Everyone running in the Western Downs local council elections 2024
With a strong passion and interest with decades of experience in business and the area, meet the 13 candidates vying for a seat at council’s decision-making table for the next four years.
Dalby
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With the countdown on to the election, we’ve compiled a list of Western Down councillor profiles with 13 people running for the nine roles.
With long-running Mayor Paul McVeigh not up for re-election, two mayoral candidates have put their name forward.
Andrew Smith
Incumbent councillor and deputy mayor Andrew Smith is taking his shot for Western Downs Mayor in the March 16 local council elections.
Mr Smith has served four terms in council, with the last two as deputy mayor.
A life member of Condamine Cod rugby and last year’s coach of the Codettes’ 7s rugby team, he was born and raised on a property and his family own and operated Condamine Hotel for around 30 years, now running a multigenerational cattle and farming enterprise.
These experiences he said, provided him “with not only an understanding of our communities but a clear vision of what it takes to be a successful team of councillors”.
“I also understand that our communities are constantly changing, as a council we must be mobile and adapt to that change for the betterment of our regions future,” Mr Smith said.
He said he was running for mayor because “it is important that we take every opportunity that is good for our region and to do that it is critical that council is well organised and united, that has been the recipe for success as a council over recent times”.
Mr Smith said his priorities were to “lead a united team” with financial strength, bulk water and housing.
“The role of mayor is to lead the council team, my success as a mayor will be judged heavily around the council team being united and respectful with the freedom to share their views,” he said.
During his time as deputy mayor he held the portfolio of planning, environment and agribusiness and has a background in small business, retail and agriculture.
Glenn Strandquist
Having lived just outside Jandowae for some time, Glenn Strandquist has experience in small business ownership, has been an active member of the Chamber of Commerce for many years, is connected with the rural sector of Western Downs though farming operation at Jandowae, and has had involvement with resource and energy sector as a land owner and community consolation group participant.
This will be Mr Strandquist’s fifth consecutive run for a seat on the Western Downs council, and he is aiming for the position of mayor.
He said he had a passion for local government and its role in our communities and “positive conversations with business and community leaders across council area”.
His three priorities are the “traditional roads and rubbish, a proactive approach to fire and flood mitigation, a meaningful community engagement that has the opportunity to influence council decision making, improve council’s role in making it easy for small/medium business to set up, trade and grow.”
“My role as your chosen mayor is that I recognise and capture councillor individual skill, ideas, energy, experience and enthusiasm and bring that together under my
leadership, to offer respectful, responsible, stable, meaningful governance within whole of Western Downs,” he said.
These are your councillor candidates.
Kaye McGuire
Going for her third term as councillor, Kaye McGuire brings business expertise in “banking, running and growing my own bus company, travel agency and providing tours locally, nationally and internationally”.
She is proudly born and bred in Chinchilla and is deeply involved in the local community serving on a number of committees and has held the council portfolio of community and cultural development.
She is running for her third time so she can continue “to ensure we embrace and encourage our volunteers, older citizens, youth, young mums and bubs and those with specialist needs with events, attractive spaces and advocacy”.
Her top priorities are local roads, water security and council facilities to provide liveability.
“In these unprecedented flood, drought and fire seasons, connectivity for our intensive ag, farming and business communities are continually assessed and planned upgrades and maintenance must and will receive proactive investment,” she said.
“Western Downs Council is a large and very diverse business and runs budgets in the millions of dollars.
“Councillors must have a broad range of skills and experience in budgeting, planning, laws, strategy, and finance.”
Greg Olm
Brigalow resident Greg Olm is taking a shot once again for council after losing the last term’s election after a 16-year run as councillor.
During the years he was in council, he said he has “worked across multiple disciplines and has a good understanding of the rural community”.
“Since downsizing my farm and grazing responsibilities I feel I have the time, energy and passion to commit to this role,” he said.
Building better roads and infrastructure, improving marketing and tourism, and “ensuring funds are allocated to important projects across the region,” were his top three priorities, he said.
“Being prepared to listen, always respond to complaints in a timely manner and follow up on ratepayers concerns,” is what he said he believed the role of councillor was about.
Kylie Bourne
Kylie Bourne grew up in Drillham, west of Miles, and said her “appreciation for regional communities was forged at a very young age”.
She was elected as a councillor in 2020, and she served her first term holding the portfolio of tourism, events and regional promotion.
Now she is running for a second term, and said she had the experience of understanding the regions, the skills to benefit it, can meet challenges head on and drive for outcomes and opportunities.
She said she had more than 30 years working and volunteering at a grassroots level, and “brings a range of skills and appreciations that provide a diverse understanding in relation to local government, education, liveability, community, landholder impacts, tourism, arts and culture”.
She is also “immensely proud to be a Western Downsite, in a region where we rise above adversity and disaster, something we’ve had our fair share of in recent times”.
“Where we engage, challenge, step up, deliver, stay true to our values, and care about each other.”
Her vision for the future is “where liveability is underpinned by a strong and diverse economy with employment opportunities, enabling our region to grow and prosper.”
She said water, housing, and connectivity were important as “shared advocacy pieces where regional councils can work together”.
For Ms Bourne the role of a councillor is about “being strategic, future focused”, which was at her “core”.
“The greater opportunities and outcomes are achieved by looking forward,” she said.
“It’s a partnership. It’s about the team working together.”
George Moore
Miles and Condamine farmer and businessman George Moore is eyeing off a fourth term in council.
He served as councillor and deputy mayor for two terms before his attempt to run for mayor ended in a four-year council break.
He is eyeing off his second consecutive term after being re-elected in 2020 and holding the portfolio of works and technical services.
He said he brings “years of community involvement and local government leadership skills and experience to the table” with a “deep understanding of local issues”.
“I have a proven track record of bringing people together to find solutions,” he said.
Mr Moore said he was running for another term as councillor because he was “passionate about making a positive impact in the community”.
“I believe as a councillor I can help shape the future of our region and improve the lives of our residents and make our communities a better place to live and do business,” he said.
Roads, a reliable and sustainable water supply, and “enhancing communication networks” are three issue he said were “critical for the development and prosperity of our region”.
“I believe the role of a councillor is to serve as a voice for the community, to advocate to for their needs and concerns and to make decisions that benefit the region as a whole,” he said.
Kathy Prenzler
Kathy Prenzler said the experience she gained from working in retail for Woolworths, owning and operating her own post office has given her a “good understanding of procedure and protocol”.
“This time in my life I would like to give back to the community and now have the time to do it,” she said.
Her priorities are listening to what people want, roads and making sure the Western Downs has a “dynamic future”.
She said she believed the role of councillor to be about “talking and listening to people, thinking about their concerns, ideas, and doing anything can be achieved to get a positive outcome.
Megan James
With a background in business consulting, marketing and communications, Megan James is vying for her second term as councillor.
For the last four years, Ms James has held the council portfolios of strategic communications and council facilities.
With a “varied path to local government” Ms James said she “has enjoyed the opportunity to weave her professional and personal experiences into her role as councillor”.
She said she would bring “energy, empathy and experience” to the role with her time spent attending arts, culture and sport events, and an upbringing “underpinned by faith”.
She has spent time volunteering at fire evacuation shelters, is married with three children, and along with 30 years of experience working in public affairs she said she has taken the role as councillor “with determination, building my knowledge around relevant legislation, rating, planning, strategy and policy”.
Her priorities for the region are to ensure stability, create liveable communities, and advocate for the community.
“I started my tenure in council just after a flood, during Covid lock down, and looking back over the last four years, we’ve actually been through a lot,” she said.
“Keeping the ship steady and maintaining our strength as a region is vital.
“The energy transition is big and complex, we need serious investment in new water, and better outcomes for health, housing, roads and connectivity.”
Sophie Bougoure
A sixth-generation resident of the Western Downs, Sophie Bougoure grew up in Tara and describes herself as a “passionate advocate” for the community.
She spent four years in the Australian navy and two years in England before returning to Tara.
“My experience and understanding revolve around a blend of youthfulness and forward-thinking perspective,” she said.
“My aim is to make decisions today that will pave the way for a brighter future for generations to come.”
She said her run for council was driven by “the diminishing connection between councils and community governance post-amalgamation” and believes “in reinstating the importance of community-driven decision-making within our councils”.
“My top priorities revolve around the fundamental aspects of community life: roads, rates, and rubbish.
“It’s imperative for councils to excel in these areas to ensure that every member of our community receives value for their contributions.
“I believe the role of a councillor is multifaceted.
“It involves actively listening to the concerns and aspirations of community members and representing them effectively in the decision-making process.
“Putting the interests of our communities first and striving to leave the region in a better state than we found it are core responsibilities of a councillor.”
Sam Condon
Dalby local Sam Condon is throwing his name in the hat for a seat on the council once again after running in 2020.
Mr Condon spent time in America before returning home and buying an aerial spraying business.
The Dalby Herald attempted to contact Mr Condon for more information.
Robert Ries
Chinchilla manager Robert Ries has over 40 years of operational expertise in consulting, business, resource and infrastructure management and is the father of five children.
He is an “extremely active participant” on boards and committees such as the National Farmers and formerly known Surat Basin Enterprise, a committee member for the Chinchilla TAFE campus when it was established along with numerous sports and commerce associations.
He said he was running for councillor because he believed there was a “need for a fresh new candidate voice to contribute to our region, to question and prioritise core
needs and concerns for all residents in our communities”.
Strong governance, road infrastructure, water security and quality, and long with telecommunications are the top priorities, Mr Ries said.
For Mr Ries, the role of a councillor is to “ensure compliance with all applicable laws, provide high quality leadership,” and “actively participate and make decisions about how our council should operate”.
In his Facebook post announcing his intention to run for council, he described himself as a “passionate person committed to further developing the liveability of our communities, improving our infrastructure and attracting and advocating for new development in our region”.
Peter Saxelby
Raised in Dalby and living in Chinchilla, Peter Saxelby is looking at entering his third term as councillor.
In the 2020 election he placed top of the councillor leaderboard with the most number of votes (8.01%).
He has 30 years of experience in local government in various roles with Chinchilla Shire Council and Western Downs Regional Council, including rating, payroll, building, planning, facilities maintenance and community development.
“I have not just suddenly become involved in local government and become an expert in the system on being elected,” he said.
“When I was an employee of council, I disagreed with some decisions and I was informed that if I was not content with the decisions, to run for council.
“Although I realise I cannot change the world, I hope I can bring some discussion, common sense and other perceptions into meetings.
“To be part of change you need to be a voice at the table.”
He said his priorities was tourism marketing for the region, improved council roads, footpaths and kerbs to assist with improving storm water drainage, along with enticing economic growth into the region and “showing what valuable opportunities there are available”.
For him a councillor is about “advocating for improved services within the Western Downs region, opening the critical communications channel between local government and residents and to be part of my community and out there involved”.
David Carvosso
Retired council officer David Carvosso worked for more than 25 years with council in contracting and procurement and said he has a “good understanding” of how council works.
He said he as rewritten council’s procurement policy on many occasions to keep with state legislation changes, won awards for state procurement and “worked with the LGAQ to develop and implement a standard sweep of quotation and tender documentation.
During his time in council he completed a graduate certificate, written many reports, sat at the table for many major contracts, and trained other council employees in his field across the region.
“Being retired for a couple of years I have had a chance to look at council from the outside in and I believe I can be a good hard working councillor,” he said.
Entertainment and sport for the elderly and young for the whole region, connectivity (the old way), infrastructure, kerb and guttering, channelling water in a better way especially in flood times were his main priorities, he said.
Mr Carvosso said he believed attending council meetings as well as meeting with the community and businesses, being an “honest and good person” and “being prepared to do a lot of reading and making the right decisions from reports and recommendations from every department within council” was the role of a councillor.
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