Toowoomba’s next councillor: 13 people we want to see as candidates, five residents have nominated
At least five people have already nominated to be Toowoomba region’s next councillor. See the full list here, plus the people that residents want to see put their hand up for the job.
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Toowoomba Chronicle readers have identified key people they believe would serve the Garden City community well in the 11th councillor position — and five have already put their hands up.
It comes as applications open for the position, which the council must select by the end of September.
All of these people would need to apply for the position, and it is not known if most have, or will do so.
Applicants will need to reside in the Toowoomba Regional Council area and ensure they have statutory eligibility to hold the position.
These potential eligibility issues include citizenship status, and whether you are a prisoner, bankrupt or hold another high office position,
Once the council has received nominations from the public, they will resolve to appoint one of the nominees.
Newly appointed mayor Geoff McDonald encouraged anyone with a strong sense of community to apply for the job.
“(The ideal candidate would be) someone who has a strong desire to support the community with passion, with a mind of positivity and to come in with an ability to listen for the first little while before trying to change the world,” he said.
These are the people you want to see in the position:
IN THE RUNNING
Mikaela Smith
Wellcamp resident, small business owner and real estate agent Mikaela Smith has revealed she will apply for the vacant position, saying she was “suitable” for the short-term job.
Ms Smith is the co-owner of Smith Farming and Smith Diesel Fitting as well as the founder of Social Me, a community-led business that supports social events for women to come together for support and friendship.
She described herself as having “strong leadership skills” and the ability to juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities.
“As a councillor, I will listen to the views of all residents, elected officials and experts as well as strive to work collaboratively with resilience and integrity,” she said.
“Being elected as a councillor will not only be rewarding but a privilege, as I strongly believe it is an honour to be voted into public service.
“I have worked hard to gain the trust of the community (and will continue to do so) and strongly believe in creating meaningful and impactful change to people’s lives.”
Ms Smith and her husband Jason have been vocal advocates for more funding for local roads, highlighted by the couple’s fight with council to upgrade their own unformed road reserve.
“As a long-time Wellcamp local, in the past two years I have advocated and achieved results for my local roads and surrounding roads to be upgraded,” she said.
“I have and will continue to be a strong advocate for Wellcamp and western communities.”
Scot McPhie
Scot McPhie is one person who has confirmed they will run for the vacant council spot.
The ornithologist and convener of the Darling Downs branch of Birdlife Australia is set to submit his application to the council.
He has recently been a vocal critic of the state government’s Toowoomba North South Transport Corridor, and restrictions around council tree clearing.
Mr McPhie said while his pitch to council would prioritise environmental protections, he would also want to represent rural landholders.
“The main ones are environmental, I don’t believe they’re doing enough and there’s not enough follow-through,” he said.
“They’ve had four years to do the green infrastructure strategy and they haven’t advanced it enough.
“I live in a rural area, on dirt roads and I don’t have town water or rubbish — the council is weighted towards members from city areas and I’d like to represent rural areas.
“I have a degree in anthropology and I love working with people from cross-cultural backgrounds.”
Lizzie Adams
Another high performer at the 2020 local government election, the CEO of Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement and president of rugby league club Brothers is another community favourite for the job.
Ms Adams revealed on Tuesday she would submit an application.
"I'm going to give it a go and throw my hat in the ring," she said.
"If I'm successful, it will add some diversity and give some vulnerable people a voice.
"Particularly around community engagement, I can bring people together when council needs to do consultation."
She is one of few to reveal her possible intention to apply for the position.
Andrew Reeson
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.
Eakraj Adhikari
A former 2020 candidate, Mr Adhikari has put his hand up to fill the vacant council position.
He ran at the last election on improving access to services for social issues like homelessness and domestic violence, as well as promoting the Garden City as a national model for multi-faith diversity.
A Nepalese migrant, Mr Adhikari said he wanted to offer an example to his community of what was possible in Toowoomba.
"We talk about diversity, so I put my hand there to say that I am here to run," he said.
"There is so much hesitation in my community - they can be anything, but they don't it could be a politician or in a government body.
"We need to change that stereotype, we need to break that cycle and show we can do anything."
WHO RESIDENTS WOULD LIKE TO SEE
Joy Mingay
Joy Mingay has been a firm candidate for the new position ever since it was announced in July that Paul Antonio was stepping down.
If Mr Antonio had stepped down prior to March, Ms Mingay would have automatically been named the 11th Toowoomba councillor, due to her performance in the 2020 local government election.
According to readers, the owner of HR firm Classic Recruitment has “excellent local knowledge, respect, and a track record of community leadership”.
They also highlighted her involvement in Toowoomba’s non-profit sector.
Ms Mingay has been contacted repeatedly by The Chronicle for comment.
Josh Marshall
Disability advocate Josh Marshall is another name who was suggested for the final council spot.
Mr Marshall is one of the people behind Inclusion Access, an education provider that works with planners, architects, venue owners and developers to, according to their website, “make the world a more inclusive place for all”.
According to a Chronicle reader, Mr Marshall is “very knowledgeable, passionate and intelligent and brings a fresh perspective”.
Shane Charles
The former chairman of the Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise, and current president of the Toowoomba Show Society is another name being suggested for the council position.
According to readers, Mr Charles would serve well in the role due to his “longstanding commitment to making the Toowoomba Region an economic and social powerhouse”.
Graham Strang
This prominent Toowoomba businessman would serve well on council for being a “huge promoter of the region”, according to Chronicle readers.
Mr Strang runs Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety and is a strong supporter of the Garden City’s sporting scene.
David Campbell
Mr Campbell is another previous candidate who readers have suggested should stick his hand up again.
The businessman previously told The Chronicle living in Toowoomba his whole life had made him passionate about the region.
“I feel I can make a substantial contribution to the council,” he said in 2020.
Peter Marks
Some readers want to see former Toowoomba councillor Peter Marks return to the council chambers.
Mr Marks, who works for Ray White Commercial, served on the council from 2008 to 2012 as the planning and development portfolio holder.
He ran unsuccessfully in 2016, and did not contest the 2020 local government election.
Kirstie Smolenski
This former 2020 candidate has been suggested for the council position due to her “proven passion for the community and ability to work within a team”.
Ms Smolenski was unsuccessful at the 2020 local government election, and most recently ran as an independent for the federal seat of Groom.
She has previously worked with Tony’s Kitchen and as the volunteer co-ordinator for St Vincent’s Private Hospital.
Matt Cox
Mountaineers coach Matt Cox is another face people want to see on Toowoomba Regional Council.
Mr Cox has been described as an “up-and-coming leader in the Toowoomba region”.
Gary Love
This former Toowoomba council candidate has a “track record of community leadership”, according to Chronicle readers.
He previously ran in council by-election more than a decade ago.
Douglas Doelle
This unsuccessful mayoral candidate has now been suggested for the final council spot.
Mr Doelle is a former council employee who said at the 2020 local government election he wanted to focus on improving services and infrastructure in regional communities outside Toowoomba.
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