12 July, 2023
Toowoomba Region Mayor Antonio retires
After 11 years as Mayor and 15 years serving in the Toowoomba Regional Council, Mayor Paul Antonio last week announced he would be retiring next Friday, 21 July.
Mayor Antonio succeeded Peter Taylor as Mayor in 2012 and was the inaugural Deputy Mayor of the Toowoomba Region from 2008 to 2012.
He had previously served on the Millmerran Shire Council, including eight years as Mayor, for 25 years.
“At the previous local government election in 2020 I stated that this would be my final term in office,” Mayor Antonio 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.”
Mayor Antonio said while there have been many changes over time, his work has centred around his willingness to meet and deal with people across all sectors of the community.
“Local government plays a vital role in building and improving communities and providing essential services for our residents,” he said.
“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.”
As Chair of Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE), John McVeigh expressed his admiration for Mayor Antonio’s leadership.
“Over 40 years of service in local government is a magnificent achievement and huge investment of self,” Dr McVeigh said.
“I have seen Paul lead this community through good and bad, and the Mayor has stood with the
community to lead and support as a fierce champion and promoter of the Toowoomba region.”
Mayor retires... what happens next?
With eight months still to go until the 2024 local government election, an acting mayor will have to be appointed and a few other things will need to take place.
Toowoomba Regional Council CEO Brian Pidgeon said Council will now follow the requirements under the Local Government Act 2009 (LGA) to appoint a new Mayor following the retirement of Paul Antonio at noon on Friday, 21 July.
Under the LGA, there is no requirement to hold an election to fill the vacant office of Mayor as the vacancy is now too close (within 12 months) to the next quadrennial local government election, set for March 2024.
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, Cr Geoff McDonald, who will automatically become the Acting Mayor at 12.01pm on July 21, 2023.
Mr Pidgeon said a Special Meeting of Council will be scheduled for 12.01pm on Friday, July 21, 2023.
“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.”
Cr Geoff McDonald has been Deputy Mayor since he was appointed on 23 April 2020.
Breaking with tradition, Cr McDonald was chosen as Deputy Mayor by his fellow Councillors despite not receiving the most votes in the election.
Cr Rebecca Vonhoff, who was elected to Council for the first time in 2020, received the most votes.
In April last year, after two years as a Councillor, Cr Vonhoff challenged Cr McDonald for the position
of Deputy Mayor, however she lost the vote to 7 to 4.
The CEO must also follow LGA requirements to fill the vacant Councillor position for the remainder of the term.
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 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, 2023.
Following their appointment by Council, the CEO will then swear in a new Councillor.
