A reshuffle at the top has generated movement below for local council as one councillor departs mid-term and a career politician takes up full-time work at the mines.
Both Whitsunday Regional Councillors previously vied for the top job at the recent mayoral election and, when they were unsuccessful, decided to pursue other ventures.
Mike Brunker, a previous Mayor of both Bowen Shire and Whitsunday Regional Council for a combined 15 years and a recent Federal candidate for Dawson and State candidate for the Burdekin, has now decided to wear both corporate shirts and steel cap boots, taking a job as a “coal sampler” and “helping his niece out” while also retaining his position as Division 6 Councillor.
Brunker and his wife currently own Bowen Plaza News and after six years, the couple now have the business for sale.
“My wife wants to sell, and I’ve decided to change direction a bit,” said Cr Brunker.
A Council spokesperson said it is not uncommon for Councillors to hold a second job as their role is a category 3 on the Local Government pay scale which is considered part-time with renumeration around $70,000.
Indeed, Councillor John Collins is a well-known local retailer operating Downtown Butchery in Proserpine and Deputy Mayor Gary Simpson owns a large cane farm in the area.
Brunker’s new role, however, will see him leave the region for seven days a fortnight and many are asking the question of whether this could be symbolic of his intention to leave politics, with this being his last term in office.
This announcement comes just two weeks after Al Grundy’s shock resignation following his appointment with Mackay Isaac Tourism.
With his seat vacated at the beginning of this week, the Electoral Commission of Queensland say they are still waiting to receive confirmation as to when and how the next by-election for the Division 2 seat will be run.
It is meant to take place within eight weeks of the seat being vacated.