Gold Coast birthday party: Dawn Crichlow blasts 60th birthday celebrations

SUPPORT for the Gold Coast’s diamond jubilee is building, with some of the state’s most powerful figures throwing their weight behind party plans. But one city leader is bashing the birthday.

COUNCILLOR Dawn Crichlow has sprayed Mayor Tom Tate’s party plans for the 60th anniversary of the city name as self-indulgent and something council has no business doing.

Despite support for the Gold Coast’s diamond jubilee building with some of the state’s most powerful figures throwing their weight behind the idea, the veteran Southport councillor tried to pour cold water on it yesterday.

“I just think it’s stupid, spend the bloody money on roads,” Cr Crichlow said, in the latest shot in the pair’s ongoing public feud.

Cr Crichlow suggested Cr Tate announced the celebrations because he was also celebrating his own 60th this year.

“Why? Because he’s turning 60, it’s all about me, unbelievable,” Cr Crichlow said.

“I don’t support any more celebrations; we have private entrepreneurs doing events on the Gold Coast. Let’s get back to basics: roads, rates and rubbish.”

The Gold Coast Bulletin yesterday revealed a major celebration is planned for May to mark 60 years since the region was renamed from South Coast to Gold Coast.

Council is in the early stages of planning the event, anticipated to be a large party at Broadwater Parklands in Southport.

In response to Dr Crichlow’s comments Cr Tate said: “It’s disappointing the councillor has commented publicly without knowing the facts.

“There will be no additional cost to ratepayers. I plan utilising our annual Celebrate GC budget for a Birthday GC event in 2019.

“My focus is on having the main celebration in Southport which would be a huge coup for traders. I’m all for Southport traders,” Cr Tate said.

Entertainment king Billy Cross said the event could be a huge week-long event.

Billy Cross. Picture: Jerad Wiliams

“This is a great celebration for us and it will be amazing, be it as a single day event or even a week-long thing,” he said.

‘This is the perfect platform to show Australia and the world what we are doing, how far we have come and it is coming at the right time.

“I would love to be involved in this as a proud Gold Coaster and celebrate our birthday.”

Mayor Tom Tate yesterday revealed he already had a surprise lined up for the anniversary.

Mayor Tom Tate and wife Ruth. Picture Glenn Hampson

The city was previously known as South Coast and originally picked up ‘Gold Coast’ as a nickname on the back of soaring property prices.

While initially seen as a pejorative, residents quickly adopted the name Gold Coast as their own. South Coast Town Council adopted it in October 1958.

The name was officially changed to the Gold Coast in May 1959 beginning a new era for the nation’s fastest-growing city.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones. Pics Adam Head

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN FOR JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS

State Tourism Minister Kate Jones said she looked forward to celebrating the occasion.

“People from my generation cannot imagine Queensland without the Gold Coast and in just 60 years it has become a place which people have a deep connection to and definitely the most recognised city in Queensland.

“Having the Commonwealth Games here set up the city really well for the next 60 years and at the end of the day we have got a multi-billion dollar benefit from it.”

Ms Jones said the birthday celebrations would coincide with major Coast events including the Logies and Gold Coast Marathon.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates said planning was in its early days.

“We are seeing the benefits of the name change 60 years ago. The name Gold Coast certainly works for us and we sure do know how to throw a party.”