LNP calls on Bundaberg Council to condemn state budget

The Bundaberg mayor’s former federal election rival has called on the council to “condemn” the state budget and its lack of funding, claiming council jobs, road upgrades and tourism are at risk.

There are concerns Bundaberg council jobs could be cut after fears the Works for Queensland Program would be stripped were realised this week.

In a statement released on Thursday, State Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett and Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said they couldn’t understand why Bundaberg Regional Council had “remained silent” about the 40% reduction of funding in the State Budget

Mr Bennett claimed councils across the state would not be able to support their current workforce with around 26,000 jobs at risk.

Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett and Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said they can’t understand why Bundaberg Regional Council has “remained silent” about the announcement.

“In last year’s Budget, $148 million was allocated for Works for Queensland, this year it’s just $88 million,” Mr Bennett said in the statement.

Along with the risk to council jobs, concerns were also raised about the impact on ratepayers.

“With the Waste Levy also on the rise, this means more taxes on locals when they visit council dumps,” Mr Bennett said.

“The levy rate was $85 per tonne from July 2021 to June 2022, that’s up from $75 when introduced in 2019.

“The State Government is asking for $672.4 million in upfront advance waste levy payments over four years.”

Burnett River Clean posted photos to social media this week, claiming dumping was continuing to severely impact the region’s waterways.

“This is an area of 50 meters in the absolute heart of Bundaberg town area, it's a great tourism attraction, one of many, wait till you see the 50 meters the other side,” the post by Burnett River Clean read.

“Not a good look and again your tax or rates are paying for this to not be cleaned up.”

Dumping continues to occur in our waterways as waste levy costs climb higher, says Burnett River Clean.

The NewsMail approached Bundaberg council for response about the comments, but no response was given at the time of publishing.

Mr Bennett also questioned why Bundaberg Council has not spoken out against the budget and its subsequent impact on future road upgrades.

“Most alarming to me is the lack of funding for our local roads. I can’t stress how vital this funding is,” he said.

“[Council] maintains a huge network of local government roads but there has been no increase in funding yet again. This has been the case since 2015.

“Overall, the budget reflects a 60 per cent reduction in available funding to Bundaberg and Gladstone Regional Councils.”

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey was quick to slam the federal budget in March, but had kept quiet about the cut to local funding by the State Government.

“We now know that the mayor’s criticism of the federal budget was because he was setting up a platform of issues to run on as an independent candidate in the Federal election,” Mr Pitt said.

“Why hasn’t the mayor called out the State on its budget which has delivered very little for the region, but re-announced projects and only a tiny portion of funding for Paradise Dam and initial works on the new hospital?”

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey was quick to slam the federal budget in March because “he was setting up a platform of issues to run on as an independent candidate in the Federal election.”

Mr Bennett warned the local council could also be slugged with the responsibility of introducing a ‘visitor tax’ at some of the region’s most iconic tourist attractions.

“This tax was all about creating more revenue streams to line the State Government’s pockets,” he said.

“How does our council feel about having to demand cash from local residents each time they take a stroll through the Mon Repos National Park or check out the Southern Great Barrier Reef in their backyard?”

Mr Pitt said it was time to “see some leadership” on a local government level.

“It’s no secret the Bundaberg mayor has been ‘distracted’, now we need our council leaders to step up and focus on what really matters.

“We need to stand together and call out the many failures of the State Labor Government.”

Bundaberg mayor Jack Dempsey said in a statement he welcomed the State Government's' commitment to begin work on a new Bundaberg hospital.

“It’s fantastic after many years of increasing demand to see funds made available for the essential purpose of meeting our community’s future health needs,” Mayor Dempsey said.

“I look forward to hearing more detail about the timelines and service plan for the new hospital.

“Thank you to the Member for Bundaberg, Tom Smith, for his work in advocating for this.”

Mayor Dempsey said he hoped Paradise Dam planning work was completed soon so that repair works could begin in earnest.

“Again, it's good to see funds provided in the budget, but it’s vitally important to get things underway as quickly as possible,” he said.

“We can't rely on good rainfall continuing into the future.

“I welcome every dollar of state and federal funding that comes into the Bundaberg region.

“It’s critical that we receive our fair share for roads, transport, infrastructure, mental health and housing.

“I’m not convinced there’s enough being done to tackle the housing crisis in our community and will await further announcements in relation to this.”

Mr Dempsey did not respond to the budget cuts to Local Government funding.