Daphne dues
Pat on the back for early advocacy and longevity but Division 13 shake-up timely
Any politician who wins 10 terms and serves in a public-fronting role for their community for more than 30 years deserves a pat on the back. For long-serving but retiring Gold Coast city councillor Daphne McDonald she is due that acknowledgment. Her acumen as a politician is also not in question – 10 times she stood, and 10 times southern voters backed her in.
Her signalled departure from the Palm Beach seat at the council table as the Division 13 representative marks the end of an era, one that started when she was first elected in 1991.
It included a stint as deputy mayor from 2007 to 2012.
Her wins are not in question and her impact and legacy from her early years are impressive.
She was a vocal and impactful representative when it came to home subsidence problems in the south, sparking an Act of Parliament to address it. She was also an instrumental figure in the early 2000s when drought struck with then council-controlled dam levels alarmingly low. Her efforts at the time are remembered for playing a key role in uniting the community on a path of vital water conservation. She’s also been pivotal when it has come to development issues, conservation and surf reserve advocacy and sustainable development.
She has plenty of wellwishers and back patters as evidenced in today’s Bulletin.
Critics are harsh. Some bemoaned her as a regular “no” voter, painting her as anti-light rail south to the airport, anti the Palm Beach artificial reef, anti-high-rise and in summary anti-progress.
One critic told this newspaper “she wanted Palm Beach to stay in the 1970s with tumbleweeds blowing down the main street”.
Not many politicians get to decide their exit date from what is often a very trying and pressurecooker role along with all the scrutiny that comes with putting yourself up for public election.
She has decided time is up and done so at the latest election starting gun to avoid any wasted effort on her re-election for an astonishing 11th time straight.
But new blood in the south, a critical and increasingly vital part of the Gold Coast as development and progress continue on the coastline, is necessary.
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