MAYOR Kerry Hayes will have an instant ally in businessman-turned-aspiring politician Geoff Dein if the latter wins a seat at the table for Central Highlands Regional Council.
Mr Dein, better known for his association with Ag-Grow, is one of 13 candidates vying for eight councillor positions at the March 28 local government election.
Five of the 13 - Charlie Brimblecombe, Megan Daniels, Alan McIndoe, Christine Rolfe and Gai Sypher - are seeking re-election after winning in 2016.
The others are Kevin Burke, Joseph Burns, Anne Carpenter, Natalie Curtis, Bernadine Frawley, Janice Moriarty and John Watkins.
Deputy Mayor Gail Godwin-Smith and co-Councllors Paul Bell and Gail Nixon, elected in 2016, are not standing.
Mr Dein nominated for the 2008 election but withdrew very early and concedes changes in his personal life have helped propel his latest campaign.
"The business (Ag-Grow) is now under management and I have more time and I am gaining more political interest as I get older," he said.
"I like the position of the council and the region. This will be a major regional centre and I want to be part of that as it builds.
"I have been in business since I was young. By the time I was 25 I had 300 people working for me. I get things done. I took Ag-Grow from being weak into a position of strength and I have a good relationship with Kerry Hayes.
"He is pretty sensitive to the needs of business and driving business. What we need to do is make it as easy as possible for business and get out of their way because they will make it happen."
Cr Brimblecombe, a Duaringa local, has spent more than 40 years in the area and is passionate about building strong communities.
Emerald local Cr Daniels has family ties to agribusiness in Capella and Comet and a strong interest in natural resource management, economic development and ensuring the liveability residents.
Cr McIndoe, once a representative rugby league player in Queensland and Australian colours, is an advocate for community wealth and health, primary and secondary industries and building unity within the region.
Agribusiness is close to the heart for Cr Rolfe, who lives on a cattle property near Springsure and, at one stage, was vice-president and treasurer of AgForce Queensland and vice-president of the National Farmers Federation.
Long-time Capella resident Cr Sypher began her second term as a councillor in October, 2017, after previously serving from 2012-16.
Alan Welburn
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
