In the lead-up to Saturday's council elections, the NewsMail asked the candidates three questions:

1 Name three issues, specific to your division, that you will aim to fix during your term if elected and how you will do so?

2 One consistent complaint from residents is that rates are too high. Do you agree that rates are too high? If yes, what policies will you try introduce to keep rates at an affordable level? In your opinion, what percentage increase is fair?

3 Finish this sentence. Vote for me on March 19 because...

BLAIR FELSCH

1 Traffic, parks and roads. These are the issues most consistently brought up by Division 7 residents.
Traffic: Consult with the community, state government and all relevant stakeholders to implement a formal traffic management plan that includes key action steps to improving the traffic in the area.

Roads: As mentioned by other candidates, I too believe that a formal maintenance register or similar mechanism needs to be put in place that prioritises schedules for maintenance.
I would work with council and other levels of government to ascertain where funding for this maintenance will come from.

Parks: Some of the parks I have visited and discussed with residents are very basic and do not provide families with enough facilities to enjoy their time outdoors.
 I would like to see council working with local community organisations to improve our outdoor play areas so families can enjoy the outdoors.

2 I do believe rates are high at the moment but they are necessary to ensure that council can deliver the core services to residents.
As far as rate rises go, I would say that in an ideal world they should only rise by CPI but these rises would also have to take into account maintenance and repair of council infrastructure and as such need to be slightly higher than CPI.
If elected I would like to work with council to increase revenue from other ventures that do not rely so heavily on rates revenue.

3 I am a committed local representative who wants to do everything I can to improve the Bundaberg region for both residents and visitors.

ROSS SOMMERFELD

1 Firstly, traffic congestion at the Enterprise St roundabout near Norville Pool.
My successful motion to extend Kay McDuff Dr on to the Ring Rd will remove traffic from our city roads.
These works are budgeted for the 2016/2017 year. The construction of Eggmolesse St from Fitzgerald St to Johanna Blvd is also budgeted. I will ensure these works are completed.
Secondly, completion of Stages 2 to 5 of the Thabeban Drainage Scheme. I have instigated this project with Stage 1 completed.
It is proposed to roll out the remaining stages over the next four years.
Thirdly, I will be lobbying for more funding for drainage maintenance and minor drainage works throughout Division 7. I will be ensuring these works offer permanent solutions and are not constrained by price or inadequate time frames.

2 The ratepayers have spoken and I am listening.
 The budget process is involved and we obviously need to increase revenue and control expenses.
 The new Planning Scheme provides the framework to increase our rate base in all sectors.
The Rubyanna project is evidence a review of our tender process can deliver savings.
We also need to work with state and federal governments to receive grants and funding.
I will work with our new mayor and councillors to review all of our current operations to keep our rates down and deliver essential services to our residents.

3 Now more than ever Division 7 needs an experienced councillor who can successfully bring forward major projects (refer to Question 1) and perform their duties on a full-time basis.
My 20 years' experience as a consulting surveyor, my business background and my strong work ethic will enable me to deliver for Division 7 and the whole of the region.

RICHARD FREUDENBERG

1 The three key issues that the electorate are telling me (apart from rates) are: footpaths, drainage, and roads.
I will work with the new mayor and other councillors towards improving these.
 I also aim to improve respect, pride and opportunity through numerous things that can help on a day-to-day basis.

2 On my Facebook page, richard4bundy, I have highlighted ideas that will create new income streams, and reduced costs for council.
If implemented, these ideas will help to reduce rates. No increase is fair - only a reduction will suffice in my opinion.

3 I have empathy for the electorate, I have ideas that can help, and I am prepared to not only listen but also to act and achieve.