All eight current Toowoomba Region Councillors who were candidates this election have been returned by voters after Saturday’s local government election, as has Mayor Geoff McDonald.
With Megan O’Hara Sullivan and Nancy Sommerfield retiring, the two vacant positions have been filled by Gary Gardner and Trevor Manteufel.
Although both current Toowoomba residents, the two do have ties to rural areas with Mr Gardner hailing from the Brookstead/Pittsworth district and Mr Manteufel having attended Clifton State High School and also having lived in the Oakey area.
Rebecca Vonhoff received by far the most votes, putting her in a very strong position to continue as Deputy Mayor.
Joining her as returning Councillors are Carol Taylor, Melissa Taylor, Tim McMahon, James O’Shea, Bill Cahill, Edwina Farquhar and Kerry Shine.
Mayor Geoff McDonald easily saw off his only competitor Douglas Doelle, garnering over 80 per cent of the vote.
As of Tuesday morning, Cr McDonald, who served as Deputy Mayor under Paul Antonio before being elected by the previous Council to succeed him, was leading with 81 per cent of legitimate ballots to Mr Doelle’s 19 per cent.
“Very happy with the endorsement of the community,” he said.
“All the sitting councillors were re-elected so we must be doing some things well, but there’s always more we can improve upon.
“Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge Douglas Doelle for putting himself forward, and indeed all the candidates for putting themselves forward.
“All of them have a passion for the community.
“For now, Lisa and I express our gratitude to family, friends and supporters who have helped today and during prepolling.”
Although only 26.05 per cent of enrolled electors had been counted as of going to print on Tuesday, it is highly unlikely the final ten will change.
The candidate with the tenth highest number of votes, Trevor Manteufel, had a comfortable of over 2,000 votes on the next highest candidate, Mark Orford.
TRC Election Count (as of Tuesday):
Mayoral Candidates: (%)
- Geoff McDonald: 82.6
- Douglas Doelle: 17.4
Council Candidates: (%)
Only 26.72 per cent counted
- Rebecca Vonhoff: 8.2
- Melissa Taylor: 6.6
- James O’Shea: 6.5
- Gary Gardner: 6.3
- Kerry Shine: 6.2
- Tim McMahon: 6
- Carol Taylor: 5.6
- Bill Cahill: 5.4
- Edwina Farquhar: 5.1
- Trevor Manteufel: 4.3
- Mark Orford: 3.6
- Paul Wilson: 3
- Eakraj Adhikari: 3
- Andrew Reeson: 3
- Nathan Essex: 2.7
- Ellisa Parker: 2.7
- Scot McPhie: 2.6
- Chris Brameld: 2.4
- Chelle McIntyre: 2.4
- Robert Relvas: 2.3
- David King: 2.1
- Adam Carney: 2.1
- Leanne Westgarth: 1.9
- Gavin Mingay: 1.8
- Martin Hartwig: 1.7
- George Westgarth: 1.4
- Angus Westgarth: 1.2
This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 21 March 2024.
