With the mayoral debate approaching next week, Bundaberg Today asked our mayoral candidates about their reasons for running, what issues they deem important and what promises they will be making to the Bundaberg constituents.
From environmental projects to road maintenance and rates relief, see what our candidates will be working toward if elected Mayor.
Jack Dempsey (incumbent)
1. Why have you chosen to run for mayor of Bundaberg?
To finish the job that’s been started over the past eight years. Turning around an economy is like turning a cruise ship, it takes time and a lot of effort. We’re starting to see results with sustained economic growth and I don’t want to see that jeopardised by alternative approaches.
2. What issues are currently impacting Bundaberg that a council under your leadership will address?
There are lots of issues, and I’ve already identified many of these such as economic growth, jobs for young people, environmental sustainability, investing in infrastructure, liveability and lifestyle, and being an inclusive community.
3. What are your promises to constituents if elected?
My promise is to work hard and deliver results.
4. Why should voters support you?
I don’t take anyone’s vote for granted. I just ask people to please consider voting for me if they want progress and growth, economic development, better infrastructure and a caring community.
Helen Blackburn
1. Why have you chosen to run for mayor of Bundaberg?
I decided to run for Mayor because the feedback I heard from locals was that they were not happy with the direction of the current council. Higher rates, fees, and charges are hurting families, seniors, renters, and businesses. Council’s decision to raise agricultural rates on our farmers by up to 235 per cent has severe consequences for our region’s economy which relies so much on the industry. I think there is a better way and that’s why my campaign has focused on cost-of-living relief for residents including my 10 per cent early rates payment discount plan.
2. What issues are currently impacting Bundaberg that a council under your leadership will address?
There is currently too much power concentrated with the CEO and not enough with the democratically elected councillors. I am running to bring back common sense, be open and transparent with residents, cut wasteful council spending so we don’t see a repeat of the demolition of Anzac Pool and multi-million dollar cost blow out of the aquatic centre. I will always put residents first.
3. What are your promises to constituents if elected?
My major election commitment is to fight to bring back the 10 per cent early rates payment discount. I can’t promise too much at the election because any decision will have to be agreed upon by the democratically elected team of councillors. But that will not stop me fighting on behalf of residents for the issues they care about. My plan can be viewed on my website votehelen.com.au
4. Why should voters support you?
I’m Bundy born and bred, I’ve served our nation in the Army, started my own small business which employed locals and I also have the experience of being a councillor from 2016-2020. I have never stopped fighting for our region and if elected Mayor, I will never stop listening and working for locals.
Levi Horvath
1. Why have you chosen to run for mayor of Bundaberg?
I have been hearing how, for the last eight years, the council has ignored the wishes of the community and focused on what they believe is best for the region.
There has been mounting anger and frustration about various issues that caused my own frustration in the council to rise.
My belief is that the region no longer has any confidence in the council due to neglect of the regional communities and that has caused me to run so that the region as a whole can have a leader that actually wants to listen and act on what the communities want, not what I believe they want.
2. What issues are currently impacting Bundaberg that a council under your leadership will address?
I could be here all day listing the issues that locals have brought to my attention.
For all communities, I would fight to lower rates as a whole, not a discount that I believe would be ineffective, but a straight percentage that would be able to ease the financial strain on so many families.
I support immediate relief for homelessness by opening up unused facilities to provide shelter and safety.
Moneys Creek is an issue that would be extremely simple to fix, the council just needs to take action. I’ve heard that each party involved in delaying the clean-up of Moneys Creek, keeps on passing the buck to each other, but it has to stop somewhere.
All the regional communities have spoken to me about issues that they have with their roads, but I have not seen the council address them for the last eight years, that is a major failure on our council’s part.
3. What are your promises to constituents if elected?
To be completely transparent with every decision the council makes and to ensure that any action the council makes isn’t because we believe it’s best, but because the region has had their voices heard and told us that this is what the people want and to reduce unnecessary financial spending.
I believe the region as a whole is fed up with money being thrown around and not being spent on what the region needs. I wish I could promise everything, but it’s not just up to me. I must adhere to the will of the other councillors and can only inform the community of when a policy or issue would be brought to the table, what it is about, the pros and cons and who voted yay or nay.
4. Why should voters support you?
If the voters wish for a change away from the actions of the last eight years of council and want a mayor who wants nothing but the absolute best for all communities in the region, they should vote for me.
I’m not a career politician nor am I a developer. I’m somebody who is frustrated with politicians that refuse to listen to the will of the people and I believe that that is what the people need and what they deserve.
