Deputy Mayor Donna Gates ready for poll after two last minute candidates nominate

Mayor Tom Tate is to face six rivals as he seeks a record fourth term in office, as a wave of last minute nominations occurs for next month’s poll.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates is facing at least two opponents for her division after initially looking like being re-elected unopposed.

Tamzin Revell, a passionate regenerative farmer who has built a horse riding centre, has nominated for Division 3 against Ms Gates.

On her Facebook page, Ms Revell said she had decided to stand to be a voice to protect the northern suburbs.

Mayor Tom Tate and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates at a council meeting — they are both facing last minute sign up of candidates. Picture: Jerad Williams.

“We are the green behind the gold, the division that makes the difference,” she said.

Ms Gates told the Bulletin: “I’ve never taken my role for granted and fully expected a competitor. I hope to continue to work hard for the northern division.”

Another candidate in Division 3, Coomera resident Michael Banham, nominated on Monday morning and created a Facebook candidate page.

Three of the City’s 14 councillors at this poll are so far unopposed but they are bracing themselves for potential contests.

New councillor Shelley Curtis in Division 4, veteran councillor Bob La Castra in Division 8 and Division 10 councillor Darren Taylor in Surfers Paradise, are all set to be automaticallty re-elected.

There are currently 33 candiates nominated.

Candidate nominations close at midday on Tuesday. The ballot draw, which determines the order of candidates on voting papers, begins at 10am on Wednesday.

Early voting begins on March 4 and continues to March 15. Polling day on March 16 will be from 8am to 6pm, which is also the last day to complete postal voting.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates — welcoming the election contest. Picture Glenn Hampson.

Tamzin Revell is running as a Division 3 candidate in the 2024 Gold Coast City Council election.

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