Candidates warn council that ratepayers fed up with ‘luxury spending’

Gold Coast City is being warned about proposals to buy the Coolangatta airport as councillors are being told to rethink renting expensive space. See what it means for ratepayers

Gold Coast City is being warned to drop a proposal to buy a chunk of the Coolangatta airport, as councillors are urged to rethink renting expensive offices which lack parking for ratepayers.

Mayoral candidate Danielle Dunsmore and Division 7 candidate Jenna Schroeder are highlighting in their social media the fears by residents about the rising cost of living.

Ms Dunsmore, in a Facebook post, said: “City of Gold Coast needs to cut back on luxury spending, such as buying airports. It’s no different to households.”

The council is in the race to buy the Gold Coast airport along with three other regional terminals as part of huge secret investment deal, an exclusive Bulletin report in November last year detailed.

Out on the campaign trail, Danielle Dunsmore, mayoral candidate in the 2024 Gold Coast local government poll.

Mr Dunsmore has referred to a new report from the Local Government Association of Queensland showing ratepayers across the State were paying $360m each year for services which should be provided by state and federal governments.

The marketing and communications strategist, who has worked for councils, is running in the March council poll on the themes of “integrity, environment and liveability”.

“I would be rethinking all our major projects. Are they aligned to council’s role?” she said.

“City of Gold Coast is just as susceptible to inflation - to budget creep. We need to rein in luxury spending to meet its obligations and rising costs. Buying airports, generous councillor expenses and cruise ship terminals are luxuries.”

Ms Dunsmore after holding meet and greets in parks said residents had complained about grassroots issues like the lack of public transport.

Their other concerns included cracked footpaths, “shabby” parks, sewerage spills, and the lack of money for koala habitat acquisition.

She said they had also complained about a “lacklustre response” from the disaster management unit given the amount of fallen trees around the worst damaged suburbs from the Christmas Eve storms.

Jenna Schroeder, Division 7 candidate in the Gold Coast City Council 2024 poll.

After a recent Bulletin report highlighted councillor expenses, Ms Schroeder has focused on their office rentals. Nearby office space advertises for up to $80,000 “plus outgoings”.

Costs in her division represented by murder-accused suspended councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden showed $44,680 was spent on facilities, professional development, a car and communications.

Ms Schroeder said: “On my recent visit to the Division 7 office, I was surprised by the limited parking available — just two spots for staff and none for visitors.”

Ratepayers are confronted with warning signs their vehicles could be towed away with many people using spots so they can walk to the nearby University Hospital and Griffith University.

“With a huge space for the councillor’s face and name, the high visibility of the current office may be beneficial for re-election campaign, but is it the best use of the city’s budget,” Ms Schroeder said.

“The previous office in the community centre was surely more affordable, and looking online, it’s easy to find spaces with ample parking and likely half the cost of rent.”

Councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden, prior to his suspension, at his office. Picture by Richard Gosling.

The Bulletin in January revealed more than $1.3 million of ratepayer money had been spent on renovations and creating new offices for councillors in what a City Hall insider described as secret “Block-style makeovers”.

The City confirmed $132,174 was spent on a new office for Cr Bayldon-Lumsden at Parkwood after leaving a community centre.

Cr Bayldon-Lumsden responded by saying the move of the councillor offices from the community centre was long overdue as the hub reached capacity, and there were safety concerns for staffers.

“The office relocation made four spaces available for community groups at low cost. These have included a support service for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and a disability advocacy service,” he said.

Cr Bayldon-Lumsden, who is suspended, will contest the elections. He was charged with the murder of his stepfather, Robert Lumsden, 58, at their Arundel home on August 23, last year.

His lawyer Jason Murakami, of Behlau Murakami Grant, has entered a plea of not guilty to the murder charge.

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