Councillors to face off in rare election tussle
TWO sitting Gold Coast councillors will go head-to-head at the March council election.
Cr Cameron Caldwell has confirmed after more than a year of speculation he will contest the new Division 4.
Fellow councillor Kristyn Boulton has already announced she will contest the seat, to be created as part of changes to divisional boundaries.
The new seat includes Hollywell, Coombabah, South Stradbroke Island and the Sovereign Islands as well as Biggera
Waters and primarily covers the region Cr Caldwell has represented since 2012.
But it is expected to be a tough electoral fight and the first in decades to pit two incumbent councillors against each other.
Cr Caldwell, 40, told the Bulletin he wanted to continue to represent the voters of his suburbs.
“I have the experience and track record best placed to deliver for our local area,” he said.
“A recent boundary redistribution saw the largest portion of the area I have represented since 2012 renamed Division 4.
“Once these new boundaries were published there was no doubt or indecision, Division 4 is the area I want to represent.”
Cr Caldwell was first elected in 2012 and has served as planning boss for his two terms in office.
Cr Boulton was elected in 2016.
She confirmed earlier this month she would also contest Division 4.
“I was elected in 2016 to represent Division 4, I’m the current councillor for Division 4 and most importantly, I live in the new Division 4,” she said.
“I believe good leaders make important decisions decisively and effectively. So I’ve made a decision which I believe is not only right for me but also right for my community.”
The election is March 28.