At the previous election in 2012, councillor Team Jenny Hill narrowly won the mayoralty following the retirement of Les Tyrell.

Seven Townsville First candidates were elected, while only two members of Hill's team won seats.

On 21 October 2015, businesswoman and Townsville Fire chairwoman Jayne Arlett announced she would run for mayor.

[2] In December 2015, she announced she would run a team of candidates in all wards, which included incumbent Townsville First councillors Ray Gartrell, Sue Blom, Gary Eddiehausen, Trevor Roberts and Tony Parsons.

First-term independent councillor Pat Ernst announced in November 2015 that he would not seek re-election in Division 5.