Mayoral candidate Levi Horvath hopes to be a voice for change in council

Community frustration talked about in a servo made surprise mayoral candidate Levi Horvath decide to run for Bundaberg’s top job as he refutes strategic campaign allegations.

Bundaberg mayoral candidate Levi Horvath hopes the community votes for change on March 16.

Every election throws up some surprises, and the biggest surprise from this year’s Bundaberg council election may be relative unknown Levi Horvath throwing his hat in the ring for the mayoral contest.

Mr Horvath has wasted no time after submitting his nomination on February 12, spruiking his campaign priorities through social media and making media appearances after Wednesday’s ballot order draw at the Bundaberg Civic Centre.

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In a pleasant introduction to the hurly-burly of politics, Mr Horvath drew first place on the mayoral ballot, followed by experienced challenger Helen Blackburn and incumbent Jack Dempsey.

Mr Horvath (middle) confirmed that he has no affiliation with Helen Blackburn (left) or incumbent Jack Dempsey (right), counter to social media comments that he is running to split the vote in favour of the Mr Dempsey.

At 23 years old, Mr Horvath, who is Bundaberg born and raised, is one of the youngest candidates in the state running for office.

He said he was not a “career politician”, a trait that may see him find favour with some voters, but he has taken a keen interest in politics and local government.

Mr Horvarth decided to run for mayor after speaking to the public while working at a service station and hearing recurrent themes of discontent felt towards the council.

“I interact with the community quite a bit when they come in to buy the paper and buy fuel, and I get a chance to chat with them about what’s going on,” Mr Horvarth said.

“I hear so much frustration with the council, I thought it would be a really good time to run.

“I feel like the community wants, needs and just has to have a new voice that is willing to listen to the community.”

In a timely resonance with current debates between councillors and the Bundaberg heritage group, Mr Horvath counts the demolition of historic Anzac Pool to make way for the $76 million Bundaberg Aquatic Centre as one of the most frequently heard issues.

A former Australian Army Cadet, Mr Horvath has a strong awareness of Australia’s military tradition and the significance of the pool as a memorial to Bundaberg’s veterans.

“It was a monument to Bundaberg’s history, so many veterans from World War I and II went there with their families,” he said.

“That history has now gone.”

Mr Horvath said the 2022 demolition of Anzac Pool is one of the biggest sources of frustration in the Bundaberg community.

Mr Horvath said the funds allocated to the aquatic centre should have been devoted to community projects including addressing the housing crisis through providing shelter and security to Bundaberg’s homeless.

“We’ve got so many unused buildings, surely we can bring them up to a good standard of living,” he said.

“We need something where we can get homeless people off the streets safely, because I don’t think Bundaberg is safe anymore and that’s one thing where I’m very worried for the homeless community.”

Counter to allegations made on social media that he is running a strategic campaign to split the vote in favour of incumbent Jack Dempsey, Mr Horvath confirmed unequivocally that he has no affiliation to either candidate.

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“I just want to do good for the community,” he said.

“I can only hope that when they vote, they want change and they want somebody who is willing to listen and work for them”.