Unity needed

There is a growing consensus that the Coast should be back at the SEQ table

Teamwork makes the dream work. That’s the view council candidates are taking with regards to the Gold Coast and its relationship with one of the state’s key decision-making bodies.

The powerful South East Queensland Council of Mayors (COMSEQ) is closely linked to the planning of the 2032 Olympic Games.

Yet, despite being the co-host of the Games, the Gold Coast is not a member of the SEQ body, having resigned in 2021 citing value for money over paying $350,000 for membership.

The council first quit in 2013, arguing the then-$235,000 annual membership fee was better saved because “the Council of Mayors’ priorities are not necessarily the Gold Coast’s priorities at this moment”.

The Coast rejoined in April, 2020, as part of the 2032 Olympic Games bid.

It quit again in June 2021. A super majority of councillors told the Bulletin in late 2022 they supported rejoining COMSEQ to help secure funding for key projects including light rail to the border urgently and a share of $2.1bn in funding for waste water upgrades, divided by members of the group.

The vast bulk of candidates who spoke at Wednesday’s Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce meet the candidates breakfast were in favour of rejoining the body. They point to the hundreds of millions of dollars the city has missed out on, from the City Deal given to the other southeast councils to fund key infrastructure projects.

Mr Tate argues his negotiation skills and salesmanship are up to the task and uses the securing of light rail Stage 3 funding as an example of his success.

But time is ticking down towards the 2032 Games and the full picture of the Gold Coast’s role in the event, as well as funding for key projects such as light rail Stage 4 and the athletes village at Robina is yet to be seen.

The make-up of the new council will be vastly different to current term and if there is a strong will from the new team to rejoin, surely Mr Tate will have to bow to the inevitable and return to the table.

However it happens, it is critical we get the much-needed projects.