HAVING already worked for council as well as for other organisations, Craig Magnussen may be well placed to step into the role of councillor.

Mr Magnussen has worked for Southern Downs Regional Council for the past three years as a local laws officer, specialising in pest management.

He lives with his wife Fiona and two-year-old son Thomas on their property at the Summit, and said it was the desire to ensure a good quality of life for his family that pushed him to run for council.

"I want to run because this is my home and this is where I choose to raise my family," he said.

"I think that I'm young enough that I could bring some enthusiasm and energy and fresh ideas to a new council, but I'm old enough that I've also got 20 years of experience working in government at all levels."

Mr Magnussen has spent two decades in various government roles at local, regional, state and national levels.

"Prior to my current role, my 20-year career has been all in natural resource management and land management," he said.

"In the three years or so I've been in council, I've brought in nearly half a million dollars in external funding to implement projects."

Mr Magnussen has worked in the bush of western Queensland, in both hands-on and policy roles, while also having a stint in Brisbane working in land management, and has spent time as a national co-ordinator of natural resource management.

He is passionate about land management and ensuring that ratepayers see a return for their money.

"I'd like to see council, rather than cut services or continue to increase rates, just keep up with the level of service we provide the community. I'd rather see us get smarter with how we deliver those services," he said.

"I'm a ratepayer myself and I want to see the best value for money."

Mr Magnussen said while the council's financial position was his biggest concern, the future of the region would be ensured through working together.

"I don't think there's any use in playing the blame game and pointing fingers and thinking back to the past," he said.

"We just need to look ahead and look at ways that we can fix it.

"I think council is lucky in that we have an excellent CEO and some good staff in finance who can set a clear direction to get us out of this situation and get us back to a good financial position."