Former One Nation candidate and respected Queensland community figure James Hansen has died after being found in floodwaters on his rural property, leaving family, friends and former colleagues devastated.
The 57-year-old dairy farmer and former Fraser Coast councillor was discovered unresponsive in Smothering Creek at Boompa, west of Maryborough, shortly after 11am on Monday.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Boompa Road, but tragically, he could not be saved.
Mr Hansen’s death comes after days of torrential rain and severe storms battered parts of Queensland, causing widespread flooding, road closures and emergency rescues.
A fourth-generation dairy farmer, Mr Hansen was a familiar and respected figure throughout the Fraser Coast region, where he spent much of his life advocating for rural families, farmers and local communities.
He served on the former Woocoo Shire Council from 2004 to 2008 before representing the Fraser Coast region for three consecutive terms between 2012 and 2024.
He also entered state politics, standing as Pauline Hanson’s One Nation candidate for Maryborough in the 2017 Queensland election, where he finished second to Labor’s Bruce Saunders.
But beyond his political career, Mr Hansen was remembered as a hardworking farmer who remained deeply connected to the land and the people who depended on it.
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour paid a heartfelt tribute to his former colleague, describing him as one of the region’s last remaining dairy farmers.
“James had strong connections to our rural communities and was a passionate advocate for primary producers. He always stood up for his beliefs,” Mr Seymour said.
“My thoughts are with James’ family and friends as they come to terms with this sudden and tragic loss.”
Fraser Coast councillor Michelle Byrne, who now represents Mr Hansen’s former division, was equally devastated by the news.
Describing his death as “terribly tragic”, she told Nine News: “Nobody, nobody wants to lose a family member, let alone in these tragic circumstances. My heart goes out to them.”
The circumstances surrounding Mr Hansen’s final moments remain under investigation, with reports suggesting he may have attempted to cross a flooded road.
Queensland Police have confirmed they are investigating his death and will prepare a report for the coroner.
His passing has cast a shadow over a region already struggling with the aftermath of extraordinary rainfall.
Some areas of Queensland received hundreds of millimetres of rain in just four days, with Brooweena, near Mr Hansen’s home on the Fraser Coast, recording almost 300mm.
Elsewhere in the state, emergency crews rescued stranded campers and responded to flooding that left roads and waterways dangerously swollen.
Authorities have continued to urge Queenslanders to avoid driving through floodwaters, warning that even familiar roads can become deadly when submerged.
For the Fraser Coast community, however, the tragedy is deeply personal.
Mr Hansen spent decades serving the region, both as an elected representative and as a farmer who understood firsthand the challenges of rural life.
His sudden death has left those who knew him mourning a man remembered for his determination, strong convictions and unwavering commitment to his community.
