Andrew Antoniolli claims Ipswich by-election win

Ipswich councillor Andrew Antoniolli has called victory in today's by-election to replace long-serving mayor Paul Pisasale.

Mr Pisasale was mayor of Ipswich for 13 years before he resigned suddenly in June amid corruption allegations.

Mr Antoniolli was leading the count on Sunday afternoon with 32,355 votes, ahead of rival and acting mayor Paul Tully's 28,801 votes, with 80 percent of the vote counted.

The Electoral Commission Queensland is yet to formally announce a winner.

The former policeman considered himself the underdog of the two favourites, and said Mr Tully had conceded in a text message that read: "Congratulations, Mr Mayor."

"I'm happy to be claiming victory," Mr Antoniolli said.

"The first thing to do is actually establish a new look council, who will be the deputy mayor, the new committee roles and responsibilities," he added.

"We have to establish how we're going to continue business at the council ... and from there work through individual policies that I've set down to be achieved.

Mr Antoniolli, who has Labor affiliations but ran as an independent, said he'd put forward the names of councillors Wayne Wendt and David Morrison for the deputy mayor role.

Mr Tully was contacted for comment.

Mr Pisasale resigned citing complications from his multiple sclerosis, but it was later revealed he had allegedly been stopped at Melbourne airport with $50,000 cash.

The Crime and Corruption Commission has raided his home and office as part of an ongoing investigation.