Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate books Friday flight into Brisbane ahead of cyclone crossing

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate is booked to fly into Brisbane late on Friday night in a last minute bid to return from a private holiday before Cyclone Alfred makes landfall.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate is booked to fly into Brisbane late on Friday night in a last-minute bid to return from a private holiday before Cyclone Alfred makes landfall.

Council sources say it is the latest attempt by Mr Tate to return home but the likelihood of the airport reopening and plane arriving is “in the laps of the Gods”.

Mr Tate had been on a private holiday in Las Vegas where he attended the NRL season opener last weekend.

The Bulletin has been shown flight payments with Qantas where the Mayor had attempted to return earlier this week.

Ruth and Tom Tate in Las Vegas for the NRL.

Several of his flights were cancelled and both Brisbane and Gold Coast airports closed on Thursday - creating chaos for passengers booked on hundreds of trips.

The failure of the Mayor to return has sparked some outrage among his critics on social media with some accusing him of a “lack of care factor” - but those close to him say he has made genuine attempts to return.

Acting Gold Coast Mayor Donna Gates on Tropical Cyclone Alfred at the Disaster and Management Centre.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates has assumed the role of Acting Mayor and she along with his senior staffers have continued to update Mr Tate on disaster management.

“The Mayor has made several attempts to get home but unfortunately all those flights have been cancelled,” Ms Gates said.

“He is as up to date as I am on all cyclone developments. I have personally spoken to him several times and sent him every situation report as they come through multiple times daily.”

On Friday afternoon, she told media he was currently in Los Angeles attempting to fly back to the Gold Coast.

“The mayor is making his way back to Australia, he has booked about six flights, all of which have been cancelled for one reason or another,” she said.

“I believe now he has managed to secure a flight and hopefully he will arrive over the weekend.”

Ms Gates is getting a huge rap for her Cyclone Alfred crisis communication skills from Bulletin online readers and on social media.

Resident Richard Holliday wrote: “Acting Mayor Donna Gates has been outstanding. The Acting Mayor should continue leading the council’s response.”

Michaela Grant added: “Keep Donna - she’s doing a great job.”

Ceris Ash commented on Facebook: “Donna doing a much better job than he ever would.”

Acting Mayor Donna Gates: “The mayor is making his way back to Australia, he has booked about six flights, all of which have been cancelled for one reason or another.” Picture Glenn Hampson

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Originally published as Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate books Friday flight into Brisbane ahead of cyclone crossing