Council election 2020: Mayoral candidate Derek Rosborough

A Gold Coast mayoral candidate says he wants Schoolies banned, will remove confusing parking signs and stop a second casino or cruise ship terminal.

A GOLD Coast mayoral candidate says he wants Schoolies banned, will not appoint a deputy mayor, will remove confusing parking signs and stop a second casino or cruise ship terminal.

Derek Rosborough is one of the last candidates to nominate in a field of eight for the March 28 council poll where Mayor Tom Tate will seek a third term of office.

His big policy positives, outlined in his first interview with the Bulletin, are for the council to focus on fixing potholes and footpaths, along with reducing bureaucratic red tape.

Schoolies 2019 — mayoral candidate Derek Rosborough is opposed to the event. AAP Image/Richard Gosling.

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“I am a senior civil designer with over 40 years experience in infrastructure projects all around Australia and overseas. In 2006 I moved to the Southport area and have always 100 per cent voted independent at every election,” Mr Rosborough said.

He said he had first stood for politics in the 1992 ACT elections and again in 1996 against Labor identity Ros Kelly, who was in the Hawke and Keating governments.

Mr Rosborough said he campaigned twice in a bid to become Brisbane lord mayor, ran in the federal seat Griffith in 2004 against Kevin Rudd and in three State elections, along with two attempts for the Senate as an independent.

Derek Martin Rosborough has put his hand up to run for Gold Coast City Council Mayor in the latest election. Photo: Facebook.

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“I firmly believe that council elections should not have any major party influence and campaign by only independents or locals best to serve the community interest,” he said.

“The main issue that I want to stop on the Gold Coast – the wasted money, accountability and lack of communication to resolve issues or problems.”

Mr Rosborough said he would set a “clear budget and plan on what will be done within the four-year term of the council” along with his vision for moving forward.

“No hiding behind closed doors and all council meetings to be open to the public or media,’’ he said. “What has the current or previous councils been hiding from the public?”.

Independent candidate Derek Rosborough at the 2004 Brisbane council poll. Pic Marc Robertson.

Mr Rosborough said he was opposed to Schoolies and any other events that could lead to violence or drug taking.

“If anyone should elect a deputy mayor it should be the voters, not current mayor or councillors. This can save the Gold Coast around $175,000 per annum for other needed projects,” he said.

Mr Rosborough said many parking signs were confusing and the council would be better spending more time taking action against offenders.

He said he was against a second casino and offshore CST at The Spit and believed the focus should be on fixing road potholes and completing footpaths.