Plans for Gold Coast traffic congestion task force shut down by Council

A PLAN by Mayor Tom Tate to create a task force of traffic congestion busters has been lost in a stunning vote at city hall.

A PLAN by Mayor Tom Tate to create a task force of traffic congestion busters has been lost in a stunning vote at city hall.

Councillor Tate — in a mayoral minute which was circulated to councillors — talked up a setting up a congestion busting task force headed by experienced engineer John Howe.

But in what council insiders regarded as the first real challenge to his leadership, the vote was lost.

GOLD COAST TRAFFIC CONGESTION FIX

Traffic Gridlock M1 as seen from Smith Street Overpass. Picture Mike Batterham

A council insider said it was one of the few instances that Cr Tate has faced such a defeat on the floor of the chamber.

Only Robina’s Hermann Vorster and veteran Surfers Paradise councillor Gary Baildon supported the Mayor after two and a half hours of debate at full council which started at 1pm.

In a critical move, Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, who has to deal with the most traffic congestion in her northern division, spoke strongly against the recommendations.

HOW TO SOLVE CITY’S TRAFFIC ISSUES

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate had his push for a traffic taskforce voted down in council today. Picture: Jerad Williams

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN - JUST $1 FOR THE FIRST 28 DAYS

She said councillors need more updates from officers and to “get more answers quickly”.

But she believed the recommendations “feel like a bit of an insult” to council directors and senior transport staff.

Veteran Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow said the transport challenges could be dealt with by all councillors at a special budget meeting.

She described the mayoral minute as “an absolute nonsense”.