By Jeremy Sollars
Three 2016-2020 term councillors, one former deputy mayor and four new council faces will join new Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Vic Pennisi in making up the council administration for 2020-2024.
The eight successful councillor candidates from the field of 26 have been formally ‘declared’ by the Electoral Commission as of today, Saturday 11 April, earlier than expected with the declaration having been anticipated after the Easter break.The ‘final eight’ – in order of final polling – are:
1. Ross Bartley – 8540 (5.9%)
2. Cameron Gow – 8405 (5.2%)
3. Jo McNally – 8342 (5.16%)
4. Andrew Gale – 8066 (4.99%)
5. Sheryl Windle – 8020 (4.96%)
6. Marco Gliori – 7775 (4.81%)
7. Cynthia McDonald – 7573 (4.68%)
8. Stephen Tancred – 7388 (4.57%)
The new council is expected to hold its first meeting this coming week – possibly on Wednesday but as yet not confirmed – and via teleconference due to COVID-19 restrictions.
A deputy mayor will be elected at that meeting following the swearing-in of the new council.
The final poll declaration brings to an end a rather uncertain period since election day on Saturday 28 March while the count progressed, including receipt of final postal votes on Tuesday of this week.
One of the new council’s first tasks – as well as forming its local response to the COVID-19 crisis – will be to progress work on the 2020-2021 council budget, due for public release in June.
Ratepayers in the region – both residential and commercial – will be watching with keen interest to see if any form of rates relief will be likely, given the local economic impact of the coronavirus.
BRIEF PROFILES ON OUR 2020-2024 COUNCILLORS…
• 2016-2020 term councillors re-elected – Jo McNally, Cameron Gow, Sheryl Windle.
• Ross Bartley – Warwick-area (The Hermitage) primary producer, former Deputy Mayor, Southern Downs Regional Council and Warwick Shire councillor; mayoral candidate 2016.
• Andrew Gale – Warwick-based businessman (vehicle and boat licensing instruction); former Queensland Police officer. Previous councillor candidate 2016.
• Cynthia McDonald – Warwick-area (Rodgers Creek) primary producer, former Australian Army officer, including deployment to East Timor 2004. First-time candidate.
• Marco Gliori – Warwick-based, acclaimed poet and performer, former Queensland Police officer. First-time candidate.
• Stephen Tancred – Stanthorpe-based agronomist and ag-sector consultant/business owner. First-time candidate.
