Next stop at council: Steepest of learning curves for fresh faces

What are the takeaways from the 2024 Gold Coast local government poll?

The vote at first glance confirms a divide between those living in the Deep South and council’s priorities to meet population growth targets.

Mayor Tom Tate secured almost 52 per cent the vote. He had eight competitors. His closest rival, Eddy Sarroff obtained just more than 20 per cent of the vote.

Mr Tate says he has a mandate to deliver a multi-million infrastructure agenda during a record fourth term in office, including advancing light rail stage 4 to the airport.

Those working close to him say it is an “aggressive” plan. They know it is Mr Tate’s last term in office.

The City will fast track Stage 4 light rail to the border, approve a boutique stadium, expand HOTA and progress a $1bn waste-to-energy facility.

The Mayor won the poll but is he guaranteed to get that majority vote in the chamber?

New councillors are Naomi Fowler (Division 2), Joe Wilkinson (Division 7), Dan Doran (Division 11), Nick Marshall (Division 12) and Josh Martin (Division 13).

Shelley Curtis was unopposed in Division 4, after being swornin in August last year. Almost half the council are inexperienced. All appear genuine grassroots representatives. This is going to be the steepest political learning curve.

Add into this mix powerful personality and new CEO Tim Baker, who will continue his program of rapid and much-needed reform of an administration set for generations in concrete.

Gone from council are Cameron Caldwell, William OwenJones, Hermann Vorster and Pauline Young, all committee chairs and at the peak of their political careers. Veteran Daphne McDonald, a voice of protest against trams and high rise development, retired from her Palm Beach division.

Also missing is suspended first term councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden who lost Division 7.

The re-elected councillors, apart from Gail O’Neill in Division 14 and Brooke Patterson in Division 6 which were tough poll battlegrounds, secured super majority votes.

Cr O’Neill acknowledges at least half her electorate sent a clear protest message, about the trams and overdevelopment. Her new colleagues, in neighbouring divisions, were elected on preserving the South’s much loved lifestyle.

Strap yourself in, this will be no sleepy tram journey. More a typical Coast rollercoaster ride.