Toowoomba council elections: Rebecca Vonhoff extends lead as region’s most popular councillor as ECQ declares winners

Fresh off extending her lead as the region’s most popular councillor, Toowoomba deputy mayor Rebecca Vonhoff has revealed her priorities for the new council — and whether she ever considered challenging Geoff McDonald.

Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff is elevated to the position of deputy mayor of Toowoomba Regional Council following a special meeting, Friday, July 28, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

She’s once again the region’s most popular councillor, but Toowoomba deputy mayor Rebecca Vonhoff said she was bracing for a different result in the lead-up to the council elections.

“It’s been a hard term, I was preparing myself for a very different outcome,” she told News Corp.

“I’ve had to talk to our community about some of the tough stuff with water (security), and that hasn’t been easy (so) I was preparing for something else.”

Not only was Ms Vonhoff returned to the TRC with the highest vote following the ECQ declaration on Tuesday, the former journalist further extended her lead as the region’s most supported councillor by securing nearly 80 per cent of possible votes at the election.

Analysis of ECQ data has revealed that result was better than any other candidate across 35 undivided council races with comparable ratios of candidates-to-spot — in other words, in council elections where 50 per cent or less of the field was guaranteed a place, Ms Vonhoff’s vote count was the highest.

Even when other undivided councils with lower numbers of candidates (higher than 50 per cent) are included, her result is still 12th in the state out of 54 races.

“The first time I stood and it happened (I topped the polling), I remember someone saying that it was a fluke and it wouldn’t happen again,” she remarked.

“I’m just so grateful, but at the same time I have such a sense of responsibility to do my part for the community.

“(The result) fortifies me, because politics wasn’t what I had planned (so) I’ve always just tried to be in my role in a way that feels right to me.

“I’ve tried to work really hard, I’ve tried to do the tough things, I’ve tried to be courageous and always remember that I work for the community.

“It is personal to me and that doesn’t mean it’s always easy — there have been some terrible days, but (this result is) a really humbling moment.”

Ms Vonhoff will join mayor Geoff McDonald and seven other incumbents on the new council, along with prominent business identity Gary Gardner and real estate agent Trevor Manteufel as new councillors.

Several influential members of the Toowoomba community had urged Ms Vonhoff to run for mayor, including many who told News Corp they had done so.

But she said it was an idea she didn’t take seriously.

“It has just never been on my heart and it’s a job that needs to be on your heart,” Ms Vonhoff said.

“That is what the job requires (everything) and that’s what the community expects — whenever you do this kind of public service, you’ve got to have that sense of conviction.

“I’ve said it to anybody who’s asked the question, I work really well with Geoff.”

The new councillors are expected to be sworn-in next Wednesday, followed by a meeting to determine the deputy mayoralship and other roles and responsibilities.

Ms Vonhoff said she had gotten to know both Mr Gardner and Mr Manteufel on the campaign trail and hoped to translate that into working relationships on council.

“There’s nothing like standing next to someone for 12 hours a day all week,” she said.

“They’ll be bringing different life experiences and perspectives and that’s terrific.”

Manteufel ‘blessed’ after securing final spot

Council candidate Trevor Manteufel (left) and Mayoral candidate Geoff McDonald.Toowoomba East State School booth.TRC election Saturday March 16, 2024. Picture: Bev Lacey

Real estate agent Trevor Manteufel said he is ready to work as a team on council after landing the final spot at the TRC in the recent elections.

Mr Manteufel, who ran with a focus on housing and cutting red tape within the council, said he felt “blessed” after securing more than four per cent of first preferences, equivalent to more than 40 per cent support.

“I‘m really blessed that Toowoomba residents have decided to put me in, I’m very humbled by that,” he said.

“People were telling me that I was a good chance, from whatever sources they were getting their information from.

“There’s a lot going on there, there will be a lot more to learn.

“We’ve got to make some positive change, because I think Toowoomba people will respect their rates if they can get value for their rates.”

Mr Manteufel said he was looking forward to working with fellow new councillor Gary Gardner, as well as the eight incumbents and mayor Geoff McDonald.

“I’ve never had a working relationship in the past (with Mr Gardner), it’s only since he became a candidate that I’ve known him,” he said.

“I’m there to work as a team for the benefit of the region — we’ve got a lot of things in common but we’ve got to make it a team effort (because) the next four years will be crucial.”

2024-2028 Toowoomba council

Mayor: Geoff McDonald

Councillors: Rebecca Vonhoff, James O’Shea, Melissa Taylor, Kerry Shine, Gary Gardner, Tim McMahon, Carol Taylor, Edwina Farquhar, Trevor Manteufel

Originally published as Toowoomba council elections: Rebecca Vonhoff extends lead as region’s most popular councillor as ECQ declares winners