Wendy Taylor has ‘quiet confidence,’ prepares for top job

Likely new mayor and the first female to hold the position in the Maranoa, Wendy Taylor has outlined her vision for the new council after the region resoundingly rebuked a third term for Tyson Golder.

After one term as councillor, Wendy Taylor is waiting in the wings with ‘quiet confidence’ she’ll be the region’s next mayor.

More than 70 per cent of votes have been counted in the Maranoa Regional Council mayoral race, and all signs point to the region’s first term with a female mayor.

After serving one term as a councillor, Wendy Taylor made the bold move to gamble her position on council and run for mayor.

A daring bid which in turn seems to have paid off. With counting well under way, Mrs Taylor’s lead is now indisputable.

Mrs Taylor said she is “quietly confident,” but is more excited that people have voted for independent councillors in chambers, something she described as “a win”.

“I’m more excited about the independent councillors being put in the room,” she said.

In the councillor race, Cameron O’Neill, Joh Hancock, Brendan Seawright and Jane Vincent are at the front of the pack, all of whom ran as independent candidates.

The result indicates a rejection of the Unity Maranoa group, which was widely supported during the 2020 election.

“I think the public have spoken,” Mrs Taylor said.

The sentiment shows in the councillor race as well.

Six of the frontrunning candidates highlighted their independence in their campaigns.

Four of those were newcomers, a sure sign that it’s out with the old, and in with the new for the southwest council.

Wendy Taylor has an indisputable lead over the other candidates in the Maranoa Regional council election.

While Mrs Taylor said she’s “not going there in (her) head just yet,” she has her sights set on key issues she would bring to her first council meetings as mayor.

Mrs Taylor said she’d like council to reconsider issues like advisory committees, councillor portfolios and rules around who can speak on behalf of council to open up transparency.

“I think every councillor should have a voice,” she said.

While the final counts take place, Mrs Taylor said she is keeping herself busy with other things.

“I’m actually catching up on a lot of book work,” Mrs Taylor said.

“And I want to go away and see my grandchildren on the weekend before I get too busy.”