REMEMBER WHEN GOLD COAST BULLETIN

Friday, July 22, 2011

IF you are not a visionary, do not have an open mind and cannot sell the Gold Coast, don’t ever plan on becoming mayor.

That was the message from the Turning Point Forum, in which delegates mapped out a job description and set a strict set of key performance indicators for future leaders. Delegates said the most crucial aspect was good leadership – something they felt was badly lacking.

The mayor had to have real power to bring about and control change – unlike the thenincumbent Ron Clarke, who, as he has repeatedly made clear, was only one vote out of 15.

The solution, said a group leaders, was for a City of Gold Coast Charter, similar to that of Brisbane, which gave the mayor executive powers.

Another constant refrain was the need for leaders – particularly the mayor and councillors – to meet key performance criteria just as any other top executive have to do.

This aspect of making the city leaders not only work for their money but be seen to work and meet well-defined criteria, struck a chord with all delegates.

Delegates said a Gold Coast mayor must be a visionary; have an entrepreneurial attitude; think globally but act locally; not be ruled by bureaucrats; have an open mind to developments; be articulate and confident; be willing to stand up for the Gold Coast and its people; and be able to sell the city.

The forum made it clear existing mayoral aspirants had failed to inspire and called for fresh candidates.