Toowoomba council 2024: Mayor Geoff McDonald launches campaign as nominations open for local government elections

It’s one of Toowoomba’s worst-kept secrets, but Geoff McDonald has finally dispelled rumours and announced he is running for mayor. Here’s what he is promising so far:

Mayor Geoff McDonald says he has done enough to prove he can win a full term as mayor after launching his campaign for the role this week.

In a move most saw coming, Mr McDonald revealed on Monday he will contest the March 16 local government elections to earn the role he says has “consumed” his life.

This will be the three-term elected official’s first mayoral campaign, having been appointed to the role by his colleagues following the retirement of Paul Antonio last year.

“It’s been my pleasure to serve for nearly 12 years on council, for six months as the mayor and the past four years as chair of finance and business,” he said at the announcement.

Incumbent TRC Mayor Geoff McDonald, with wife Lisa, announces he will stand for the position in the upcoming local government election, Monday, January 29, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We have a brilliant community, there is no doubt there are challenges facing us, but they also bring about opportunity.

“We live in a beautiful community, we’ve got another generation of innovators and entrepreneurs coming through and we need to make sure we’re doing our best every day.”

Surrounded by wife Lisa along with his mother Joan and sister Maree, Mr McDonald didn’t outline specific policies or promises but did highlight the “six pillars” of his leadership.

When asked about how he would lead a new council following a four-year term described as “tumultuous” by some members, Mr McDonald boldly declared the working relationships between the 11 councillors were at an all-time high during his tenure.

“The great benefit of experience is you can learn, by the good things but even more by the challenges,” he said.

“Over the past six months of my leadership, the cohesion of the elected representatives has never been higher.

“I’m looking forward to instilling that same level of leadership, built on six pillars – inclusivity, community, sustainability, economic growth, innovation and safety.

“They are the six pillars and we’ll talk more about those as the weeks unfold.

“I’ll make absolutely certain that by working together, we’ll have a stronger community.”

Incumbent TRC Mayor Geoff McDonald, with family (from left) wife Lisa, mum Joan and sister Maree, announces he will stand for the position in the upcoming local government election, Monday, January 29, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

If elected, Mr McDonald will have to prove his worth by securing significant external funding to help the council pay for the $270m upgrade of the Cressbrook Dam spillways.

If he can’t, the mayor hasn’t ruled out rate rises and delays to other projects.

He said the decision to run again was given a lot of thought, gesturing at the commitment required by all local government officials to serve their communities.

“Putting yourself forward for any representation as an elected official takes courage, commitment and you also need to go in there with open eyes and ears,” Mr McDonald said.

“This is a job that consumes your life and without the support of family and close friends, it’s something I wouldn’t take on.”

Mr McDonald wouldn’t be drawn on questions about the lack of other candidates for mayor, saying he would comment once nominations closed on February 13.

“I want to make it absolutely sure to everyone (that) my commitment right now is as the mayor of the Toowoomba region,” he said.

It marks the first unofficial day of the campaign, with nominations open across the state for the elections.

More than a dozen people have put their hands up for the 11 roles so far, significantly lower than at this point in 2020.