Tablelands Mayor Kevin Cardew introduces council transparency reforms

Newly elected Tablelands Mayor Kevin Cardew has initiated several measures aimed at increasing transparency within the Tablelands Regional Council. During his first ordinary council meeting, Cardew proposed suspending pre-agenda meetings to facilitate more public debate and discussion during official council sessions. He also requested that council agendas be reviewed by the Mayor’s office before publication and that acronyms be removed from reports to improve clarity.

Cardew has moved to return the awarding of tenders to open council sessions, a departure from previous practices. Additionally, he proposed a resolution allowing the Mayor to appoint an acting CEO during vacancies or absences, though this specific resolution was not endorsed by the Council. The Mayor’s appointment follows the declaration of his election by the Electoral Commission of Queensland on September 1, 2026, which has left a vacancy in the Division 1 Councillor seat.

In the community, citizenship ceremonies have seen significant participation. In the Mareeba Shire, Mayor Angela Toppin welcomed 24 new citizens from various nations, including Argentina, China, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Across the Tablelands region, over 100 people have taken the oath of Australian citizenship so far this year.