Transparency, rates among highest priorities nominated

Council election candidates have stated in their own words where they stand and what they will do about the big Bundaberg issues of transparency, housing, the CBD, homelessness and rates. Find out what your candidate’s plan is.

Bundaberg council candidates reveal their stand on the five big issues, and what they plan to do about it.

With 2.5 weeks until council election day, a NewsMail survey has revealed improved transparency and easing the rates burden are the most important issues for Bundaberg voters.

Readers were asked to nominate the issue they thought should be Bundaberg council’s highest priority in a survey conducted through the NewsMail website between February 15-23, with 295 responses received.

Surely reflective of the controversy around the demolition of Anzac Pool and costings for the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre that dogged the previous council, 29 per cent (83 responses) selected council transparency as the top issue the council should focus on following the March 16 election.

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Readers nominated transparency as the top issue the next term of council should focus on.

Cost of living pressures were also on the mind of many voters, with bringing rates down (19 per cent / 56 votes) and bringing back the early rates payment discount (14 per cent / 42 votes) the next most popular responses.

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Finding solutions for the housing crisis was next on the list, with 9 per cent of respondents (26 votes) selecting housing availability / public housing as the top priority.

In line with recent calls from Bundaberg business owners and shoppers for all levels of government to do more to bring the flagging CBD back to life, 9 per cent (25 votes) of respondents said revitalisation of Bundaberg’s CBD should be the new council’s top priority.

Nine per cent of respondents said housing availability should be a priority for the next term of council.

To help readers make up their minds on March 16, NewsMail asked all candidates for their views on the top five priorities indicated by the survey, and how they would address them if elected.

Responses from most candidates were received by deadline, with some notable exceptions.

Incumbent mayor Jack Dempsey refused to respond, saying “I don’t provide commentary on third-party polls”.

“There’s only one poll that matters and that’s on 16 March,” he said.

Division 9 candidate Mike Paul also declined to participate, saying he was informing the community of his priorities through social media posts and meetings.

Responses were not received by deadline from Jason Bartels (Division 1 incumbent), Bill Trevor (Division 2 incumbent, deputy mayor), Joseph Heininger (Division 3 candidate), Tracey McPhee (Division 4 incumbent), Larine Statham-Blair (Division 5 candidate), Greg Barnes (Division 5 incumbent), Brad Grogan (Division 6 candidate), Andrea McPherson (Division 6 candidate), Gary Kirk (Division 7 candidate) and May Mitchell (Division 9 incumbent).

We have left each candidates’ responses in their own words as much as possible. Some responses have been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

Bundaberg council transparency (28 per cent)

Helen Blackburn (mayor): I’m not surprised that council transparency was the top priority issue that residents want to see addressed by the next council. It is one of the reasons I decided to run for mayor and something I advocated strongly for while I was a councillor between 2016-2020. The delegations to the CEO are too great and they take away from the decision-making ability of the democratically elected team of councillors. There has also been too much secrecy around council decisions and the costs to ratepayers. We still don’t know how exactly how many millions of dollars the new pool’s construction costs have blown out by.

Mayoral candidate Helen Blackburn said if elected she would wind back delegated powers from the CEO.

If residents of the Bundaberg region give me the honour to serve them as mayor, I will fight to bring back decision-making powers from the CEO and give them back to the team of councillors – where they belong. I will lead an open and transparent council, we will open up the books so ratepayers know what’s going on and where their money is being spend. Most importantly, we will listen to residents and always put them first.

Levi Horvath (mayor): I do agree this is a high priority issue. I believe that the community should be made aware of all decisions that are made by the council, people are paying the council to work for them and they deserve to know how that money is being spent and for the relevant information to be forthcoming from the council.

Paul Hudson (Division 2): (Council transparency) isa very high priority. Democracy depends on high levels of civic trust. The council works for the people, not the other way around. Everything must be 100 per cent transparent to the public. If elected, I will work constructively with other councilors and the mayor to ensure the issue is addressed!

Deb Keslake (Division 3): I fully support finding a solution to enhance council transparency.

Carmen McEneany (Division 6): I think this is something most people feel is missing at the moment. I think this is extremely important at all levels. By not being told the bottom line of things, it makes people feel that something untoward is going on. I would hope that the whole new council will have a culture and desire to be transparent on all matters, as this is the money that belongs to everyone that we are spending.

Vince Habermann (Division 7, incumbent): Transparency must always be a platform for all levels of government. I will ensure that I am always transparent, and that council continues to abide by Local Government Act regulations and continues to engage in community consultation regarding major projects.

Division 7 candidate Geoff Warham said if elected he would seek to reduce confidential items in council meetings as a way to improve council transparency.

Geoff Warham (Division 7): (Council) definitely needs more transparency. You look at both the swimming pool complex and Anzac Park pool; nobody seems to know what the debt level will be for the pool complex, and what went on behind closed doors in regards to building being conducted outside of logical order or started without full plans being completed etc. Then the process followed in the demolition of Anzac Pool; heritage orders, out of town certifiers used, approved Friday, demolition Monday. Then hiding the commemoration stones for months despite repeated requests and then come out with them smiling saying we knew where they were all along, like it’s a big game.

(If elected, I will seek to make council) more open and honest (with) less confidential items at the monthly meetings, and following rules close to what any other business would be required to do or provide if done privately.

Steve Cooper (Division 8, incumbent): Council transparency serves as the cornerstone of trust and accountability within our community. While it remains imperative to uphold transparency, we must also acknowledge the delicate balance required, particularly concerning matters of commercial sensitivity. Our foremost priority must always be to secure the best financial outcomes for our community while ensuring responsible disclosure practices.

If re-elected, I’ll advocate for processes to ensure other ways of communicating outcomes, using accessible online platforms for tracking council decisions and expenditures.

Shorne Sanders (Division 8): A council should work together and be transparent to the community and it should be open to listening to the needs and ideas of the community.

Steven Clark (Division 10): People want to know and want to have a say in what’s going on. If elected this would be the way I would like to make it. Honesty and transparency is a top priority.

Reduce Bundaberg rates (19 per cent)

Helen Blackburn (mayor): I agree that the exorbitant council rates, fees, and charges are a top priority for locals. I know this because we are all living in a cost-of-living crisis and it’s the overwhelming feedback I’ve heard as I’ve been doorknocking households across the region. Council needs to do more to live within its means and pass on savings to residents.

My major election commitment has been to fight to bring back the 10 per cent early rates payment discount. If elected, it will be on the top of my list of things to do before council hands down its next budget. I will work with the team of councillors to identify savings in council, without cutting jobs, and we will stop the unnecessary big spending projects that often cost ratepayers millions of dollars in cost blowouts.

Levi Horvath (mayor): I agree that this is an extremely high priority issue. I believe that the rates need to come back down to an appropriate level. The rates are by definition meant to fund essential services to the community and the community feels that the council is relying too heavily on rates for revenue. I believe in being a council that understands smart decision making, such as exploring alternative revenue streams that could ease the rates burden for locals. Previous reports conducted on rural area councils in the state have suggested various methods for doing this and it would be an exciting discussion to have for our region. Many in the Bundaberg area feel there is an over-reliance on rates for council income and any rates rises need to be actioned with absolute integrity by the council because the government does not set any cap on how high they can rise.

Paul Hudson (Division 2): Yes, the rates are shockingly high. Current Bundaberg council treats the ratepayer as a cash cow to fund their ever expanding list of vanity projects and their extravagant empire building. The council must live within its means and stop indulging in more and more activities that have nothing to do with the basic functioning of the region.

Deb Keslake (Division 3): I fully support finding a solution to bring down rates.

Carmen McEneany (Division 6): As much as I’d love to say let’s do it, realistically I don’t think going down will ever be something that is achievable. Much like car registration, insurance, power and so on.

Vince Habermann (Division 7, incumbent): With all costs continuing to rise, it would be very difficult to reduce rates.

Geoff Warham (Division 7): People like to suggest their friends’ rates in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast are much lower, not understanding that rates in these areas do not include water and sewerage as they are paid to separate entities. Take that out of my rates and I am only paying a little over $1000 per half-year. What services are the residents willing to lose?

Steve Cooper (Division 8, incumbent): When formulating council budgets, meticulous consideration is given to every expense, encompassing prioritized projects, staff wages and salaries, and utilities, ensuring the seamless operation of essential services. Rates are intricately set to align with these expenditures and inflation. The council has managed to keep general rates at their lowest in the history of Bundaberg Regional Council at an average over the last 4 years of 1.45 per cent.

Introducing lower rates amid periods of rapid growth and inflation would prove to be unsustainable, potentially leading to a reduction in vital services. Moreover, the proposition of reducing costs without adjusting rates accordingly would create a deceptive impression. Offering a rate reduction below the current levels would necessitate compensating for the reduced amount elsewhere, essentially nullifying any perceived benefit to residents.

As a candidate dedicated to honesty. I cannot endorse a system that misleads residents regarding their financial contributions to the council. Therefore, I steadfastly uphold the decision to maintain our financial efficiency during my term. Doing so was imperative for upholding the integrity of our financial practices and ensuring the long-term sustainability of essential services for our community.

Division 8 councillor Shorne Sanders said council needs to work harder for the community to find ways to make housing available.

Shorne Sanders (Division 8): Rates costs are of a high concern to a large number of residents that I have met during my door-knocking in Division 8.

Steven Clark (Division 10): There is a lot more to this than just saying I’ll reduce rates. However, if there is a way it can be done I will find it and happily reduce the cost of rates.

Bring back early rates payment discount (14 per cent)

Helen Blackburn (mayor): See above.

Levi Horvath (mayor): I disagree that this is a priority. I believe that this is only a stopgap to assist with rates. The council could introduce a 10 per cent discount and then raise rates by 10 per cent. If you don’t pay it early enough, you end up paying more and if you do, you end up paying the same amount anyway.

Paul Hudson (Division 2): Yes, bring the discount back and work towards further reduction in rates and charges. If elected, I will work constructively with other councilors and the mayor to ensure the issue is addressed!

Deb Keslake (Division 3): I fully support finding a solution to bring back the early rates payment discount.

Carmen McEneany (Division 6): I’ve read a few things around this in the last week, and I think people are genuinely upset this has been removed. I wasn’t a ratepayer back when this was removed so it didn’t affect me. I have read quite conflicting things about this, and would love some 100 per cent genuine information on whether these were really a 10 per cent saving or just figures made to look like people were getting discounts.

If elected this is something I will definitely support bringing back, as long as it’s transparent and a genuine saving for people.

Vince Habermann (Division 7, incumbent): To do this without other drastic measures to compensate would create an estimated shortfall of $8.8 million, so without knowing where these cuts are proposed to be made and then being able to make a studied decision as a council, I could not comment further on this matter.

Geoff Warham (Division 7): Nobody ever got a 10 per cent discount for paying their rates early, they got a 10 per cent discount for paying on time. Recently councillors and even the mayor of Gympie have come out and said that previously they would raise rates by 10 per cent, then provide the discount. Why aren’t there alarm bells ringing at the ACCC or Fair Trading saying that this is an improper act? A mayoral candidate said they will be able to afford the 10 per cent discount by cutting out waste. What waste are we cutting out? Remember we did not have a rate rise this year, so if rates rise at a normal level this year, we have realistically received a 5 per cent discount for last year, which carries over year on year.

Until the new councillors can see, and understand the figures, you cannot commit on anything. It’s unknown what the new pool debt will be, and I would suggest it would be run as a loss, but the aim would be try to get it as close to cost neutral as possible. For reasons stated above, I cannot see a immediate return to the discount. If anything, those who pay by installment are paying up to 6 months early, so maybe a small discount for them on their last payment (could be considered).

Division 8 incumbent Steve Cooper said he will advocate for ways to better communicate outcomes in order to improve council transparency.

Steve Cooper (Division 8, incumbent): My opposition to the reintroduction of rate discounts is rooted in a fundamental principle of honesty. The previous “discount” system was inherently misleading, merely adjusting rates to give the appearance of a discount without actually reducing the financial burden on ratepayers. The decision to abolish this system was made with the understanding that true transparency demands honesty in financial matters. Upon its removal, every rate notice was adjusted, ensuring that every resident benefited, regardless of their financial situation.

Reintroducing rate discounts would place an additional $8.8 million burden on our budget, which goes against the principles of fiscal responsibility. This is precisely why other councils are following Bundaberg’s lead. Moreover, offering further reduced rates would compromise our ability to collect revenue, further straining our finances and exacerbating the difficulties faced by those already struggling to pay. Our current situation regarding rate recovery is at an all-time low, with no property recovery auctions for rates older than four years this year.

Shorne Sanders (Division 8): The cost of living has risen so dramatically that the early payment discount should definitely be reviewed.

Division 10 candidate Steve Clark said he supports bringing back the early rates payment discount if it is possible to do so.

Steven Clark (Division 10): Again there is a bit more to this one than meets the eye, but if it is possible to save people money than yes I’m 100 per cent for it.

Housing availability / public housing (9 per cent)

Helen Blackburn (mayor): Housing availability, affordability, and homelessness is an issue that was not as prevalent four years ago as it is now. You just have to look under the bridges and outside the airport to know that what is currently being done in this space is not working.

If elected, I will work hard to implement my three-step plan to help ease the housing crisis locally.

Mayoral candidate Levi Horvath said he had made housing availability a priority from the start of his campaign.

Levi Horvath (mayor): I agree that this is an extremely high issue. From the start of my campaign, I have made it clear that the region needs immediate relief for the homeless, which is something the council can help provide and I’m committed to working with our state and and federal members, Tom Smith and Keith Pitt respectively to advocate for the community in the tiers of government where they hold influence.

Paul Hudson (Division 2): If the rates and fees were not so high, perhaps more investors would provide reasonably priced rental accommodation. If elected, I will work constructively with other councilors and the mayor to ensure the issue is addressed!

Deb Keslake (Division 3): I fully support finding a solution to addressing housing availability and low-cost housing for locals.

Division 6 candidate Carmen McEneany said some 'out of the box' thinking was required to solve the housing crisis.

Carmen McEneany (Division 6): This is something I believe every person, on every council and state and federal level should be looking at. What is happening to people who can’t find a place to live is just getting worse as we speak. This is something I would need a lot of information, collaboration, and ideas around. It isn’t something I alone have the answer to. I would love to be a part of a solution but it is big! I do see so many empty buildings uptown and wonder how these could be made into short-term accommodation for people, but like lots of things in life, the reality is that the logistics would be huge. But I do think there have to be things like this that as a whole council unit, we can make happen.

Vince Habermann (Division 7, incumbent): Provision of public housing is not by nature a local government responsibility, but all levels of government should work together to address the issue. Council has already offered parcels of land throughout the region to state government to be used to build more public housing and taken other measures, and I support council continuing to do what it can do to increase public and community housing.

Geoff Warham (Division 7): Most would say that the housing situation is more state and federal government issue, which it is. ... Recently the state government requested local council donate land to build low cost housing. Bundaberg Regional Council offered 3 different sites ... (but) the state government only took up the Gin Gin site.

If elected and supported by other councillors and the council executive team, I would look at a new rating category for short term standard housing and units in non-holiday areas (motels etc. would be exempt) with a significant increase in rates offset by a small rate decrease for standard long-term rentals. I have not heard of this being thought of elsewhere.

Steve Cooper (Division 8, incumbent): Addressing housing availability, especially public housing, is crucial for community well-being. While primarily a state issue, the council can advocate for solutions and facilitate land availability. If re-elected, I’ll collaborate with stakeholders to explore affordable housing strategies and advocate for public housing initiatives while streamlining planning processes.

Shorne Sanders (Division 8): We need to work harder for the members of our community who face hardship, working with (all) levels of government to finds ways to make housing available.

Steven Clark (Division 10): This one’s more of a state government issue, but if the Bundaberg Regional Council can help even with short term accommodation then I believe something should definitely be done.

Revitalisation of Bundaberg CBD (9 per cent)

Helen Blackburn (Mayor): I was born and raised in Bundy, so it has been sad to see the slow emptying of our CBD. Revitalisation is important and is a project that should have commenced years ago when council first developed plans. I will consult with the community and work with the team of elected councillors to find a path forward for the revitalisation of the Bundaberg CBD.

Levi Horvath (Mayor): I agree that this is a high priority. I believe that the council should first consult the community and business and property owners in regards to suggestions for revitalising the CBD. The council can start by maintaining footpaths and roads in the CBD while this consultation takes place. My hope is that a CBD revitalisation project, will encourage small businesses to open up.

Paul Hudson (Division 2): Rather than indulge in a disruptive, protracted “beautification” project, give businesses a rates holiday in the CBD, equal to the overall cost of any proposed beautification. (There is) no need to waste millions on disruptive civil works. Just get off the back of business people and let them get on with what they know how to do best. If elected, I will work constructively with other councilors and the mayor to ensure the issue is addressed!

Division 3 candidate Deb Keslake said roads are a higher priority than revitalising the CBD.

Deb Keslake (Division 3): I would have put roads before this as this is the feedback from local residents.

Carmen McEneany (Division 6): This CBD was great back when ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ was top of the charts, but it is now looking tired and old. I would definitely be on board with (the revitalisation of the CBD). I think there needs to be a few ideas posted (publicly) and people getting to choose and be involved in what would happen. I think the other side of this has to also be a balance of what people are charged to be a business uptown. There is no point in making it amazing and beautiful if no businesses can afford to be there.

Vince Habermann (Division 7, incumbent): Revitalisation of the CBD is necessary to ensure that it remains the pumping heart of our region. Work is well advanced on the ANZAC Park Precinct Redevelopment, which is the start of a long-term CBD revitalization process. I will continue my support of the Our Stories Our Places Heritage and Character Grant Program, and other projects to maintain and upgrade infrastructure and improve amenity.

Geoff Warham (Division 7): Maybe more evening dining options in the open (could assist with the revitalisation of the CBD), just the sounds of the birds in the early evening is pretty magical. Parking is apparently turning over more with the new parking rangers vehicle working well as per last week’s briefing meeting. (If elected, I will investigate) options to provide more parking.

Steve Cooper (Division 8, incumbent): Revitalizing the CBD is essential for economic growth and community vibrancy. The council has a long-term plan starting from the riverfront. If re-elected, I’ll support CBD revitalization through infrastructure improvements, beautification projects, and small business incentives, drawing on my business experience. Additionally, I’ll seek community input for aligned revitalization efforts. I have a proven record in this space and having worked on the council committees as a retail delegate for the original CBD development in the 1980’s.

Shorne Sanders (Division 8): The CBD should be the heartbeat of the community. We need to attract people to the CBD and increase community engagement.

Steven Clark (Division 10): It’s very upsetting to see the state of the CBD and I really think that action needs to be taken to revitalise and repair the whole area to be a place that not only is more functional but also beautiful.