General News
30 June, 2026
Bilney seeks top job
THE race to become the next Mayor of Tablelands Regional Council has begun, with Rod Marti announcing his resignation from the position late last week and his Deputy Dave Bilney confirming he will stand for the top job.
The outgoing Mayor told the council his decision to step away via a video message played at Thursday’s TRC meeting, saying he had made the call to go following “a serious medical event”.
He said he attended the Atherton Hospital emergency department on 20 May after experiencing a severe headache and was later flown to Townsville University Hospital for urgent treatment.
“After investigations, I was fortunate to have a medical procedure the following morning to address the cause of the pain,” he said.
“After two weeks of care and observation in hospital, I returned home. Since then, I have been recovering well, following the advice of my local GP and other health professionals.
“It is a relief to be home with my family on the Tablelands and to be returning to good health.”
But after speaking with his family and medical professionals, it “had become clear there was only one responsible pathway”.
Mr Marti, who served as Mayor for the past six years and was a Councillor from 2012-2016, said he was grateful to the community for its support over that time and it had “been a true privilege to serve this community”.
Mayor Marti also thanked council employees for their service to the region.
“Every organisation is only as good as its people, and this organisation has so many people dedicated to serving our community,” he said.
“The critical work delivered across council’s footprint every day, often against significant external and environmental challenges, deserves to be fully understood and acknowledged.
“Thank you for all that you do every day.”
His resignation has triggered the need for a by-election to fill the position, which must be held within two months.
Division 3 Cr Bilney has announced he will stand for the position.
“This election is about building on the strong foundations we’ve established – maintaining financial discipline, delivering essential infrastructure, and creating opportunities for every community across the Tablelands,” he said.
“Serving the people of the Tablelands has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. After careful consideration, I have decided to nominate because I believe our region deserves experienced, stable and accountable leadership that is focused on securing its long-term future.
“As a mayoral candidate, I bring experience gained through a career in banking, small business ownership in Atherton, and local government.
“Together, those experiences have shaped my approach to leadership – making considered decisions, managing finances responsibly, and planning for the long term while always remaining mindful of the impact on individuals, families and businesses across our community.
“Throughout my time on Council, I have always believed that leadership is about stewardship. It is about making decisions that are in the long-term interests of our communities, even when those decisions are not always the easiest or most popular.
“My commitment has always been to leave the Tablelands Regional Council stronger than I found it, ensuring future generations inherit a financially responsible Council that is well positioned to meet the challenges ahead.”
He said council had made significant progress strengthening its financial position, improving governance and transparency, investing in critical infrastructure, and fostering a culture focused on accountability, service delivery and long-term sustainability.
“While some decisions have been difficult and, at times, unpopular, they have been necessary to ensure council is positioned to meet the future needs of our growing communities,” he said.
“My focus is to ensure we continue planning responsibly, investing wisely, and supporting sustainable growth without compromising our long-term financial future.
“I am also committed to continuing strong advocacy for economic development, supporting local businesses, unlocking the full potential of tourism, and ensuring every community across the Tablelands has the opportunity to thrive.
“Leadership is about making decisions that are in the long-term interests of the community, even when they are not always the easiest decisions. If elected Mayor, I will continue to provide calm, transparent and accountable leadership, listen to our communities, and work collaboratively to deliver practical outcomes that benefit the entire region.
“I look forward to speaking with residents throughout the campaign, listening to their ideas and concerns, and sharing my vision for a strong, sustainable and prosperous Tablelands.”
