Toowoomba’s Mayor Geoff McDonald and Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff have been returned to Toowoomba Regional Council, each receiving close to 80 per cent of possible votes.

Sitting councillors James O’Shea, Melissa Taylor, Kerry Shine, Tim McMahon, Carol Taylor, Bill Cahill and Edwina Farquhar have also been returned. They will be joined by newly- elected Gary Gardner and Trevor Manteufel who will fill the two remaining councillor positions. Mr Gardner, who polled fifth behind incumbents Rebecca Vonhoff, James O’Shea, Melissa Taylor and Kerry Shine said his priorities were about creating a master plan that involves water security, better roads and mixed housing. He said he was one to not just talk about things, he would be there to get things done.

Mr Manteufel who polled 10th, ran with a focus on housing, water security, and cutting red tape. His aim he said was to bring back common sense and to address reported toxicity within the organisation. The newly elected Mayor and Councillors will be officially sworn in at a ceremony tomorrow at 9.30am. The ceremony is not open to the public, but can be viewed on the livestream at https://brnw.ch/21wIfQP