Jane Erkens and Scott Henschen hoping for a second term in council

After winning his seat by just four votes last time, Scott Henschen is set for a rematch against his former opponent while Jane Erkens has also revealed why she’s “qualified” to serve the South Burnett for another term.

Scott Henschen and Jane Erkens

With three councillors vacating their seat to run for mayor, there are three incumbents left and two of those are being challenged this year – Jane Erkins and Scott Henschen. Councillor Deneta Potter is elected unopposed and will retain her Division 3 seat.

Councillor Jane Erkens

Councillor Jane Erkens. Picture: Dominic Elsome

Councillor Jane Erkens was elected in 2022 in the Division 1 by-election after former councillor Roz Frohloff resigned after serving six years.

Ms Erkens wasn’t an unknown in the region, she was a high-profile businesswoman serving as the Nanango Chamber of Commerce president, a former real estate agent and former secretary of the Nanango Tourism and Development Association.

This year Ms Erkens will face off against local resident Tom De Weers who has also thrown his hat into the ring for Division 1.

Ms Erkens called her first 20 months an “apprentice period” and said she was now qualified for a further four years.

“While I’ve been in council now for 20 months, I feel that I’ve … learnt the system and I feel that I’m ready and qualified now to continue and see what I can actually get done for not only my division but also the entire region.”

Ms Erkens said she had learnt about the different areas where funding came from and the reasons why funds needed to be spent in specific areas.

“It is definitely a lot different to what I expected,” she said.

Cr Jane Erkens speaking during a council meeting. Picture: Dominic Elsome

She said it has been great to see achievements from her work in council like the funding for mental health with the opening of the head to health building in Kingaroy.

She also campaigned to reopen the once popular McCauley Weir which is set to reopen to the public in coming weeks.

“I’m really happy about the weir of course which many people will be taking advantage of,” she said

“The thing I’m most proud of is the way our community banded together to raise money for our Butter Factory Park.”

The idea came from a local resident who expressed concern about the lack of facilities for disabled children.

Ms Erkens helped put together events to fundraise for the park which had significant community involvement.

“It just goes to show what a wonderful community we have and one that I’m so proud to have been able to represent in the last 20 months,” she said.

“There are a lot more things that I would like to achieve … I feel I definitely have four years there to give.”

Ms Erkens is the portfolio representative for tourism and VICs, sport and recreation and commercial enterprises – saleyards, dams, aerodromes, cemeteries.

Councillor Scott Henschen

Cr Scott 'Hook' Henschen is hoping for another election win after a closely contested result in the last election. Photo: Laura Blackmore

Councillor Scott Henschen announced he will recontest his seat in this year’s election and is up against an old rival.

In 2020, Mr Henschen successfully unseated former councillor Ros Heit who is also running again this year in an attempt to reclaim the Division 6 seat.

The previous election was not without drama when Ms Heit looked poised to win a narrow victory until a recount of votes showed Mr Henschen had won by only four votes.

The third-generation farmer from Ironpot said he feels “humbled to continue his representation of both division 6 and the entire region.”

“Being rural through and through is one of the strongest assets I can bring along with my knowledge of natural resource management, rural and agricultural innovation, compliance and environmental health,” he said.

Projects in the works “need a concerted and guiding hand” and include the Wondai roundabout, Kumbia Sports and Recreational Park renewal and revitalisation and also making the renewable wind farm sector as “positive for the community as possible.”

Scott 'Hook' Henschen is running for a second term for Division 6.

Mr Henschen attended Kingaroy State High School before travelling throughout Queensland where he said he gained a deep understanding of farming and grazing in different parts of the country.

When he returned home, he put his knowledge into action on his successful contract harvesting and cartage operation at Ironpot.

Before becoming councillor, Mr Henschen was known throughout the South Burnett for organising the annual Reef ‘N’ Beef Extravaganza, which raised thousands of dollars for local charities.

He is currently the portfolio representative for natural resource management, rural services and agricultural innovation, compliance and environment health.