Next Mayor to be decided at Council Meeting

Council will now follow the requirements under the Local Government Act 2009 (LGA) to appoint a new Mayor following today’s announcement by Mayor Bob Manning that he is retiring from local government.

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 formally decide which Councillor will be Mayor until the next election.

Cairns Regional Council CEO Mica Martin said the vote will take place at the next Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday 22 November 2023.

“The agenda for that meeting will facilitate the appointment of the Mayor and any related matters,” Ms Martin said.

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 will commence the process for this appointment.