North Burnett council election 2024: Who are the candidates so far?
The race is officially on for the 2024 local government elections. These are the 17 people who have so far announced they will run for North Burnett council, their background and what they stand for.
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The race to the 2024 North Burnett Regional Council election is officially underway with several candidates having a tilt at seats.
With the council now in caretaker mode final announcements for candidacy have sprung forward, as nominations close at midday today, February 13.
The mayoral fight is shaping up to be a spirited campaign, with incumbent Les Hotz up against former deputy mayor Robbie Radel, with former councillor Peter Huth also throwing his hat into the ring.
Voters will head to the polls on March 16 to decide the North Burnett council for the next four years.
Meet all council and mayoral candidates as lodged with the Queensland Electoral Commission below:
North Burnett mayoral candidates
Les Hotz
Incumbent
Despite registering with the Queensland Electoral Commission, mayoral incumbent Mr Hotz has been quiet about his re-election campaign.
The former Division 2 councillor was elected into the top job in 2022 after a by-election was triggered by the shock resignation of Rachel Chambers in late 2021.
According to the mayoral candidate’s council profile, the Monto resident has a long history with local governance stemming from time spent in payroll, accounts and senior management.
The father-of-four also owns a small land holding in the North Burnett, which he reportedly runs cattle on.
Robbie Radel
Councillor incumbent
North Burnett’s deputy mayor Robbie Radel has announced he will go head-to-head with incumbent Les Hotz at the upcoming elections with a promise to ‘redirect’ the council.
The former dairy farmer and incumbent Division 6 councillor made the announcement early, confirming he would step forward for the top job after watching his own family business close for reasons outside of his control.
“The closing down of our dairy business highlighted to me, as a farmer, just exactly how much out on a limb and isolated small rural businesses can be and how it can all be lost in the blink of an eye,” he said.
“My recent experiences have highlighted to me, more than ever, that we need to build resilience in our farming communities and whether this be through diversifying our local economy or supporting our local producers through economic development initiatives we need to do more as a council to ensure the future growth of our region.”
Peter Huth
Former North Burnett councillor
The final candidate to throw his hat in the ring for the top job at the North Burnett council has been quiet about his candidacy.
Peter Huth was only officially listed as mayoral candidate with the Electoral Commission Queensland on Tuesday February 13, hours before nominations closed.
It is believed Mr Huth is the former Gayndah Shire mayor and Division 4 councillor of the North Burnett and has served in local government since 1994.
Mr Huth has not yet created an online presence, and there is little known about his campaign or what changes he intends to bring to the North Burnett Regional Council if elected.
North Burnett council Division 1 candidates
Melinda Jones
Incumbent
The Division 1 incumbent announced her intention to contest her seat for the North Burnett council on Facebook on Tuesday, February 13.
The long-time Monto resident has a history with the council and beyond her term as incumbent has served as the North Burnett community capacity builder with APM – partners in the community for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Speaking on her decision to contest her seat, Mrs Jones said despite a demanding term as councillor her drive to remain committed to the region has sparked her re-election campaign.
“Throughout my term I have questioned myself as to ‘why am I doing this’ as there has been moments when I have been stretched to the point of breaking, been abused, been disrespected and even had to sacrifice being there for my family,” she said.
“But then I remind myself of the ‘why’ and that was I wanted to be your voice.
“To ensure that your thoughts, opinions and ideas are represented around the board table, which I have done so.
“Even when opposed by fellow councillor or even my own opinions.”
David Rofe
Former police officer
2020 council candidate David Rofe has once again nominated for the North Burnett council, with his nomination officially listed with the ECQ on Tuesday, February 13.
The former Mount Perry police officer ran against Councillor Michael Dingle in 2020, but it appears Mr Rofe has changed tact for this year’s divisional nomination.
North Burnett council Division 2 candidates
Kingsley Mesner
Incumbent
Kingsley Mesner is hoping to return to his Division 2 seat after being welcomed into the council chamber following the same 2022 by-election which elevated Les Hotz to the position of mayor.
The lifelong North Burnett local was raised in Eidsvold and undertook schooling in Mundubbera before working a number of jobs across the region including as a postman in Eidsvold, a Telecom linesman in Monto and for RG Mobbs in Mundubbera.
The candidate has been quiet about his nomination online, with little insight given into his re-election campaign.
Malitha Guiney
Little is known about the Division 2 candidate, who will contest the council seat against incumbent Kingsley Mesner and others to run for the position.
Trina Vaughan
Business manager
Former stockwoman and educator turned Mundubbera business manager Trina Vaughan has announced her intention to run for the Division 2 seat of the North Burnett council.
With three decades of experience on cattle properties across Queensland and the Burnett, and years of experience as a contract musterer, Mrs Vaughan believes she has the communication skills and regional knowledge to succeed in the council chambers.
Mrs Vaughan said she was not bringing any one goal or election promise to her campaign, but will represent the concerns as presented to her by the community.
“Throughout my conversation that’s what I’ve been hearing the most,” she said.
“People are dissatisfied because they don’t feel as though they are being listened too.”
North Burnett council Division 3 candidates
Susan Payne
Incumbent
According to the list of registered candidates recorded with the Electoral Commission Queensland, incumbent Susan Payne will run uncontested at the upcoming local council election.
In her three-plus decades living in the region, Mrs Payne has become entrenched in initiatives including as chair of North Burnett Community Service Inc and supporting the Mundubbera Show Society, Jaycettes, Central Burnett Landcare and Burnett Catchment Care Association.
The North Burnett resident confirmed her candidacy on her Facebook page, thanking those who supported her throughout her previous term in the council chambers.
“Thank you for your support and trust over the past four years. It’s been a privilege,” she said.
“Now with four years of challenge, listening, reading, learning, networking, questioning, reading, highs, lows, battles, reading, losses and wins behind me, I confirm I will be standing for re-election in Division 3.”
North Burnett council Division 4 candidates
Dael Giddins
Incumbent
Lifelong Gayndah local Dael Giddins has been confirmed to make a run for the Division 4 seat of the North Burnett council according to the Electoral Commission Queensland.
The incumbent is known across the region for her out-and-about presence in the community and is a key driver in events including the Gayndah Orange Festival.
Her commitment to grounds spans into her executive positions within the Gayndah Rotary Club, Central Regional Little Athletics and Gayndah Orange Festival Committee, while being an active member of the Gayndah CWA, Gunther Op Shop and Gayndah District Netball Association.
Ms Giddins first joined the council at 15 years old and has served and worked for the council for more than four decades.
Renee McGilvery
Newsagent
Little is known about the Gayndah division candidate Renee McGilvery, who announced her run for the council chambers on Facebook on February 13.
The candidate introduced herself to the region as an employee for the Gayndah Newsagency and encouraged those in the region to stop and meet her and learn more about her candidacy.
She shared her connection to the region, which stems to her grandchildren, and several properties she owns in the area.
“We all want to see our town prosper and get back to the proudly kept beautiful town we once had,” she said.
“I would be proud to be your advocate and voice for local government.”
North Burnett council Division 5 candidates
Kris Coeurleroi
Software developer
Kris Coeurleroi hopes to bring a positive change to the council by representing the Mount Perry region of the North Burnett council and has promised to return his council salary in the process.
The software developer first moved to the region three years ago, and said he was shocked by the constant negative talk surrounding the council.
“When we first moved here, everyone was extraordinarily negative about how things go on,” he said.
The candidate is hoping to bring a fresh perspective to the council chambers and work closely with other councillors to demystify internal processes for the community.
Michael Dingle
Incumbent
Division 5 incumbent Michael Dingle has officially registered his re-election campaign with the Electoral Commission Queensland, as the weeks count down to voting.
The grazier is a known resident in the Mount Perry region and first began working for local government in 1979, in a career that included dedication to the regional road network before he stepped into office in 2020.
Little is known about Mr Dingle’s re-election campaign or what concerns he intends to address if elected in March.
North Burnett council Division 6 candidates
Eddie Chandler
Biggenden man Eddie Chandler confirmed his nomination for the Division 6 seat of the North Burnett Regional Council on his Facebook page, sharing one short message to the people of the region.
“A strong voice for the electorate focusing on a return to providing high quality services to the public,” he said.
Little is known about the council candidate, who according to his Facebook page is the co-owner of the local post office.
Mr Chandler is one of four candidates eyeing off the council seat, making it the most contested division of the North Burnett.
Glen Martin
Aged care maintenance officer
Mr Martin said his decision to renominate for the council was spurred on by Robbie Radel’s choice to run for mayor instead of contesting his incumbent seat in Division 6.
The aged care maintenance officer said his campaign was backed by the community, which has shared key concerns with him over the years.
“Over the years the community have brought to my attention several issues; public toilets, accessibility, crime, water, maintaining of roads, more control of feral animals for farmers but most of all the beautification in and around our town of Biggenden,” Mr Martin said.
Moira Thompson
Biggenden woman Moira Thompson has once again put her hand up for the Division 6 seat of the North Burnett Regional Council following an unsuccessful campaign in 2020.
She has emphasised her desire to remain open and accessible to those who have concerns with current council processes.
Mrs Thompson confirmed her re-election campaign online, with a promise to be a spokeswoman for those in the Biggenden and wider community.
“I have the time to listen and act on your behalf,” she said.
“Let’s make Division 6 the best place to live and a destination for recreation.”
Michelle Bailey
Business owner
Michelle Bailey hit the ground running with her campaign in the Division 6 seat of the North Burnett council, sharing insights into her candidacy online.
The business owner has had decades of connections to the North Burnett region through her family's former ownership of the Cania Gorge Caravan Park.
She confirmed her decision to run for council was sparked by a desire to see the Division 6 regions “grow and prosper” intending to use her business savvy to support her possible seat in the council chambers.
“Now it’s time to get to the business of helping to make our new community amazing, prosperous and invulnerable, to preserve our way of life for our families, our farms, our neighbours by bringing unity back into our community,” she said.
“I have a very strong sense of integrity and doing the right thing, of justice and a determined passion when it comes to making our community a priority.”
If you are a candidate in the North Burnett council election and your profile is not yet included in this article, or you would like to share more details about your candidacy please email: nicole.strathdee@news.com.au
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