This is the third election campaign for Bundaberg Regional Council that I have been involved with and the first time I have experienced such a Campaign of Hate against the current Councillors and Council itself. The mistruths and misinformation that is being spread in a bid to discredit all incumbents and Council is truly sickening and worrying. What if these people actually get elected?
So, let’s look at the facts on some of the mistruths being raised:
1. The Bundaberg Aquatic Centre - Being delivered in its planned entirety, all stages under construction now. Three pools, all undercover and in a purpose built complex with auxiliary facilities to complement the health and fitness activities. On budget and on time. Total cost around $80 million.
2. Anzac Park Redevelopment -
The Anzac Park Redevelopment is something that the Bundaberg RSL subbranch has been advocating for since 2010 and their input of ideas and requirements for the site, has contributed to the development of the final plan which is very close to the original plan and vision they proposed.
Council undertook comprehensive community and stakeholder consultation when the current plan for the site was developed in 2018 and will continue to work with all groups including the RSL and veterans and the entire community to ensure what is developed on the site, is what they want.
When complete, the New Anzac Park Precinct will be an area that not only protects and enhances the Anzac Legacy but will be an area of remembrance and honour for all that have served.
3. General Rate increases - In my time on Council, these increases have been kept minimal, and the increases are at a much lower rate than what was experienced previously. The prior 8 years of BRC 2008-2016 had an average Rate increase of 7.54% every year. The average Rate Increase for the Council I have been part of from 2016-2024 has been 1.45% every year, way below inflation.
4. Early Payment discount -
Council adjusted the rate in the dollar charged on General Rates when the discount was removed in 2020. This ensured that the net amount from the previous year was the same for that year, there was no increase. To reinstate a 10% discount, you would have to increase rates by this amount which would penalise 47% of our ratepayers who cannot afford to pay on time to get the discount, or you would have to cut $8.8million from the operational budget which would see a reduction in services across the region.
5. MPB Master Plan works - This Council is committed to delivering all Stages 1-5 of the Master Plan and has allocated funding for the first 3 stages. This work would have been well underway if Contractors had been available to undertake the work. Stage 1 contract has been awarded and it is planned that further stages will go out to tender after the election, if we are still there.
6. No “transparency” or “accountability” - Council has so many regulatory and legislative requirements that we must meet, which we do. There are so many checks and balances, audits, and external reviews of everything that is done, and these all not only pass but exceed what is required.
7. Oh, and regarding one of the rumours, the Mayor didn’t win Lotto and unfortunately neither did I. How low will these people go trying to drag this Council down? (that’s not a challenge!)
It’s a hard job trying to please everyone as every decision made by Council is a compromise of what 11 Councillors think is the best for the Community. You can never please all the people, but I am confident that we are pleasing the majority and doing what they want and need.
I am proud to say that I am part of this Council that continually delivers lower rates, upgraded and essential community infrastructure across our region, services that are envied by other Councils and on top of all that, our budgets have been in surplus every year for the last 7 years giving us money in the bank to continue to deliver the needs and wants of all our communities.
Bundaberg Regional Council and the Region has never been in a better position. I hope these simple explanations of very complex matters help explain the current situation.
Regards
Jason
𝘈𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘑.𝘗.𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘴, 14 𝘙𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘙𝘰𝘢𝘥, 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘑.𝘗. 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘴 (𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦)
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