The local government election is just over a week away. While many residents have already made up their minds and taken advantage of pre-polling, here’s more info about your local candidates ahead of March 16.
In order of the ballot paper.
Levi Horvath
The 23-year-old announced his candidacy in mid-February promising a better future for Bundaberg and its young people. Mr Horvath currently works at a service station and says he was inspired to run after hearing complaints from his customers about the current council’s performance, notably disapproval of the new Aquatic Centre. He has pledged to increase transparency, lower rates, find solutions for homelessness, clean up Moneys Creek and fight erosion at Woodgate Beach. One of his most ambitious plans is to bring Rosedale into Bundaberg’s boundaries. The community is currently part of the Gladstone Regional Council, but Mr Horvath believes the township should fall into Bundaberg because of its geographical location.
Helen Blackburn
This is Ms Blackburn’s second time running for Mayor after she was defeated in 2020. She has focused her campaign on “getting back to basics” with the major promise to restore the 10% early rates payment discount. Ms Blackburn has also released a three-step plan to build housing stock to address rising homelessness. The plan includes reducing council fees for builders and developers, establishing a working group of local organisations and donating more council land for social housing. Ms Blackburn says she’d also push to bring back free kerbside collection to reduce illegal dumping and investigate council’s fees and charges after slamming the rising cost of hiring venues. Ms Blackburn served as the division 4 councillor between 2016 and 2020.
Jack Dempsey
Mr Dempsey is seeking his third term as Mayor of Bundaberg. He was first elected in 2016 and then again in 2020. He believes his strong advocacy for the region has benefited residents by bringing more investment and interest to the area. Mr Dempsey says under his leadership Bundaberg has seen its strongest economic growth in 16 years as well as the lowest general rates. During the election campaign he has pledged to investigate a new art gallery, 10,000 seat stadium, a high school at Bargara, ways to address the housing crisis and the beach erosion at Woodgate. Mr Dempsey ran as an independent for the seat of Hinkler in the 2022 Federal Election but was unsuccessful. He is the former State Member for Bundaberg and Queensland Police Minister.
