Mal Forman wants Bundy's top job

Mal Forman is running for Mayor to offer Bundaberg an alternative option in leading our community into the future.

Max Fleet

BUSINESSMAN and former Bundaberg deputy mayor Mal Forman will challenge Mayor Lorraine Pyefinch for the top job at the local government elections on April 28.

Mr Forman said yesterday he took the decision to stand for mayor after a groundswell of support from retirees and people in the business and agricultural sectors.

"I believe I have got a lot to offer from my previous life experience," he said.

"It's good to have candidates with wide skills."

Mr Forman said he would concentrate on issues such as rates, roads, footpaths and drainage.

He said he also wanted to talk to people in the industrial sector to get more industry in Bundaberg.

"I want to try to get more things happening here," Mr Forman said.

"I'd like to get more manufacturing here, and work with the mines to the north and west of us."

He said he wanted to put his name out and tell people he was available to serve.

"People are saying they want change and not more of the same," he said.

"A new invigorated council, with fresh ideas and experience at the helm, will achieve a lot more."

Mr Forman said one of his most exciting achievements had been helping to establish Bundaberg Christian College in 1996, and he had continued to chair its board ever since.

He promised he would be a full-time mayor.

"The challenge for the next council is to embed the regional culture four years after amalgamation, while balancing growth and development, in a region as dynamic and diverse as ours," Mr Forman said.

He is the third candidate to throw his hat in the mayoral ring.

Bargara painter Scott Clark was the first to announce he would challenge Cr Pyefinch for her job.

Former Isis Shire Mayor Bill Trevor, who said recently he was thinking about running for mayor of Bundaberg, said yesterday he had still not made a decision.

Cr Pyefinch said the council had done "an incredible amount of work" to bring the four councils together after amalgamation.

She said the council had endured financial shocks with the costs of the amalgamation, the withdrawal of State Government subsidies, the global financial crisis and fires and floods.

"It's been a difficult time," she said.

Cr Pyefinch said Mr Forman's challenge also showed up what she thought was an inconsistency in the Local Government Act.

"Existing councillors have to make their pecuniary interests public," she said.

"New candidates don't have to declare their associations with other people and what conflicts they have until well after the election."