April 6, 2022
A second candidate has tossed his hat into the ring to contest the by-election for Division 1 of the South Burnett Regional Council.
Levi Madeley lives at Tarong and was raised in Nanango.
He attended Nanango State School and Nanango State High School before building a career as a telecommunications technician for Telstra and later an NBN sub-contractor for Visionstream.
However, a motorcycle accident a few years ago put paid to his career as a contractor.
During rehabilitation, he developed an interest in computer programming and taught himself how to use CAD programs.
Mr Madeley told southburnett.com.au he then launched a new business, Plasma Cut Art By Levi, and now sends items he makes all over Australia.
Nanango dog lovers would know Mr Madeley as the vice-president of the Nanango Kennel Club, but he is also treasurer of the Rottweiler Club of Queensland.
“Dogs are a passion of mine,” he said. “I seem to have a way with them and they seem to understand me.”
He is now looking forward to the Nanango Show where he will be showing his rottweilers on Friday and Saturday.
Mr Madeley said he had also volunteered at Nanango Sporting Association events, including the Power Up show and shine.
He had decided to run for Council to bring some “fresh ideas”.
“For the longest time I have been a South Burnett resident,” Mr Madeley said.
“I have paid my rates. I have been a family man with kids and a wife. I love the lifestyle here. I love the area.
“I thought it’s time I have a say in the way the direction of the area is going.”
He’s not running on a platform of promises.
“I don’t want to make blind promises to people. I want to look at things and give it my best,” he said.
“I want to take the community’s voice forward. I want to listen and then be their voice in Council.”
Before nominating, Mr Madeley approached former Division 1 councillor Roz Frohloff, whose resignation sparked the by-election.
He knew Cr Frohloff as she is patron of the Nanango Kennel Club.
“I just wanted to find out the steps to go through. She’s provided a wealth of information but I am not anyone else’s candidate. I will stand in my own shoes,” he said.
Now that he’s made up his mind to stand, Mr Madeley is keen to make a difference.
“If I don’t win this time, I will be running next time,” he said.
He said he would use his skills developed as a technician to take a logical approach to problems but also warned that although he was softly spoken “I can be loud, too”.
“I won’t be pushed around,” he said. “But I can accept another point of view.”
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The poll will be held on Saturday, April 30, and will be conducted by the Electoral Commission of Queensland.
There will be just one polling booth open: from 8:00am to 6:00pm at Nanango State School.
Nominations by would-be councillors close at noon on Monday (April 11).
Division 1 includes the areas of Nanango, Booie, Wattle Camp, Johnstown, Wyalla, Sandy Ridges, Runnymede, Bullcamp, East Nanango, Glan Devon, Barker Creek Flat, Hodgleigh, Kunioon and Brooklands.
Voters who cannot attend on April 30 have been advised there will be four days of pre-poll voting available at the Council premises at 48 Drayton Street: 9:00am-5:00pm, Tuesday-Thursday, April 26-28; and 9:00am-6:00pm, Friday, April 29.
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Congratulations Levi for having the courage to stand up for Division 1 in the South Burnett region.
Like any Division in the wonderful South Burnett, there are many different views and expectations of their Councillor and local government in general. For people who have the courage to step forward and present themselves as a candidate to represent their local area, you have my greatest admiration!
I don’t know you and have no idea about you, your values or principles. I don’t know whether you work well in a team or whether you understand the challenges that staff face every day working for local government and the general public. I don’t know whether you can present your views in a way that builds unity with other Councillors. In saying that, it is encouraging to see people putting their hand up to represent their area.
I hope voters in Division 1 will get to understand what’s important to you and how you believe the skills you have will bring positives to both Division 1 and the entire South Burnett.
In my view, it is easy to make “noisy comments” on social media and other faceless platforms about Council actions and decisions, but that is not necessarily the answer to complex situations where there are a multitude of considerations and impacted parties to evaluate.
I live in Division 4. What I do know is that I would like a person in Division 1 who takes into account what is best not just for Division 1 or Division 4, but the entire South Burnett. I look forward to watching how you, and any other candidate, will present yourself to your local Division and how this may contribute to the entire South Burnett.
Thanks for your comments Keith, should I be elected, I really look forward to the opportunity and challenges the position may present, to being a voice for the community.
My thoughts on the noise generated on social media are simple. It’s very easy to make empty promises, and I think the people of Division 1 are intelligent enough to know a genuine candidate when they see one, What I have to offer the community is a listening ear, my voice along with logical deduction and reasoning thanks to my technical background. Yes I’m a team player and look forward to working alongside councillors and staff in a considerate, respectful manner (again, should I be elected). I have the determination to make a go of it and plan to be in the job for the long term for the betterment of Div 1 and the whole of the South Burnett.
I hope to bring some fresh ideas, and some unique implementation methods of existing ones, a positive can-do attitude and have the benefit of a supportive family as well. In short I’ll give it my best should the residents of Division 1 choose to elect me. Thanks again for your valued comments.