Burleigh’s biggest brawl: light rail poll showdown as council boundaries change

One of the Gold Coast’s busiest seaside suburbs is to be split in two by a surprise new measure which could have a big impact on infrastructure plans for the area.

BURLEIGH residents are being urged to protest against a proposal which will see the coastal town centre split from the rest of the suburb under local government boundary changes.

The proposed new boundaries created by the Local Government Change Commission Review could see Burleigh-based councillor Pauline Young opposing Palm Beach-based councillor Daphne McDonald in the poll next March.

The boundary changes will see Cr Daphne McDonald’s division go north across Tallebudgera Creek. Photographer: Glenn Hampson.

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Residents on community Facebook pages have claimed the contest would see the election become a vote on light rail heading south to the border.

Anti-tram campaigner Karen Rowles, on her Facebook page, has posted: “New council boundaries mean Cr Daphne McDonald could go head to head with Councillor Pauline Young in election 2020. Vote one for Daphne McDonald. Kick pro light rail Councillor Pauline Young out.”

Karen Rowles sees the next council poll as a potential vote on light rail. Photo by Richard Gosling.

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Cr Young is urging residents to write to the Change Commission and support the divisional boundaries remaining the same. Submissions close at 5pm today.

“The people of Burleigh and the surrounding areas use the same road network, community infrastructure and transport corridor – splitting up our community is not the right choice,” Cr Young told the Bulletin.

“I would encourage locals to put in a submission to these draft boundaries and tell the Change Commission that dividing our growing community is not the best outcome.

Councillor Pauline Young is urging residents to put in submissions about the boundary changes. Photo: Jerad Williams.

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“Burleigh is a very established long term local community supporting each other, working together to create a wonderful fabric of residents, businesses and visitors.

“Removing the business and entertainment heart will create a disconnected feeling amongst the residents.”

Under the proposed changes, the boundaries of Cr Young’s Division 12 will move forward to gain Mermaid Waters and Mermaid Beach.

New council boundaries for Burleigh on the Gold Coast.

The proposed division will see it bounded by Bermuda Street in the west and Hooker Boulevard in the north taking in Broadbeach and Broadbeach Waters.

Cr McDonald who has been based in Palm Beach will also see her Division 13 expanded northwards, adding the entire Burleigh Heads suburb including the commercial centre.