(Photo courtesy: BIEDO)
June 28, 2012
Cr Paul Francis, formerly with Monto Shire Council and now a councillor with the North Burnett Regional Council, has taken over the chairmanship of the Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) following the resignation of former South Burnett mayor David Carter from the role.
Cr Francis was BIEDO Vice-Chairman.
The Economic Development portfolio holder from the South Burnett Regional Council, Cr Damien Tessmann, has been elected BIEDO vice-chairman.
The South Burnett also now has a second representative on BIEDO, Mayor Cr Wayne Kratzmann.
BIEDO, which met for the latest time on Monday night, was established in 1996 as a response to the economic effects of long-term drought in the South and North Burnett regions.
It was originally auspiced by 12 shire councils but this dropped to two after the council amalgamations.
Cr Francis has farmed in the Moonford area near Monto for 30 years. He has been a Councillor for 14 years and has been involved with BIEDO for seven years. Paul is also heavily involved in the community through organisations such as Rotary, Agforce, Droughtmaster Breeders, and the Australian Stock Horse Society.
Cr Tessmann was elected to the South Burnett Regional Council in 2008 at the age of 21. He is a member of the Kingaroy Rotary Club, secretary of the South Burnett Neighbourhood Watch Cluster Group and has had a long association at all levels within the LNP.
Cr Carter resigned the position as BIEDO Chairman after he decided not to contest the April State Government elections; he had been re-elected to the role unopposed at the BIEDO AGM on March 12.
