Letter of the Week
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A WEEK ago I walked into Deputy Mayor Donna Gates’ office in Upper Coomera, to ask if she would oppose giving the Gold Coast Turf Club council land.
I did not agree to destroying natural ecosystem, and losing $110,000 a year for a $1 billion business. Mrs Gates was not available, but her assistant knew nothing about Black Swan Lake. I asked if Cr Gates was still on the turf club board. She said Cr Gates had no link to the turf club and that I should speak to Tom Tate.
I called Mayor Tate’s office and received a call back from an adviser who explained to me that the GCTC is a not-for-profit organisation which needed the land. I asked is it still home to the Magic Millions? I also said it may be a notfor-profit organisation, but it doesn’t look after the old-age pensioners, help the disabled or feed the homeless.
The council advisor explained that Black Swan Lake was not part of any river system or creek and was being returned to its natural state.
I put my phone down and a message appeared. It was Donna Gates telling me she would not be voting on Black Swan Lake, as it would not be appropriate because she was a ex-board member. What? I watched a council meeting when Cr Gates was a turf club director, fighting to get Black Swan Lake for the turf club.
Cr Gates has not yet announced if she will be running in the council elections in March. This is not because she is undecided about running, but undecided in what area to run. Unfortunately she won’t be running unopposed this election.
Shaun Cunneen will door knock every house in her division and tell the occupier why they sit in traffic, why there are not parks or wildlife in their suburb. And why their rates continue to rise. SHAUN CUNNEEN, GOLD COAST
I WOULD like to thank Michael Hart, the Member for Burleigh, for his response to letters (29/10) from myself and Harry Blom regarding the legislation changing the Certificates
of Land Titles Act. I sincerely appreciate that he has made the effort to explain the new legislation and check all the facts regarding same, unlike any ALP members, who it seems, have completely ignored the inquiries. ROB STONE, MUDGEERABA
WHO can forget the powerful images of Gough Whitlam and Vincent Lingiari in shared falling sands; Paul Keating and Eddie Mabo shaking hands, and Bob Hawke’s arms wrapped around an indigenous elder. The PM not only missed an opportunity (Uluru climbing to stop) for strengthening reconciliation,but by choosing not to attend this significant event, Morrison merely continues the dismissive attitude to indigenous Australians expressed by John Howard at the Reconcilation Convention in 1997. How many more decades before Australians elect a leader to unite our country and lead us forward? TONY CAVUOTO, PALM BEACH
WHAT is it about community engagement and support that Tom Tate doesn’t get?
After being the only councillor to oppose saving the last bit of Black Swan Lake, he indicates his support for a second casino on the Coast by voicing concern that Star may be allowed to run its casino exclusively.
Many on the Gold Coast don’t want a second casino because of the damage gambling can do to people. Just as concerning is that public land could be used for its location, as it was when the lake was effectively “given” to the turf club.
In the lake’s case, more than 40,000 residents signed a petition. In addition to these issues, a further sign of being out of step with the community was when Cr Tate said it was “unAustralian” to stop property developers donating to politicians. Sunland boss Soheil Abedian says Gold Coasters are voting for the people that are entitled to be in office and that money cannot buy them. It’s a strange day when a developer seems to understand the community while the mayor doesn’t. YVETTE DEMPSEY, CARRARA