Bundaberg council election 2024: Mike Paul to run for Division 9

An engineer with an eye for detail has said a massive staff turnover was having the biggest impact on day-to-day efficiencies of the Bundaberg council, an issue he promises to address if elected on March 16.

Mike Paul will run for Division 9 of the Bundaberg Regional Council.

An engineer with an eye for detail has said staff turnover rates are having the biggest impact on day-to-day efficiencies of the Bundaberg council, an issue he promises to address if elected into the council chamber in March.

Mike Paul has officially thrown his hat into the ring for Division 9 of the Bundaberg Regional Council, a decision the father-of-two said was driven by those in the community asking him to come forward.

If elected, it would not be the first time Mr Paul has worked for the council, as through his years as an engineer and manager with the council he gained a firm understanding of the everyday policies and daily processes.

Hinkler shopping centre sells for $107million

Mr Paul said over the years he had followed reports, and studied the council’s publicised finances.

A key concern jumped out to him, which he believes explains several issues within the council include a dying internal culture, a weakening of minimal services and a lack of communication.

“The council was turning over 120 staff a year in mid-2018, and the vacancy rates have now doubled to 250,” he said.

“If you’re turning over staff that much you don’t get the work done, you’re spending time training these people and services are suffering.

“I thought it needs to be addressed and I am standing up to try and change that.”

‘Back to basics’: Foreman demands transparency, grassroots approach

Mike Paul will run for Division 9 of the Bundaberg Regional Council.

The fourth generation Bundaberg local said his experiences working for and with the council on independent and public projects gave him the springboard to launch into the council, while other candidates would need time to understand everyday processes.

Speaking anecdotally, Mr Paul said internal policies were holding staff back and claimed many former council colleagues had come to him with concerns relating to everything from major projects not being completed to everyday standards not being met.

“You need to look at why people are turning over a lot of staff and address those reasons to try and limit that,” he said.

“People have to be happy to go to work and that’s what we will need to get back to, people need to enjoy their work.”