Four second term councillors will go head to head to become Moreton Bay’s deputy mayor

The contest to become deputy mayor of the third largest council in Australia will be decided tomorrow with four of the 12 councillors in the race.

Moreton Bay Council Strathpine office. picture: David Alexander

THE contest to become deputy mayor of the third largest council in Australia will be decided tomorrow with four of the 12 councillors in the race.

Moreton Bay Council is looking to the future with six new faces around the table after last month’s drawn out election was finally concluded just over a week ago.

The new look Moreton Bay Regional Council

Councillors discuss major issues facing the new council

The new council will sit for the first time tomorrow as its weekly meeting schedule kicks off.

COVID-19 restrictions mean it will be closed to the public, though live-streamed on the internet.

First order of business will be to elect a deputy mayor to assist new mayor Peter Flannery.

Four councillors have thrown their hat into the ring so far — Denise Sims, Matt Constance, Darren Grimwade and Adam Hain.

That’s not to say a late contender won’t come forward during tomorrow’s meeting, with Mick Gillam now the most experienced member of the new council.

No doubt some wheeling and dealing has been going on behind the scenes to secure votes, but ultimately the decision will be made at tomorrow’s meeting from 10am.

The position comes with a remuneration of about 10 per cent above that of a regular councillor.

Councillors tomorrow will also determine the nature of future council meetings, expected to be changed from weekly to fortnightly.

Other changes may be introduced as they see fit.

Portfolio responsibilities will be determined at a future meeting, which could spell another round of wheeling and dealing to determine who will take on what role.

Members of the public can view tomorrow’s meeting online via the council’s website.