Statement regarding position of Gladstone Region Deputy Mayor

Published on 01 October 2026

Gladstone Regional Council acknowledges that a Notice of Motion was raised in accordance with Section 165(4) of the Local Government Act 2009 (Qld) at a Special Meeting held today.

The Notice of Motion sought:

• That the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with Councillors, develop a policy to govern councillor representation on external committees and boards, to be presented to Council for consideration by 31 December 2026.
• That Council determines whether the office of Deputy Mayor should be declared vacant in accordance with Section 165(3) of the Local Government Act 2009, and a new Deputy Mayor be appointed pursuant to Section 165(5) of the Local Government Act 2009.

In accordance with Section 165(4) of the Local Government Act 2009, the required 14 clear days of written notice has been given to all Councillors prior to the 1 October meeting.

Under the Local Government Act 2009, a Notice of Motion is the only mechanism to discuss a potential vacancy of the Deputy Mayor position.

Gladstone Region Councillors resolved to maintain the current position of Deputy Mayor, held by Councillor Natalia Muszkat, and that the CEO prepare a report for the post-election meeting for 2028 for options for the election of the Deputy Mayor, including options from other councils across Queensland.

In addition, Councillors resolved that the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with Councillors, prepare a report on future councillor representation on external committees and boards, to be presented to Council for consideration by 31 December 2026.