General News
6 October, 2026
Race is on to find a new councillor
THE race to find a new Division 1 councillor for the Tablelands is on, with a former councillor and career police officer, and a former mayoral candidate and agronomist putting their hands up to contest the poll.
Last week, the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) announced the full-postal Division 1 by-election for 31 October, with potential candidates only having until this Thursday to lodge their nomination.
Straight out of the blocks last week were former Tablelands Regional Councillor Bernie Wilce, and farmer Mark Norvall who recently polled second in the Mayoral by-election.
Both say they are confident they can work with newly-elected Mayor Kevin Cardew and share his back-to-basics platform.
Mr Wilce, who served on TRC as the Division 6 representative for four years until he was beaten by Kylie Lang in the 2024 election, says he is keen to get back into local government, spruiking his knowledge and experience as critical.
During his term with TRC, Mr Wilce chaired the Disaster Management Group, the Traffic Advisory Committee, the Tablelands Interagency Group, and the Reconciliation Action Advisory Committee as well as participating in the Agricultural Advisory Committee, the Youth Advisory Group and the Finance Committee.
Mr Wilce said that because only about 15 to 18 months remained in the current term of council, there was little time to waste and a person with no experience may need up to 12 months to become effective.
“We haven’t got a long time to try and rebuild things. We need someone in there that knows what it’s about,” he said.
“If we can’t start along that journey over the next 15 to 18 months, it’ll just go back to what it was, what has been, and what’s been accepted for such a long time.
“To me, having new people coming in who aren’t aware of exactly how the situation is could be absolutely tragic for the whole show.”
Mr Wilce said he believed change was needed to improve transparency in council’s decision-making and its communication with the community.
He supports restoring open debate, improving maintenance of assets, increasing community engagement, reintroducing consultative committees, and assigning councillors portfolios linked to council functions.
“Maintenance is a big issue, a huge issue. I was born and bred on the Tableland, and I’ve never seen the shire look like it is.”
For Mr Norvall, running for the Mayoralty gave him the chance to engage broadly with the community and has encouraged him to put his hand up for the councillor position.
“It was good in many ways to run for Mayor because it gave me the chance to talk with a lot of people who really want change and a fresh perspective,” he said.
“I want to run for council now rather than waiting until the 2028 election to build on the profile and momentum I gained during the mayoral campaign.”
He cited his experience in business management, agricultural science, farming, and running companies with more than 300 employees as qualifications to be an effective council representative.
“In terms of what value I would bring to the council, I think that’s fresh ideas, a fresh outlook, a fresh perspective from somebody who’s not been on the Tablelands their whole life,” he said.
“I think that that’s a fairly important part of it all. You know, the council for many years, has been made up mainly of people who were born here and grew up here.
“And whilst that’s got some good sides to it, it also has a downside in that everybody has these connections and pulls in different directions that are not necessarily the right ones.”
Mr Norvall believes he will bring common sense and a back-to-basics approach to council, adding that he wanted to improve consultation and involve residents more directly in council matters.
With his agricultural background, he also believes farmers and the sector need a stronger voice on council.
“I’m an agricultural scientist, a farmer, and a businessman, so I understand all that side of it,” he said.
By-election set for 31 Oct
POTENTIAL candidates have only until this Thursday to throw their hat into the ring for the Division 1 by-election.
The by-election was triggered after Kevin Cardew won the recent Mayoral by-election.
The by-election will be conducted as a full postal ballot, with the 3300 voters living in Division 1 to complete their votes on Saturday 31 October.
Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen encouraged anyone interested in representing their community to nominate before 12 noon on Thursday but to make sure they are eligible by visiting https://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/
“Like in the recent mayoral by-election, we will send a ballot pack to the postal address of each Division 1 shortly after the close of nominations and the draw for ballot paper order is finalised,” he said.
Ms Jennifer Meizer has been appointed Returning Officer for the by-election. The ECQ has established a temporary office at 45 Mabel Street, Atherton for enquiries or phone 1300 881 665.
