Division 13 councillor Daphne McDonald announces she will not contest March election
Colleagues and Gold Coast residents have expressed their thanks to Daphne McDonald in the wake of the city’s longest running councillor’s bombshell decision to walk away from politics. Read about her last 33 years in council
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Colleagues and Gold Coast residents have expressed their thanks to Daphne McDonald in the wake of the city’s longest running councillor’s bombshell decision to walk away from politics.
Division 13 councillor Ms McDonald announced on Sunday she would not contest the March election after three decades representing Palm Beach and surrounding areas.
The decision drew an emotional response from her fellow councillors.
Division 9 councillor Glenn Tozer said it was an honour to have served with Ms McDonald at City Hall.
“You served your community with fervour and unique insight, championing their causes and caring for their aspirations,” he said.
Division 14’s Gail O’Neill said she was surprised at Ms McDonald’s announcement.
“I assumed she would be running, but I understand her decision,” Ms O’Neill said.
“It’s been a long time and she deserves time for her.”
Ms O’Neill said the surprising call came as Ms McDonald was still “going hard” for her local area.
“She deserves her retirement, she’s given a lot of service to this city over a lot of years and she’s been part of a lot of changes,” Ms O’Neill said.
“This gig is not easy – hats off to her – 33 years. I just admire how long she was committed to her area for.
“It takes a lot to put your hand up and stay there for as long as she has over so many elections.
“On a personal note, thank you for the friendship and respect you have always shown to me over the last eight years.”
Division 13 resident Treena Bourke said she had seen the area thrive because of Ms McDonald’s dedication.
“The last true independent,” she said.
“What a privilege it has been to live in our community under your care and advocacy.
“You have been such a role model and mentor to so many.”
Division 12 councillor Pauline Young applauded Ms McDonald for her extensive contribution to the city.
“She’s experienced the growth within the area and still championed the important aspects of her division, for her community,” Ms Young said.
“I want to thank her for sharing her knowledge of the city for the past 33 years and wish her a very well deserved retirement. They are some pretty big shoes to fill.
“I think we’re at a stage where any new candidate needs to have a very contemporary approach to Division 13 to ensure it keeps up with the rest of the city while honouring the legacy of councillor McDonald.”
Mayor Tom Tate wished Ms McDonald well in her retirement, citing her long service as “fantastic”.
Ms McDonald said she knew she wanted to represent the area after her late husband Wal moved to Koala Park in 1968.
“Coming from a small town, we always valued a sense of community and Wal and I soon became members and active volunteers of Apex, Rotary and Lions,” she said.
It was 23 years later when she was encouraged by the community to run for council.
“The cost of living issues, rubbish collection, sewer and water issues, development and the concern with sinking homes were high on the list of priorities for this area,” she said.
Ms McDonald said she was “honoured” to have represented the community for the subsequent 33 years.
“I would like to take this opportunity to say a most heartfelt thank you to every resident, business operator, volunteer, visitor, sporting group, charity, school and member of this community for the unfailing support, encouragement and most vitally your contribution to our collective success,” she said.
“I am honoured to have had the opportunity to represent you and on reflection, I am truly humbled by what we have been able to achieve, together.”
Ms McDonald encouraged anyone who felt like they could make a difference in the community to consider running for Division 13 in the 2024 elections.
“Please continue to say hello when you see me around, I will still be out and about and continuing to be involved in our community.”
HIGHS AND LOWS
Daphne McDonald has reflected on her 33 years representing the southern Gold Coast – looking at the highs and lows of a life in council.
Announcing on Sunday that she would not contest the March poll, Ms McDonald said it was a bittersweet goodbye as it was her “greatest privilege” and “honour” to represent Division 13 since 1991.
Ms McDonald took a walk down memory lane, marking some of her successes during her journey to becoming the longest-serving councillor in the city’s history.
She said her earliest triumph was tackling the home subsidence or ‘sinking’ issue where she campaigned for residents which lead to an Act in parliament.
“That was back in 1993 and I find myself currently doing similar advocacy for those impacted by flooding in recent years,” Ms McDonald said.
In 1999, she said she initiated the Tarrabora Bushcare Group to ensure the native plant species in the popular parkland located on Currumbin Creek at Palm Beach remained protected.
She also made special mention of surfing identity Andrew McKinnon for their work to make the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve a reality.
“Division 13 is so fortunate to have a significant area of natural reserves and green spaces,” she said.
“Open areas are integral to successful, cohesive and healthy neighbourhoods.”
Ms McDonald said while she had spent a lot of her time campaigning for issues like these to be resolved, it was the “small but meaningful daily occurrences” that meant the most to her.
She said being in council for more than three decades meant she was at the forefront of a lot of firsts for the city.
These firsts included the construction of the Sophie Purcell playground, founding the Expressive Ground creative arts space, establishing Thrower House, a sensory garden, the first mobile police unit in Queensland, the PBC State High School Community Hall and more.
“I have always recognised the value of children and students contributing to our community, and last year marked 30 years of the Junior Council for the City of Gold Coast,” Ms McDonald said.
“My resolution in council also allowed these young people a voice and opportunity to actually present their concerns.
“It remains a highlight of my initiatives as I watch these students mature in social and political knowledge and person confidence.”
Ms McDonald said she remembered how the droughts in the early 2000s affected the southern Gold Coast. The conditions were some of the worst on record, with Hinze Dam at 17 per cent capacity.
“It was only with the wider-community working together that we were able to overcome the problems thrown at us,” she said.
Ms McDonald said she hoped her legacy and projects would continue on in the southern Gold Coast.
“It has been an interesting journey since first elected and I hope I have established a strong foundation for the next representative,” she said.
“This will be an exciting year with the completion of major working including the Tallebudgera Creek Waterfront and the Palm Beach Aquatic and Community Centre, both destined to be wonderful recreating and social hubs for locals and visitors.”
Ms McDonald also encouraged “challenging” conversations with the state government to achieve “more acceptable and sustainable development outcomes”.
“This includes both development and more considered city planning as well as achieving a better public transport solution rather than contusing with the Light Rail State 4 plan which I and the community has made vehemently clear is not wanted.”
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