Free read: The ultimate Bundaberg Regional Council election guide

Welcome to your ultimate guide to the 2024 Local Government Elections in Bundaberg, the candidates, where to vote, the ballot list and other pre-polling information.

Everything you need to know about the upcoming 2024 Local Government elections.

Welcome to your ultimate guide to the 2024 Local Government Elections in Bundaberg, the candidates, where to vote, how to vote and pre-polling information.

Queensland voters will head to the polls on March 16 to decide the make-up of their local councils for the next four years.

In Australia, voting is not only a right and a responsibility it is also compulsory for eligible Australian citizens aged 18 or older.
If you don’t vote, you may be fined, with fines starting at $66.

Ballot paper order

Challengers took the first spot in eight out of 11 divisions including the mayoral race in the local election ballot draw at the Bundaberg Civic Centre on Wednesday.

Challenger Levi Horvath (middle) took top spot on the mayoral ballot paper, followed by Helen Blackburn (left) and incumbent mayor Jack Dempsey.

Last-minute challenger Levi Horvath took top spot on the mayoral ballot, followed by Helen Blackburn with incumbent Jack Dempsey taking third spot.

Mr Dempsey was unfazed by his position on the ballot paper.

“This community and people’s voting will decide whether we continue with the positive progress that has been established,” Mr Dempsey said.

“I’ll be listening to the community in that regard.”

Mr Horvath was more upbeat, making the tongue-in-cheek comment that “it just shows I’m number one”.

“I hope it helps,” he said.

“So many people find local politics hard to understand, anything that helps them to make the right choice is welcome.”

A cheer was heard from Jason Bartels’ camp when his name was called out as the first position in the Division 1 ballot.

He was one of a few incumbents to take top spot.

The order of candidates for all ballot papers:

Mayor:

1. Levi Horvath
2. Helen Blackburn
3. Jack Dempsey (incumbent)

Division 1:

1. Jason Bartels (incumbent)
2. Johannes Zietsman
   

Division 2:

1. Paul Hudson
2. William (Bill) Trevor (incumbent)

Division 3:

1. Joseph Heininger
2. Deb Keslake

Division 4:

1. Tracy McPhee (incumbent)
2. Ian Ward

Division 5:

1. Larine Statham-Blair
   
2. Greg Barnes (incumbent)

Division 6:

1. Bradley Grogan
2. Carmen McEneany
3. Andrea McPherson
   

Division 7:

1. Vince Habermann (incumbent)
2. Gary Kirk
3. Geoff Warham
   

Division 8:

1. Shorne Sanders
   
2. Steve Cooper (incumbent)

Division 9:

1. Mike Paul
2. May Mitchell (incumbent)

Division 10:

1. Geoffrey Goodwin
   
2. John Learmonth (incumbent)
3. Steven Clark

Pre-polling and voting in 2024 Bundaberg council election

Early voting for the Local Government elections opens on Monday, March 4 and runs until Friday, March 15, with early voting times varying depending on location.

The official election day is Saturday, March 16, 2024 with all polling booths open from 8am to 6pm.

Anyone can submit a postal vote, but you have to apply and votes can only be submitted before 6pm on election day.

Postal votes are required to be returned by Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

Postal votes must be received by the Electoral Commission Queensland within 10 days after election day to be included in the count, if a vote is received after the deadline, it won’t be counted.

The ideal first step for voting in the local elections is to enrol to vote, check your enrolment or update your details on the Australian Electoral Commission website.

If you recently moved house, or have updated other key details it is best to update your enrolment information before the election.

It is compulsory to enrol in council, state and federal government elections if you are an Australian citizen or eligible British subject; are aged 18 years or over; have lived at your address for at least one month.

Special enrolment categories are available for people with specific needs including those who have no fixed address or are an Australian citizen living and working overseas.

For detailed information about the special enrolment options available to you go to the AEC website.

Those interested in early voting can do so at the Bundaberg Civic Center at 190 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg Central.

Pre-polling will be open from Monday, March 4 to Friday, March 8 from 9:00am to 5:00pm and again from Monday, March 11 to Thursday, March 14 from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Pre-polling will open for an extra hour from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Friday, March 15.

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How to vote

Once you’re sure your enrolment information is accurate and up-to-date you can find out which division of the Bundaberg Region you will be casting your vote for.

Head to the Where is my electorate? page from the AEC, type in your address and remember to switch the tab to Local Government.

Once you have confirmed your division, do your research and find out who is running for that seat and what they represent.

From there you can find out where your closest polling booth is here.

Polling is typically hosted in local schools or community halls.

For more election facts, head to the AEC website to find out more on common misinformation, frequently asked questions and background data.

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Election day, March 16, 2024

Once you have confirmed your electoral information is up-to-date, you’ve done your research on candidates and confirmed your closest polling booth you’re ready to head to the polls on March 16.

Full list and profile of Bundaberg council election candidates for each Division

When you arrive at a polling booth, head to the issuing officer table where an election official will verify your identity before giving you your ballot paper.

You may be required to confirm your address, so make sure your information is current with the Australian Electoral Commission when doing so.

After that, you’ll be directed to a voting booth where you can cast your ballot in private, take your time and make sure to read the information provided on the ballot slip.

Place your completed ballot paper/s in the ballot box as you leave. Polling officials will be available to provide assistance should you have any questions.

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What happens if you do not vote

After an election, records are checked and if it appears you have not voted you may receive an apparent failure to vote notice.

This notice will provide you with an opportunity to say if you did or didn’t vote, or why you didn’t vote.

If you receive the notice you can provide your valid reasoning for not casting a vote, confirm that you did cast a vote by providing the appropriate details or pay a fine of one penalty unit at the time of the offence, or half this amount if the fine is paid before the due date.

If you don’t respond to the apparent failure to vote notice, you are likely to receive an infringement notice, which is the fine for not voting.

If the fine is not paid, you may be referred to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) for further action and additional charges may apply.

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Changes to Bundaberg council Divisions

Recent changes to division boundaries in the Bundaberg region may leave voters wondering who their candidates are, find out where your Division is here.

A part of Meadowvale in Division 3 will now be in Division 1, and a portion of Gooburrum in Division 4 will join it.

Parts of Bundaberg North, one bounded by Agnes St, Gavin St, Waterview Rd and the northern dwellings of Stuart St, and the other surrounded by Fagg St, Queen St and Agnes St, have moved from Division 1 to Division 4.

A section of Sharon, west of 10 Mile Rd has been moved from Division 3 to Division 1, and a block at the corner of Batchelors Rd and Loeskow has been moved from Division 1 to Division 4.

Division 2 is gaining the remainder of Alloway from Division 6, and the balance of Gregory River and Elliott from Division 3.

Sections of Branyan and Booyal in Division 2 are now in Division 7, and 3 respectively.

A block at Millbank between Penny St and Duffy St has been shifted from Division 8 to Division 4. Another block at Millbank on the banks of the Burnett River has moved from Division 4 to Division 8.

Avenell Heights will now be entirely within Division 10, instead of being split between it and Division 7.