REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Saturday, May 26, 2007

THE city council threatened to stop contributing to state-run projects such as Bundall Road and the Broadwater in protest against Premier Peter Beattie’s water takeover. The threat was feared to carry dire repercussions on the city’s ability to arrest travel congestion on one of the Coast’s busiest roads and dent the Coomera marine precinct’s international reputation.

Deputy Mayor David Power asked council CEO Dale Dickson for a list of all projects the two tiers of government jointly pay for, claiming ‘good faith’ has been eroded. “The priority for Gold Coast City Council must now be basic operations to keep us running," said Mr Power. “From our point of view, there are no more loyalties.”

But Cr Eddy Sarroff, one of Labor’s star recruits, said ‘it was unprofessional’ to make funding threats.

“First, I’m not happy with the decision made on Thursday. These are city assets," said Mr Sarroff.

"But this is not an appropriate way for the council to respond. It’s important for us to have all the information put in front of us and the issue of compensation properly discussed. For this council to turn around and say we’re going to cut funding, that’s only going to affect our residents and affect our motorists."

Liberal MP Margaret May, who was defending her McPherson seat against Mr Sarroff at that year’s federal election, called on her opponent to stand up to the State Government.

"What is he going to do to make sure they get their fair share of water at a price they can afford?" she said.