Tate, Crichlow stoush widens

VETERAN Gold Coast City councillor Dawn Crichlow has criticised Mayor Tom Tate after he staged secret meetings with a select group of councillors.

The Bulletin has learned the Mayor held a luncheon on March 16 where invited councillors dined out on the first level of the old Southport council chambers above Cr Crichlow’s office.

After the meeting, Cr Crichlow sent 12 questions to the Mayor, only to be told again that “I can meet with whomever I like, whenever I like, wherever I like, about whatever topic I like”.

Councillors not invited suspect the meeting was about the key issue of amalgamating the city’s promotion bodies – the Surfers Paradise Alliance, Broadbeach Alliance and Connecting Southern Gold Coast – as tourism leaders were spotted entering the meeting.

The Mayor, who has previously questioned the veteran councillor’s memory and ability to use technology, again thanked her in his reply for “remembering my previous statement of fact, not opinion, to you”.

Cr Crichlow told the Bulletin: “We are, first of all, elected to represent the city, second our divisions.”

Councillors Daphne McDonald, Glenn Tozer, Peter Young and William OwenJones said they were not invited to the meeting and did not receive a briefing.

Cr McDonald said Cr Tate talked about “having an open and transparent council” yet decided only to meet with certain people.

“I think it’s really unacceptable,” she said.

The Mayor yesterday said: “When elected as mayor for our city, the people put their trust in me to meet with a variety of people on hundreds of issues annually. I am working for the benefit of our city every day.

“Since 2012, nothing has changed in that regard. Importantly, when a council decision is required, I always ensure the necessary reports and background information is formally presented through the appropriate committee.

“Councillors always have the opportunity to provide their input, whether at committee or full council.”

Cr Tozer described the council as “the Cabinet you have when you’re not having a Cabinet”. “As mayor, he can meet who he pleases, and I expect the city’s residents will judge his decisions (if he runs at the next election),” he said.

“Those who support or oppose those management decisions explicitly or implicitly, will be similarly judged by voters in their divisions.”

Cr Young said he was “very concerned” about the working group meetings. Cr OwenJones said “it’s a captain’s call”.