Neil Fisher, Elliot Hilse vie for Division 2 Rockhampton councillor

Elliot Hilse and Neil Fisher will go head-to-head for the councillor position. Read their profiles.

Elliot Hilse and Neil Fisher are both candidates for Division 2 councillor with Rockhampton Regional Council.

There are two candidates vying for the Division 2 Councillor position with Rockhampton Regional Council as incumbent councillor Neil Fisher will go head-to-head at the polls with newcomer Elliot Hilse.

The division takes in Frenchville, Mount Archer, Koongal and the southern part of Norman Gardens.

Rockhampton Regional Council Deputy Mayor Neil Fisher and Mayor Tony Williams hand down the 2022/2023 Budget

Mr Fisher has held the councillor role since 2012, and had formerly served one term when it was Rockhampton City Council in 2000.

He has also been Deputy Mayor and chair of the Airport, Water and Waste Committee and closely involved with Fitzroy River Water.

ELLIOT HILSE

Elliot Hilse, Division 2 councillor candidate for Rockhampton Regional Council.

Elliot Hilse, 45, put his name forward as he hopes to bring “something new to the table and have a positive effect and a change for the better”.

The married father-of-three described himself as easy going and will give anything a try and I never give up if he starts something.

“I am someone who can be relied upon when the going gets tough,” he said.

As he has been out and about on his election trail and speaking with residents in Division 2, Mr Hilse said he had found people’s main concerns were the lack of park and tree maintenance, along with increasing rates, dump fees and crime.

“I’ve been a hard worker my whole life, so I will bring a ‘no rubbish’ attitude to the job and just get things done within a budget,” he said.

“Just like a family, (a) household has to run to a budget.”

Mr Hilse grew up on Archerview on Frenchville Road, originally a cattle farm that was later diversified into a fruit orchard.

After that he lived all over Australia and Europe and came back to Archerview about 12 years ago and has lived there ever since.

“People may be surprised to know that I have never worked in an office and I’m not very good with computers, but I think this will give me a unique perspective, when becoming a councillor,” he said.

Mayor Tony Williams and deputy mayor Neil Fisher at the redeveloped playground at Rockhampton Botanic Gardens on March 11, 2023. Picture: Aden Stokes

NEIL FISHER

Koongal local Neil Fisher has more than a decade under his belt as councillor.

“I take a lot of pride in the investments in Division 2, such as the redevelopment of Fraser Park on the Mount Archer summit which has been a passion of mine over the years,” he said.

“I feel the final stage of the beautification of the summit needs to be completed, and the next stage of the walkway beside Pilbeam Drive is to be started.

More ongoing project priorities include the continuation of the safe walking paths throughout Division 2, the walkways on Norman Road, Thozet Road and Pilbeam Drive and upgrade to Dean Street to name a few.

“With the number of young families in the division, playgrounds have also been a high priority during this term, and I would like to see upgrades to Duthie Park during the next council term to include playground, public toilets and more seating,” Mr Fisher said.

“I have also been chairman of the Rockhampton Airport which is another area of great pride for me.

“When I began this position in 2012, the airport did not have a long-term vision.

“This was the first thing to change. Today, the Rockhampton Airport is one of the most vibrant airports in regional Australia, and now has direct flight destinations to Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Mackay, the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.”

He is also the chair of Local Authority Waste Management Action Committee, a not-for-profit association representing the regional areas of Central and Northern Queensland.

In terms of election issues, Mr Fisher said cost of living pressure, youth crime and the infestation of our waterways with weeds are front of mind for the community.

“These and other issues are of great concern to members of our community and I continue to work with other levels of governments to have the concerns of Division 2 heard,” he said.