February 2, 2022
The Electoral Commission of Queensland has declared Cr Les Hotz the winner of the North Burnett Regional Council by-election for Mayor.
Assistant Electoral Commissioner Wade Lewis said Cr Hotz received nearly 58 per cent of the formal votes following the distribution of preferences.
“Following both the preliminary and the official first preference counts, Les Hotz and John Bowen were the two leading candidates, so it was clear the full distribution of preferences would be required to determine the outcome,” Mr Lewis said.
“Tuesday, February 1, was the deadline for the return of postal votes and the next day ECQ election staff conducted the full preference count with scrutineers in attendance.
“This full allocation of voters’ preferences saw Cr Hotz move ahead in the count and be elected the next Mayor of North Burnett.”
The mayoral poll was conducted as a full postal by-election.
Mr Lewis said around 7200 votes were sent to enrolled electors with close to 5000 formal votes accepted into the count.
“Electors in North Burnett have had full postal ballots for all council elections since 2008,” Mr Lewis said.
The election of Cr Hotz as Mayor means North Burnett electors will face another by-election within months to fill his vacant Council position.
The Mayoral by-election was triggered by the resignation of Rachel Chambers, which took effect on December 11.
- Related article: North Burnett Mayor Quits
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According to his biography on the North Burnett Regional Council website, Cr Hotz is a born-again Christian whose faith guides him in his role as an elected representative.
Cr Hotz was raised in Monto, where he still lives with his wife, Valma.
He began his career in Local Government with Monto Shire Council in 1967, serving in roles ranging from payroll clerk through to senior management.
Cr Hotz was CEO of Monto Shire for 14 years.
After the Council amalgamations in 2008, he served as Director of Corporate Services with the new North Burnett Regional Council until 2014.
He was elected to represent Division 2 of the NBRC at the 2020 local government elections.
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Results
Preliminary Count (in ballot paper order):
- Melinda Jones – 691 votes – 13.92 per cent
- Les Hotz – 1771 – 35.67
- Susan Payne – 924 – 18.61
- John Bowen – 1298 – 26.14
- Kevin Edwards – 281 – 5.66
- Informal – 73 – 1.45
- Total votes – 5038
After Distribution Of Preferences:
- Les Hotz – 2107 votes – 57.85 per cent
- John Bowen – 1535 – 42.15
