Gold Coast won’t rejoin council of mayors despite city missing out on $285m
The Gold Coast has missed out on a share of $285m, prompting furious city leaders to demand a big decision. But Mayor Tom Tate says nothing has changed.
Council
Don't miss out on the headlines from Council. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Mayor Tom Tate is adamant he will not rejoin a body of southeast Queensland cities and regions despite the Gold Coast missing out on a desperately needed share of $285m.
Fury is growing among city leaders that the Coast’s lack of membership in the he powerful southeast Queensland Council of Mayors (COMSEQ) is costing it tens of millions of dollars after the federal and state governments announced a major funding package for southeast Queensland councils.
The Gold Coast is not among those receiving the funds, which will be delivered through the $1.8bn City Deal which was announced in early 2022 and used to build and improve parklands
Council is keen to secure state and federal funding to fast-track its GreenHeart parklands which will cover 220ha, stretching from Robina to Carrara, making it six times the size of the Southport Broadwater Parklands and rival Sydney’s Centennial Parklands.
A defiant Mr Tate said nothing had changed since the council unanimously voted to leave lobby group in June 2021 over its $350,000 membership fee.
“Membership is more than $350,000 annually and we couldn’t justify that expenditure of ratepayer money, so for that outlay, we can install 30 playground shade sails every year and I know ratepayers would prefer that,” he said.
“I welcome the latest funding announcement and am confident the distribution of these funds is based on the merit of each project, not reliant on any council being a member of COMSEQ. If that was the case, it would bring into question the legitimacy of each project.
“As mayor, I undertake advocacy directly with the relevant state and federal ministers. Recent successful advocacy efforts have seen our city build a world class $24 million emergency and recovery centre, funded by three tiers of government.”
Mr Tate pointed to council securing $10m for a superyacht berth, $24m for its new emergency and recovery centre, $268m for fire ants eradication and the extension of the light rail as the results of his direct advocacy. But other city leaders are furious at Gold Coast again missing out on big ticket funding.
Several have told the Bulletin they intend to raise the issue as a priority in the first meeting of the new council following the March election.
“This is just the latest in a series of funding packages we have missed out on because of council’s decision to leave the council of mayors,” one said on Sunday.
“The decision was unanimous at the time but this keeps happening and there is a big question about whether the membership fee, while a lot, is a small price to pay to get a share of these funding packages.”
Deputy Mayor Donna Gates told the Bulletin’s Future Gold Coast Forum last year the city should rejoin.
A supermajority of councillors told the Bulletin in late 2022 they supported rejoining COMSEQ to help secure funding for key projects including light rail to the border urgently and a share of $2.1bn in funding for waste water upgrades, divided by COMSEQ members.
The Gold Coast has been in and out over the last decade.
The council first quit in 2013, arguing the then-$235,000 annual membership fee was better saved because “the Council of Mayors’ priorities are not necessarily the Gold Coast’s priorities at this moment”.
The Coast rejoined in April, 2020, as part of the 2032 Olympic Games bid. It quit again in June 2021.
Gold Coast federal LNP MP and former councillor Cameron Caldwell blamed the Labor state government.
“State Labor have finally confirmed what we have worried about for some time and that is the Gold Coast stands to benefit nothing from the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said.
“It seems Gold Coast taxpayers will be picking up the bill for parks and facilities across SEQ but will have nothing in their own backyard.”
‘Enriched the fabric’: Tate’s surprise offer to beloved doyen
Regina King photographed the Gold Coast and its citizens for more than 50 years. Now she’s been made a surprise offer by Mayor Tom Tate. FIND OUT MORE
Revealed: Doof doof parties puts $35m green project at risk
Doof doof parties are taking off at The Spit with residents furious about new irrigation pipes being vandalised as part of a $35 million-plus restoration project.