Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says he wants to trial daylight saving

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate says he wants to trial daylight saving in the city, joining similar calls from Brisbane Mayor Adrian Schrinner. VOTE IN THE POLL

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has backed calls for a new trial of daylight saving as momentum builds for the return of the controversial concept.

Speaking to the SEAFM breakfast crew on Thursday, Councillor Tate backed calls from the radio station hosts - and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, for another trial of daylight saving.

“It makes sense,” he said.

“There is current talk about a possible statewide referendum on the subject, to coincide with the next State election.

“Before that, why not give daylight saving a trial?

“That way, voters at a formal referendum in 2024 would have actually experienced daylight saving, so far as how it impacted their work and travel times as well as recreational downtime.

“I urge SEAFM to push for the trial which could start on the first Sunday in October as that is when daylight saving kicks in annually.’’

Councillor Tate said his overriding message was: “Keep politics out of the debate. Let the people decide.’’

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Cr Tate supported SEAFM host Dan Anstey’s suggestion of a trial.

“Trial it for 12 months then go to referendum, no problem,” said Cr Tate.

“You’ve convinced me.”

His support means the mayors of Queensland’s two biggest cities - with a combined population of more than three million people - are both in favour of another trial of daylight saving.

Mayor Tom Tate has supported a daylight saving trial. Picture: Glenn Hampson

However, neither Brisbane City or the Gold Coast Council has any official powers to bring in a citywide daylight saving trial.

Only the State government can initiate the move.

The State government and opposition have repeatedly said daylight saving is not on the agenda.

It is 30 years since the state held a referendum on the issue after a trial in the early 1990s, but polls by The Courier-Mail and researchers have consistently found more than 60 per cent support for the concept with the numbers even higher in the southeast.