BRUCE Scott might be a reluctant politician, but after almost two decades in local government he admits to being a little hesitant to go.
Born in Charleville, the proud South West Queenslander - who rose from a humble panel beater spray painter to station owner to Barcoo Shire mayor before the age of 40 - said he was pleased when Premier Anna Bligh announced her decision to move the date of the 2012 local council elections from March 31 to April 28.
While Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) president Paul Bell has repeatedly said the Premier's decision to shift the poll date was a "disgrace" because it threw council election preparations into turmoil, Cr Scott said he can see a silver lining.
He said the extra month provides a window to get a few last jobs completed for the council before his pending retirement.
Among the major projects he is currently working on is the estimated $17 million plan to raise the concrete crossings across the Cooper Creek flood plains. This would provide some flood immunity along the Diamantina Developmental Road for better access to Windorah, Birdsville and Bedourie, as well as the cattle properties and oil fields, which are currently cut off for long periods of time during wet seasons.
He said while construction is at least five years away, there is currently a consultant working on the project, and he hoped a funding commitment from the State government could be sourced in the near future.
Cr Scott, who only originally ran for council after much convincing from a neighbour, remained adamant that he has served for the last time in local government, following first being elected councillor in 1994, followed by mayor in 2000.
He said balancing the difficult juggling act of public service with running a private business has taken its toll on his family life and financial bottom line, and he is looking forward to a much more simplified career path where he can focus on ensuring his property returns the best results possible.
Cr Scott owns and operates Moothandella, 43 kilometres east of Windorah, covering 30,000 hectares of diverse mixed land systems and drainage areas.
It can be a tough lot for the mayor of a region which has experienced drought, floods and bushfire during the past decade - the length of time Cr Scott has been in charge at Barcoo Shire Council.
"Agriculture is becoming the new poor - input costs in agricultural production have forced people to be open-minded and willing to change just to survive," he said.
"But you take things in your stride if you thought about it too much you might not continue to do it."
Barcoo Shire, located in Central Western Queensland, covers about 61,974 square kilometres incorporating the towns of Jundah, Stonehenge and Windorah with a shire population of about 460.
While the shire's main industry is beef production, recent times have seen the discovery of reserves of oil and gas, which has increased development throughout the region.
When asked about his proudest achievement since taken the reins at the council, Cr Scott listed the improved regional communication between shires through various groups such as the Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD).
The area encompassed by RAPAD covers about 23pc of Queensland's land mass and with a population of about 12,500.
"Regional partnerships are so important because state and federal governments are far more responsive to a region than just an individual council," he said.
"In remote areas, councils are still having to pay for a lot of things that people in more heavily populated areas take for granted - council gets involved in education, energy and medical facilities.
"But these council partnerships have brought the power of joint purchasing, regional based policy and collective social and economic ideas that has resulted in some great achievements for the entire region."
He said while he believes it was time to stand aside for "new blood" to being their ideas to the council table, he hoped whoever collects the ceremonial robes continues the dedication to the principles which have been central to Cr Scott' own governance - transparency, openness and honesty.
"All governments need to not lose sight of who they serve - the people. I think often governments lose track of that. But politicians should treat people how they'd like to be treated," he said.
"In regional and remote councils you are much more exposed to what people are thinking. When you go to the pub one night you need to expect to talk to someone about council issues.
"It is not an easy task but you've got to consistently put yourself in the shoes of the people you are serving."
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