North Burnett Council election 2024: Council to have up to three new faces as closely-fought divisional race continues

While incumbent mayor Les Hotz is holding on to a slim lead, there could be up to three new faces sitting around the council table after the dust settles from a closely fought North Burnett Regional Council election.

James Taylor and Nicole Strathdee

less than 2 min read

March 20, 2024 - 3:14PM

There could be up to three new faces sitting around the North Burnett council table with incumbents Kingsley Mesner and Dael Giddins looking to have been defeated by their challengers.

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Incumbent mayor Les Hotz maintained a slim lead over former dairy farmer Robbie Radel in a closely fought North Burnett mayoral election.

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With 79.21 per cent of the votes counted on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Hotz had received 2289 votes (38.38 per cent of the total votes counted) ahead of Mr Radel on 1935 votes (32.44 per cent).

Incumbent mayor Les Hotz maintained a slim lead over his challengers and looks set to retain the North Burnett Council mayorship.

The third candidate, former division 4 councillor Peter Huth, received 1740 votes (29.18 per cent).

If successful, Mr Hotz will have some new faces around the council table with challengers leading incumbent councillors in two divisions.

Mundubbera business manager Trina Vaughan (314 votes, 37.16 per cent) held a small lead of 47 votes over challenger Malitha Guiney (267 votes, 31.60 per cent), with incumbent Kingsley Mesner (264 votes, 31.24 per cent) in third place with 76.21 per cent of the division 2 votes counted.

Incumbent division 2 councillor Kingsley Mesner (pictured) looks to have been defeated by his challengers, with Trina Vaughan leading the race.

Gayndah Newsagency employee Renee McGilvery looks to have defeated division 4 incumbent Dael Giddins, with Ms McGilvery leading on 54.73 per cent of the votes with 72.64 per cent of the votes counted.

Renee McGilvery (pictured) is poised to win the division 4 councillor election ahead of incumbent Dael Giddins.

The four-way race for division 6 councillor vacated by mayoral candidate Robbie Radel remained tight, with Moira Thompson (370 votes, 35.04 per cent) maintaining a widening lead over the nearest challenger Eddie Chandler (313 votes, 29.64 per cent) with 76.68 per cent of the votes counted.

Moira Thompson leads a close field in the division 6 councillor election.

Division 1 incumbent Melinda Jones is poised to retain her seat around the council table, receiving 66.53 per cent of the votes with 78.51 per cent of the total votes counted.

Melinda Jones looks to have successfully retained her seat as division 1 councillor.

Division 5 incumbent Michael Dingle (711 votes, 62.20 per cent) holds a seemingly unassailable lead over software developer Kris Coeurleroi (432 votes, 37.80 per cent) with 80.84 per cent of the votes counted.