January 8, 2024
A former manager of Yallakool Tourist Park will be taking on the current manager in the contest for Division 5 at the upcoming South Burnett Local Government election.
Allan Walters announced his intention to stand for the Division this week.
The current Yallakool manager, Heath Sander, tossed his hat into the ring more than 12 months ago, prior to the announcement by sitting Division 5 councillor, Kathy Duff, that she intended to run for Mayor.
Division 5 stretches from Boondooma to Moffatdale and includes Proston, Hivesville and Windera as well as all of Murgon and part of Wondai.
Mr Walters managed Yallakool Tourist Park at Bjelke-Petersen Dam for 15 years before having a falling out with the former Murgon Shire Council.
“We took them to court and won,” he said.
After leaving Yallakool, he and his wife Elaine – whom he met in Murgon 30 years ago – travelled around Australia, managing various caravan parks.
The couple returned to Murgon in 2014-15 and bought a house.
“I love the place, I love the area,” Mr Walters told southburnett.com.au
Mr Walters said he had been involved in the tourism industry for 45 years.
He was part of the then-Fraser Coast South Burnett Regional Tourism Board for 12 years, and was one of the co-founders of the now-defunct South Burnett Tourism Association.
He also served a four-year term on the former Murgon Shire Council and chaired the Murgon Businessmen’s Association (now known as the Murgon Business and Development Association).
Mr Walters said he had always believed in the region working together as one to achieve the best results for everyone.
“I’m not there just for Murgon, but for the whole South Burnett,” he said.
- Related article: Sander To Stand For Council
“We took them to court and won” … as Murgon residents we would like to see the proof of that.
“We took them to court and won”
I’m sure the Division 5 voters really would like an explanation as to why this happened.
When standing for high office some transparency is required considering that as a Cr. with that Council there must have been some concern as to end up in court as claimed with said Council.