Mayor’s Surfers exit: ‘I’ll leave’

MAYOR Tom Tate has revealed he is close to finalising a $30m sale of part of his Surfers Paradise bowls club site.

During conflicts of interest declarations at the full council meeting on Tuesday, Mr Tate revealed details of the deal involving he and a business partner’s parcels of land at the Surfers site.

Following a short discussion with colleagues he volunteered to leave the chamber, after first seeking to join the debate about the $138m revitalisation plan for the tourism heart.

“In this regard my interest is comparable to thousands of others in the community. In my view (it) does not constitute a conflict of interest,” he told councillors.

“As a former president and life member Surfers Paradise Chamber of Commerce and former owner of businesses in Surfers Paradise, I feel my experience can be of assistance to council in consideration of this matter. I’d like to stay in but over to you.”

Area councillor Darren Taylor said he was prepared to put up a motion letting Mr Tate participate, given he did not have “any greater or less gain or loss in the properties you’ve got than any other business in the area of Surfers Paradise”.

Cr Brooke Patterson seconded the motion.

Cr William Owen-Jones told the Mayor the City’s chief financial officer, at an earlier committee meeting which Mr Tate had not attended, identified about 22,000 ratepayers in the precinct.

The CFO had indicated “broadly there would be an uplift of value if the city committed a not insubstantial amount of funds to the renewal of Cavill (mall)”.

The view was that “you (Mayor Tate) are in the broader precinct, and part of the overall numbers we received”.

But Cr Glenn Tozer asked a series of questions about the potential specific land value uplift, which was likely to be more for Mr Tate than the average ratepayer.

Mr Tate told councillors: “Alright around 50 per cent of my partner’s and my share, the value of the property would be greater than $30m.”

Mr Tate and a businessman had obtained the Surfers Paradise Bowls Club headquarters for $1.43 million and later its greens for $770,000 after members faced a $1 million debt in 2005.

Cr Tozer said the CFO at committee had identified a proposed increased land valuation figure.

“And for councillors’ interest, they should reconcile the value that Mr Mayor has identified, and work out if that is a reasonable change,” he said.

Mr Tate offered to provide more details so “we all make the right decision”.

“The car park section – is due for settlement the 31st of march. So thirty one days. I don’t know when you are going to complete this (Surfers) project. But anyway if that helps anything,” he said.

Cr Patterson said she believed, based on the numbers, the benefit would be more substantial than standard ratepayers.

“Is your property unconditional to sell,” she asked.

Mr Tate told councillors: “Yes. If it doesn’t sell I’ll keep the deposit. So you know, sales not settled until the money is in the bank.”

Cr Peter Young voiced caution, saying the situation was not an ordinary business matter.

“In my heart Mr Mayor I do believe you have an interest that’s greater than a significant number of people in the local government area. Good for you. But I think that’s a measure we take into account,” he said.

Cr Tozer said he believed, after listening to the details, that the Mayor had a “greater interest than the general ratepayer”.

“And I would probably prefer you participated in debate but did not participate in the decision,” he said. “I think you have an unique knowledge of Surfers Paradise that I think that would add value to our debate. I think everyone is very aware that you have been transparent and open with your interests.

“I think we can consider carefully the matter with that in mind. But if you left the room for the decision I think that would be a wise move.”

Mr Tate, after weighing up the debate, said: “Why don’t I just volunteer to leave. It’s easier for everyone isn’t it. I volunteer to leave.”

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates chaired the meeting which approved a $40m upgrade for Cavill Mall.

IN MY HEART MR MAYOR I DO BELIEVE YOU HAVE AN INTEREST THAT’S GREATER THAN A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA CR PETER YOUNG