July 6, 2023
Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio announced on Thursday he will step down from the role in a fortnight.
He will continue as Mayor until noon on Friday, July 21, when his role will be taken over by Deputy Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald, who will serve as Acting Mayor until Councillors meet to vote on who will fill the position until the next local government elections in March 2024.
If Cr McDonald is confirmed as Mayor, Councillors will need to elect a new Deputy Mayor.
Mayor Antonio announced his decision at an emotional press conference, where he acknowledged it was an “emotive day” for him and cited health as a key reason for his retirement.
“At the previous local government election in 2020 I stated that this would be my final term in office,” he said.
“After consulting with my family, I have decided to formally announce my decision to leave office, effective from July 21, 2023.
“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.
“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.”
Mayor Antonio said he was looking forward to personally thanking and recognising the organisations and scores of friends who had been instrumental in helping him over his entire career.
“I’m first and foremost a farmer, and I’ve long lived by the lessons of the land, its seasons and the power of renewal,” he said.
Mayor Antonio has spent 42 years in local government as a Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor.
He initially served on Millmerran Shire Council before being elected to Toowoomba Regional Council after the forced amalgamations in 2008, and was elected as Mayor in 2012.
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TRC CEO Brian Pidgeon said Council will now follow the requirements under the Local Government Act 2009 to appoint a new Mayor.
There is no requirement to hold an election to fill the office as the vacancy is now too close (within 12 months) to the next quadrennial local government election.
Council must now meet and formally decide which Councillor will be Mayor until the next election.
This meeting will be chaired by the Deputy Mayor, who will automatically become Acting Mayor at 12:01pm on July 21.
A Special Meeting of Council will be scheduled to start at the same time.
“The agenda for that meeting will need to facilitate the appointment of the Mayor and other Council decisions that will depend on which Councillor is appointed as Mayor,” Mr Pidgeon said.
“If Council appoints the Deputy Mayor as the new Mayor, it will also need to set a date for a subsequent Council meeting to appoint a new Deputy Mayor from the current Councillors.
“If the Deputy Mayor is not appointed as Mayor, there will be no need to appoint a new Deputy Mayor.”
Within 14 days of the new Mayor being appointed, the CEO must invite nominations for a Councillor to fill the vacant Councillor position.
“Nominations for the vacant Councillor position must be invited from any person who is qualified to be a Councillor, and from each person who was a candidate for election at the last local government election,” Mr Pidgeon said.
Notices calling for nominations will be published, including on Council’s website, and former candidates will be individually notified.
Council must then meet and formally resolve to fill the vacant office of Councillor by appointing one of those nominees within two months of July 21.
Following their appointment by Council, the CEO will then swear in a new Councillor.
[UPDATED]
