Countdown begins as final 23 nominees in race to fill vacant council seat

The Toowoomba Regional Council has had major changes, but the team who will serve the region for the remainder of the term will soon be decided, as dozens of residents throw their name into the ring of the vacant councillor position. Details here.

The final 23 candidates who have put their names forward to fill the vacant councillor position have been named.

Toowoomba Regional Council released the 23 names, which include previous Federal MP candidates and former councillor hopefuls, on Friday afternoon.

• Elizabeth Adams

• Eakraj Adhikari

• Douglas Allen

• Douglas Doelle

• Edwina Farquhar

• Norman Garsden

• Petria Grabham

• Penelope (Penny) Houlahan

• David King

• Irene Kobald

• Daniel McCoy

• Scot McPhie

• Joyce (Joy) Mingay

• Brett Mullen

• Ellisa Parker

• Andrew Reeson

• Robert Relvas

• Yousef Roumieh

• Mikaela Smith

• Kirsten Smolenski

• Philip Spencer

• Jane Summers

• Michael Truskinger

TRC chief executive officer Brian Pidgeon said earlier this week that council officers had been working to determine all nominees met the requirements stated in the Local Government Act, to proceed with their nominations.

Lizzie Adams; Mikaela Smith; Scot McPhie have all expressed their interest in nominating for the vacant TRC councillor position.

The list includes real estate agent Mikaela Smith, Andrew Reeson, former 2020 candidates Eakraj Adhikari and Lizzie Adams.

A public ballot draw will be held on Monday, 21 August 2023, at 11.30am.

Following this, a Special Meeting of Council is being held at 2pm on Tuesday, 12 September. The council also said in a statement that during this meeting, nominees have the opportunity to speak for up to two minutes about their suitability for the role.

Following this, current councillors will appoint the new councillor.

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

The successful candidate will fill the vacant position for the remainder of the term and until the local government election on March 16 next year.

It comes after former Mayor Paul Antonio announced his retirement from politics in July.

Cr Geoff McDonald was unanimously voted in by colleagues to be Mr Antonio’s predecessor as Mayor and Cr Rebecca Vonhoff was appointed deputy Mayor after she received six votes.