creighton and Joy Drescher, representatives from Divisions 5 and 6 will be new faces.

Rick Stanfield defeated sitting member Kathy Bensted in Division 5, while Duncan McInnes won the empty seat of Division 6.

Cr Brent said he was expecting a number of new faces with two councillors retiring and Mr Swanborough running for mayor.

"Having a new team is always a challenge, but our focus will be on delivering for our community," Cr Brent said.

Originally published as New councils for regional mayors