Short campaign for mayor race as byelection date set

Redlands will have a new mayor before Christmas, confirming a short campaign for the field of candidates hopeful of leading the bitterly divided council.

The byelection was triggered by the resignation last week of former mayor Jos Mitchell, who quit citing a culture of bullying at the bayside local government.

By law, Redland City Council needed the election to take place before December 28, and Queensland Local Government Minster Ann Leahy promised there would be no voting over the Christmas period.

Leahy stuck to her word, approving the council request for a postal vote, locking in a December 12 polling day.

Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said voters should ensure their registered address is correct.

“We will mail a ballot pack to every enrolled voter, so if you have an old postal address listed, you may not receive your voting materials,” he said.

Nominations will officially open next Tuesday, but five candidates have already put up their hands for the job.

Deputy mayor Julie Talty, councillor Rowanne McKenzie and former Labor member for Capalaba Don Brown are the most high-profile of the candidates so far.

Joining them on ballot are local lawyer Jasmin Person and former One Nation and Trumpet of Patriots candidate Gary Williamson.

As many as five councillors are expected to run for mayor.

After giving quotes to the local paper indicating she would run for mayor, Talty officially put her hat in the ring on Thursday, promising steady leadership.

The daughter of a Nationals state MP and a former LNP state candidate for Springwood, Talty has been acting mayor since Mitchell went on medical leave in May, and has been a councillor since 2012.

“I’m running because the Redlands doesn’t need more uncertainty or a mayor learning on the job,” she said.

“We need calm, steady leadership from day one.”

Brown has been the most prolific campaigner so far, declaring he would attempt to cut the number of councillors from 10 to six, a change he said would save ratepayers an estimated $2.4 million over a four-year term.

“In Brisbane, each councillor represents around 32,500 voters,” he said.

“In Ipswich, it’s approximately 19,500. Yet in Redlands, each councillor represents only around 12,000 voters.”

Brown has also vowed to oppose the Olympic whitewater centre being built in the council for the Brisbane 2032 Games.

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