Rockhampton mayor resigns over guilty misconduct finding

“As a matter of honour given the misconduct finding, I tendered my resignation to the chief executive officer this afternoon.”

Ms Strelow apologised to the community who might not have “a mayor who was not of your choosing”, but hoped the government would allow a by-election.

Ms Strewlow, who served as mayor for 16-and-a-half years after being a councillor for three years, believed she left the community in better shape.

“We have been through difficulties with cyclones, floods, de-amalgamation and the necessary but brutal budget which followed,” she said.

“And on the upside we have reimagined Rockhampton and grown a region to be proud of.

“I have always known and felt the support of the majority of the community and they were my inspiration and my strength.”

Ms Strelow urged council to “think outside the box”.

“Remember – you can’t shrink to greatness. Be bold,” she said.

“It has been a privilege to serve this amazing community as both councillor and mayor.

“I will never lose sight of the great honour you allowed me.”

Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry believed Ms Strelow was a victim of a witch hunt.

“I think she has been the victim of a witch hunt perpetrated by the Queensland State Labor Government,” she wrote on Facebook.

“I always thought the rules imposed on the regional local governments were draconian and out of touch with regional Queensland.”

Ms Landry said the news was devastating.

“Myself and Margaret agreed on most topics and she always wanted the best for Rockhampton,” she said.

“She has always been a tireless advocate for the region, often at the expense of her own standing within the Labor Party.”

Meanwhile, the Greens were thrilled to announce who would stand in Ms Strelow’s place.

“As the runner up in the last Rockhampton Mayoral election, local legend Chris ‘Pineapple’ Hooper appears poised to take up the role, in line with laws recently passed,” they said on Facebook.

“Chris is a staunch supporter of protestors and environmentalists in the region, and has often protested against the Adani Mine.”