Joel is fighting for responsible local government and economic growth. He grew up outside the small country town of Childers and being the son of a farmer, he knows the importance of agriculture and that feeling of belonging from a tight knit community. He recognises the same passion for inclusion in all the towns and villages across Southern Downs.
After leaving school in Childers he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Australian Army. Serving full-time for 8 years he left the regular army with an ingrained sense of duty and a willingness to serve. He moved to Goondiwindi in 2014 and Warwick in 2023 where he works in healthcare at the Darling Downs Health.
Joel understands that every person in Southern Downs relies on a council that is focus on them and the future. Our regional development must be the focus of the next council and ensuring that we have access to affordable and social homes is critical.
Ensuring that our region is a sought after destination is important for jobs and the local economy. Joel will be an enabler for future development that is sure to bring more jobs to our region. When you have a stable job, you will be able to confidently raise your family in our region and contribute fully to our rich culture.
Our council must be responsive to the communities needs. Joel will advocate for better transparency around the condition of our roads which is a vital transport link for tourisim, produce and services.
To enable our growth we must be confident of our water security. This means our urban centres must to have access to reliable water, and our agriculture and industry needs the water to grow and maintain their business.
Joel is currently a Board Director of Care Goondiwindi which is a disability and community support organisation providing services across the Darling Downs and interstate.
As an active member of the community, Joel will stand up for Southern Downs and the rural way of life—fighting for the improvement of health services and strong investment in infrastructure, roads and rail.
What qualities will Joel bring to council
Joel has worked in all three levels of government and has a well rounded understanding of public policy. This includes a deep understanding about how policy is enacted and what the flow on effects can be.
Joel has been a champion for workers rights and understands that employees and employers must work together for success.
Joel understands what living from pay check to pay check is like and how instability in ones family can bring about tough times. Tough times can come from financial stress but it can also occur from challenging medical or relationship situations. Joel will be an empathetic councillor who understands the decisions that council make can make or break lives.
Joel has worked with budgets and infrastructure for the last ten years and knows the challenges of balancing a budget. He has a common sense approach to managing infrastructure and has a critical eye for detail when it comes to plans and drawings. He will apply this to his role in council to ensure that projects meet merit and that unintended consequences can be avoided or managed.
Joel has a passion for the natural environment and is ready to champion this council into a more sustainable buildings. Council should be role models in this space, demonstrating that council will build its infrastructure using the most sustainable methods and materials.