Southern Downs Shakeup: Here’s how your new council is shaping up

With the majority of votes counted, it seems there has been an overturn of the old guard and a clear repudiation of multiple councillors by voters at the ballot box.

Michael Hudson and Jessica Klein

5 min read

March 19, 2024 - 4:29PM

Here's how the Southern Downs Regional Council is shaping up after this past weekend's election

Warwick

Don't miss out on the headlines from Warwick. Followed categories will be added to My News.

With the final votes being counted days after the last ballot was submitted, the next council representing the Southern Downs is almost confirmed and voters have cast a clear message for major change.

It’s looking likely there will be at least five fresh faces around the table, including a new mayor to spearhead the Southern Downs Regional Council.

As it stands, only Sheryl Windle, Cynthia McDonald and Ross Bartley will remain on council, with Stephen Tancred, Andrew Gale, Cameron Gow failing to secure enough votes at this stage, and Marco Gliori and Jo McNally announcing they wouldn’t run in 2024.

See where the preliminary results are at below.

MAYOR

Underdog Melissa Hamilton is the new mayor of the Southern Downs region, beating incumbent Vic Pennisi and challenger Lindsay Goodwin.

Receiving just shy of 11,000 votes, or 46.58 per cent, Hamilton beat the incumbent in a stunning upset.

With 85.14 per cent of votes counted as of Tuesday afternoon, Ms Hamilton has seemingly taken the crown of regional mayor, the second female mayor since Tracey Dobie in 2016.

Mayor Melissa Hamilton is staunchly independent

Despite Ms Hamilton being noticeably absent from the Stanthorpe mayoral debate, she was undoubtedly the clear favourite among voters.

In an interview with the Toowoomba Chronicle after voting officially closed on March 16, Ms Hamilton said she was ‘buoyed’ by the initial result.

“There are a lot of different issues (in this election), but when you came down to the bottom, it was a feeling there were missed opportunities and the basics were not done well,” she said.

Mayoral race standings as of March 19, 2024. (Source: AEC)

Ms Hamilton is originally from Central Queensland, and has worked in a variety of jobs, from FIFO mining to working in a regional bank.

“The pressure of rates is flowing through to the electorate and it was felt the council wasn’t responding to that,” she said.

“I’d just like to praise the efforts of all my volunteers, it’s been an amazing effort.”

Incumbent mayor Vic Pennisi received 37.17 per cent of votes as of Tuesday afternoon, or about 7,500.

Lucerne farmer Lindsay Goodwin came in third, with just under 4000 votes, or 16.25 per cent.

Warwick Daily News contacted Mr Pennisi for comment.

COUNCILLORS

Sheryl Windle – 13,314 (8.24 per cent)

Southern Downs councillor Sheryl Windle

Councillor Sheryl Windle has been on council for the last eight years, and is gearing up for another four year term after securing another spot with the SDRC.

Receiving more than 13,000 votes, Windle is clearly by far the most popular choice for the majority of residents in the region.

“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 as she gears up for her third term as councillor.

Carla Maree Pidgeon – 11,703 (7.24 per cent)

Carla Pidgeon is one of the newest SDRC councillors (Photo: Facebook)

Ms Pidgeon received just shy of 12,000 votes, securing her position on council over the weekend.

Former councilman Marco Gliori wrote to her on Facebook saying “congratulations.”

“Your local knowledge will soothe much concern north of Warwick and in rural communities in general,” he wrote.

“You will be their ‘go to’ voice. So happy to see the small towns represented and I wish you the very best for your term. Just be yourself, that’s what got you elected.”

Cynthia McDonald – 11,668 (7.22 per cent)

Another candidate with another term on her hands, Mrs McDonald has swept the polls in third place guaranteeing another term for her with the SDRC.

“The community has impressed upon me the need for change within the chamber to create a cohesive council who work together on all issues instead of pursuing individual agendas,” she wrote on Facebook earlier this month.

Cynthia McDonald

Russell Wantling – 11,009 (6.81 per cent)

An icon of promoting the Granite Belt has seemingly secured his seat at the Southern Downs council, with just over 11,000 votes.

Russell Wantling is one of the five new councillors.

He said the council will need to do more to promote the region.

Mr Wantling, from Stanthorpe, rolled up his sleeves in a bid to represent the region at the local government level as the region, despite being busy overseeing one of the biggest events in the Granite Belt at the same time.

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 is a major idea Mr Wantling believed would show off the region and present it as a major destination for events and interstate tourism.

Sarah Deane- 11,125 (6.89 per cent)

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.

Stanthorpe mum Sarah Deane is calling for more diversity in council after being elected for council over the weekend.

“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?”

The young mum was a hit with voters, receiving more than 11,000 votes over the weekend.

Joel Richters- 10,285 (6.37 per cent)

Joel Richters.

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.

The former state Labor candidate and healthcare worker said he believed the electorate expected more from their elected officials.

Mr Richters said he would be “an empathetic councillor who understands the decisions that council make can make or break lives.”

And now he has a chance to, after his name clearly garnered support among voters.

Ross Bartley – 10,392 (6.43 per cent)

The fifth generation cattle and grain farmer seemed to sweep and claim the number seven slot on council with more than 10,000 votes.

“Good robust debate brings good decisions, I bring a level of experience and knowledge, and leadership,” he said earlier this month.

Morwenna Harslett – 10,067 (6.23 per cent)

Morwenna Harslett, the former owner of Cherry Lane Nursery, is in the running for a seat on Southern Downs Regional Council. Photo Katie Cameron

Ms Harslett wrote on Facebook the last 48 hours had been “nailbiting” and received a mass of support securing the final council position with just over 10,000 votes.

“I am thrilled to see Arts and Culture has a presence on SDRC and I look forward to supporting you across the region. Just be yourself, that is why you got the votes,” former councilman Marco Gliori commented.

“Our heartfelt congratulations to you and to the region for choosing you! We have no doubt that you will provide valuable contributions to the region’s healthy progress over many years to come,” another friend commented.