With years of experience in hospitality management, the mining sector and through union roles, Cr Simon West is a well-recognised community representative. Cr West was first appointed as Division 4 Councillor in 2019 and was re-elected unopposed in 2020 and 2024.
Elected as an executive member of the Mining and Energy Union (MEU) in 2008, Cr West is currently the President of the Goonyella Riverside MEU.
He has represented MEU members around Moranbah is an elected member both the National and Queensland Board of Managements of the Mining and Energy Union.
With his wife Fiona and son Oliver, Cr West has lived in Moranbah since 2001 and is an active community member and leader.
Cr West is the Chair of Council’s Waste and Water Standing Committee and is a member on Engineering and Infrastructure Standing Committee.
Cr West is a director of the Moranbah Community Scholarship Fund and a founding member and treasurer of the Moranbah Miners’ Memorial Committee, also assisting in multiple fundraising ventures such as the May Day Festival and mental health projects.
Cr West is also on the board of the Mackay Hospital Foundation, Moranbah Early Learning Centre and the Isaac Affordability Housing Trust.