By law, the council needed to hold the election before December 28, and Queensland Local Government Minister Ann Leahy promised there would be no voting over the Christmas period. Leahy approved the council's request for a postal vote, setting the polling day.
Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said voters should ensure their registered address is correct. "We will mail a ballot pack to every enrolled voter, so if you have an old postal address listed, you may not receive your voting materials," he said.
Nominations officially open next Tuesday, but five candidates have already put up their hands. Deputy mayor Julie Talty, councillor Rowanne McKenzie and former Labor member for Capalaba Don Brown are the most high-profile candidates so far. Local lawyer Jasmin Person and former One Nation and Trumpet of Patriots candidate Gary Williamson are also on the ballot. As many as five councillors are expected to run for mayor.
Talty officially entered the race on Thursday, promising steady leadership. The daughter of a Nationals state MP and a former LNP state candidate for Springwood, she has been acting mayor since Mitchell went on medical leave in May and has served as a councillor since 2012. "I'm running because the Redlands doesn't need more uncertainty or a mayor learning on the job," she said. "We need calm, steady leadership from day one."
Brown has been the most prolific campaigner so far, declaring he would attempt to cut the number of councillors from 10 to six, a change he said would save ratepayers an estimated $2.4 million over a four-year term. "In Brisbane, each councillor represents around 32,500 voters," he said. "In Ipswich, it's approximately 19,500. Yet in Redlands, each councillor represents only around 12,000 voters." Brown has also vowed to oppose the Olympic whitewater centre being built in the council area for the Brisbane 2032 Games.
Mitchell cited a culture of bullying at the bayside local government.