Robbie Radel to run for North Burnett council top job

Well known North Burnett councillor and farmer Robbie Radel wants to be the regions’s next mayor, not only because he believes he can unite a ‘misdirected’ council, but because he can now dedicate himself to the top job.

A long-time North Burnett councillor has put his hand up for the top job when Qld goes to the polls on March 16, following years of what he calls council misdirection and a lack of unity.

Division 6 councillor Robbie Radel said much of his decision was driven by the recent closure of his inter-generational dairy.

In December 2023, Mr Radel revealed the forced closure of his family’s 117-year-old dairy, following a period of bitter dispute with his former milk processor which resulted in him being left with no way to sell his milk.

Mr Radel said the nature of the closure, sparked by circumstances beyond his control, drove home to him the need for the region to be guided by someone with a strong understanding of the risks small business owners take every day.

“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.”

Robbie Radel and his family spent years working with the community to provide locally produced dairy products.

Mr Radel said he had considered running for mayor at the 2022 by-election, but remained a councillor because of his commitment to the family business.

“Obviously with the level of commitment required to be a successful small business owner, despite the fact I felt I was the best person to run for mayor at the by-election, I knew that I did not have the time to dedicate to the role so did not run,” he said.

“I now have the time, passion and experience required to fulfil the role completely.”

Speaking on the future of the council and ongoing financial difficulties plaguing growth, Mr Radel said he believed a large number of internal issues arose following the by-election triggered by what he called a failure in unity and direction.

“The sad reality is through a lack of strong leadership, one of the biggest problems we have is a board table who seem unable to come up with decisions without it getting personal or nitpicking going on,” he said.

Robbie Radel announces his bid to run for mayor of the North Burnett Regional Council.

“Until such time as there is a strong leader, nipping the pettiness in the bud and council being able to show a united front, we can’t expect community, let alone upper levels of government to respect or support us.”

Mr Radel said this lack of leadership had contributed to the “mixed messages” shared by the council over financial stability and the capabilities of the council chamber.

“If elected mayor, my role will be to lead council in improving our communications process with the community, not only on public understanding of council capability but also the role of the elected council versus the operations of council,” he said.

Under current Queensland election policy a candidate can not run as both councillor and mayor.

“That is also a part of the reason I am running for mayor. I could not sit around the table for another four years as an ordinary councillor knowing we are treading water or going backwards without strong leadership,” he said.

Originally published as Robbie Radel to run for North Burnett council top job