Swagger says it all as 2020 vision becomes a little clearer

MAYOR Tom Tate had a confident swagger in his step when he walked up to the podium yesterday to talk turkey on the 2018-19 budget.

Delivering his seventh budget, Cr Tate couldn’t contain his pride that he had secured a rates rise of 1.73 per cent.

Flanked by his deputy Donna Gates, the Mayor unveiled a giant bar graph depicting the size of rates increases over the past decade. Those of the Ron Clarke era were in red, towering over his own.

This year’s increase, in line with inflation, is the second smallest since the mayor took office in April 2012 and sets the stage for what he reveals today – his re-election bid.

Cr Tate agreed it was an election year budget. But instead of indulging in a binge of pork barrelling, he has built a back-to-basics plan. .

There were no shocks – simply a focus on the fundamentals of roads, rates and rubbish while pushing ahead with long-planned projects such as the $16 million green bridge to Chevron Island and the $60 million art gallery.

There was also a big pitch to seniors by extending popular free travel on buses.

Perhaps the most exciting news was the Mayor’s strong backing for a cableway in the Hinterland in a future budget if it fails to gain support from the State Government.

Seeking a third term in office is a big ask after eight years in power but the Mayor appears not the slightest bit concerned. To the contrary, he is predicting another landslide win.

This is despite clouds on his political horizon, including the looming Crime and Corruption Commission probe. The State Government has also been less than enthusiastic about his long-held hope of building a cruise ship terminal.

And while the light rail’s Stage 3A to Burleigh is close to becoming a reality, future stages of the cultural precinct are yet to be budgeted for.

Cr Tate late yesterday told the Gold Coast Bulletin what he hoped would be his legacy.

“That’s easy – the vision is this, when mums and dads sit around the dinner table with their children that they know they can study here, work here and have friends here,” he said. “I want that at every dinner table.”

There’s now a little less than two years to go until the March 2020 election, which now promises a rematch between Cr Tate and his 2016 rival, the self-styled “working class mayor” Brett Lambert, who at this point in time is the only other declared candidate.

This budget is laying the groundwork for that run by emphasising sound fiscal management and big picture talk of new tourism infrastructure.

It’s clear Tom Tate isn’t going to die wondering if he can emulate the success of his mayor idol, the iconic Sir Bruce Small.