Fraser Coast Regional Councillor Darren Everard has unexpectantly cashed in his chips for a life in the private sector, closing the curtain on eleven years of local government.
The Cr Everard I have encountered over his tenure is an enigmatic figure and polarising in many circles, including amongst his peers.
He had a tendancy to be dogmatic with the positions he took and emphatically self-confident enough to bulldoze his case regardless of fashionable opinion or populist outcomes.
What requires unqualified respect is the immense level of commitment it takes to spend over 4,000 days of your life dealing with multi-million dollar decisions whilst simultaneously appeasing the average man in the street.
To head out for dinner or take the kids to weekend sport and constantly be asked ‘could I just grab you for a second,’ that’s not for everyone. It’s certainly not for me.
For your service Cr Everard, we tip our hat to you and wish you well.
What happens next, given that we are some eight months out from the local government election in March of 2024, is a little bit different.
If you live in Urangan, Wondunna, Booral, River Heads, a snippet of Kawungan, Torquay or over on the island, Darren was your man, and Division 7 is your area.
You won’t be choosing your next councillor, the current sitting councillors will.
Under the local government act, Fraser Coast Regional Council will call for nominations from the community to fill the vacancy.
You nominate, you get invited to a special Council meeting to put your presentation forward, and Council casts a secret ballot.
You win – you’re in.
The successful candidate will be the Division 7 representative up until the election in March and will then have to contest the election and allow the people to decide if they are to remain a councillor.
While Cr Everard was sitting in Div 7, you couldn’t win it. He was unbeatable.
Be assured, there are a few already salivating at the chance to slip through the side door.
We need great people on Council. They have the greatest impact on our day-to-day lives.
But do you nominate now or smoke your pipe for the big dance election in March?
What an intriguing question.
