Toowoomba mayor: Geoff McDonald, Carol Taylor prepared to accept nominations to replace Paul Antonio

The race to replace outgoing Toowoomba mayor Paul Antonio has already begun, with two councillors saying they would accept nominations from colleagues if they were put forward. Details here:

Toowoomba’s two most recent deputy mayors say they are prepared to take on the region’s top role, as the race to replace Paul Antonio begins.

Councillors Geoff McDonald and Carol Taylor have indicated they are ready to become the region’s next mayor for the remainder of the term, as the council prepares for a major shake-up over the coming months with the retirement of Mr Antonio last week.

The remaining 10 councillors will vote on the new mayor (and possibly deputy mayor) of the region at a special meeting on July 21 at noon, which coincides with the end of Mr Antonio’s 41-year local government career.

Current deputy Mr McDonald, who will be acting mayor at the meeting in line with the Local Government Act, told NewsCorp he would accept a nomination if a colleague put one forward for him.

Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald listens as the mayor. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“I’ll be calling for nominations, so it will be up to the nine councillors to nominate people,” he said on Friday.

“If a councillor wishes to nominate me, I’d be happy to consider that and accept that.

“If I receive a nomination, I’d be willing to accept it and if I win, I’d be honoured to lead this region.”

Ms Taylor, an experienced elected official who has been both a mayor and deputy with previous councils, said she would gladly accept a nomination from her colleagues for mayor.

She said she was also considering nominating herself.

“Yes I would (accept one), I actually have a diploma of local government and I am a former mayor and deputy,” Ms Taylor said.

“I might (nominate myself), it’s early days yet.

“It’s an enormous responsibility and the community puts their trust in you (and) I’ve always been straight with our community.”

Cr Carol Taylor. Picture: Kevin Farmer

It comes as a Chronicle reader poll indicated strong support for both Mr McDonald and his colleague Rebecca Vonhoff to become mayor the remainder of the term.

The non-scientific results from April of more than 350 readers showed Mr McDonald had 46 per cent preference, with Ms Vonhoff at 24 per cent and political stalwart Kerry Shine further back at 11 per cent.

Ms Vonhoff was approached for comment but did not respond in time for publication.

Nearly a quarter of readers polled have indicated Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff should be Toowoomba’s next mayor.

Mr Shine said he was honoured there were ratepayers who would like him to be mayor, but ruled himself out of accepting any nominations.

Councillors James O’Shea and Tim McMahon both ruled themselves out of vying for leadership positions, saying they would be “humbled” by nominations but would decline them.

Nancy Sommerfield did not indicate whether she would enter the race, telling News Corp she was “just looking for leadership that will bring the team together”.

Councillors Megan O’Hara Sullivan, Bill Cahill and Melissa Taylor were all contacted for comment.

While residents will have the chance to vote at next year’s local government elections — promising to be the most intriguing since at least 2012 — ultimately the mayoralty for the rest of the term will be decided by the remaining councillors.

Mr McDonald beat Ms Vonhoff twice in councillor votes to become deputy mayor in 2020 and 2022.

This occurred by the council scrapping its tradition of endorsing the councillor with the most votes at the previous election (in this case, Ms Vonhoff) as the deputy.

Adams interested in vacant councillor position

Lizzie Adams photographed at Empire Theatres. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Indigenous community leader and Toowoomba identity Lizzie Adams says she is “interested” in applying to fill the soon-to-be-vacant councillor position.

A place on the board will be freed up from July 21 when the remaining councillors vote to nominate one of their colleagues as the next mayor, following the retirement of Paul Antonio last week.

In a bizarre but understandable quirk of the Local Government Act, the vacant councillor must be filled by an application process.

This is because the government considers less than a year from local government elections too little time to run a by-election for one position.

Council CEO Brian Pidgeon said he would invite nominations for a person to fill the role within 14 days of the July 21 meeting.

Notices calling for nominations will be published, including on council’s website, and former candidates will be individually notified.

Council must then meet and formally resolve to appoint one of the nominees within two months of the meeting.

Ms Adams finished in 12th position at the 2020 election, narrowly missing out on a spot by a 0.85 per cent vote margin.

This appointment process was news to Ms Adams, but the CEO of Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement and chairman of Brothers Rugby League Club said she would consider applying.

“I might have a chat with my hubby, it would have to be a family decision,” she said.

“It could give me a taste to see if I want to run again. We were very proud that I got so close.”

Fellow 2020 candidates Joy Mingay and David Campbell, who finished 11th and 13th respectively, were also contacted by NewsCorp for comment.