Carmen McEneany to run for election to Bundaberg council

As the long countdown to the 2024 Bundaberg council elections begins, a well known local mother and entrepreneur has announced her decision to challenge the incumbent.

Community advocate Carmen McEneany (left) has announced her intention to run against Division 6 incumbent councillor Tanya McLoughlin (right) in the March 2024 Bundaberg council election.

A Bundaberg businesswoman has thrown her hat in the ring for the Bundaberg Regional Council election in March 2024.

Carmen McEneany announced her intention to run for Division 6 in a press release sent on Wednesday, October 25.

The mother-of-four has been an advocate for various local initiatives including upgrades to the Ashfield Rd-FE Walker St intersection, for which $1.15million in funding was allocated by the Qld government in 2020.

Ms McEneany also launched Boomerang Bags Bundaberg, an initiative through which volunteers make reusable shopping bags from donated fabric that are provided free of charge to residents.

Boomerang Bags Bundaberg won the Community Spirit Award as part of the 2018 Australia Day awards.

Carmen McEneany campaigned with then-LNP Bundaberg MP David Batt (pictured) for road safety upgrades to the Ashfield Rd-FE Walker St intersection.

More recently, Ms McEneany lobbied the Qld government to reduce the cost of a learner driver’s permit, gathering 800 signatures on a petition sponsored by LNP Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett.

As a result of her efforts, the state government reduced the cost of permits to $75, less than half the previous cost.

Ms McEneany said her background in successfully advocating for public initiatives demonstrates an ability to realise change in the community.

“I’m a local mum, a small business owner, and I’m passionate about fighting for our community,” Ms McEneany said.

Community advocate Carmen McEneany (above) has announced her intention to run against incumbent councillor Tanya McLoughlin in the 2024 Bundaberg council election.

“I know how to get things done ... I’m running as a candidate because Bundy needs a council that gets the basics right.

“As our region grows, I would like to see more roads upgraded, more infrastructure built, and more communication and consultation with residents on major decisions.”

Ms McEneany, also known by the self-styled nickname “Thermie Carmie”, is the local team leader for Thermomix and manages a team of salespeople around the region.

Division 6 extends from Burnett Heads to Elliot Heads, excluding the coastal suburb of Bargara, and west to Alloway and Rubyanna.

First-time councillor Tanya MacLoughlin was elected Division 6 councillor with 52 per cent of the vote in the 2020 local government election following the retirement of incumbent Scott Rowleson.