Gold Coast council election 2016: Who will be your next city councillor?
THE race for the council divisions has been the hottest in decades. Here’s a look at the contenders.
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WE’VE compiled the ultimate punter’s guide to the Gold Coast mayoral race. See who stacks up here:
THE FIELD
This is a one-horse race. Whoa, just don’t tell the punters! Mayor Tom Tate is at unbackable odds as he faces a field of rookies, blow-ins and veteran outsiders. He reckons he needs a “Mitchell Pearce moment” to fall short. With a week to go, who is going to beat him?
TOM TATE
Born 1959, Laos. Mayor and Surfers Paradise businessman.
Won on his third attempt in 2012 after millions spent on earlier preparations. Got 37 per cent of the vote in a tough field in 2012 — sitting councillors Eddy Sarroff (18 per cent), Susie Douglas (15 per cent) and Peter Young (11.9 per cent) still couldn’t match his stable under renowned trainer Wayne Moran. Hot favourite this time and knows it. Pumps weights but much criticised for his “potty mouth”. What do you say to those bookies who reckon Jim Wilson can beat you? Response: “So now I just go, here’s your answer, f … off!.” ODDS: $1.65
JIM WILSON
Born 1953, in Cloncurry. Lawyer and businessman.
Refers to Tom Tate as “Tom Take”. Tom Tate refers to him as “Whinging Wilson”. Both colts could need restraining in the parade ring. Had a longer preparation than other candidates, having begun his run late last year. If the Mayor is the front runner, as bookies suggest, is he in second place on the final turn? His track preparations during this week will determine that. Saturday. ODDS: $8.30
PENNY TOLAND
Born 1980 on the Gold Coast. Medical scientist.
First outing in feature race. Represented the Labor stable in the seat of Broadwater seat in 2015, but put up a good showing in recording almost 43 per cent of the vote. A local mare with the Gold Coast in her bloodlines. More composed this time, has maintained a distance from two main rivals. Some wise green-leaning heads feeding her lines in her stable and could run a strong second here. ODDS:$5
BRETT LAMBERT
Born 1961, Gold Coast. Small businessman.
Runs his own stable. Fetches the hay, the water, the oats — the lot, for himself. Explains why he is weary. Surviving on 90 minutes sleep. Could be forgiven for dosing off but backs himself. Has put the blinkers on and given no preferences on the final straight. Could be lost among the big company here with more track experience but a heart as big as Phar Lap. ODDS: $16.50
JOHN ABBOTT
Born 1946, Italy. Retired sound engineer.
Watch for arrival from the extreme right of field. Has been on the stage — well behind it, before. Mixed with musos like John Farnham so this is his second farewell tour having gained 1.58 per cent of the vote in 2012. More visible at track workouts then. At one recent session kicked up a protest about reporting about his conviction of stalking, having led the Blackshirts, a group protesting against divorce. As they say in the classics — London to a brick. ODDS: $100
ANDREW MIDDLETON
Born in Brisbane, 1960. Part-time author.
Loves Richmond and not the Suns. Best bet could possibly be to stay at home, at Carrara, and out of the sun next Saturday. Poor preparation, turned up when the field was being called but has maintained a good temperament. More interested in the dishlickers and dog laws. Was asked bread and butter questions, responded by saying “buggered if I know”. Gives whole new meaning to the term “roughie”. ODDS: $100
THE race for the council divisions has been the hottest in decades. The new council will have a different make-up following the retirement of councillor Chris Robbins, Jan Grew, Lex Bell and Margaret Grummitt. Here are the contenders.
THE race for the council divisions has been the hottest in decades. The new council will have a different make-up following the retirement of councillor Chris Robbins, Jan Grew, Lex Bell and Margaret Grummitt. Here are the contenders.
DIVISION ONE
THE RUNNERS
DONNA GATES (councillor) (DECIDED).
OUR city’s northern engineroom includes the rising residential suburb of Pimpama and tradie heaven at Yatala. Deputy Mayor Donna Gates won with almost 67 per cent of the vote last time. Regarded as the city’s best campaign fundraiser — what will she do with all those hats bought for fans on polling day? Unopposed this time, providing her an outstanding platform to run in the feature race next time around when Mayor Tom Tate calls it quits.
DIVISION TWO
THE RUNNERS
WILLIAM OWEN-JONES (councillor) (DECIDED).
THE wild west includes Helensvale and Oxenford. Red-haired accountant Owen-Jones with 43 per cent of the vote disposed of marshall John Wayne last time, who did not get to fire a shot. No one turned up for this gunfight. Cr Owen-Jones should retain his role as chair of governance unless Brooke Patterson, no shrinking violet, wins in Surfers Paradise and tells him to drop his gun belt. Which she will.
DIVISION THREE
THE RUNNERS
BRENDAN BOYLE
KEITH DOUGLAS
JIM NICHOLLS
FRAN WARD
CAMERON CALDWELL (councillor)
SURPRISINGLY big field but when it comes to politics the mob at Paradise Point turn into pirates. In his first term, area councillor and lawyer Caldwell has had the huge task of planning chair as the city’s construction industry starts to hum again. Loves his coffee, his cafes and texting on his mobile but has he chatted enough to his constituents? Former ballet dancer Keith Douglas has been stepping on his toes. But watch your back, councillor. Former company general manager Fran Ward is your real rival.
DIVISION FOUR
THE RUNNERS
BARRY VAN PEPPEN
COURTNEY WILSON
DANIEL KWON (Greens)
AMIN-REZA JAVANMARD
KRISTEN BOULTON
RAY (SANTA) STROFHELDT
EDDY SARROFF
EDDY Sarroff has been knocking on doors. “People have been saying, ‘Eddy, what are you doing here?’,” Eddy recently told the Bulletin. Well, Eddy’s not there to sell their houses. The former Broadbeach councillor wants the Labrador division vacated by retiring councillor Margaret Grummitt. Works and lives in Southport but would not run against old mate Dawn Crichlow. Standing in his way is the LNP’s Kristyn Boulton from Fadden’s Stuart Robert’s office.
DIVISION FIVE
MEHMET TAVLI
STACEY SCHINNERL
JANKIN HAY
FELICITY STEVENSON
MARK SCERIHA
PETER YOUNG
JOHN SZCZERBANIK
THE Nerangatangs and “Pac Piners” have been surprisingly well behaved with no campaign casualties. Ms Schinnerl is a community worker upfront about her ALP affiliations. Ms Stevenson has been quieter about hers. For the record, she lost out in the recent State preselection for the LNP to Sid Cramp. Former Albert MP John Szczerbanik has dusted off the thongs for a comeback after 21 years. He’s the guy in the shorts and T-shirt. But the real question is whether voters remember Peter Young, and if he gets in will he give Mayor Tom Tate the green finger? They will and he probably will.
DIVISION SIX
SUSIE GALLAGHER
DAWN CRICHLOW (councillor)
MICHAEL PULFORD
JOHAN JOUBERT
DAWN Crichlow was elected when Kevin Costner was a matinee idol. Businessman Michael Pulford has been campaigning successfully for “A new Dawn”. On Wednesday as the booths became heated, he told her, “Isn’t it time for you take an afternoon rest”. Susie Gallagher, the daughter of late sporting great “Pedro” Gallagher, is “the Southport story” and remains the dark horse. But all of them would concede that Dawn will go when its dawns upon her. That’s in another four years ... perhaps.
DIVISION SEVEN
BROOKE PATTERSON
GEORGE FRIEND
LUCY COLE
BILLY JAMES
SUSIE DOUGLAS
GARY BAILDON
TAKE a look at this list. Hold on, that’s one of them ringing on the phone again. Hello, is that you, Brooke? Someone, please someone pass the Panadol. The most intensely fought council division ever. Mr Baildon is a former mayor and Ms Douglas the former councillor. George Friend is an ex-army man, Billy James an ex-lifesaver and Brooke Patterson an ex-Hong Kong financier. Lucy Cole remains in real estate. Veteran councillor Lex Bell is retiring and smart enough not to anoint his successor. Yes, that means you the voter, you choose. Please just do it, please just end it — now.
DIVISION EIGHT
ELIZABETH BURKE
LYNN WEST (GREENS)
BOB LA CASTRA (councillor)
ELIZABETH Burke is the wife of Peter, a developer and ex-Melbourne butcher who believes in democracy, running for Labor and as an independent. This is Liz’s turn as an independent. She loves her suburb and believes someone must be the other Banana in Pyjamas in Carrara-Ashmore-Merrimac. So she put her hand up. So did the Greens’ Margaret Lynn West, both nominating at the last minute. The end result is Cr La Castra will need to sing for his supper to pay the campaign bills. Pass the chardonnay, Frank Sinatra’s the winner here.
DIVISION NINE
TED SHEPHERD
GLENN TOZER (councillor)
THIS is woodchipper territory. Elections in Mudgeeraba are like a Tarantino film — bloody and funny, full of action. Just do a search for Downfall You Tube spoof on Ted, a former council planning boss. Only a retired stand-up comic could put that script together. Councillor Ted scored 42 per cent of the vote in 2012 with young gun Glenn beating him with almost 48 per cent. Another ugly wrestle, leaving one in tears and the other shouting beers at the Wallaby.
DIVISION TEN
PAUL TAYLOR (councillor)
MONA HECKE
DAVID TAYLOR
PAUL Taylor, a self-made businessman is a Tom Tate man, loves development and is super proud of the building boom in Broady. Renowned for saying in council, “We are building a city, damn it!” David Taylor is a younger version talking from the same script. Enter Mona Hecke. Yes, she’s the one with the blonde hair. Author of The Lunchbox Revolution and a naturopath. The winner? You can all discuss it later, over dinner, at the casino. Look at the cranes. No extra salt on the chips, please.
DIVISION 11
NIC RONE
HERMANN VORSTER
CAREFULLY read their names again. Remember them? OK, so if you meet them at the polling booth, never ever mention Nic To Hermann, or Hermann to Nic. You will lose at least an hour of your life. You will never get that back. Must be the hardest fought two-candidate race ever. All because Star Wars-loving councillor Jan Grew put down her light sabre. Both are LNP-style fellows, Hermann a little more passionate about wearing blue. Nic has been linked to major business and community groups and Hermann was the spin doctor for Tom Tate at council. Jedi Jan won’t endorse either. May the force be with you, Robina.
DIVISION 12
JOHN CAMPBELL
PAULINE YOUNG
GREG BETTS (councillor)
MOST candidates have blue corflutes. Greg Betts has green ones. They are not out of place in Burleigh. Councillor Betts loves surfing. Earlier in the council, he and Tom Tate could not be described as buddies. In 2012 he won with almost 38 per cent of the vote. This time real estate local Pauline Young is his main rival. The betting talk on the street is a car park row with the local surf club will hurt his margin. But there is no chance of wipe-out here.
DIVISION 13
KURT FOSSELL
KATRINA BEIKOFF
DAPHNE MCDONALD (councillor)
KEITH MAITLAND
THE vote for Daphne McDonald dropped to just more than 43 per cent in 2012. Mr Maitland scored 15 per cent. Her term under Mayor Tom Tate has been different to the close-working relationship she had as deputy to the late Ron Clarke. The rumour mill suggested retirement. Enter young community policeman Fossell and award-winning journalist and young mum Beikoff and a lot of doorknocking. Cr McDonald took to Facebook for the first time. You have to “like” that fighting spirit.
DIVISION 14
RIC WADE
LEE BOGGIS
NATALIE WAIN
SHAWNA TREBBLE
GAIL O’NEIL
CHRIS Robbins has retired after maintaining the green behind the southern end’s gold. She fitted with Currumbin and her successor will say a lot about whether the division is changing. She has anointed Ms O’Neill, former chamber president and Cooly Rocks On promoter. Her rival is Natalie Wain who led the campaign to disconnect Allconnex and supports Save Our Spit. Husband Ashley stood in Currumbin for Labor. Which is why Tom Tate and Jann Stuckey will be watching results in this division more than any other.
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