Rockhampton Regional Council election: Meet the division 7 candidates

There are four candidates vying for the division seven position Donna Kirkland will leave vacant as she vies to move from the ranks of local to state government as the LNP hopeful for Rockhampton. Her vacancy has received the most nominations of all divisions.

Rockhampton Regional Council division 7 candidates: David Bond, Jamie Scott, Marika Taylor and Will Field.

Four people have thrown their hat into the ring to represent locals living in Rockhampton Regional Council’s Division 7, which covers the suburb of Park Avenue, Kawana and Parkhurst.

The successful candidate will replace Donna Kirkland, who announced in October 2023 she would be stepping down from her councillor role to run as the LNP candidate for the state election later this year.

WILL FIELD

Will Field, Division 7 councillor candidate for Rockhampton Regional Council.

Among the nominations is secondary education teacher assistant Will Field, 25, who has lived in Rockhampton since he was seven years old.

He describes himself as “very passionate about community” and loves to volunteer and help people in need.

“I look for the best in people, and I’m incredibly optimistic about our community’s future,” he said.

“I love spending time with my family and friends and most of my spare time goes towards volunteer work.

“I believe there is no greater honour than to be elected by your peers and to be trusted to improve the community, and that’s what I will strive to do every single day in

office.”

Will Field out doorknocking during his election campaign.

He joined Rotary at 18 and has served as a club president and is currently acting as the co-area governor.

Over his time he has done volunteer work for the SES, Clean Up Australia and served on the Rockhampton Youth Advisory Committee.

When asked what is the biggest issue in the area, he said he would like to tackle youth crime.

“I aim to implement early intervention programs aimed at at-risk youth,” he said.

“These programs could include mentoring initiatives, after-school activities, counselling services, and educational support tailored to meet the needs of vulnerable youth.”

MARIKA TAYLOR

Candidate for Division 7 for Rockhampton Regional Council Marika Taylor.

Marika Taylor from Kawana has lived and worked in Rockhampton for more than 25 years and for the last four years has been president of the P and C at Parkhurst State School.

She said she felt she could bring a voice to people in the community.

“I have a passion for the community, I love my neighbourhood, my area and my region,” she said.

“I just want to help facilitate progress for our region as a whole, but my passion is Division 7.

FILE PHOTO: Parkhurst State School principal Lyle Walker, Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga, P & C President Marika Taylor, Paynters project manager Craig Hornagold, Paynters site manager Aaron Wehlow.

Ms Taylor said her three key words were communities, family and progress.

“People do ask what my policies are, but I want to be that person people can come to and say ‘our neighbourhood needs this’ and help them facilitate that or if people are trying different avenues for things and are having no luck they can come to me also and I can guide them where to go in council,” she said.

“I’m not going to do the normal political spiel, I’m here for the people.”

Ms Taylor said, if elected, she was looking forward to working with the mayor, councillors, the CEO, council officers and staff to achieve “positive and sustainable results” for the community.

JAMIE SCOTT

Jamie Scott, division 7 councillor candidate for Rockhampton Regional Council.

Labourer and plant operator Jamie Scott, 32, has thrown his hat in the ring as he believes the federal and state governments “shift far too many responsibilities” onto local governments, which in turn shifts cost to the taxpayers.

“I want to break the cycle and shatter the revolving door of corporatised governance,” he said.

“Inefficient governments have hid for far too long behind CPI and inflation.”

The biggest issues in the area in his opinion are traffic congestion and bottlenecks during peak periods, along with excessive land rates increases.

“I have a vision for our region that begins with removing the government waste,” Mr Scott said.

“I will stand up to the faceless bureaucrats and bring government back to the people.

“I will empower change makers.”

Jamie Scott with his election campaign signs to run for division 7 with Rockhampton Regional Council.

At home he has a “small collection” of dogs, birds and a cat with his fiancee, who will become his wife this September.

As a quirky fun fact, Mr Scott is an avid bird watcher and lover.

Constantly striving to learn and grow, Mr Scott admitted he has a brain that never stops thinking.

“I am passionate, generous and I will go out of my way to help anyone when asked,” he said.

“I am brave and I am honest, but most importantly I am above party politics.

“I will build a coalition to drive the parties out of local government.”

DAVID BOND

David Bond, division 7 councillor candidate for Rockhampton Regional Council.

A father of two young children, David Bond would like to “bring back some common sense” if he was elected.

“Keeping the council honest and assisting the council to move in the right direction for the entire community and not just the few,” he said.

“We need change and accountability, we need to bring back some honour to the seats we sit in.

“We need someone who will always do what is right even at my own detriment, we are servants to our community and must act accordingly, it is our constituents that vote us in and we must act on their behalf.”

David Bond with his wife Lily and their two children at Kershaw Gardens for Clean Up Australia Day.

He says the biggest issue in the area is cost of living.

“Cost of living is front and centre, everyone is feeling it,” Mr Bond said.

Mr Bond moved to Rockhampton 15 years ago from England and has had a pest control business for 13 of those years.

In a former life he was a skilled aircraft technician by trade in the British Army.

“I am a strong leader who is quick on my feet, passionate, resourceful and respectful,” he said.

FOND FAREWELL FROM CR KIRKLAND

Final meeting of the council term on March 5, 2023: Councillor Grant Mathers, Cherie Rutherford, departing Donna Kirkland, Mayor Tony Williams, Councillor Neil Fisher, Ellen Smith, Shane Latcham and Drew Wickerson.

The final council meeting for the council term was held on March 5 and Ms Kirkland gave a speech to the other councillors, mayor and council officers.

“It has been an honour, a privilege, and a learning journey serving our region as councillor over the last four years,” she said.

“Starting with Covid, online meetings, swearing in over the phone absent of all ceremony, then presented immediately with the “budget from hell” , that was promptly followed up by three successive , equally challenging budgets,” she said.

Ms Kirkland, who also held the water and environment portfolio, listed Rockynats, Mount Morgan pipeline and the augmentation and upgrades of the sewage treatment plants as some of the projects she was proud to be have been involved in.

“I hope that I have done division 7 proud, having delivered a number of key infrastructure projects throughout the division,” she said.

“I also successfully advocated for changes in the design section of the Rockhampton Ring Road crossing over Belmont Road; Kershaw Gardens Footpath disability link; Farm and Alexandra St Intersection; along with footpaths for Farm St, White/Knight and Hinchliffe streets , all despite the tight budget constraints.

“Other highlights for division included a number of playground improvement installations plus road and intersection upgrades across a number of roads.”

“My congratulations goes to the successful councillors of the “to be” newly elected council , well done.”

The council election will be held on March 16.

Originally published as Rockhampton Regional Council election: Meet the division 7 candidates