Results of public poll on Bundaberg council 2022 performance

The results of a poll on the 2022 performance of the Bundaberg council have revealed what the public is thinking after a tumultuous year, with the most popular councillor declaring what he thinks local residents really want from their council.

The public graded the Bundaberg Regional Council and its councillors.

The Bundaberg public has taken advantage of the chance to give some feedback on the Bundaberg Regional Council’s 2022 performance and the results are in.

The past year was not without controversy for the Jack Dempsey led council, from the heated debate over the demolition of Anzac Pool, to controversial votes on Bargara building heights.

Other controversial projects such as the Washpool Creek restoration, and the introduction of hydrogen garbage trucks had many questioning if council money was being fairly spent while hundreds of Bundaberg residents found themselves fighting homelessness.

Some good news came after Bundaberg’s popular Christmas pageant was promised a return in 2023.

Hundreds of readers took the time to grade the council and its representatives between an A (the highest) and an E (the lowest).

As a whole it appeared NewsMail readers were less than impressed with the council, with 53 per cent giving it at E.

Grade the Bundaberg Regional Council and its councillors.

Only 30 per cent gave the council a C or higher.

Mr Dempsey appeared equally unpopular, with 54 per cent of voters giving him an E, and 34 per cent giving him a C or higher.

However, the least popular councillor was Steve Cooper, responsible for organisational services - only 25 per cent of readers gave him a passing grade of C or higher for his performance in 2022.

Mr Cooper was contacted for a comment.

Greg Barnes proved the most popular councillor, with 53 per cent of voters giving him a C or higher.

Mr Barnes provided his own opinions of the poll and said, “I’m really humbled by the final result.”

He said he was grateful for the support given to himself and his wife during a tumultuous time in office, and said “the community would be aware of the controversial issues which have been in the public arena over recent years and which I’m sure have contributed to the results of the poll”.

Mr Barnes said he strove be an independent voice for his division and the wider community.

“What I’ve learned is that residents just want to be treated with respect, transparency and honesty,” he said.

Tanya McLoughlin, who received the second lowest amount of votes grading her a C or higher responded with:

“I am working hard for my community and liaise directly with local groups and residents to address their concerns.”

She outlined she had worked hard to deliver on a number of election commitments including “supporting improvements to regional facilities for example the Walla Street skatepark, new aquatic centre and Anzac Park redevelopment.”

Final results

Jack Dempsey: 34 per cent gave him a C or higher.

Jason Bartels: 40 per cent gave him a C or higher.

Bill Trevor: 36 per cent gave him a C or higher.

Wayne Honor: 52 per cent gave him a C or higher.

Tracey McPhee: 43 per cent gave her a c or higher.

Greg Barnes: 53 per cent gave him a C or higher.

Tanya McLoughlin: 28 per cent gave her a C or higher.

Vince Habermann: 40 per cent gave him a C or higher.

Steve Cooper: 25 per cent gave him a C or higher.

May Mitchell: 40 per cent gave him a C or higher.

John Learmonth: 34 per cent gave him a C or higher.

The Bundaberg Regional Council, Mr Barnes and Mr Cooper were contacted for a comment.