General News
1 April, 2025
Mayor's pick misses out: Coghlan to remain deputy
Kim Coghlan will stay on as Mount Isa's deputy mayor after an interesting vote last Wednesday.
Kim Coghlan will remain as the deputy mayor of Mount Isa after an awkward vote at last week’s council meeting.
Last year, councillors chose to appoint the deputy annually, which meant that a new vote was required last Wednesday.
Mayor Peta MacRae put up a vote for Travis Crowther to take on the position, however, it meant that Cr Crowther had to second the motion when no other councillors raised their hand.
“I think that the current deputy mayor has done a good job for the first 12 months and ... it gives us a chance to expand and give everyone a chance to grow their opportunity and learnability about the role and bring their special part,” Cr Crowther said.
Cr James Coghlan responded, saying that the role wasn’t to be used as a participation award.
“I think the only criteria that should be used when we consider any vote in this chamber should be what is best for Mount Isa,” he said.
“Any individual desires should be put aside and no vote that we make should be made for our self-interest in this chamber.
“It’s not primary school; I don’t think everyone deserves a medal for participating, and I think any decision that we make in this chamber needs to result in the best outcome for the people of this city and anything less is a disservice to them.”
When the mayor’s motion to appoint Cr Crowther fell flat, it left councillor Dan Ballard to nominate Cr Coghlan to stay in the deputy mayor’s chair, which turned into a unanimous vote.
“Cr Coghlan has gone to great lengths to create an environment of openness and inclusion, and I have appreciated her generosity in arranging meetings between councillors and local stakeholders throughout the community,” Cr Ballard said in the meeting.
“Cr Coghlan has accredited herself well as deputy mayor and, with that in mind, it’s my belief that she should continue in the role.”