New Bundaberg council portfolios include return of planning committee

‘New look’ portfolios have officially been assigned to the new Bundaberg Regional Council, with Mayor Helen Blackburn delivering on a key election promise.

Portfolios have been assigned for the newly elected Bundaberg Regional Council.

New look portfolios have been assigned to the recently elected Bundaberg Regional Council, with returning councillors taking on new responsibilities.

The council announced the new portfolios on April 30, with “a focus on heritage, integrity and renewable economy and the introduction of a planning and development committee”.

According to Mayor Helen Blackburn, careful consideration has been given to the distribution of the council’s responsibilities, with Ms Blackburn sticking to an election promise of returning the planning and development portfolio to the hands of a councillor.

The role was formerly overseen by the CEO Steve Johnston who resigned in early April, after former mayor Jack Dempsey lost the election.

Bundaberg Regional Council for the 2024-2028 term.

Further changes include the roads and infrastructure portfolios being divided among two councillors, with Division 2 councillor Bill Trevor overseeing the rural development portfolio while new councillor Larine Statham-Blair oversees the urban development.

“Residents will notice a new look to the portfolios where we have tried to find synergies between different areas and highlight matters which the community is telling us are important to them,” Ms Blackburn said.

“In particular I have ensured that under this new distribution of portfolios that heritage and integrity have been included as areas of responsibility because I know those are two key issues our community has told us need to be addressed.”

Ms Blackburn said the shifting of portfolios coupled with the “new look” was designed to take advantage of the skills of newly elected councillors.

“We have a number of new faces around the council table and each elected representative brings their own unique set of skills and experience,” she said.

“Much consideration has gone into how best to utilise these skills for the advantage of our community.”

According to a press release from the council, new committees have also been introduced with a focus on planning, development and the heritage of the region.

“Councillors are elected by residents to represent the community’s best interest and involvement across these committees ensures robust and transparent decision making,” Ms Blackburn said.

New Bundaberg council portfolios

Councillor: Mayor Helen Blackburn

Portfolio: Regional Development and Economic Policy

Committees: Planning and Development Committee, Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils, Wide Bay Burnett Regional Planning Committee, Local Disaster Management Group (chair), Audit and Risk Committee.

During her election campaign Mayor Helen Blackburn spoke on the need to return the planning and development portfolio to a councillor.

Councillor: Deputy Mayor and Division 4 representative Tracey McPhee

Portfolio: Community Resilience and Connection
Committees: Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils, Public Safety Consultative Committee (an Advisory Committee of the Bundaberg Safe Night Out Precinct Inc).

Division 4 councillor Tracey McPhee formerly oversaw the Community Services portfolio.

Councillor: Division 1 Jason Bartels

Portfolio: Natural Resources and Environment
Committees: Community Conservation Advisory Committee.

Jason Bartels formerly oversaw the Water and Wastewater portfolio.

Councillor: Division 2 Bill Trevor

Portfolio: Roads and Infrastructure (rural)

Committees: Wide Bay Burnett Regional Roads and Transport Group, Traffic Advisory Committee, Planning and Development Committee.

Councillor Bill Trevor’s portfolio has remained similar to his former Roads and Drainage portfolio.

Councillor: Division 3 Deb Keslake

Portfolio: Finance

Committees: Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council.

As a new addition to the Bundaberg council Deb Keslake has accepted the Finance portfolio.

Councillor: Division 5 Larine Statham-Blair

Portfolio: Roads and Infrastructure (urban)

Committees: Wide Bay Burnett Regional Roads and Transport Group, Traffic Advisory Committee, Planning and Development Committee, Local Disaster Management Group, Heritage Advisory Committee.

Larine Statham-Blair will managed the urban development of local roads and infrastructure. Image credit: Paul Beutel.

Councillor: Division 6 Carmen McEneany

Portfolio: Community, Liveability, Sport and Recreation

Committees: Reef Guardian Council, Planning and Development Committee, Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Council.

Division 6 councillor Carmen McEneany will oversee the new portfolio aimed at supporting community and liveability; key concerns of her election campaign.

Councillor: Division 7 Gary Kirk

Portfolio: Water, Waste and Renewable Economy

Committees: Bundaberg Landfill Facility Community Consultation Group, Coastal Burnett Groundwater Area Advisory Committee, Bundaberg Irrigators Advisory Committee, Planning and Development Committee.

As a new face on the council Gary Kirk will oversee the combined portfolios formerly held by Tanya McLoughlin and Jason Bartels

Councillor: Division 8 Steve Cooper
Portfolio: Tourism, Airport and Information Technology Services
Committees: Information Services Steering Advisory Committee, Bundaberg Tourism, Hinkler Hall of Aviation Trust.

Steve Cooper will take on a new role at the Bundaberg council, shifting away from his former Organisational Services portfolio.

Councillor: Division 9 May Mitchell

Portfolio: Governance and Integrity

Committees: Audit and Risk Committee.

May Mitchell’s newest portfolio appears to be a continuation of her former Health, Compliance and Enforcement portfolio. Image credit: Paul Beutel

Councillor: Division 10 John Learmonth
Portfolio: Arts, Heritage and Asset Management
Committees: Regional Arts Development Fund Committee, Heritage Advisory Committee.

Councillor John Learmonth portfolio also appears to be a continuation of his former Arts, Culture and Events portfolio.

Originally published as New Bundaberg council portfolios include return of planning committee