Lake still issue
THE Black Swan Lake saga at Bundall is promising to remain a controversial issue in the battle for Division 6 as voters prepare to elect a new councillor.
Council voted to save the contentious lake area in January, but negotiations over exactly who is responsible for the 20 per cent left intact continue.
Candidates Shaelee Welchman, Michael Pulford, Brooke Patterson, Josephine Tobias and Susie Gallagher will contest the seat after the retirement of longtime Councillor Dawn Crichlow.
Black Swan Lake has been a topic of debate since 2014, with council announcing its decision to fill it in to provide extra space for the nearby Gold Coast Turf Club in 2016.
Team Black Swan Lake president Lindy Donato said she wanted the new councillor to work with her organisation and the turf club.
“What we would like is a pledge (from the councillor) that council will maintain the water quality of the lake,” she said.
THE SEAT
Division 6 encompasses: Southport, Ashmore up to Currumburra Rd, Benowa up to Ashmore Rd, Bundall up to Ashmore Rd.
WHO LIVES THERE
● Division Six covers 2218 hectares.
● Population: 44,913; 20.25 persons per hectare.
● Men: 20,116, 48.4%.
● Women: 21,431, 51.6%.
● Australian citizens: 29,332, 70.6%.
● Eligible voters: 23,908, 57.5%.
“And that council will relax some of the exorbitant costs being put on the turf club.
“Now that council has voted to save it they haven’t given the turf club any way to save it.
“What the community would like to see is a good divisional councillor who can fight and help them to be able to save the water.”
Turf club chairman Brett Cook said the club appreciated Team Black Swan’s “concerns and support”.
“We have not requested compensation for work already done as this was not on our radar with our original approval,” he said.
“In line with the council vote the GCCC has requested a new application whereby our position could change dependent on the cost implications to deliver the end result.
“Often a fresh set of eyes can deliver new contributions, we are impressed that a majority of the new candidates have taken time out to meet with the club to understand our role in the community. With co-operation and collaboration we can finish the (Black Swan Lake) borrow pit project quickly and the area can be of use to all.”
Homelessness in Southport CBD may also prove a major issue for candidates to tackle, with charity Support the Girls founder and CEO Jane Holmes warning it won’t be an easy fix.
“From talking to the homeless people, there they stay because of the (council) cameras. If there’s an event or an attack they can be seen,” she said. The Gold Coast election is on March 28.