SCOTT Rowleson has declared himself a candidate for division six of the Bundaberg Regional Council, stating the area needed a councillor who lived in, respected and understood the division.

With Bundaberg Regional Council now establishing one set of rules for the amalgamated region, it provides a great opportunity for division six and council as a whole to plan for the future according to Scott.

"I believe the time is right for the next phase of growth and prosperity for the Bundaberg region," Scott said.

"I will offer a fresh perspective on the challenges and issues our region faces, as well as an in depth understanding of the needs of our division six communities

"My business background and local community involvement within division six gives me the experience needed to serve the people of the division."

Scott is a qualified food safety auditor and also co-owns a business with his wife Jaime in the pet services industry and has previously worked his way through the ranks in two of Australia's largest retailers into management roles.

Scott says he has been actively involved in division six communities, serving in roles on the local Progress associations, the Lighthouse Festival and special events committees, Burnett Heads Business Network and the Coral Coast Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.

"I have enjoyed the involvement in local groups as they are vitally important as the connection point between council and the residents of division six," Scott said. 

"Serving in these groups has given me the opportunity to work with fellow members of my community to advocate for the needs of our area to different levels of government."

Scott was involved behind the scenes to fight against the previous Burnett shire council's controversial Category L rating charge, which would have seen unfair charges applied to non owner occupied homes. That battle was subsequently won.

Scott said as an established and passionate local community advocate, he was continually telling locals and visitors just how good our region is and what it has to offer.

"If we want to grow and prosper we must have a vision to grow the region and sell ourselves at every opportunity," Scott said.

"If elected I will be a councillor who looks at the positives and embraces the opportunities of any challenges. I won't dwell on negatives, I will seek solutions."

Scott says he has some core values and commitments that he believes are up to date with current expectations within division 6. 

"Division 6 is very different to other divisions, due to its coastal and rural living, which includes some of the region's premier housing estates along with some of our top farming lands," Scott said.

"As a dedicated local councillor, I will be switched on to the needs of all who live here across our coastal and rural areas."

Scott also spoke about the changing way in which people communicated with the council and said the tone from people who use social media in particular showed they felt disengaged from their council and councillors.

"I am a proactive user of social media and already engage with local Facebook groups and on twitter," Scott said.

"If elected, I will continue to use social and all other forms of communication to connect with people about their concerns on a regular basis."

"Scott said that a vote for him in March would mean you would have a strong advocate in council who is not afraid of asking the hard questions on behalf of his community.