Wendy Taylor officially declared as mayor of Maranoa Regional Council in precautionary measure due to wild weather

The new mayor of the Maranoa region has been sworn in five days earlier than expected. Here’s why.

Wendy Taylor became the first female mayor of the Maranoa Regional Council on April 4, 2024. Wendy Taylor (left), Edwina Marks (right).

Maranoa’s new mayor has taken her declaration of office earlier than anticipated as a precautionary measure due to the wild weather lashing the region.

Wendy Taylor was officially declared as mayor of the Maranoa region on April 4, 2024.

The ceremony was originally scheduled to take place next Tuesday April 9, but with floods threatening across the region, Mrs Taylor needed to step up to the plate early.

Wendy Taylor became the first female mayor of the Maranoa Regional Council on April 4, 2024. Wendy Taylor (left), Edwina Marks (right).

The decision was made amid wild weather across South West Queensland and waterways rising high and fast.

A Maranoa Regional Council spokesman said the move was precautionary.

“Mrs Taylor was initially scheduled to take her Declaration at a ceremony next Tuesday, however this was brought forward as a precautionary measure in the event that the mayor was required to officially act as part of the Local Disaster Management Group,” the spokesman said.

“The office of mayor has numerous important statutory roles under state legislation and by law Mrs Taylor would not have been able to officially act in the role until after her Declaration was made.

“No actions under the Local Disaster Management Plan are currently anticipated, however today’s action was deemed a prudent measure as Council is constantly monitoring the current weather conditions.”

The region’s eight councillors will take their Declarations of Office as planned, at 10am on April 9.

Mrs Taylor becomes the first woman to hold the office as mayor of Maranoa Regional Council.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, a minor flood warning is in place for the Balonne River.

Heavy rainfall has inundated most of southwest Queensland, with more expected to come.

As at 10am on Friday April 5, BOM recorded the level of the Bungil Creek at Roma as steady at 4.28m, classed as a below minor flood.

Rain is anticipated to keep falling in and around Roma, for the rest of Friday, and possibly across the weekend.

BOM senior meteorologist Felim Hanniffy said the significant upper-level low that was making its way through Queensland’s interior down to NSW was “extremely stagnant” and would likely sit stationary for a couple of days.

“Certainly there is risk today for inland showers in excess of 100mm,” Mr Hanniffy said. “The western half of the Darling Downs, and eastern half of Warrego are most at risk.

“Coastal areas, rainfall will depend on how slow moving the coastal trough is, but we could see hundreds of millimetres (of rain).”

Mr Hanniffy urged holiday-makers to be aware of the weather forecast, check road closures, adjust their driving to the conditions and never drive in flood waters.

“The storms can form at any time and continue into the night,” he said.

The Bureau on Friday morning issued a major flood warning for the Warrego River.

The river at Augathella was recorded at 5.36 metres and is expected to rise, while the river at Charleville was at 4.72 metres and rising.

The river at Charleville is likely to exceed the moderate flood level of 5 metres by late Friday morning.

Originally published as Wendy Taylor officially declared as mayor of Maranoa Regional Council in precautionary measure due to wild weather