Meet your newly elected North Burnett Regional Council

The votes are in, counted, and the winners of this year's council election have been declared. Meet the new council, which will include some familiar faces in the chambers for the next four years.

The newly elected North Burnett Regional Council.

The 2024 local government elections have officially come to a close, with several new faces to make an appearance in the North Burnett council chambers over the next term.

Risks were certainly taken during the race for seats, with the former Division 6 councillor Robbie Radel fighting a losing battle for the top job as mayor, which was ultimately retained by incumbent Les Hotz.

By virtue of his race for mayor, Mr Radel gave up a chance to retain his divisional seat and has officially lost his position within the council altogether.

Long time council worker and former Division 4 councillor Dael Giddins also lost her seat in this year's race, as did Division 2 incumbent Kingsley Mesner.

Meet your new North Burnett Regional Council here:

Mayor – Les Hotz

Incumbent Les Hotz was able to retain his seat as mayor despite a hotly contested race against former Division 6 councillor Robbie Radel and former councillor Peter Huth.

Despite the voting remaining close between Mr Hotz and Mr Radel for much of the count, Mr Hotz came out as clear victor with 38.14 per cent of the votes, ahead of Mr Radel with 32.73 per cent and Mr Huth with 29.13 per cent of the votes.

Preferences gave Mr Hotz the win 53.3 per cent of the final vote.

While his election campaign was quieter than others across the region, it’s clear North Burnett residents were satisfied with his previous term in office.

Mr Hotz was first declared Mayor of the region in 2022, after winning the seat as a result of by-election following the unexpected resignation of Rachel Chambers from the seat.

Les Hotz North Burnett Mayor 2024.

Division 1 – Melinda Jones

Incumbent Melinda Jones was the clear winner in the race for the Division 1 seat, taking out 66.67 per cent of the votes over challenger David Rofe.

The upcoming term will be Mrs Jones second in the council chambers, following her election in 2020.

As part of her election campaign, Mrs Jones promised to maintain her commitment to sharing the voices of the community.

The long-time Monto resident has a history with the council and beyond her term as incumbent has served as the North Burnett community capacity builder with APM – partners in the community for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Melinda Jones will continue to serve as the Division 1 councillor for the North Burnett Regional Council.

Division 2 – Trina Vaughan

As one of the new faces to the North Burnett council chambers, Trina Vaughan will replace incumbent Kingsley Mesner for the Division 2 seat.

The former stockwoman and educator turned Mundubbera business manager, Mrs Vaughan said during her election campaign she hoped to be a spokeswoman for the community.

During her time managing a local Mundubbera business, Mrs Vaughan said she became a talking post for locals, who were looking for a way to share their concerns.

“Throughout my conversation that’s what I’ve been hearing the most,” she said during her election campaign.

“People are dissatisfied because they don’t feel as though they are being listened too.”

Trina Vaughan has won the Division 2 seat of the North Burnett Regional Council.

Division 3 – Susan Payne

Incumbent Susan Payne ran an uncontested election for the Division 3 seat of the North Burnett council.

This term will mark her second in the seat as councillor after three-plus decades living in the region, where she has become entrenched in initiatives including as chair of North Burnett Community Service Inc and supporting the Mundubbera Show Society, Jaycettes, Central Burnett Landcare and Burnett Catchment Care Association.

Susan Payne will retain her seat as the Division Three councillor of the North Burnett.

Division 4 – Renee McGilvery

The second new face to the council chambers, Renee McGilvery beat out incumbent Dael Giddins for the Division 4 seat of the North Burnett council.

Despite a close race, Mrs McGilvery was a clear winner with 55.15 per cent of the votes over Mrs Giddins’ 44.85 per cent.

During her election campaign Mrs McGilvery introduced herself to the region as an employee for the Gayndah Newsagency.

She shared her connection to the region, which stems to her grandchildren, and several properties she owns in the area.

“We all want to see our town prosper and get back to the proudly kept beautiful town we once had,” she said.

Renee McGilvery has been elected as the councillor for Division 4 of the North Burnett council.

Division 5 – Michael Dingle

Incumbent Michael Dingle has retained his seat in the council chambers with 61.98 per cent of the votes, beating out newcomer Kris Coeurleroi who won 38.02 per cent of the votes.

The grazier is a known resident in the Mount Perry region and first began working for local government in 1979, in a career that included dedication to the regional road network before he stepped into office in 2020.

His re-election into the council chambers will mark his second term in office.

Michael Dingle has retained his seat as the Division 5 councillor for the North Burnett council

Division 6 – Moira Thompson

The seat vacated by Mr Radel in his tilt for mayor became the region’s most contested, with four candidates vying for the position.

Newcomer Moira Thompson was a clear victor with 34.86 per cent of the votes (53 per cent after preferences), with Eddie Chandler following behind with 29.73 per cent, Glen Martin with 23.97 per cent and Michelle Bailey with 11.44 per cent.

While Mrs Thompson's previous campaign for the seat in 2o20 was unsuccessful, she comes into the position with a desire to remain open and accessible to those who have concerns with current council processes.

Moira Thompson has been elected into the Division 6 seat of the North Burnett council.