Ok is just not good enough – we need to get serious

“There is a an old twopart rule that often works wonders in business, science and elsewhere: 1.Take a simple, basic idea and 2.Take it very seriously.” Charlie Munger

The late Charlie Munger is Warren Buffet’s business partner (two of the world’s wealthiest men and known for frugality), and this book landed on my desk earlier this week. This quote is on the back page – and perfectly encapsulates what I want to achieve as your next Gold Coast Mayor. A council’s role is to deliver services for its community. That’s where it sits in the hierarchy of governments – and I’d argue the role of Council has more daily impact on people’s lives than the other two.

Council should be looking after your public transport, your footpaths, your town planning, sewerage, animal management, water safety, beach, and parks – just to name a few. It should also be fostering great business partnerships that deliver benefits for whole region – not just a select few.

Its role is not to generate profits for the sake of profits, it’s not a developer in the commercial sense, it shouldn’t own resorts, tourism activities, airports or cruise ship terminals.

It should support and partner with business that wants to do these things, but only if the data, experts and the community support them.

But getting back to basics doesn’t mean we be basic. As a Council, we can get back in our lane, but do that lane really well. I personally don’t see how I can’t be the best in the world at anything I try in business. I’m no different to anyone else in New York, London or Paris. I, and you, can be as good anyone if you put your mind to it.

And our Council, and its people, could be world class if they have leadership that cared about such things.

And if they are world class, then they are delivering to you the best parks, the most innovative public transport solutions, well supported and staunch town and environmental planning, state-of-the-art waste solutions and best practice community engagement and communication.

We’ve had so many missed opportunities, from losing $100m (at least) by not being a member of the Council of Mayors, to our Council offices not being in a CBD, to lack of frequent, reliable public transport networks about the entire Coast, to the poor state of many of our parks and public facilities – not to mention Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Coolangatta.

I’m passionate about getting the Coast back on track, and I’m serious about being the best Mayor ever had since Lex Bell. I wrote this myself from the heart, not drafted by my PR team, and if we get to chat, will tell you the same thing.

I would encourage voters to do some research, go online, share your findings with your family and neighbours, share with those who might not be able to get online, and make an informed decision.

If you want to be the change, help me out in the next few weeks at polling booths! It’s fun.

Don’t let our current politicians gaslight you into thinking everything is ok. Because ok is just not good enough. Let’s get serious about the Gold Coast.