Balonne Shire Deputy Mayor Richard Lomman Resigns

Deputy Mayor Richard Lomman has resigned from Balonne Shire Council due to personal reasons. Councillor Lomman joined Balonne Shire Council at the general election in 2020.

In his resignation letter, Councillor Lomman said he had enjoyed working with all councillors, council staff and residents of Balonne Shire during his three years as a councillor.

"I have been privileged to serve the residents of the Balonne Shire and I thank them for their faith in me to represent them at council," Councillor Lomman said.

"I have forged some great friendships and I will cherish them."

Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O’Toole thanked Councillor Lomman for his efforts as Deputy Mayor.

"Councillor Lomman has been passionate in advocating for Balonne as a multicultural community and for youth in the Balonne Shire, playing a key role in establishing the Balonne Shire Youth Council. He has been the Deputy Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group, the Community Advisory Committee, and the Information Communications and Technology Standing Committee, as well as a member of the Airport Working Group and the Business Taskforce, while also representing the townships of Thallon and Nindigully," said Mayor O’Toole.

“I want to thank Councillor Lomman for his time serving the Balonne community and for his support as Deputy Mayor."

Balonne Shire Council Chief Executive Matthew Magin received Councillor Lomman’s resignation letter at the conclusion of the Council meeting on Thursday 16 March 2023. The resignation is effective from 1 April 2023 and creates a vacancy in the Balonne Shire.

The process of filling a councillor vacancy is well established in legislation. The process to fill the vacancy in the office of a councillor in the Balonne Shire will be announced by the Chief Executive Officer. Council will update the community in the coming week.