Battle lines are local issues

TRAFFIC, public transport, paths, crime and where to park are burning issues for residents in Division 1 ahead of the March 28 poll.

And it will be up to a new councillor to champion those concerns because of the decision by Deputy Mayor Donna Gates to run in Division 3 after boundary changes.

Five candidates will contest this year’s poll.

North Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce secretary Gary Mays said the election campaign was largely about hyper-local issues.

“A lot of the things which affect people (in Division 1) are very local,” he said.

“If you look at what’s planned for up there it’s all happening, but it’s like any new suburb, it’s going to have teething issues.

“It wasn’t that long ago that it was all farmland, which is what everyone forgets.

“All people are asking for is for the council to enforce law,

THE SEAT

Division 1 encompasses: Cedar Creek, Kingsholme, Ormeau Hills, Ormeau, Luscombe, Yatala, Stapylton, Gilberton, Norwell, Pimpama, parts of Willow Vale (see map inset), southern Moreton Bay Islands, Steiglitz, Jacobs Well, Woongoolba and Alberton.

WHO LIVES THERE

Division covers 32,802ha Population: 44,501; 1.36 persons per hectare Men: 17,112, 49.7% Women: 17,337, 50.3% Australian citizens: 27,492, 79.8%

Eligible voters: 18,884, 54.8% the streets are too narrow. So you end up with all these issues over that.”

He added that state issues such as congestion on the M1 and crime could also become major election issues, forcing candidates to lobby the State Government for change.

Jacobs Well & Districts Progress Association president Chas Watt said transport was a “problem child”.

“We represent 13 per cent of the voting population but we have no regular bus service, despite paying a levy for it,” he said.

“We can’t get sidewalks on the street, all that sort of thing (is an issue).

“A lot of people in Jacobs Well are very well-to-do and we love the village atmosphere, but there’s just some things we don’t feel like are being heard.

“But the candidates all seem to be picking up on that in a positive way. Now is a nice opportunity to change direction and have everyone come out OK.”