Business owner Andrew Reeson to nominate for vacant Toowoomba councillor role

He’s a familiar face at the Toowoomba Farmer’s Market, where he has carved out a reputation for fine craftsmanship. Now he wants to make a difference in the council chambers.

Harlaxton resident and business owner Andrew Reeson has nominated for the Toowoomba Regional Council made vacant by former mayor Paul Antonio's departure.

Harlaxton business owner Andrew Reeson has put himself forward for the Toowoomba Regional Council seat that was made vacant when Geoff MacDonald was elevated to mayor.

Mr Reeson, who runs a leather working business with a stall at the Toowoomba Farmer’s Market, said he wanted to provide a voice for marginalised residents.

“I have two young sons and I want to make a better world for them,” he said.

“I love what I do with my leatherwork business but I want to do something with more purpose.

“I want to get to the end of my life and know that I have made a positive impact.”

Along with his popular leather working business, Mr Reeson is also behind plans to build a community orchard at Horn Park that would provide free fruit along with a space for the community to meet.

He said was motivated to run for the council after meeting an elderly woman whose disability was made worse by poor planning decisions.

“When out door knocking for the community orchard survey I met a woman named Joan, she’s 80 years old, lives alone, has a degenerative disease and can no longer drive.

“Because she can’t drive she can no longer get around town easily and even tasks like buying groceries is a huge ordeal.

“Because of council planning decisions made in the 1970s Joan, and several other elderly neighbours I spoke to, are unable to participate in a society they spent their entire lives contributing to and find themselves isolated and lonely.

“As the region grows I want to ensure that everyone has a chance to participate and contribute, regardless of age, wealth or disability.

Mr Reeson said he came from a working class background and dropped out of school in Year 10 for a job at a sawmill.

“After that I built farm machinery for eight years and got an engineering degree, then I started my own business in leather work,” he said.

“My neighbours are two old blokes who live alone, young students, a family with disabilities and a Yazidi family – these are people you don’t see represented very well.”

Residents are invited to nominate for a seat on the Toowoomba Regional Council that was made vacant after former mayor Paul Antonio resigned.

The subsequent elevation of Geoff McDonald into the mayoral position has left a hole in the organisation’s leadership team that must be filled by September 21.

Applicants will need to reside in the Toowoomba Regional Council area and ensure they have statutory eligibility to hold the position.

Once the council has received nominations from the public, they will resolve to appoint one of the nominees.