Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart has been appointed to a key Olympics committee position after an alleged drink-driving incident forced another member’s resignation.
Mayor Stewart will replace Redlands Mayor Karen Williams on the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee.
The appointed came after a vote at the Council of Mayors (SEQ) Board meeting on Friday.
Mayor Stewart was backed to replace Mayor Williams who resigned from her position following a drink-driving incident.
Mayor Stewart’s appointment gives Noosa a “tangible link” to the 2032 Games.
She said it was a privilege to be selected.
“The region’s mayors pursued the Games as the catalyst to bring forward the infrastructure and transport needed to support our region’s record growth,” she said.
“Ensuring we deliver on this commitment to our communities will continue to be a priority for us.
“Brisbane 2032 provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to positively transform South-East Queensland and I look forward to continuing to work with my fellow mayors to ensure our communities have a voice.”
The Redlands Mayor has a court date looming after allegedly returning a blood-alcohol test of more than three times the legal limit.
She admitted crashing her vehicle into a tree east of Brisbane after a work function on June 23.
Hours before, Ms Williams had hosted an online meeting with families whose loved ones had been killed in accidents caused by drink-drivers.
Police have been investigating the incident and the 55-year-old was issued with a notice to appear for drink-driving after allegedly returning a blood-alcohol test of 0.177 per cent.
No one was injured when the car allegedly left the road, travelled through a fence and struck a tree.
Redlands mother Judy Lindsay, whose daughter Hayley was killed in a crash involving a drink-driver in 2009, launched a petition on the Queensland Parliament website calling for Ms Williams’ dismissal.
A second petition started on Change.org calling for the mayor to resign or be sacked has so far attracted more than 5000 signatures.
Ms Williams is due to appear in Cleveland Magistrates Court on August 1.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he was delighted to advise President Andrew Liveris that Mayor Stewart had secured the support of Council of Mayors (SEQ) to represent South-East Queensland councils on the organising committee.
“I have been in touch with Mr Liveris, who is excited to welcome the Mayor and looks forward to working with her into the future,” he said.
“Regional collaboration is a team sport and this is a great example of the councils who worked together to secure the Games continuing to work together as a team in the interest of our region and its communities.
“SEQ councils will play an important role during the Games and I’m looking forward to working with Mayor Stewart to ensure they are an active part of the region’s 2032 journey.”
The Gold Coast City Council does not have a representative on the committee, despite the region being earmarked to host several events. It’s not a member of the South-East Queensland Council of Mayors.
– with AAP
