April 23, 2020
In a break from tradition, Cr Geoff McDonald has been elected Deputy Mayor of Toowoomba Regional Council.
The TRC usually elects the councillor who has received the most votes in the poll.
In the 2020 poll, this would have been newcomer Cr Rebecca Vonhoff, who received 51,167 votes. Cr McDonald was in second spot with 48,797.
Cr Vonhoff also put her hand up for the role but did not receive enough votes.
However, Thursday’s post-election Council meeting also resolved that the Deputy Mayor’s role would be reviewed midway through the four-year Council term.
“This is a different approach for the Toowoomba Region but one which will give more councillors an opportunity to take on this position,” Mayor Paul Antonio said.
“This will ensure more councillors get experience in the role and will increase the leadership skills more broadly across our team of councillors.
“Cr McDonald is an experienced councillor who will bring a lot of fresh ideas and enthusiasm to this position.”
The meeting also announced the portfolio roles that each councillor will hold:
- Mayor Paul Antonio – Economic Development Committee Chair
- Cr Carol Taylor – Infrastructure Committee Chair
- Cr Melissa Taylor – Infrastructure Committee Portfolio Leader
- Cr Rebecca Vonhoff – Water and Waste Committee Chair
- Cr Nancy Sommerfield – Water and Waste Committee Portfolio Leader
- Cr James O’Shea – Environment and Community Committee Chair
- Cr Tim McMahon – Environment and Community Portfolio Leader
- Cr Geoff McDonald – Finance and Business Strategy Committee Chair
- Cr Kerry Shine – Finance and Business Strategy Portfolio Leader
- Cr Megan O’Hara-Sullivan – Planning and Development Committee Chair
- Cr Bill Cahill – Planning and Development Portfolio Leader
“The portfolio structure will again align directly with the organisational structure. I will Chair the Economic Development Committee, assisted by the Deputy Mayor in my absence, or my colleagues from the relevant portfolio on a case by case basis,” Mayor Antonio said.
“Further refinement on councillor portfolios may be made once discussions between these councillors and relevant General Managers take place.”
The meeting also set the date for the Special Meeting which will consider local COVID-19 economic relief options.
It will be held from 10:00am on April 29.
[UPDATED]
