Antonio Thanks Voters For Support

April 9, 2020

Re-elected Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio has thanked voters for putting their trust in him again.

Mayor Antonio’s landslide win in the Toowoomba Regional Council mayoral race was confirmed on Wednesday with the Electoral Commission of Queensland making the official declaration.

He said he was looking forward to another four years as Mayor.

“I would like to thank the community for their vote of confidence in me,” he said.

“We have a big challenge ahead of us and I would like to assure residents throughout the region that we’re committed in getting through these uncharted waters.

“As part of this, we’ll need to make difficult but necessary decisions once the new Council has been formed.

“It’s my ambition that this term of Council will build on the momentum of the previous four years, and importantly, engage with our communities about the legacy we are leaving for future generations.”

Mayor Antonio, who will be serving his third term holding the reins in Toowoomba, secured more than 72 per cent of votes.

Toowoomba Regional Council CEO Brian Pidgeon congratulated Mayor Antonio for his resounding win.

“Mayor Antonio has been a popular and outstanding leader to the people of the Toowoomba Region throughout his previous two terms,” Mr Pidgeon said.

“Like all local governments across Australia there is no doubt we’re facing a number of significant challenges due to the emergence of the coronavirus.

“During times like these it’s comforting to know we have strong leadership in place, and as such, I wish the Mayor all the best over the coming term.”

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The count for the 10 slots for councillor is continuing.

On Thursday afternoon, it appeared certain that sitting councillors Bill Cahill, Nancy Sommerfield, Megan O’Hara Sullivan, Geoff McDonald, James O’Shea and Carol Taylor would be returning for another term.

Newcomer, former Toowoomba Chronicle deputy editor Rebecca Vonhoff, is also a sure bet after securing more than 51,000 votes in the “reverse donkey vote” position on the lengthy ballot paper.

Other new faces that are attracting strong support are Kerry Shine, Melissa Taylor and Tim McMahon.

UPDATE April 13, 2020: The results for Toowoomba’s 10 councillor positions were declared at 12:45pm Monday.

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Toowoomba Regional Council

Mayor – 81.92 per cent – Official First Preference Count

Douglas Doelle – 7372
*Paul Antonio – 65,716 – DECLARED
Chris Meibusch – 17,542
Informal – 3699

Councillors  – 73.97 per cent – Official First Preference Count (10 to be elected)

*Bill Cahill – 44,740 – DECLARED
David King – 11,960
*Nancy Sommerfield – 43,861 – DECLARED
Lindy Eising – 13,843
Carol McCabe – 18,759
Petria Grabham – 19,350
Chelle McIntyre – 15,961
Michael Truskinger – 21,749
Warren Midgley – 18,409
Rita Clarke – 13,114
Robert Relvas – 9461
Lizzie Adams – 24,600
*Megan O’Hara Sullivan – 46,729 – DECLARED
Kirsten Smolenski – 19,458
Michael Flanigan – 19,857
*Geoff McDonald – 48,869 – DECLARED
*James O’Shea – 45,379 – DECLARED
Kevin Flanagan – 24,170
Rob Berry – 13,368
Tim Entwistle – 21,634
Garry Humphries – 24,304
Ben Apsey – 22,247
Melissa Taylor – 39,114 – DECLARED
David Campbell – 24,352
Aaron Goldie – 15,076
Kerry Shine – 44,435 – DECLARED
Alyce Nelligan – 11,459
Joy Mingay – 24,777
*Carol Taylor – 46,602 – DECLARED
Eakraj Adhikari – 10,770
Tim McMahon – 31,759 – DECLARED
Rebecca Vonhoff – 51,244 – DECLARED
Informal – 10,350

* Sitting councillors

[UPDATED. Published originally as “Antonio Officially Declared Winner”]

  Council