Cr Peter Flannery will contest the position of Moreton Bay mayor at the March 2020 election

As the dust settles on a long-serving mayor’s retirement announcement last week, a sitting councillor has confirmed he will contest the position.

Councillor Peter Flannery from Moreton Bay Regional Council. Pic Darren England.

A SITTING councillor has confirmed he will contest the position of mayor at the March 2020 election.

Cr Peter Flannery has long been mooted as a possible successor to retiring mayor Allan Sutherland after having already served three terms in local government.

SUBSCRIPTION OFFER: 50C A DAY FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS (MIN COST $15)

He was a member of Caboolture Shire Council from 2004-2008 and has been a Moreton Bay councillor since amalgamation in 2012.

“I am pleased to announce my intention to nominate for mayor in the Moreton Bay Regional Council Election in 2020,” Cr Flannery said.

“As councillor for Division 2, I have strived to represent and meet the interests of our community not only for today but also into the future.

“I believe it is time for council to re-establish the confidence and trust from the people we serve.

“My time as councillor has afforded me the knowledge, skills and experience along with the determination to lead and serve the community of the Moreton Bay Region.

“March 2020 will be the beginning of a new direction for council and as mayor I will represent our communities’ needs, interests and aspirations and endeavour to apply the resources at our disposal to meet them.”

Cr Flannery is the second of the sitting councillors to publicly declare they will run for mayor.

When Cr Sutherland’s retirement became known last week, there were several sitting councillors gathering support behind the scenes for a leadership tilt.

Cr Mike Charlton has not ruled himself out, while it is understood that Cr Matt Constance was also testing the waters with support.

Estate agent Dean Teasdale and Meldale resident Eric Shields have already put their hands up for the position.

Cr Adrian Raedel was a confirmed mayoral candidate before being suspended from his role as a councillor after being charged with corruption by the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Cr Raedel has said he will fight the charges and should he be found Not Guilty, he would be free to contest the election again.