Toowoomba council: Mayor Geoff McDonald, deputy Rebecca Vonhoff discuss priorities, issues for remaining term

Exclusive interview: From gender issues to $200m black holes, Geoff McDonald and Rebecca Vonhoff as the new leadership team for council have plenty of work to do. Here’s how they plan to get it done:

For two people perceived by many to have been political rivals at one point, Geoff McDonald and Rebecca Vonhoff say it might shock some to know how well they collaborate on the Toowoomba Regional Council.

“Geoff and I work really well together — we look at each other, we see each other,” Ms Vonhoff said, reflecting on the current term of council and specifically the past fortnight.

“I have really felt like the mayor has absolutely been wanting to bring the team together.”

The new mayor and deputy mayor of the Toowoomba region say the council now has the right leadership team to steer it to the end of the term early next year, promising an “evolution of leadership” to empower all 11 elected officials.

Mr McDonald’s elevation to the top job three weeks ago, sparked by the retirement of political stalwart Paul Antonio, has been described a chance for a reset on the relationship between the mayor and his colleagues.

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Geoff McDonald and Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff discuss council under their leadership, Thursday, August 10, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

According to Mr McDonald, it’s already seeing results.

“There is an air of confidence that this is a team where we bring different ways of thinking (but) we have the end goal of serving the community the best we possibly can each and every day,” he said.

“How we get to that point, the changes are healthy and I think every person has something positive to bring.

“I’m hopeful we’ll see some of our councillors in the next six months achieve more than they have in the past three-and-a-half years.”

It has taken popular councillor Ms Vonhoff three attempts to reach the position of deputy mayor, with her colleagues twice appointing Mr McDonald to the role this term.

Rather than weighing on her, Ms Vonhoff said the losses were great teaching moments as she prepared to build a strong leadership team with her predecessor.

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Geoff McDonald and Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff discuss council under their leadership, Thursday, August 10, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“In politics, you have to keep things moving and we live by what happens (in the chamber) with democratic votes,” she said.

“When you have some losses, it does make you probably softer of heart and it changes who you are when you do get into those leadership roles.

“I really understand now, even in the past two weeks, how much work Geoff has done as deputy mayor for the past three-and-a-half years.”

The pair’s pledge of strong and uplifting leadership comes at a crucial time for the organisation.

The current term was described as “chaotic” by their colleague Megan O’Hara Sullivan, and the past three years has featured several internal issues and rumours of factionalism.

These problems were punctuated by councillor Carol Taylor’s fiery speech three weeks ago, where she said she had never felt valued as a woman on council and that she had not been supported during her term as deputy mayor between 2016-20.

Councillors Carol Taylor (left) and Rebecca Vonhoff before the Toowoomba Regional Council special meeting to select a new mayor, Friday, July 21, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

On reflection, Mr McDonald praised Ms Taylor for her bravery and promised to do things differently.

“I was pleased, in a way, that councillor Carol felt comfortable enough to say that,” he said.

“Carol was brave enough to say that in meeting and I speak to her daily and this is what gives us this opportunity.

“For me it’s confronting to hear something when it’s never been in my front of mind — it seriously hasn’t been, but this is another one of those opportunities for leadership.

“Leadership changes always bring an opportunity to do things a little differently.”

Ms Vonhoff, who has been vocal about the lack of gender equity across the organisation in the past, said Ms Taylor’s comments struck a chord.

“None of us wants anyone around the table to feel that they’ve been devalued (so) when Carol said that, I think it was heard,” she said.

“When I started at council (in 2020), there was a male mayor, male deputy mayor, male CEO and all five general managers were male.

“Now it’s 2023, we have a male mayor, a female deputy mayor and 40 per cent of our general managers are female — that’s a big change in three years.

“We need public policies that take into account the entire population and when you start to get people in positions where they are able to have an impact, then the public policy does change.”

Lake Cressbrook.

Internal matters aside, both the mayor and deputy were unanimous in assessing the upcoming $200m Cressbrook Dam spillway upgrades as the most urgent problem for the next council.

It’s also something they want to try solve in this term.

“It’s the largest project that this council may see for another lifetime,” Mr McDonald said.

“There’s a fair bit hinging on being able to advocate properly, wholesomely with the state and federal governments to ensure we get some significant support to do that.

“I can’t stress the enormity of that on our community, because it means things get pushed out, won’t get done.”

Ms Vonhoff articulated the cost of this project succinctly.

“We need financial assistance with this, because what we would spend in an entire year on all of our capital works programs is what we will spend on this one project that doesn’t give us any extra water,” she said.

With the end of the term already creeping ahead, the pair also agreed their sole focus was on the ratepayers of the region.

“We are being given the opportunity to genuinely make a contribution and everybody around the table is being valued,” Ms Vonhoff said.

“It’s about harnessing that (teamwork) and giving them a voice to make sure that everyone has a fair opportunity to do what they’re here to do – represent the community,” the mayor added.