Gary Kirk to run for election to Bundaberg Regional Council

Rebuilding the community’s trust in council and being ‘fair dinkum’ are two key tenets of former school principal and health board chair Gary Kirk, who believes Bundaberg needs a change of local government.

Gary Kirk is running for the Division 7 seat for the Bundaberg Regional Council.

Former respected Norville State School principal Gary Kirk has promised to bring a responsive and respectful attitude to the Bundaberg Regional Council after succumbing to years of encouragement to throw his hat into the ring.

Mr Kirk first moved to the Bundaberg region in 1992 to take on the principal position at Norville State School, a role he served for almost a decade until 2009.

With a drive to remain connected with his community, Mr Kirk accepted a position as chairperson and board member for the Bundaberg Hospital and Health Service Board, a role he served until 2017.

As Mr Kirk looks to the March 2024 local government elections and his intention to contest the Division 7 seat, he said he believes his working background with diverse communities and vital services gives him the best skills to represent the people of Norville and Svensson Heights.

He expressed a disappointment with the council, and without speaking for anyone else, said many in the community feel the same.

“I’m also of the belief that change is needed,” he said.

“The Bundaberg region is at a stage where it needs a different style of leadership within council, and I am not a person that just accepts things the way they are or remains silent.

“I like to be part of the solution.”

Mr Kirk said he currently had no firm election promises to bring to his campaign, but through a social media presence was calling on his local community to tell him what they were looking for in a Division 7 councillor.

Residents of Avenell Height, Norville and Svensson Heights can expect to see Gary Kirk's posters around their district.

He said he intends to act with seven key values during his campaign and wants to be a trustworthy, effective communicator, forthright, responsive, respectful, a creative and strategic thinker, visible, accessible and fair dinkum councillor if elected.

If elected, Mr Kirk said he wanted to work harder at connecting the hundreds of community groups across the region that help those in need.

“You’ve got people in these groups who are talented, passionate, dedicated and very, very knowledgeable,” he said.

“Bundaberg council has to be able to connect with those organisations, get them talking and working together.”

In all, Mr Kirk believes there is a lack of trust in the existing council, which has impacted the ability for people to respect those in charge.

“To do that you’ve got to be able to have a climate … where people trust the people who they’re talking to,” he said.

“I think one of the biggest challenges for a new council – if there’s going to be a new council – is developing that trust in community connectivity because I think over a significant period of time that has been lost.”

“When you burn bridges, they’re pretty hard to rebuild.”