Candidates vow to stand up to bullies after worst wave of corflute damage

Council candidates aren’t just in a battle against each other - they are taking on vandals. Find out about the damage toll

Candidates are appealing to residents to provide CCTV footage after one of the worst outbreaks of corflute vandalism in a local government poll.

Naomi Fowler has lost more than 100 signs in one night in a organised hit on her campaign at Oxenford. In a bizarre twist, some have been found.

Nineteen corflutes were dumped at a resident’s property at The Surrounds on Wednesday night and almost 40 neatly stacked at a back basketball court Helensvale State High School on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Jenna Schroeder in nearby Labrador has vowed to stand up against “bullies”.

Ms Schroeder earlier in the week called out a “neighbourhood artist” for giving her corflute a shocking makeover.

“As the only woman in the race, it seems they thought I needed a bit more ‘male influence’ to fit in,” she said. Other corflutes were then dumped in creeks.

Division 7 candidate Jenna Schroeder inspecting damage to her corflutes after vandals struck during the 2024 Gold Coast City Council election.

Ms Fowler admitted it was “heartbreaking” to wake up on Wednesday morning to discover 100 signs had vanished during the night, costing up to $1000 from a tight personal spend.

“This is devastating, especially after my husband Chris and our dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly, even in the rain, to place these signs across Oxenford,” she said.

“We diligently followed procedures, waiting for the State Government to officially launch the election on January 29, 2024, and placed the signs with careful consideration.

“Now, with less than seven weeks until the finish line on 16th March, we’re grappling with the unfortunate disappearance of nearly all our signs throughout Oxenford.

“This loss would be devastating for any candidate across the Gold Coast. It’s even more disheartening considering the State’s tight spending caps and the significance of every campaign dollar.”

Naomi Fowler, Division 2 candidate in the 2024 Gold Coast City Council election, fixing her corflutes after vandals removed 100 signs.

Ms Fowler said she had reached out to the ECQ to see if there was a possibility for an exemption into the purchase of more corflutes due to the vast quantity that were stolen.

“If anyone has any information or CCTV footage from around Oxenford, please share it with us so we can identify the culprits easier through the investigation. Let’s hope the remainder of the campaign remains fair and respectful for all,” she said.

Ms Schroeder has thanked residents who reported that her corflutes were targeted by vandals.

“It seems my zero tolerance rule of bullying behaviour in my community group Labrador 4215 has resulted a few bullies now targeting me,” she said.

Jenna Schroeder, Division 7 candidate in the Gold Coast City Council 2024 election, fixing her corflutes after vandals targeted her campaign.

“The most unfortunate part of this is not the corflutes, but the heartbreaking reaction my daughter had when she realised her mum’s signs near school had been damaged.

“Tonight’s dinner table discussion will no doubt be a lesson on standing up for yourself against bullies.”

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