Councillor portfolio roles revealed after first meeting

THE portfolio roles have been established for the new Toowoomba Regional Council after the first meeting was held yesterday.

TRC council, first meeting of new council members. TRC mayor Paul Antonio. April 2020. Photo Bev Lacey. Picture: Bev Lacey

THE portfolio roles have been established for the new Toowoomba Regional Council after the first meeting was held yesterday.

While social distancing guidelines kept councillors spaced apart in the alternative venue, Mayor Paul Antonio ensured business was back on track with the unveiling of new portfolio chairs and leaders.

"The community spoke at the polling booths and as a result I felt it was important to place the Councillors with the most votes in the positions of chairs," Mayor Antonio said.

"The portfolio structure will again align directly with the organisational structure. I will chair the economic development committee, assisted by the deputy mayor in my absence, or my colleagues from the relevant portfolio on a case by case basis.

"Further refinement on councillor portfolios may be made once discussions between these councillors and relevant general managers take place."

During the meeting, Cr Geoff McDonald was elected as deputy mayor, with the role to be revised during the term of Council.

"This is a different approach for the Toowoomba region but one which will give more councillors an opportunity to take on this position," Cr Antonio said.

"This will ensure more councillors get experience in the role and will increase the leadership skills more broadly across our team of councillors."

Councillor portfolios included:

•             Mayor Paul Antonio - Economic Development Committee Chair

•             Cr Carol Taylor - Infrastructure Committee Chair

•             Cr Melissa Taylor - Infrastructure Committee Portfolio Leader

•             Cr Rebecca Vonhoff - Water and Waste Committee Chair

•             Cr Nancy Sommerfield - Water and Waste Committee Portfolio Leader

•             Cr James O'Shea - Environment and Community Committee Chair

•             Cr Tim McMahon - Environment and Community Portfolio Leader

•             Cr Geoff McDonald - Finance and Business Strategy Committee Chair

•             Cr Kerry Shine - Finance and Business Strategy Portfolio Leader

•             Cr Megan O'Hara-Sullivan - Planning and Development Committee Chair

•             Cr Bill Cahill - Planning and Development Portfolio Leader

Originally published as Councillor portfolio roles revealed after first meeting