Deb Dennien running for Division 4 in South Burnett elections

Mother and South Burnett real estate agent Deb Dennien says the quality of drinking water in Kingaroy is one of the biggest issues heading into the election - but it is not the only one. Vote in our poll:

Deb Dennien is running for Division 4 in the South Burnett Regional Council elections.

Kingaroy resident Deb Dennien credits the current South Burnett Regional Council for working “really hard” and hopes to continue that work if she is elected next month.

Ms Dennien spent most of her youth growing up in New South Wales before coming to the South Burnett during a chance trip to Wondai in 1983, when she said she fell in love with the area and moved soon after to become an apprentice jockey.

The 64-year-old had a go at running for Division 3 in 2016, but lost to her friend Denita Potter who will stay on unchallenged in the upcoming election.

Read our full guide to every candidate in every division of the South Burnett council election

“She’s a real good mate of mine, she’s been very supportive and encouraging,” Ms Dennien said.

She said issues she wanted to focus on included road maintenance, transport links, economic development, housing and efficient delivery of council service.

Like many of the other candidates, the drinking water issue is also an important one.

“Water is a huge issue in our town, we have relatively old infrastructure and it needs as much attention as we can possibly give it,” she said.

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Deb Dennien is running for Division 4 in the South Burnett Regional Council election.

Ms Dennien also credits the incumbent council for doing a decent job.

“They listen to people and I believe that’s where your strength should be … I think the council currently has the community at heart.

“I think they’ve worked really hard to do the best they possibly can and I just want to take over and do this a tiny bit better,” she said.
As a real estate agent and through her volunteer work she said she has seen the best of what the South Burnett has to offer.

“It’s a beautiful region, we’re so lucky. We have so much to offer … we have wonderful services here,” she said.

Ms Dennien has four children with two working in the local health sector, one a paramedic in Murgon, the other an admin at Kingaroy hospital, who are all excited about the news of the new private hospital planned for Kingaroy.

“I am so excited about that; we’re blessed to have what we have in the region and it’s just getting better.”

Ms Dennien said one of the best skills she could bring to council was effective communication.

“I believe I’m very good at liaising with people and taking the message to someone who can do something about it.

“People want to be heard and you need to be able to speak to the other government agencies in a way that they understand,” she said.

The South Burnett Regional Council election will be held on March 16, 2024.

Originally published as Deb Dennien running for Division 4 in South Burnett elections