In the lead-up to Saturday's council elections, the NewsMail is running a series of question and answers:

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...

PAUL BONGIOLETTI

1 Lower infrastructure charges - I see them as indirect taxation on would-be developers and new home builders. This will ensure more families and retirees alike come to live in our area, spend money and perhaps set up business here, a win-win situation for all. I would endeavour to aim for the provision of a large RV friendly base for the many of grey nomads who pass through Gin Gin and do not stop. Also the Gin Gin streetscape needs to be finished.

2 Rates are too high and we can make them more affordable with a push for a more efficiently run council with Jack Dempsey as mayor and like-minded councillors we can change the council business model to be better managed, with a culture change badly needed there and management restructuring from the top down, which will in turn not put an increase on rates.

3 I have a fresh vision for our beautiful area, having been involved in progressive Business here for many years. I feel Division 3 has been hamstrung in moving forward by a total lack of vision from the current council. My business background, commonsense approach and dogged determination will assist in a positive benefit to a more efficient and agile council. My 26 years in the building industry will boost economic development in this area.

WAYNE HONOR

1 RATES are geared to council capital works programs and service delivery .
I will strongly advocate for controlled and staged capital expenditure that reflects residents' and ratepayers' ability to pay.
I agree that rates are reaching the too high range.

2 I will lobby to keep rates at the lowest possible increase above what is required to service existing loan repayments to provide service levels and capital projects acceptable to community needs .
I will lobby to keep rate rises at Domestic CPI level or below that level if possible .

3 Vote for me on March 19 to support affordable living economic growth, jobs and prosperity for the Bundaberg Regional Council area.
Maintain affordable rates and charges.
Upgrade the Gin Gin sewage treatment plant to meet modern EPA standards relevant.
Promote economic development with equitable contributions from the development industry and the council so as to provide sustainable growth for jobs into the future.
Promote the new planning scheme initiatives for industry development on 3 new industrial sites on the ,Bruce Highway at Gin Gin assessable to north, south, east and west as well as the port of Bundaberg.