Council resolves to approach runner-up candidate following resignation of Councillor Tanya Lynch

Council today resolved to fill the vacancy in the office of councillor following the resignation of Councillor Tanya Lynch by seeking consent from the runner-up from the 2020 local government election.

As prescribed by s. 166A of the Act, Council will seek consent from the runner-up, to be appointed to the vacant position. 

In the event that the first runner-up declines, the second runner-up will be approached and so on until the position is filled.

The resignation of Cr Tanya Lynch from the office of councillor became effective Thursday, 4 March 2021.

Council noted that the resignation had arisen within the “beginning of the local government’s term”, within 12 months from the last local government election.

Accordingly, Council resolved to fill the vacancy by seeking consent from the runner-up candidate rather than holding a by-election, to prevent additional local government election costs. 

The Electoral Commission of Queensland provided a quote of $225,455.00 to provide its electoral services if a by-election was to be conducted.  

The process of filling a Councillor vacancy is well established in legislation and commences with Council’s deliberations on the method it wishes to employ to do so. 

Once a resolution stating the course of action to be followed is passed, responsibility is passed to the Electoral Commission of Queensland to identify a candidate who is prepared to accept the position of Councillor. 

Once the name of the recommended candidate has been received from the ECQ, Council then appoints the candidate via a Council resolution.

Council will update the community as soon as this information becomes available.