Cr Marnie Doyle has been elected Deputy Mayor of Ipswich City Council.
The new Division 3 councillor said she was delighted with the appointment, made in the first official council meeting since the 28 March local government election.
Cr Doyle said she takes the responsibility of deputy mayor seriously and is committed to supporting Mayor Teresa Harding and fellow councillors over the next 12 months.
“I will ensure that I earn the trust of councillors and be the champion of their views, bringing them to the attention of the mayor; I am accustomed to being a good devil’s advocate,” she said.
“I am also very much looking forward to working with and supporting Mayor Harding’s vision for this council. We must get this right, Ipswich is depending on us.”
Born and raised in Ipswich, the Sadliers Crossing resident has worked for almost 25 years as a banking and finance lawyer. She is a St Mary’s old girl and holds a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws.
Cr Doyle’s family has deep connections to Ipswich and its founding industries and local business. The importance of industry and successful businesses in Ipswich is front of mind for the first-time politician and is at the heart of her vision for Ipswich.
She has been a strong supporter of a new era of council accountability and backed the mayor’s motion for a new transparency and integrity hub for council.
“I’m looking forward to having the hub up and running as soon as possible so we can start to identify opportunities to improve our service delivery and rebuild public trust,” Cr Doyle said.
“I too want Ipswich City Council to be the talk of the town for all the right reasons. Transparency, efficiency gains and progress for all parts of our region.
“There are many outstanding projects that will enable economic progress, such as Springfield to Ipswich rail and the Norman St bridge. As we start to bring these forward, community consultation must be at the heart of everything we do.”
Cr Doyle she was honoured to be appointed deputy mayor just a few weeks after winning her first local government election.
“I am pleased my fellow councillors supported me and look forward to fulfilling the role to the best of my ability,” she said.
Cr Sheila Ireland nominated another council newcomer, Cr Nicole Jonic as deputy mayor. Cr Doyle secured eight of nine votes to win the spot.
The deputy mayor’s role will come up for re-election in 12 months (and each year of the four-year council term) with another councillor given the chance to do the job.
Mayor Harding (pictured below) said she was looking forward to working with Cr Doyle.
“I believe we will make a formidable leadership team based on our complimentary experience and style,” she said.
“Cr Doyle brings a wealth of experience to council and will be an excellent deputy mayor for the city of Ipswich.”
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>>>Banking and finance lawyer brings legal expertise to council
Mayor Teresa Harding and her eight councillors have conducted the first official Ipswich City Council meeting with elected representatives since August 2018.
The meeting lasted about 90 minutes – significantly more than the 5-10 minutes it took for council meetings held by interim administrator Greg Chemello.
It was also held in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic which meant councillors spaced appropriately in chambers, council leaders seated well apart and no public in the gallery.
Once the formalities were dealt with, council made some significant decisions, including:
Transparency and integrity hub
Establish and implement the Ipswich City Council transparency and integrity hub, a digital portal that enables the publication of financial data displayed as contemporary open data (intuitive, interactive, auditable and downloadable by selection) suitable for public consumption, and will be launched by 1 July 2020. Read more
Date and form of future council meetings
Councillors opted for a revised standing committee structure with a single committee, to be known as the General Purpose Committee. Council will hold ordinary meetings on 26 May 2020, 30 June 2020 and 28 July 2020 commencing at 9am. The General Purpose Committee will sit at 9am on 19 May 2020, 23 June 2020 and 21 July 2020. Future meetings to be confirmed. Membership of the committee consists of all councillors, with Mayor Harding to chair the first committee meeting, then a different councillor for each meeting, rotating through Divisions 1-4.
Local Government Association of Queensland policy executive
Council appointed Cr Paul Tully to represent District No. 2 (Western Region) on the LGAQ Policy Executive for the 2020-2024 term.
Local Disaster Management Group
Mayor Harding was appointed as chair of the City of Ipswich LDMG, which has been active throughout the Covid-19 crisis. Cr Kate Kunzelmann was appointed as deputy chair.
Rates relief in response to Covid-19
To provide short-term and immediate relief to all ratepayers, council decided that the due date or discount date for the payment of the April-June 2020 quarterly rates notice, be extended from 14 May 2020 to 18 June 2020. For any ratepayer suffering from financial distress, this provides an additional 35 days or a period of five weeks before the rates become due. The extended due date will be available to all ratepayers regardless of land use or rating category, meaning the additional period is available to all residential and business properties.
I have noted Paul Tully has been re-elected he was sacked with the rest of Councillors so how is he able to have run again?
Hi Judith, It m ay pay to be more up to date with infomration if you are concerned. You are a bit late with objections – Tully indicated he would nominate at the beginning of the year and he nominated in February……..
why are your rates so much higher than brisbane city council i have sent a letter to your council with my rates where in Brisbane and have moved to Augustine Heights and your rates are higher and do not get a pensioners discount on my new rates i am a part pensioner and in Brisbane got $120.00 discount on my quarterly Rates why is this so you can check my letter i sent with copies of both rates my address is 36 Inigo Way Augustine Heights .