Gold Coast history: 25 years since Gold Coast and Albert Shire councils amalgamated in 1995

The Gold Coast election campaign is in full swing but this month also marks 25 years since voters threw their support behind the creation of a “super council”.

THE Gold Coast’s 2020 council election is in full swing.

The last meeting has been held, the retiring councillors farewelled and the ballot draw done.

With more than 60 candidates battling it out for the 15 seats, it’s going to be a fast and furious three weeks to March 28.

But the battles Gold Coasters will witness pale in comparison to those of 25 years ago this month when locals were forced back to the polls for the second time in a year.

It has been a quarter of a century since the forced creation of the “super” Gold Coast City Council.

The Albert Shire Council councillors in 1994.

The “super city” poll changed the city forever as two councils created in 1948 were combined, with councillors who had just finished their 1994 campaigns forced to again face the electorate.

The decision, made in 1994 by Premier Wayne Goss’ Labor government, forced the councils to combine and pitted two mayors against each other – the Gold Coast’s Gary Baildon and Albert’s Ray Stevens.

On polling day, the reported polls suggested a cliffhanger result after Cr Stevens and Cr Baildon both spent between $100,000 and $200,000 on their campaigns.

Mayor Ray Stevens before a mayoral debate. Picture: Paul Riley.

There were 48 candidates for the 15 council positions and with temperatures running hot, police were called in to ensure no violence broke out on polling day.

Cr Stevens eventually triumphed over Cr Baildon, as well as fellow candidates – “flamboyant” Cr Kerry Smith, Christian Jocumsen, Chris Beilby, Jeanie O’Kane and Stephen Shoard.

Cr Smith told the Bulletin she would quit politics permanently after polling just 8 per cent in the mayoral election behind Crs Baildon and Stevens.

Though Cr Baildon lost the election, he admitted he took satisfaction in seeing the end of Cr Smith, a long-time rival.

“The only places where she polled well were where they didn’t know here,” he said.

“Her vote was a complete rejection.”

Gary Baildon lost the mayoralty but made a comeback two years later.

Ultimately, 13 of the councillors from both the former local governments were elected, along with one rookie, Eddy Sarroff.

Palm Beach’s Daphne McDonald was the city’s biggest winner, securing a stunning 74.17 per cent of primary vote, beating her nearest rival by 60 per cent.

Among the losers of the amalgamation were veteran councillors Merv Craig (Albert), Tom Costigan (Albert), Keith Thompson (Gold Coast), Mike Witham (Albert) and the late Sue Robbins (Albert), all of whom lost their seats.

Albert Shire councillors Sue Robbins and Jan Grew went on to be major figures in the super council.

Costigan and Robbins later returned to the new council in 1997 with Cr Robbins serving in the division 14 until her death in 2004.

Following the amalgamation, the new Gold Coast City Council was officially created on March 22, 1995 but this was not the end of the battle.

Former mayor Lex Bell, who stood down from City Hall in 1994 and returned to his former position as Surfers Paradise councillor, launched a long-running campaign against the amalgamation.

A referendum to split the councils again was held in 1996 and was unsuccessful.

Dawn Crichlow during the deamalgamation referendum

Of those elected in 1995, four remain on council today – Cr McDonald is the sole remaining councillor contesting the March 28 election.

The 1995 amalgamation election led to a major change in the council’s make-up, with many of its members becoming longstanding figures.

But things remained as fiery as ever, with Cr Stevens losing office to Cr Baildon just two years later in 1997.

And councillors had a famously tense relationship with newly appointed CEO Dr Douglas Daines, leading to his sacking in early 1998.

They meeting during which councillors voted to dismiss the administration boss also led to an infamous incident during which Cr Sarroff threw an agenda at Cr Baildon’s head.