After almost 12 months waiting for an investigation into their suspended former mayor, Troy Thompson, Townsville voters will elect their new mayor next month.
The by-election on November 15 will be conducted via a full postal ballot, with the Electoral Commission of Queensland already mailing out its voting slips.
The nine candidates in the running, boasting a variety of experience and expertise, have revealed their priorities.
Sean Gleeson
Born and raised in Townsville, 27-year-old Sean Gleeson is the youngest of the candidates and is campaigning for more accessible and efficient public transport systems.
"It really feels like Townsville isn't a place for me, which is why I want to make it an accessible place," he said.
"I have disabilities that stop me from being able to go everywhere whenever I want — there's not enough public transport."
Mr Gleeson said he would lobby for state and federal funding to introduce trams or monorails throughout the city.
Previously a youth detention worker, Mr Gleeson said he was currently unemployed.
Troy Thompson
Troy Thompson was elected in March 2024, but was suspended in November months after becoming the subject of a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation.
The CCC investigation has finished, but its findings have not been publicly released.
The investigation started after Mr Thompson incorrectly stated that his defence career involved the SAS.
The former mayor, who resigned while suspended to contest a by-election, has always denied wrongdoing.
"I have refuted all of those allegations. I don't agree with them," Mr Thompson said.
If re-elected, Mr Thompson promised to audit the last two decades of Townsville City Council and ensure the local government focused on basic services.
"Money spent on services, not corporate sponsorships or vanity projects," he said.
Harry Patel
Former Townsville University Hospital nurse and long-time mayoral hopeful Harry Patel is contesting the city's civic leadership for a fourth time.
Mr Patel said the council was charging too much in rates.
"I believe in the 2026 budget, rates will be increased again," he said.
"That is ridiculous; we are paying so much rates and not getting enough services.
"We should be concentrating on the basics."
Mr Patel said he was against introducing paid parking on The Strand but thought parking limits on the foreshore would increase turnover.
Nick Dametto
Former Queensland Katter's Australian Party MP Nick Dametto resigned from his role as the Member for Hinchinbrook to contest the mayoral by-election.
Mr Dametto said he resigned from Katter's Australian Party and was now an independent.
"People want to see the maintenance, the parks, gardens, the way the city is presented, brought up to a standard that everyone can be proud of," Mr Dametto said.
He has also proposed to lobby the state and federal governments for money to redevelop The Strand.
"As a member of state parliament, I've had an opportunity over the past eight years to work with the federal parliament and interact with mayors and councils," he said.
"In many cases, that is negotiating with local government and lobbying the state government and federal government for funding."
Chris Poulsen
Chris Poulsen is a Townsville restaurant owner. He previously worked for Suncorp for 18 years as a financial planner and has some mining sector experience.
Mr Poulsen said he wanted the council to better maintain the city as a whole.
"Townsville is much bigger than The Strand and the CBD," he said.
"I would be focusing on bringing the maintenance back up and tidying the place as a whole."
Mr Poulsen said he would be eager to see water sports on the Ross River Dam — Townsville's primary water source — subjected to environmental approvals.
"What I am not looking to do is spend more money because, as most people are aware, council doesn't have a lot of money at the moment," he said.
Ann-Maree Greaney
Acting mayor Ann-Maree Greaney is campaigning to conduct community consultation on council budgets before their delivery.
The long-time councillor has also committed to never introducing parking meters along The Strand.
"It will not be discussed in any way, shape or form while I'm mayor," Cr Greaney said.
There have been calls from some candidates for Ann-Maree Greaney to stand down from her position while campaigning.
"We would have to appoint an acting mayor, and that would just create more chaos," she said.
Councillor Greaney has also proposed CBD playgrounds and free one-hour parking for customers of city businesses.
Paul Jacob
Paul Jacob is a divisional councillor who was returned to the Townsville City Council in 2024.
Councillor Jacob took leave without pay for his campaign, which was focused on tightening the purse strings of the council.
"I do not intend to spend any more money at this time on major projects like revitalising The Strand," Councillor Jacob said.
"I'm a believer in using the money that you've got because we don't get a lot of money from the state government."
He also said, if elected as mayor, he would lobby the state government to change the city's public transport structure.
"That includes something we had years ago in this town — light rail."
Although running as an independent mayoral candidate, Councillor Jacob has disclosed his Australian Labor Party membership with the ECQ.
Joanne Keune
Joanne Keune has been studying a Master's of Education with the goal of becoming a primary school teacher for the past two years.
The business owner and former Townsville City Council employee said she believed financial management to be her strongest skill.
"I have managed multi-million-dollar budgets as the general manager of Dancenorth," Ms Keune said.
"I've been studying the [council] annual report and, frankly, I need to see the full set of accounts because I can see a lot of wastage.
"I say it's time to subtract and look at where all that expenditure is going."
She said she also wanted to do away with council-commissioned consultancy reports if elected.
Ms Keune has declared that she is a member of the Australian Labor Party, but is running as an independent.
David Kippin
Born and raised in Townsville, investor David Kippin has long worked as a consultant and was formerly the CEO of peak lobby group Townsville Enterprise Limited.
Mr Kippin said the controversy of the current council term inspired him to run for mayor.
"This city needs leadership, and it needs to feel proud of itself, and I think we have lost a bit of that," he said.
Mr Kippin promised to establish a defence working group to speak directly to the council with the goal of making Australia's largest garrison city more defence friendly.
"It is imperative that we make it as easy as possible for newcomers to be welcomed, embraced, and a part of the community," he said.
David Kippin said paid parking was important to ensure turnover in the city, but said he was against installing meters on The Strand.
The Townsville City Council mayoral by-election will be held on November 15.
