Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio to step down, announces retirement as of July 21

Flanked by ‘very good friends’, Paul Antonio has announced he will step down as Toowoomba region mayor within weeks. However, he has only hinted the reason for his resignation, several months before the end of the term. READ THE TRIBUTES

After more than 40 years in local government, Paul Antonio is saying goodbye.

The Toowoomba mayor was tearful on Thursday in announcing his imminent retirement, which will arrive on July 21 at noon.

The date is more than seven months before the end of the term, which Mr Antonio had indicated would be his last.

An emotional Mayor Paul Antonio announces he will step down from his role after 40 years.

“Naturally, it’s a sad time for me, but it’s also a time where I’m extremely proud of what I’ve achieved,” he said.

“I’m proud of the fact that I’ve been involved with the Olympic Games, bringing them our way as part of my role as deputy chair of the Council of Mayors SEQ.

“I feel very honoured, a farmboy from Millmerran, to be the deputy chair of an organisation that covers three million people, and the work that they’ve done.

“I’m proud of the fact we’ve formed another group of mayors, that has been incredibly successful.

“There have been some great things that have happened in this period of time, including the establishment of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise – they are driving this economy and doing a wonderful job.”

An emotional Mayor Paul Antonio announces at a press conference he will step down from Local Government after 40 years.

He also hinted at issues within the elected councillors, by making numerous references to the need for good teamwork.

“I’d like to thank the CEO of Toowoomba council Brian Pidgeon for the work that he’s done and the wonderfully co-operative way we’ve worked together,” Mr Antonio said.

“You get far more done if you work together than if you actually oppose each other.

“It’s fair to say that this last term has been fairly difficult for me personally.

“I believe in teamwork and I hope that continues in the future — success comes when people work together.”

Mr Antonio paid tribute to a number of friends and confidants, including Ms Milligan, Mr McVeigh, former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk, his numerous staff and even his late barber and “chief political advisor” Greg Gabbett.

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio with Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk outside Toowoomba City Hall.

“For my staff that are in my office who have put up with me for all these years, I’m very thankful,” he said.

“I spoke of Brian Pidgeon before but I also want to speak of the former CEO of the Millmerran Shire Council Roy Flynn, who did a wonderful job beside me, working together.

“We wouldn’t have gotten the Olympics if we hadn’t worked with Graham Quirk’s ideas (at COMSEQ) — Graham is one of my heroes, I speak to him regularly.

“There is one person I want to mention, who has sadly passed – he was my chief political advisor, he was also my barber and the joker in the family.

“Gregory Gabbett was a good man, who certainly gave me a lot of good advice, and sadly we lost him a little over 12 months ago.”

A special meeting of council will take place on July 21, where councillors will vote on who becomes the new mayor until the local government election in March 2024.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk meets with TRC Mayor Paul Antonio at city hall, Friday, February 24, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Community leaders pay tribute to Mayor Antonio

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has lead a chorus of political and community leaders paying tribute to Mr Antonio and his career in local government.

Ms Palaszczuk thanked the outgoing mayor for the working relationship they shared on massive current and future projects like the Toowoomba Bypass and the Quarry Gardens.

“I wish Paul all the best in retirement after such a long and distinguished career in local government, including 11 years as Toowoomba mayor,” she said in a statement.

“Paul was one of the state’s longest serving and most popular leaders, devoting four decades to the people of the Darling Downs.

“He was also the deputy chair of the South-East Queensland Council of Mayors, and part of the early push to secure the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“I thank him for his service and the strong working relationship we shared.”

Mayor Paul Antonio (left) and deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald after delivering the Toowoomba Regional Council budget, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Deputy mayor Geoff McDonald reflected on the legacy Mr Antonio’s 40-plus year career would leave on the Garden City.

“The Antonio era has been an era of Toowoomba and our region growing up,” he said.

“(Under Paul’s leadership) we have become the city we deserve to be.”

Mr McDonald pointed to the Second Range Crossing, the city’s refugee welcome status, the growth in manufacturing and leadership during floods and Covid as milestones that people will remember Mr Antonio for.

Other councillors shared reflections on Mr Antonio’s career, including Rebecca Vonhoff, Megan O’Hara Sullivan, Nancy Sommerfield and Melissa Taylor.

“The thing I most admire about the Mayor is his work ethic,” Ms O’Hara Sullivan wrote.

“He will be at every event, whether it’s late on a Sunday evening or very early mornings – it’s not just ‘big’ events; he has the time for everyone across our vast region.”

“You have dedicated your life to community service. Thank you,” Ms Taylor wrote.

“I’ve learned a lot from the mayor about leadership; the type of leader I want to be, how to treat colleagues and the importance of inclusivity,” Ms Vonhoff wrote.

“He’s been in local government for more than 40 years – longer than I’ve been alive. That’s a feat.”

MP David Janetzki and mayor Paul Antonio.

Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki described Mr Antonio as a “fatherly figure” in the community.

“Paul has been a fatherly figure across our region for decade,” he said.

“His care for the community has been obvious every day he has served.

“He connected with people on the land, in small towns and Toowoomba itself.

“My family’s best wishes to Paul in his retirement.”

Mayor Paul Antonio and Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts.

Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts said Mr Antonio’s leadership had helped lay a foundation for the region’s economic growth over the past decade.

“As Paul leaves office to spend more time with his family, Toowoomba is in a position to grow and prosper unprecedently,” he said.

“Paul has had so many years in local government and service to the local community — we wish him all the best on his future endeavours.”

Standing next to him as he made the announcement, Lockyer Valley mayor Tanya Milligan said Mr Antonio had been both a friend and mentor.

“It is a sad day for local government, but gee we’ve been exceptionally blessed as a community,” she said.

“In the Lockyer we have our fair share of natural disasters, and I can tell you hand-on-heart it was Paul Antonio who rang me every day during those events to check in and see how I was,” she said.

“In fact, one day (during one flood event) I said I could do with a hug, so he drove down the hill and did that.”

Toowoomba mayor Paul Antonio, pictured with former Groom MP John McVeigh and Lockyer Valley mayor Tanya Milligan, announces his retirement, July 6, 2023.

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise chairman – and former Groom MP – John McVeigh was perhaps the most flourished with his praises of Mr Antonio.

“I have seen Paul Antonio lead this community in good times and in bad — floods, droughts, pandemics, when our community was so uncertain,” he said.

“The mayor stood every day, talking to the community, supporting the community through those uncertain times.

“I’ve seen him walk the streets of Toowoomba with prime ministers, always promoting our region and asking the best.

“Most importantly, in my own humble opinion, I have seen him assisting people and assisting individuals and families, in ways that many of us will never know and shouldn’t know.”

Toowoomba Chamber CEO Todd Rohl said Mr Antonio had played a pivotal leadership role during the community’s toughest times and shaping its future.

“We acknowledge his long career in local government,” Mr Rohl said.

“We recognise the integral role he played in flood recovery and mitigation program for Toowoomba following the devastating floods of 2011 and 2013, declaration of the Region as a Refugee Welcome Zone and hosting of one of Queensland’s largest White Ribbon Day events promoting peace, particularly in families and homes.

“On behalf of the Toowoomba Chamber, we wish him all the best as he transitions into his new adventure, whatever that may be.”

EARLIER: Mayor drops bombshell retirement call

Toowoomba mayor Paul Antonio has dropped a bombshell by revealing he will step down at 12pm on July 21.

The longstanding and decorated elected official, who celebrated more than 40 years in Local Government earlier this year, made the announcement on Thursday that he would step down in two weeks, with councillor Geoff McDonald to step in as Acting Mayor.

In April, Mr Antonio hosed down circulating rumours that his retirement was imminent, however at the time he confirmed he would not run for mayor at the 2024 Local Government elections.

Mayor Paul Antonio announces at a press conference he will step down from the role from July 21.

At the press conference Mr Antonio said “it’s time” for him to step down, acknowledged it was an “emotive day” for him and cited health as a key reason for his retirement.

The mayor released a statement shortly after the press conference began.

“After consulting with my family, I have decided to formally announce my decision to leave office, effective from July 21, 2023,” Mr Antonio said in the statement.

“It has been an honour to serve my community, firstly at Millmerran, then on the wider Toowoomba Regional Council since March 2008.

“Little could I have imagined progressing from my first term on the former Millmerran Shire in the early 1980s to a career in local government that has spanned almost 42 years.

Millmerran Shire Council’s Paul Antonio.

“While there have been many changes over the years, my work has centred around my willingness to meet and deal with people across all sectors of our community.

“Local government plays a vital role in building and improving communities and providing essential services for our residents. While it comes with challenges, it is rewarding to see benefits delivered to our communities.

“The role of Mayor has allowed me to broaden this approach and advocate for our fair share of funding or assistance from the higher levels of government. It has also provided a rare chance for me to promote the unrivalled lifestyle benefits that we enjoy and the prospects that we can offer to families, business owners and investors.

“It has been a privilege to guide the vision and direction of this Region with my Council colleagues and the Council staff across my entire career.

“While there is some sadness about leaving office, there always will be something more to achieve. I am proud of the work that has been completed during my time in office and the groundwork that has been laid for our Region’s future.

“I am equally positive that Council has the talent and drive to set the course for an even brighter future for the Toowoomba Region.”

Millmerran Shire Mayor Paul Antonio in 2007. Pic David Martinelli

Mr Antonio has enjoyed strong voter support at every election since he beat incumbent Peter Taylor more than a decade ago, polling at more than 70 per cent in the two most recent elections.

His tenure has seen the Toowoomba region transformed into a major regional economy, which has a gross regional product of more than $11.7bn.

The region has grown by more than 22,000 people during his time as mayor, supporting the growth of a variety of industries like mining, health, education, agriculture and professional services.

Mr Antonio is known for his passionate advocacy and lobbying abilities at different levels of government in Australia and has been a vocal supporter of making the region a welcoming place for refugees and migrants.

However, Mr Antonio’s career has not been without controversy; he was forced to apologise in 2018 for engaging in misconduct over his dealings with the Inland Rail.

The apology related to Mr Antonio commissioning an alternate route for the project in 2016, which would run it near a basalt quarry he owned.