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...

BRAD EVANS

1 Community consultation
 Proper planning development
 Road maintenance
I speak with residents of Division 9 everyday, and one of the most common complaints is that they don't know who their councillor is. There has been no community consultation and Most residents feel "out of touch" with what is happening in their region. If elected, I am employed by the people of Bundaberg to represent them. I will ensure that I am readily available and accessible to the residents in Division 9. I will ensure that all development conforms to local town planning regulation; and that it proceeds as soon as possible, creating much needed employment opportunities for our community. Council and developers need to work together to develop industry and create jobs. Finally, our road and footpath network throughout Division 9 is appalling. We have limited safe and level footpaths and a majority of roads still don't have bitumen to the kerbside. I will push for funding to be allocated to Division 9 to improve these facilities from day one.

2 I would suspect 99% of Bundaberg residents agree that rates are too high, and services are too low. There are a number of options we need to look at to work on reigning in council's excessive debt and in turn reducing rates. Our administration and accounting systems need an overhaul - we need to treat council as a business with ratepayers being the shareholders. If regional councils considered ideas such as combining their procurement departments and purchases, we could see savings of up to 26% a year - or 10% of our rates income. We should never see rate increases that exceed CPI. But to achieve this, we need a complete whitewash of the current council.

3 Bundaberg needs fresh, young blood in council. We need a new way of thinking - we need to look to the future and give our residents what they deserve. We have an amazing city, with vast industries and opportunities, but the current council is stagnant and nothing is being achieved. I want to get into council and shake things up with a new energy, which is well overdue. I will work hard to grow industry and create jobs. I will work to get our financial position back under control so we can afford to give Bundaberg residents the facilities, like a water park, they deserve.

SIMON OBST

1 Roads and footpaths. The need to repair roads and install footpaths in the division will be a priority.
These are required mainly for the safety of the residents on and off the roads.
Accountability and transparency with all developments from all parties.
I will establish an effective line of communication between all parties to ensure no person's voice will be left unheard.
This will allow all to be part of the decision-making process.
General accessibility of your representative.
I will work hard to ensure your point of view is heard and discussed.
As councillors we need to be more consultative with our community and work to effectively represent them.

2 I believe our rates are reasonably high compared with other areas of our state.
Council needs to look at alternative income sources to allow the pressure to be taken off the ratepayers.
The benchmark across most industries for increases is CPI.
Maybe we should follow this trend.

3 I bring a vast amount of experience from my working background in policing, education and manufacturing.
I have worked in many areas which have required attention to detail in the most demanding circumstances.
My ability to adapt and change in these environments has ensured effective results.
 

ROB McGILL

1 After speaking to residents, the main issues people have are:
 More footpaths throughout the division, along with better kerb and channelling.
 Greater flood mitigation throughout East Bundaberg.
 A councillor who is available to the residents, one who listens to their concerns and reports back.
I will fight to ensure Division 9 receives its fair share of funding for betterment works and the continuation of bikeway, footpaths and kerb and channelling.
I will seek federal and state funding for flood mitigation work, ensuring this type of devastation does not affect residents and infrastructure again. Residents need to be assured that the Bundaberg Regional Council and the councillors have done all they can to protect residence and infrastructure.
I will be a councillor for all residents of Division 9, listening and acting on their concerns and providing answers or solutions.

2 Yes, our rates are high, however the floods in 2011 and 2013 have put a significant strain on council's finances and disasters of that magnitude take many years to overcome. Add to this ongoing council expenses such as wages, infrastructure and a growing population and you have rate stress. We need to keep the rate increases to a minimum. This can be done by looking at the operations of the council. Better planning and basic changes put in place could have an immediate impact and provide much needed relief for residents.

3 I bring a strong voice to the council table, representing those in Division 9. As a totally independent self-funded candidate, I will continue to push for development, new industry and tourism free of outside political influences, helping to create jobs and battling our unemployment. I will find ways to reduce overheads and wastage in our council, including the development of a more transparent tendering process. I am committed to being a councillor available to listen to the concerns and issues of residents, providing answers and solutions. I will be the strong voice for Division 9.
 

JUDY PETERS

1 The continuation of infrastructure programs i.e. roads, footpaths and bikeways, along with drainage upgrades with workable solutions will be one of the items I will be focussing on in the next four years.
Traffic solution for safer travel and connectivity for pedestrians and vehicles in partnership particularly with education facilities, the Department of Transport and Main Roads and council is vital as our division becomes busier with the growth of industry and urban developments.
Communication through the council newsletter has been well received, however easier access to the council website, associated links and other information to keep residents better informed has also been recognised.

2 Keeping rates affordable is always at the forefront of my decision-making when setting the budget.
With rising costs in the delivery of services, complying with legislation/regulations, providing for both built and social infrastructure and the high demand for increased/improved services from our ratepayers - is always a hard decision to make.
Any major decrease in rates means some services or projects would have to be severely affected, which in turn lessens what we are all trying to achieve.
A set percentage over a long period of time is not sustainable - projects, services, wages, depreciation and even electricity and fuel just to name a few costs all vary from year to year.

3 My ability to communicate with residents and my experience in this region over the past eight years enables me to work pro-actively for a better outcome for all residents.
Lobbying at other levels of government for infrastructure, (built and social) arts and cultural funding or best practice in community development - I am on the front foot at every opportunity.
Experience and commitment is what I have to offer the voters in Division 9.