Councillors

Cr Mick Kruger (Mayor)
Chair - Planning and Development Standing Committee
P: 07 4197 4389
M: 0417 777 199
E: mick.kruger@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Fraser Coast Regional Council Mayor Mick Kruger is a Fraser Coast man through and through having spent his childhood growing up in Maryborough and his adult life working in the Burrum Shire and Hervey Bay City Councils. Mick has been involved in local government for most of his adult life, starting as a junior timekeeper, progressing to Administration Manager, Deputy CEO and Acting CEO. He has been a Councillor since 1997 and was Deputy Mayor of Hervey Bay City Council in 2003 and from 2004 to 2007 before being elected as the first Mayor of the Fraser Coast Regional Council. Mick says he will continue to play a key role in developing and formulating Council policies that are aimed at benefiting and meeting the community's needs as a whole. He enjoys keeping in touch with people from all walks of life and says this is the best way to ensure council is in touch with its community.

Cr Julie Arthur
Chair - Water & Sewerage Infrastructure
M: 0458 100 228
E: julie.arthur@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Cr Julie Arthur was first elected to the Maryborough City Council in 1991 holding the positions of Chairman of the Works and Services Committee for seven years and Deputy Mayor for four years.  Julie was born and educated in Maryborough and has worked within the public sector.  She has held executive positions within the Australian Local Government Women's Association including four years as State President.  Julie holds a Diploma in Local Government Administration, Diploma of Business and is a qualified Justice of the Peace.

Cr Sue Brooks
Chair - Environmental Sustainability
M: 0409 485 818
E: sue.brooks@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Cr Sue Brooks has lived in Hervey Bay for nearly 10 years choosing to settle here after living in many different parts of the country. She says she cannot remember a time in her life where she hasn't cared deeply about the natural environment. "Now I hope to work with the Fraser Coast community to ensure that we have clean air to breathe, clean waterways where fish and coral abound and healthy forests and bushlands to soak up the carbon and pollutants that invariably are produced as we go about living our modern, busy lives."

Cr David Dalgleish
Chair - Rural and Urban Infrastructure
M: 0417 777 194
E: david.dalgleish@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Cr David Dalgleish came to Hervey Bay in 1988. He worked for Wide Bay Burnett Electricity Board, then became self employed as an automotive technician. He later started his own transport business. In 1998, David was elected to State Parliament as the member for Hervey Bay. He held this position for three
years then returned to his transport business before being elected to the Hervey Bay City Council and then Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Cr Linda Harris
Chair - Arts and Culture
M: 0417 711 993
E: linda.harris@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Cr Linda Harris was born in Bundaberg and raised in Torbanlea. She attended high school  in Maryborough then worked at the old SGIO building (the current Fraser Coast Regional Council's Maryborough Customer Service Centre) until marrying Mel in 1969. Linda and Mel owned and ran sugarcane and beef cattle properties and a harvesting contracting business prior to Linda being elected to Tiaro Shire Council in 1994. She served as a Councillor until 2004 when she was elected Mayor of Tiaro. 

Cr Debbie Hawes
Chair - Strategic Policy and Sustainability
M: 0458 100 224
E: debbie.hawes@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Cr Debbie Hawes was born in Monto and grew up in Maryborough. Debbie was involved in the building sector with husband Bill for more than twenty years. She was elected to the Woocoo Shire Council in 2004 and was involved in the Cultural, Personnel, Environment and RADF Committees. Her personal interests include public speaking, meeting people, travel, music, reading and walking. Debbie married Bill twenty-eight years ago and they have been Woocoo residents ever since. She is the proud mum of three daughters and the owner of two well-loved dogs.

Cr Barbara Hovard 
Chair - Business Development
M: 0418 797 165
E: barbara.hovard@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Cr Barbara Hovard was first elected in 1997 serving as a councillor with Maryborough City Council until 2004 when she was elected Mayor. Barbara’s background is in accounting and finance and she has been employed in a variety of management positions in both the public and private sectors. Born and educated in Maryborough, Barbara has been heavily involved in local sporting, cultural and welfare organisations.  She is looking forward to continuing to serve the community as a councillor of the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Cr Belinda McNeven (Deputy Mayor)
Chair - Corporate Governance
M: 0417 777 206
E: belinda.mcneven@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Cr Belinda McNeven was born at the original Hervey Bay Hospital, Pt Vernon.  She trained as a teacher in Brisbane and taught at various schools before returning to live in Hervey Bay.  Belinda was elected as the Division One Councillor for the Hervey Bay City Council in March 2000.  She was elected again in 2004 when the divisional boundaries were abolished.  Belinda is the chair of the Corporate Governance Portfolio which is concerned with advising Council in regard to the sound financial management and broader performance of the Fraser Coast Regional Council.

Cr Les MucKan
Chair - Community and Recreation
M: 0407 653 133
E: les.muckan@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Cr Les MucKan is married and has seven children. He prides himself on being a God-fearing family man and will not hesitate to stand on his principles. He is a Minister of the United Ministries Church International. Les started work early and grew up in the school of ‘hard knocks’, supporting his family. He feels the community's input is essential to ensure growth and community compliment each other.

Cr Anne Nioa
Chair - Marketing and Tourism
M: 0418 741 624
E: anne.nioa@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Cr Anne Nioa has lived on the Fraser Coast for most of her life. She has two children and lives  in Maryborough. Anne's background in business is extensive, having worked in several different industries -  in both family and her own business for the majority of her career. She was elected as a councillor to Maryborough City Council in 2004, and re-elected to the new Fraser Coast Regional Council in 2008. Anne is looking forward to the challenges ahead, not only in her portfolio of Marketing and Tourism, but also across the entire council and region.

Cr Gerard O'Connell
Chair - Economic Development
M: 0438 231 868
E: gerard.oconnell@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

Cr Gerard O’Connell was born and raised on the Fraser Coast. He has a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and a Bachelor of Theology. Gerard was a Catholic Priest in a number of Queensland parishes and has also worked as a Manager/Director in the education, hospitality, motor vehicle, hardware, retail and employment services sectors. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Gerard’s community interests include sport (football, cricket, golf), health issues and current affairs.