December 8, 2015
Blackbutt resident – and professional engineer – David Kinson has a deep interest in town planning which is one of the reasons he has put himself forward as candidate for Division 2 (Blackbutt, Benarkin, Maidenwell) at the South Burnett Council elections in March.
Mr Kinson has worked at Tarong Power Station for three years, and before that was at the Yarraman Sawmill for five years.
He arrived in Australia in 1981 as a project manager during the construction of the Bayswater Power Station in NSW’s Hunter Valley.
“The day I arrived I met my wife … she was a receptionist at the hotel,” he said.
“During my career I have held senior positions and directorships in a number of major contracting and consulting companies with responsibilities for projects, planning, design, management, administration.”
Mr Kinson bought a property in Blackbutt in 1988 and moved here permanently in 1992.
He said he had been involved in local groups since then.
“I was one of the founding members of the Nanango Progress, Tourism and Heritage Association,” he said.
He has also been treasurer of the Blackbutt Show Society and a member of the swimming pool committee, Tourism and Heritage Society and the South Burnett Growers Association.
Mr Kinson said that although he was running for Division 2, he realised he would also be representing the whole South Burnett as decisions the councillors make affect the whole region.
He has previously run for Nanango Shire Council, as mayor in 2004 and during a by-election in 2005.
Mr Kinson sees a big difference between the pre-amalgamation Nanango Council and the South Burnett Regional Council, especially in relation to how Blackbutt has been treated.
“The old Nanango Shire Council model was parochial,” he said.
“More money has been spent in Blackbutt in the last four years (under the South Burnett Regional Council) than during the last 20 years.
“They’re spending more on roads than they ever have done. Roadwork has never stopped. (Mayor) Kratzmann made it his major issue.
“What they have done (in Blackbutt) is remarkable.
“My fear is that four people out of the seven (on the current Council) are changing.
“We need solid, intelligent people in there to keep it on track.”
Mr Kinson said his big area of interest was planning, including towns planning and zoning.
Also very important was stimulating the economy and attracting more businesses to the region to increase employment opportunities.
Mr Kinson said he believed Council could make better use of some assets, such as the former DPI Forestry complex.
He also has a vision for an Axeman’s Hall Of Fame and a woodchopping arena to be built in Blackbutt to add to local tourist attractions.
