Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has paid tribute to retiring Bundaberg Mayor and councillors in state parliament.
Speaking in state parliament last night, Mr Bennett reflected on Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Mal Forman’s contributions to the local community.
“Mal has spent 14 years serving our community, with the last four as the Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor,” Mr Bennett told state parliament last night.
“Under his leadership, Bundaberg Regional Council has played a major role in projects worth $180 million that will unfold across the region in 2016. These include projects of the magnitude of Rubyanna Wastewater Treatment Plant, the gas pipeline, Knauf Plasterboard and the multi-use sport complex.
“These projects do not happen without hard work such as Mal has put in.”
Mr Bennett praised Cr Forman for his efforts in the wake of the significant natural disasters that rocked the Bundaberg and surrounding communities.
“No one could have foreseen the 2013 flood and tornado disaster that disrupted the lives of so many people in our community and slowed down the progress of the vision of growth for the region,” Mr Bennett said.
“With the major flood and mini tornado events, council faced a huge financial task simply to ensure infrastructure was repaired.
“Mal Forman can be proud of council’s response in the wake of the flood disasters and subsequent consultations to address community concerns about flood mitigation issues.”
Mr Bennett also took the opportunity to pay tribute to outgoing councillors Tony Ricciardi and Danny Rowleson, who he said had both worked tirelessly for their divisions.
He said Cr Ricciardi had been extremely active in his local community and his work after the floods should not be underestimated.
Mr Bennett said Danny Rowleson had worked hard to improve the quality of life across the Bundaberg region and made “an unbelievable contribution” to the community.
“Danny was instrumental in ensuring the protection of shorebirds and in other areas of environmental protection,” he said.
“With our iconic and endangered nesting sea turtles coming ashore to nest along the local coastline, Danny has continued to oversee turtle-friendly lighting installed in sensitive areas.”
[ENDS] 17 March 2016