Former mayor Bill Ludwig to run in Livingstone election as councillor

The ex-mayor known as King Billy will run as a councillor in the March election, announcing on Friday he can no longer stand back and watch the region miss out crucial government funding.

Bill Ludwig at the Emu Park foreshore revitialisation.

Former Livingstone Shire Council Mayor of 16 years Bill ‘King Billy’ Ludwig has announced he will stand in the looming local government election in March.

Mr Ludwig was unsuccessful in winning the 2020 election, losing out to the incumbent mayor Andy Ireland and this time, he will run as councillor.

He has a combined 23 years experience in local government as he was involved in the amalgamation of Rockhampton and Livingstone councils in 2008 and re-amalgamation in 2014. 

His first term as a councillor began in 1997 with Livingstone Shire Council until 2000 when he became mayor from 2000 to 2008, then a councillor with Rockhampton Regional Council in the amalgamation period from 2008 to 2013, then Mayor of Livingstone Shire Council from 2014 to 2020. 

Councillor Bill Ludwig outside Rockhampton Town Hall with 5 volumes of his de-amalgamation petition totalling some 10,000 signatures. Photo Chris Ison / The Morning Bulletin. File photo from 2011.

His projects during his time have included the foreshore revitalisations, multipurpose sports facilities, Yeppoon and Emu Park revitalisations, Gateway Business and Industry Park and the Capricorn Coast Homemakers Centre, and also securing Federal Government funding for projects like the $21.6 million Stanage Bay Road upgrades and $20 million Keppel Bay Convention and Sporting Hub, under construction now.

Livingstone Shire Council mayor Bill Ludwig.

Prior to his years on council, he was involved in community groups as vice president and president of Capricorn Coast Tourist Organisation and Great Australia Day Beach Day, which he has held from 1994 which he still holds today.

Mr Ludwig said his decision to come out of the woodwork and stand was not “taken lightly” and was influenced by calls from community members.

He wanted to share his 23 years of local government experience and help the council secure state and federal funding for critical infrastructure.

Livingstone Shire Council Manager Disaster Management, Recovery and Resilience Dave Mazzaferri, Livingstone Shire Mayor Bill Ludwig and Rockhampton Regional Councillor Tony Williams inspected the damage at Statue Bay in 2018.

“While many people have asked me to run again for mayor, I am of the firm belief that I can play an equally important role representing the community as a councillor,” he said.

“That role will include providing mentoring support at the table on long-term strategic planning and securing a greater share of the millions of dollars in competitive funding grants available which other councils are getting.

“This is money ratepayers won’t have to find.”

Cr Bill Ludwig and Cr Eastwood met with skateboarders and their families to inspect a potential site for a new multipurpose competition skatepark. File photo.

The current council “appears to have lost focus and momentum” in thinking smarter and proactively securing funding, Mr Ludwig said.

“If this trend continues (the) council will fall further behind in being able to sustainably manage current and future growth and those costs will eventually be borne by ratepayers,” he said.

“Flow-on effects of missed funding opportunities have been reflected in noticeable cutbacks in service delivery and maintenance in urban and foreshore areas.

“In rural areas similar community concerns are being raised about funding for rural roads and council redirecting bushfire mitigation funding to cover urban project shortfalls.”

Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga, Livingstone Shire Mayor Bill Ludwig, Reece Plumbing Manager Ross Hazlehurst, Gibb Group National Development Director Matthew Thiselton, and Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll were all smiles at the launch of the Capricorn Coast Homemakers Centre. File photo from 2020.

He further claims there is a “lack of cohesion at the council table” which has meant there is no real vision or clear direction for sustainable economic development, tourism, primary production and value-adding initiatives.

“These are all areas where future jobs and prosperity will be generated,” he said.

“Thinking and working smarter in partnership across all community sectors with every level of government should be the starting point for our next council.”

Livingstone Shire councillor and deputy mayor Adam Belot.

Livingstone Shire Council mayor Andy Ireland.

Councillor and deputy mayor Adam Belot has indicated he will be running for the mayoral position and incumbent mayor Andy Ireland has also said he will run again.

“Electing the right people with the knowledge and experience to do the job will be up to the community,” Mr Ludwig said.

“Candidates must also come with a commitment to working as a cohesive team at the council table for the greater good of our growing community.

“My commitment to the community in putting my hand up is to use my knowledge, experience and skillets to play a constructive role in helping make that happen.”

Livingstone Shire mayor, Bill Ludwig says preparations are under way to start on stage two of the Emu Park Anzac Memorial. Photo: Chris Ison / The Morning Bulletin. File photo from 2015.

KEY DATES

Candidate nominations for the Queensland local government elections open on January 29 and close on February 13.

Early voting will be held from March 4 to 15.

Election day will be March 16.

Originally published as Former mayor Bill Ludwig to run in Livingstone election as councillor