Nominations open for vacant Councillor position

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Published: 7th August 2023

Nominations are now open to fill the vacant role of Fraser Coast Regional Councillor for Division 7 through to the next local government election in March 2024.

The vacancy follows the resignation of Cr Darren Everard, which takes effect from this Wednesday 9 August 2023. As there is less than 12 months until the next local government election, the vacancy will be filled by inviting nominations rather than a by-election.

Fraser Coast Regional Council CEO Ken Diehm said nominations opened today (Monday 7 August), with suitably qualified and eligible candidates encouraged to submit their nominations before 9am on Monday 21 August 2023.

“Councillors play a crucial role in representing the diverse interests and concerns of the people they serve, with the decisions Councillors make helping to shape the future of our region,” he said.

“Councillors are effectively the link between the community and the decision-making processes of local government. This is an opportunity for the successful candidate to help set Council’s direction and make a positive difference in their local community.”

To be eligible to be a Councillor, a person must:

Be an adult Australian citizen;
Reside within the Fraser Coast Regional Council boundaries;
Be enrolled on an electoral roll in Queensland; and
Not be disqualified from being a Councillor under the Local Government Act 2009.

Nominations can be made by emailing a completed nomination form to enquiry@frasercoast.qld.gov.au or by handing in a hard copy to a Council Customer Service Centre prior to the closing date. No late nominations will be accepted.

Sitting Councillors will elect the preferred candidate and appoint a new Councillor by resolution at a Special Meeting at the Council Chambers in Hervey Bay on 6 September 2023. Candidates will have the opportunity to make a five-minute presentation to Councillors during the Special Meeting.

The major centres of Division 7 include Booral, River Heads and K’gari, with over 9000 residents registered in the division, which also includes parts of Torquay, Kawungan, Wondunna and Urangan.