Southern Downs and Goondiwindi council elections: Your guide to who is running in 2024
Find out who’s in and who is out of the running for a seat at the table in both Southern Downs and Goondiwindi region councils ahead of this year’s local government elections. FULL LIST HERE.
Warwick
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As residents of the Southern Downs and Goondiwindi regions prepare to head to the ballot box on March 16, they can expect to see some new faces step up to throw their hat in the ring.
The current crop of Southern Downs councillors have had a tough trot throughout their term, with significant flooding and a pandemic bringing woes to the community, as well as several notable council controversies.
With Goondiwindi Region’s rental vacancy rate listed as the worst in the state, the current term of councillors have also had their hands full in providing housing affordability solutions to the region.
We’ve got the full list of every candidate running for re-election or to make their name on the stage of local politics.
See the list of candidates from both the Southern Downs and Goondiwindi Region below.
SOUTHERN DOWNS REGION
Mayoral candidates
MAYOR VIC PENNISI
Elected in 2020, incumbent mayor and Stanthorpe legend Vic Pennisi said he’s putting his name in the ring again, saying he has the “energy, passion and commitment to continue on”.
Pennisi swept the polls in 2020 winning 44.28 per cent of the vote after being on council for 16 years beforehand, promising a wealth of experience.
With more than two decades involved in local government, the mayor will be hard to beat at the polls.
A main issue voters are raising around this year’s election before residents head to the polls on March 16 is transparency within council, something Mr Pennisi claimed he had fixed.
Residents have been critical that SDRC isn’t transparent enough, with Pennisi disagreeing heavily, saying the council is “the most transparent it’s ever been”.
“In the last council in 2019 (before Pennisi’s term), there was no briefing sessions that were open to the public, and over 40 per cent of agenda items were labelled confidential,” the mayor said.
MELISSA HAMILTON
Independent candidate and first-time runner, Melissa Hamilton said her neutrality would allow her to “push at every door” to secure more investment in the region.
“I have decided to run for mayor because I believe that it is a serious position that requires leadership and professionalism. That’s what I can offer,” Ms Hamilton said.
Ms Hamilton announced that she would be an independent force in the upcoming election with a flashy billboard along the New England Highway in January and said she would bring integrity and professionalism to the role.
Ms Hamilton said the main message she had been hearing from residents across the Southern Downs was that they wanted a council that worked together.
“People are sick of ongoing division and conflict among councillors,” she said. “They expect their elected officials to co-operate and get things done.”
Ms Hamilton is originally from Central Queensland, and has worked in a variety of jobs, from FIFO mining to in a regional bank.
LINDSAY GOODWIN
A Southern Downs lucerne farmer is the most recent resident putting his hat in the ring for the top job ahead of March’s mayoral elections.
Born and bred in Warwick, Lindsay Goodwin has worked in a variety of jobs, including as a stock inspector with the DPI for decades, until settling down as a lucerne farmer.
The ‘as seen on TV’ candidate has had the state’s eyes on him, with his successful campground at his property – rated one of the best in Queensland – featured on multiple lifestyle TV programs.
Mr Goodwin said he’s been interested in local government since running for mayor in 2012, and knows there’s a few things on voter’s minds that needs to be changed.
“Ninety per cent of people I’ve personally spoken to aren’t worried about who is in the council, all they care about is roads, rates and gardens,” he said.
“Voters want the roads fixed up and rates reduced, and they want the city to go back to the way it was 15 years ago with nice gardens and parks.”
Councillors in
ANDREW GALE
Former cop and driving instructor Andrew Gale is seeking re-election since first taking the job in 2020.
The incumbent councillor wrote on Facebook he was “honoured to hold the position of councillor” since 2020 and was looking forward to your support so I can continue to passionately represent you.
Mr Gale first ran for council in 2016 after being encouraged by the mayor at the time.
“It has always been and honour and privilege to represent my community and it is certainly something I will never take for granted,” he said.
STEPHEN TANCRED
Stanthorpe local Stephen Tancred has taken to Facebook to announce he’s throwing his hat in the ring for another term.
The agricultural scientist has held his position in council since voted in at the previous election in 2020.
Mr Tancred is a lifelong pillar of the Southern Downs community, heavily advocating for sustainable farming initiatives for fruit and vegetable growers.
Since his election, Mr Tancred has worked closely on major road and infrastructure, water and wastewater projects in the region.
Mr Tancred said some of the projects he’s most enjoyed seeing come to fruition include the Condamine River Rd river crossings, ongoing upgrade of the Stanthorpe Art Gallery, and the upgrades to Warwick Saleyards.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time on council and am proud of what this current council has managed to achieve,” he said.
With water security a major concern for the region, and particularly Mr Tancred’s home town of Stanthorpe, the councillor remains confident of finding a solution.
CAMERON GOW
Having already sat through a number terms as a Southern Downs councillor, Cameron Gow announced on Facebook in January he would again be campaigning for a seat at the table.
Mr Gow has spent the better part of 20 years in local government and has led portfolios for agriculture, environment and sustainability.
CYNTHIA MCDONALD
Although Southern Downs councillor Cynthia McDonald has yet to formally respond to the Daily News, her corflutes have been spotted around the region.
SHERYL WINDLE
The previous eight years at Southern Downs Regional Council have been rewarding for Sheryl Windle, who’s faced many challenges as a local government advocate for the community.
Mrs Windle has decided she’s not ready to give up her seat on council and is committed to finding solutions to some of the major issues the region is facing.
“I’m prepared to continue my strong commitment to represent the community as a whole and to continue to collaborate with state and federal governments, and their service agencies to find a suitable solution for the lack of affordable housing in this region,” she said.
Alongside her bid to lobby for affordable housing, Mrs Windle said tourism and water security were also high priorities.
The Southern Downs saw a hefty rate increase in the 2023 budget, but Mrs Windle was confident council would work as a collective to ensure any increases were minimal.
“Council always does their utmost to spend wisely, however there have been times that projects have seen major increases in costs due to the increases across the construction industry which have been impossible to avoid,” she said.
Mrs Windle said in the past eight years council managed to significantly decrease their debt and she was confident it would continue to do so into the future.
ROSS BARTLEY
Councillors out
JO MCNALLY
Southern Downs Region councillor Jo McNally reportedly announced at a community information session early last year that she would not be contesting at the upcoming local government election.
Warwick Daily News has attempted to contact Mrs McNally for comment.
MARCO GLIORI
New councillor candidates
NICK SUDUK
Nick Suduk was the first outsider to put up their hand for a chance to be elected as a Southern Downs councillor in 2024.
Mr Suduk grew up on the Southern Downs, moving to the region in 1987 with his parents.
Apart from a short time away working in the mining industry, Mr Suduk has worked and volunteered in the region for the best part of 18 years.
“I would like to see greater transparency and communication into the decisions that affect all ratepayers, (and) I would like to have a council that listens to the people,” he said.
“I have never been one to whinge about something and then not have a go at fixing it, so I am standing for people who are as frustrated as I am.
“I am community minded, enthusiastic and have the energy to work for all areas of the Southern Downs.
“I want to see the Southern Downs prosper and grow, a place where all of the community benefit.”
JOEL RICHTERS
Former state Labor candidate Joel Richters has thrown his hat in the ring to be a councillor, announcing over the weekend he would be a candidate.
Mr Richters said he was looking forward to addressing some of the region’s most pressing issues such as housing and development, transparency, growing tourism and water security.
Mr Richters has promised a higher standard for council representation and believed the electorate expected more from their elected officials.
“A council not focused on delivering for every single resident is letting good opportunities go to waste,” he said.
The healthcare worker moved to southern Queensland a decade ago after working in the army for eight years.
Mr Richters said he would be “an empathetic councillor who understands the decisions that council make can make or break lives”.
BRETT TUNBRIDGE
First time council runner Brett Tunbridge has said he will make a difference as a councillor by making “accountability” will be his platform.
Mr Tunbridge is no stranger to the ballot box however, running in 2022 for Maranoa as a candidate for the Australian Federation Party scoring just over 1 per cent of the vote.
“You, the electors will be my directors and I will not be dictated to by back room players,” Mr Tunbridge wrote on Facebook.
Mr Tunbridge has previously worked in retail sales, the automotive industry, and had run his own business.
“I will attempt to part of the solution, not the cause of the problem,” he said.
MORWENNA HARSELTT
A former Stanthorpe business owner has said the council needs to bring “professionalism and integrity” back to the job in order to serve the community as she launches her bid for a council seat.
Stanthorpe’s Morwenna Harslett, former owner of popular Granite Belt nursery Cherry Lane, has announced her candidacy for the Southern Downs Regional Council with colourful placards which show her vibrant personality.
Ms Harslett said a major concern for voters was infighting and dysfunction between councillors wasting people’s time.
“The community feels like they’re not being listened to and all the drama is taking up too much time, half of the council meetings aren’t addressing real issues in the region and that’s a waste of everyone’s time,” she said.
KELVIN JOHNSTON
MARIKA MCNICHOL
Stanthorpe’s beloved ‘Ugg Boot Lady’ Marika McNichol is more than prepared to pull on her councillor boots if elected in 2024.
Mrs McNichol is ready to finish what she started in her previous 2016-2020 council term to help ensure the future sustainability of the Southern Downs.
Among her priority projects for the region are roads and infrastructure, water security, economic development and housing, finding a new home for the Warwick dog park and a new rates scheme for pensioners.
“Our rates are very high and I had a gentleman ask me recently about introducing a credit system for pensioners, which is something I’ll be putting forward if re-elected because the state government subsidy isn’t enough,” she said.
RUSSELL WANTLING
An icon of promoting the Granite Belt has announced his run for Southern Downs council, and says the council will need to do more to promote the region.
Stanthorpe’s Russell Wantling has rolled up his sleeves in a bid to represent the region at the local government level as the region prepares to head to the polls next week.
The Apple and Grape Harvest Festival president has spent the majority of his life in the region, and was particularly keen on advocating for all residents, from growers and agricultural industries to the tourism industry.
Collaboration between various sectors of tourism, agriculture and industry was a major idea Mr Wantling believed would show off the region and present it as a major destination for events and interstate tourism.
NOEL GROSSKOPF
SARAH DEANE
Sarah Deane’s political campaign has silently brewed in the back of her mind for a number of years, before she decided 2024 was a good a time as any.
“I had always thought I’d wait until the kids grew up, but I’ve realised it’s so important to have a good representation of male, female, younger, older people at the table and we are missing younger representation,” she said.
“So I thought to myself, if I don’t, then who will?”
DAVID THOMPSON
CARLA PIDGEON
GOONDIWINDI REGION
Mayoral candidates
LAWRENCE SPRINGBORG
After taking out the mayor win for Goondiwindi Region in 2020, Lawrence Springborg will run unopposed for re-election in 2024.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to do it again if the people of the Goondiwindi region are willing to place their confidence in me,” Mr Springborg said.
Councillors in
SUSIE KELLY
Goondiwindi Region councillor Susie Kelly announced via Facebook she is contesting to keep her seat at the table at the upcoming local government election.
Mrs Kelly was first elected as a councillor in 2020 and if successful would be entering her second term.
PHIL O’SHEA
Also putting their hand up for another term in Goondiwindi Regional Council is Phil O’Shea, who was first elected in 2020.
RICK KEARNEY
Taking to Facebook to announce his candidacy for re-election, Goondiwindi Region councillor Rick Kearney has completed five terms in council.
DEPUTY MAYOR ROB MACKENZIE
Announcing to the public back in December 2023, Goondiwindi Region deputy mayor Rob Mackenzie will be contesting a position on council for 2024.
JASON WATTS
Goondiwindi Region councillor Jason Watts announced his intention to run again last week, taking to Facebook to thank the community for their support over the past four years.
Councillors out
LACHLAN BRENNAN
Goondiwindi Region councillor Lachlan Brennan announced via Facebook in January he would not be contesting his seat at the table in the upcoming local government election.
New councillor candidates
KYM SKINNER
Swift to announce her councillor candidacy via Facebook, Goondiwindi local Kym Skinner has put her hand up for the chance of a seat at the table.
The business owner said in the post she’s driven by her ‘deep passion’ for the region and desire to contribute to the growth and prosperity of the region.
JULIA SPICER OAM
Entrepreneur and businesswoman Julia Spicer OAM has decided to throw her hat in the ring for the chance to be elected by the Goondiwindi community as a councillor for the region.
In 2022, Mrs Spicer was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her dedication to the Goondiwindi and wider community, and was announced as Queensland’s chief entrepreneur.
Mrs Spicer said her work in a range of state and community organisations over the years has positioned her to understand the important issues that need addressing in the region.
“There’s a lot of opportunities (for growth) across the region,” she said.
“Luckily we’re a stable region and (I think) we live in one of the best council regions in Australia.”
Mrs Spicer said her leadership style focuses on collaboration and she’s not afraid to challenge the status quo or push boundaries.
The entrepreneur has successfully run her own consulting business across the South West for a number of years, and along with her husband owns and operates the Goondiwindi Business Hub.
ANTHONY HOPKINS
Anthony Hopkins is another newcomer to race for a position as a councillor for the Goondiwindi region.
With a background of doing contract work for a number of council regions, Mr Hopkins said he was well prepared to take on such an important role and is committed to serving the community.
“As a candidate, transparency and accountability are values I hold dear,” he said.
“I believe in open communication with constituents and am dedicated to representing their voices and concerns in the council.”
DAVID SPOONER
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