February 13, 2026
Western Downs Regional Council CEO Jodie Taylor announced on Friday she would not be seeking to renew her contract when it expires in December.
Mrs Taylor has spent the past five years as CEO at the WDRC but has been in local government on the Western Downs for 21 years.
Mayor Andrew Smith said Mrs Taylor’s legacy would be one of empowerment, collaboration and genuine commitment to the wellbeing of Council staff and the region’s residents.
“Jodie has been an extraordinary leader, whose unwavering commitment to our region and its people has profoundly shaped both our organisation and our communities,” Mayor Smith said.
“Her dynamic leadership sparked a cultural transformation within Council, fostering an environment of transparency, teamwork, and accountability.”
Mrs Taylor was named LGMA Queensland’s Manager of the Year in 2023.
Mayor Smith said Council would now start the recruitment process for a new CEO.
