Kris Coeurleroi to run for Division 5 seat of North Burnett Regional Council

A software developer who fell in love with his country community but not the operational side of the local council has a promise for the people of Mt Perry should he be elected in March.

Kris Coeurleroi has announced his intention to run for the Division 5 seat of the North Burnett Regional Council. Image credit: Ryan Jorgensen.

When Kris Coeurleroi first moved to the Mount Perry region three years ago, he was shocked by the constant “negativity” surrounding the North Burnett Regional Council.

In March, he hopes to bring a positive change to the council by running for the Division 5 seat representing the Mount Perry region and has promised to return his council salary in the process.

The English expat and his partner initially moved to the region from Melbourne driven by a desire to integrate into the classic Australian culture associated with rural living.

After falling in love with the region, the pair sold up, found their “goldilocks” home in Mount Perry and quickly involved themselves in community initiatives, including the Rural Fire Brigade and art gallery.

Despite a love for the area, Mr Coeurleroi said he was initially put off by the constant negative talk directed at council operations, a sentiment he now understands.

Kris Coeurleroi has been critical of “paradoxical” council directives surrounding local multipurpose sporting facilities and the handling of the showgrounds trusteeship. Image credit: Ryan Jorgensen.

“When we first moved here, everyone was extraordinarily negative about how things go on,” he said.

“I just found it was a topic that kept coming up, coming up, and coming up, and then I started my own work in Mount Perry with grant applications and what I came across was quite remarkable.”

“I came across this stiff attitude, and weeks and weeks of delays.”

Over the years the software developer found himself working alongside the council representing the community voice and often came up against a “paradoxical, contradictory” council which hampered efforts towards local progress.

Through the years, Mr Coeurleroi said he developed a deeper understanding of local government processes and began fostering the idea to run for his own seat on the council.

Kris Coeurleroi has concerns over the divided capabilities of the elected and unelected members of the council. Image credit: Ryan Jorgensen.

“When you spend half an hour each day thinking about a campaign for two years, and really examining what’s going on in both the elected and non-elected offices you find you’ve actually got a comprehensive understanding of what’s going on,” he said.

As part of his decision to run for the Mount Perry division, Mr Coeurleroi said he intends to bring two key initiatives to a successful run for the council seat.

He plans on working with the community to demystify internal processes and provide insights into council capabilities, however most astoundingly has said he will return his salary (after tax and expenses) to Division 5.

While the framework for the return of the salary is ongoing, he said it would come down to an “autonomous” community decision not guided by any one organisation or initiative.

“The fact of the matter is, my remuneration is going to be published anyway, I don’t want it, so I will give it back to Mount Perry,” he said.

Originally published as Kris Coeurleroi to run for Division 5 seat of North Burnett Regional Council