Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio calls on State Government to issue health directive around vaccine mandates for libraries, galleries

With the Covid-19 vaccine restrictions less than three weeks away, Mayor Paul Antonio says the State Government needs to issue its health directive to avoid further confusion.

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio says council staff are still anxiously waiting for a new health directive from the State Government as to how new vaccine restrictions will be applied from December 17.

With the new deadline less than three weeks away that will impose restrictions for people who have not been vaccinated, Mr Antonio has called on greater “clarity” to prevent further uncertainty among the workforce and the wider community.

“We need clarity of the council’s responsibility for the enforcement of new rules — there is too much ambiguity and that’s what we’ve been saying,” he said.

It comes after Deputy Premier Steven Miles sent a letter to council advocacy group the Local Government Association Queensland on Friday over how restrictions would be applied.

The Chronicle understands the letter says restrictions on state-owned facilities will not apply to council-owned facilities of a similar nature, such as libraries and art galleries.

LGAQ CEO Alison Smith released a statement confirming the restrictions wouldn’t apply to council facilities at this stage.

Mr Antonio said the letter raised more questions than it answered.

“He’s said that, but naturally we need and deserve a little bit more clarity — what does that mean for a business in the same space?” he said.

“I think it’s pretty clear that the number one common denominator in all this is confusion and it’s pulling people apart due to anxiety.”

Mr Antonio said he planned to write to the government this week with the request, as well as a road map for when Queensland’s vaccination rate hits 90 per cent.

His comments come a week after the Lockyer Valley Regional Council revealed it would not enforce any restrictions for unvaccinated residents unless it was compelled to by state legislation.

“Council has no intention of imposing a similar mandate to that proposed by the state unless it is required by legislation and council has no choice in the matter,” the statement said.

Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan was contacted for comment over the statement.