Toowoomba councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan announces retirement from local government

One of the region’s most popular councillors has called time on her local government career, in a shock move that was motivated by a desire to see ‘new voices’ elected.

Toowoomba councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan has revealed she won’t contest the upcoming local government election, arguing it was time for “new voices” to be heard.

The popular three-term councillor, who has been in and out of local politics since 2005, made the shock retirement announcement at council’s Tuesday committee meetings.

It comes just weeks after Ms O’Hara Sullivan declared her desire to run again in 2024.

But in her speech, the Greenmount optometrist and mother-of-five said she now wanted to step aside and let new people represent the community.

Megan O'Hara Sullivan.

“We need a diverse council, people of different ethnicities, backgrounds and ages — we don’t need a group that looks and feels the same,” she said.

“We must continuously challenge ourselves to find new and better ways to serve our community, to adapt to the evolving needs of the people of our region, and to address the pressing issues of our time.

“Leaving this elected position is not a decision I have taken lightly.

“It is a decision rooted in the belief that true public service requires a constant influx of new voices, new ideas, and new approaches.”

Ms O’Hara Sullivan, who finished with the third-highest vote tally of any nominee in 2020, urged new candidates to keep persisting with their campaigns.

“I ran for the position of councillor in the amalgamated Toowoomba Regional Council in 2008 and in 2012,” she said.

“Eventually in 2016, I was elected.

“I only mention this because I want to encourage any candidates who don’t get in this time, you need to be persistent and determined and work hard to pursue your dreams.”

Ms O’Hara Sullivan paid tribute to many of her former and current colleagues as well as council staff and the community at large.
“To the incredible staff at TRC — you have been a joy to work with every day I have been here,” she said.

“You are the smartest, most dedicated group of men and women who give your heart to the betterment for this community and you often go unrewarded for it.

“(To) Ian Jones, Anne Glasheen, Bernie O’Donohoe and Gerard O’Leary, thank you for teaching me about local government and instilling in me your love of it.

“To the community I have had the honour of serving, I want to express my deepest gratitude.

“I assure you that my decision to step down is not a sign of defeat, but rather a commitment to ensuring that council remains a dynamic and responsive entity.”

Ms O’Hara Sullivan was the chair of planning and development but also had a passion for CBD revitalisation and environmental preservation.

Along with her council career, she also ran for state government at the 2020 election as the Labor candidate for Toowoomba North, but lost to incumbent Trevor Watts.