Poll collapse shockwave through the Deep South
What’s going on in the Deep South? The shockwave from the council poll is the collapse of the vote for Gail O’Neill. Is this just about stopping the trams and overdevelopment?
Talking to community volunteers and those inside council, is it’s much more complex.
Cr O’Neill can track a “perfect storm” of events before the March 16 poll.
She has 8464 votes (46.14 per cent), ahead of Kath Down on 8375 votes (45.65). On the official count on Thursday, she was only 13 votes ahead. Animal Justice Party candidate Benjamin Theakstone has just more than 8 per cent of the vote.
Preferences will be counted next week. Cr O’Neill might just hold on. But here’s the thing – she’s devastated by this result and the council will need to assess its attitude to the South.
To put it in perspective, in 2020 Cr O’Neill won with 62.67 per cent of the vote.
The storm clouds include Mayor Tom Tate, late in the campaign, announcing he would push the green button to fast forward light rail Stage 4 to the airport with only state government and council funding.
Cr O’Neill was honest when asked at a chamber meeting at the Currumbin RSL in the lead-up to the poll about the trams – she supports council’s transport strategy.
Ms Down wants heavy rail and solar electric and hydrogen buses. Inside the council chamber, that debate will have more hot air than a Currumbin Valley balloon.
Ms Down never left pre-poll, which at times resembled World Championship Wrestling in the 1970s with her supporters and Mayor Tate’s mates not getting along.
The Community Alliance was opposed to council investing in the airport and kept raising it in the media during campaign.
Residents speculated about their curfew being lost.
Ms Down campaigned for permanent residents at the Kirra Beach Tourist Park – again councillors as far back at 2018 decided it would be holiday accommodation only.
Nearby was the community fight to stop final approvals for the $380m Kirra hotel site.
Cr O’Neill had declared obtaining $10,000 from Ganra Pty Ltd, the developer a month before the 2016 poll. Her conflict stopped her from representing residents in the chamber.
At the Kirra booth, in this poll, Cr O’Neill recorded only 35.70 per cent of the vote. Ms Down has more than 58 per cent.
Yet in the valleys, at Tallebudgera and Currumbin, the vote was the reverse.
“Gail won the west but lost the coast,” a council insider says.
The other factor which no one talks about is Cr O’Neill’s former political neighbour.
Daphne McDonald on Facebook was a Golden Girl for being the voice in opposition to council policy and the mayor – and cultivated that support group.
Respected community people in the south are worried about future representation, fearing their councillor is wounded, or the unpredictable will happen with Ms Down.
“Kath Down will need to represent the community, not a community group,” a source said.
Another told your columnist: “Gail has lost ground, Kath hasn’t won. What we want is meaningful community engagement.”
This is the lesson to be learned and key to the future.
TV IDENTITY TO RUN
The LNP is backing a Gold Coast television identity to run against Meaghan Scanlon.
Multiple party sources say the TV presenter has been spotted meeting with leader David Crisafulli, and has reached out to the party’s northern
Coast branch. Given Labor’s recent horror by-election results, the LNP would be confident of winning back the marginal Gaven seat – but their previous candidates who knocked on doors there quickly discovered Ms Scanlon is everywhere in the electorate.
SOME LOSE WITH GRACE
So often forgotten about but just as important after an election are the good losers.
Virginia Freebody was quick to write and thank the Bulletin for its coverage. Danielle Dunsmore offered an invite to a morning tea on Sunday.
Nikki Archer wrote a great “genuine” thank you email, saying she received a “balanced and fair approach”.
Many candidates lost at the poll, but some built connections, especially during the two weeks of pre-poll and will be greater community advocates during the next four years.
CHANCE TO CRAFT SPOT
Spotted at Blacks Hops brewery at Biggera Waters – a councillor and a new colleague.
Mudgeeraba’s Glenn Tozer and Division 13 candidate Josh Martin, after scrutineering at nearby Arundel, enjoyed a quick beer and burger.
Council has lost its craft beer spokesman in the chamber with William Owen-Jones retiring – given Black Hops has its first brewery in Burleigh, Mr Martin could fill his shoes.
CONCERT REVIEW NEEDED
Gold Coast Waterways Authority is used to positive publicity. Until now, with the concerts.
Waterways points to council and police for being responsible for traffic management issues.
But City Hall knows and tells the Bulletin that this is very much a GCWA gig.
Some home truths. Businesses won’t speak up for fear of losing their leases, so the Main Beach Association stepped in, raised their safety concerns and called for a review.
“The only beneficiary would appear to be the promoter and food and beverage trucks,” MBA’s Sue Donovan told GCWA.
This needs a review.
Gail has lost ground, Kath hasn’t won. What we want is meaningful community engagement.