January 31, 2024
Three current South Burnett councillors have confirmed they will be recontesting their divisions at the upcoming Local Government election.
Councillor Jane Erkens (Division 1), Cr Danita Potter (Division 3) and Cr Scott Henschen (Division 6) all confirmed their nominations on Wednesday.
Cr Erkens was elected at a hotly contested by-election in April 2022 caused by the resignation of then-sitting councillor Roz Frohloff.
Cr Potter was re-elected at the 2020 poll, collecting 75.75 per cent of the vote.
Both Cr Erkens’ and Cr Potter’s nominations have been registered officially on the Electoral Commission of Queensland website.
Cr Henschen secured his victory by the narrowest of margins at the 2020 election, defeating sitting councillor Ros Heit by 1522 votes to 1518 after a recount.
He announced his intention to restand on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
The other sitting councillors, Cr Gavin Jones (Division 2), Cr Kirstie Schumacher (Division 4) and Cr Kathy Duff (Division 5) have all announced their intention to run for Mayor in a sudden-death contest leaving their Divisions open to be fought over by council newcomers.
By Wednesday afternoon, Cr Jones and Cr Schumacher had both registered their nominations on the ECQ website.
Current South Burnett Mayor Brett Otto has been on a paid leave of absence due to poor health since July 31 last year.
He has told colleagues that he will not be restanding for the position.
Nominations for the March 16 Council Elections opened on Monday (January 29) and will close at noon on February 13.
The ballot paper draw will be held at 10:00am on February 14.
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