Light rail and greenheart miss out on $1.8bn in Gold Coast City Deal funding snub
A toxic relationship between Mayor Tom Tate and the Gold Coast’s “ineffective” federal MPs is being blamed for the city missing out on a $1.8bn federal infrastructure splurge.
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A toxic relationship between Mayor Tom Tate and what a critic calls the Gold Coast’s “ineffective” federal MPs is being blamed for the city missing out on a $1.8bn government infrastructure splurge
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Council of Mayors chairman Adrian Schrinner signed off on the 20-year, $1.8bn deal on Monday after more than three years of negotiations.
Despite being a 2032 Olympic Games co-host, the Gold Coast received no funding.
The Bulletin has been told the city would likely have received funds for Advanced Design and Prototyping Technologies (ADAPT) Institute building – focusing on high-end research and development – at the Health and Knowledge Precinct had the Gold Coast City Council not resigned its position in the Council of Mayors in June 2021.
Cr Tate at the time said the $300,000 annual fee to join the lobby group was a waste of ratepayer’s money.
Frustrations have boiled over, with business and political leaders urging both sides to come back to the negotiating table to ensure the city does not miss out on funding for three election wishlist items. They are light rail all the way to Gold Coast Airport, a greenheart parklands at Robina and a major expansion of the Home of the Arts (HOTA).
“It’s a perfect storm of Tom’s toxic relationship with the federal MPs and those same MPs being piss weak in terms of fighting for local projects,” a highly-placed political source claimed to the Bulletin.
Gold Coast-based Morrison Government MPs Stuart Robert, Karen Andrews and Angie Bell defended their advocacy for the Gold Coast in a statement, pointing to more than $2.7bn worth of projects being funded since the Coalition came to power in 2013.
“We’ve been fighting and delivering significant investments across the coast – our own GC deal – with the full extent of commitments running into the billions of dollars,” the MPs said.
Gold Coast-based Labor Senator Murray Watt said the decision to exclude the Gold Coast was “petty politics” and membership in the Council of Mayors should not be a needed.
“To exclude the Gold Coast because of a failure to pay a $300,000 membership fee is petty politics of the worst kind and all this does is deprive Gold Coasters of the infrastructure they deserve,” he said.
“It’s another slap in the face for a city that has loyally voted for the LNP. The LNP holds every federal seat on the Gold Coast, but our federal MPs do absolutely nothing for the city.”
Mr Robert, Ms Andrews and Ms Bell jointly wrote to the Gold Coast council last year to discuss the City Deal process and urged it to rejoin the Council of Mayors.
“It is our understanding the Council of Mayors SEQ has indicated that if the Gold Coast wishes to re-join the group, following its departure in June 2021, it is welcome to do so,” they wrote in November 2021.
“We encourage you to re-join so our region has a voice from local government at the negotiation table.
“We are available to assist you to return to discussions, should you decide to do so.”
Cr Tate was diplomatic and congratulated the federal and state governments for securing the giant South-East Queensland deal.
But he insisted the Gold Coast needed its own funding deal within 60 days.
“As the federal election draws closer, I am confident we will secure strong financial support from the federal government on our top three projects – light rail Stage 4 (to the airport); Greenheart; and our arts and cultural precinct,” he told the Bulletin from the UK.
“I look forward to the Prime Minister making an announcement on these Gold Coast projects in due course and equally, I await what the federal opposition may offer as well.”
Other Gold Coast business and civic leaders were far less diplomatic. One described it as a “city steal”.
“This is a massive snub to the Gold Coast. It’s high time our federal politicians explain why our city missed out,” a political insider told the Bulletin
“Did any of our federal MPs go in to bat for these projects and if not, why not?
“Our projects had been on their radar for more than a year so they have a lot of questions to answer on this.”
Key projects to be funded in the City Deal include the $450m Woolloongabba Brisbane Metro station, which will become a major interchange between the South East Busway and under-construction Cross River Rail.
Despite Deputy Premier Steven Miles last year insisted the City Deal was a “bad deal” because the Gold Coast was missing out and there was nothing for the state’s second-largest city and Olympics co-host.
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall said the deal was “hugely disappointing”.
“At this stage it looks like the Gold Coast has been well-and-truly nose-thumbed,” he said.
“It’s hugely disappointing given the heavy lifting we will have to do for the Olympics but we are still on the right side of the election so let’s hope there is more to come.”
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews accused the Mayor of using an election funding wishlist as a “stunt” and urged him to concentrate on his own backyard.
“I’ve seen the wishlist and this is, quite frankly, another stunt from Mayor Tom Tate,” she said at the time
“He pops his head up every now and then with a wishlist and it’s really disguising the fact that there are a number of council issues they need to focus their attention on.
“If Tom Tate was genuine and serious about what he was doing he would have put in some effort to reach out to myself, to Angie Bell and Stuart Robert.
“But he didn’t. He called a media conference, he’s gone public with his wishlist.
“Congratulations Tom, but that doesn’t deliver anything.”
Cr Tate returned fire by accusing Ms Andrews of taking Gold Coast residents for granted and toeing the “blue team” political party line.
Bell tolls for Coast: MP backs infrastructure boost
The battle to fund major Gold Coast infrastructure is ramping up, with one MP saying more needs to be done to ensure the city is ready for the 2032 Olympics.
Federal funding for big-ticket local projects including the light rail extension and greenheart project were at the heart of a war of words between Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews and Mayor Tom Tate.
It was sparked by Cr Tate urging both sides of federal politics to cough up for three key infrastructure projects ahead of May’s election.
Ms Andrews accused the mayor of using an election funding wishlist as a “stunt” and failing to floodproof the city’s south, and urged him to concentrate on his own backyard. Tate returned fire by accusing Ms Andrews of taking Gold Coast residents for granted and toeing the “blue team” political party line.
But LNP backbencher Angie Bell said she appreciated Cr Tate’s advocacy, just months out from the May federal election.
“Even though the city suffered a setback through Tom’s decision not to take part in the SEQ Council of Mayors, I am appreciative that he is strongly backing the projects that matter to our region,” the Moncrieff MP said.
“They will create opportunities for the next generation of Gold Coasters and those searching for their own slice of paradise.”
The federal election will be called in early April and must be held by May 21.
While the Morrison Government continues to lag in the polls behind Labor, the Gold Coast’s ultra-safe Liberal-held seats are not expected to changes hands.
Ms Bell, who was first elected in May 2019, said she had been lobbying her colleagues in recent months to do more for the Gold Coast.
“I have been showing ministers first-hand what the heart of the Coast has to offer and expressed the support our city requires to successfully achieve our vision,” she said.
“In December last year I asked Arts Minister Paul Fletcher to come and experience our HOTA precinct. I collaborated with HOTA to show the Minister what our arts vision is and what benefits investing in the next stage of the precinct will bring.”
War as Mayor accused of wishlist ‘stunt’
MARCH 9, 2022: THE city’s two most powerful politicians are at war weeks out from the federal poll.
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has accused Mayor Tom Tate of using an election funding wishlist as a “stunt” and failing to floodproof the city’s south, and urged him to concentrate on his own backyard.
Cr Tate returned fire by accusing Ms Andrews of taking Gold Coast residents for granted and toeing the “blue team” political party line.
The shots started after Cr Tate urged both sides of federal politics to cough up for three key infrastructure projects ahead of May’s election. They were extending the light rail south, upgrading HOTA and building the Greenheart at Robina.
Ms Andrews said on Wednesday: “I’ve seen the wishlist and this is, quite frankly, another stunt from Mayor Tom Tate.
“He pops his head up every now and then with a wishlist and it’s really disguising the fact that there are a number of council issues they need to focus their attention on.
“If Tom Tate was genuine and serious about what he was doing he would have put in some effort to reach out to myself, to Angie Bell and Stuart Robert.
“But he didn’t. He called a media conference, he’s gone public with his wishlist.
“Congratulations Tom, but that doesn’t deliver anything.”
She added residents in the city’s south needed the council to improve flood risks and stormwater drainage.
“With the floods here on the Coast there have been a number of issues I’ve brought to council’s attention they might want to consider,” she said.
“(Including) having an investigation of flooding around Elanora, because the residents are raising concerns about stormwater drainage and whether it’s sufficient.
“I make no comment on the engineering but I think it’s timely for council to focus on what is clearly a council issue. ”Mayor Tate told the Bulletin: “As chair of our city’s disaster management efforts for the past decade, I know how to manage the city’s interests during, and after, a natural event.
“If Minister Andrews can source additional federal funding for flood resilience projects, especially in the southern part of the city which she represents, that would be great. To date, zero dollars have come our way.
“As Mayor, I can handle criticism but for Minister Andrews to make comments of this nature is a slap in the face for the SES, City staff, police, Red Cross, Givit and every agency working tirelessly on flood recovery.
“She can criticise me all she likes but I will continue to represent the entire Gold Coast and that includes seeking federal funding for key generational projects including light rail, the arts precinct and our valued green space.
“Minister Andrews can toe the party line with the blue team if she wishes too … but I won’t let residents be taken for granted.’’
Mayor Tom Tate said the Federal Home Affairs Minister was misguided by claiming that he had held a media conference as a “stunt” to announce the City’s federal election wish list.
“Unlike the Federal Cabinet where deals are often struck in private, our council is 100 per cent transparent.
“On Monday, we held a special Full Council meeting to discuss our funding requests. The meeting was held in open session, apart from some matters that discussed specific financial matters.
“The final decision was in open session and live streamed. Everyone in Australia can dial in and listen live. That is transparency in action.
“My office then drafted the formal letter to both sides of federal politics. It could not have been drafted earlier as that would be insincere.
“I then held a media conference on the same day the letter was forwarded . a full 24 hours after the open and transparent council resolution was made public.
“I will never stop fighting for the city and I will continue to advocate for open and transparent council.”
Why Convention Centre upgrade has been wiped off wishlist
The upgrade of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre has failed to make the top wishlist for Federal funding, sparking division in council.
A push for light rail to be expanded south along the coastal route to the Gold Coast Airport has also failed to win unanimous support.
After a workshop debate behind closed doors, councillors emerged with a majority supporting three top priority projects – the tram being extended south, the upgrade of HOTA and building the Greenheart at Robina.
Mudgeeraba’s Glenn Tozer did not support the choices because he had earlier lobbied for a centre expansion.
Palm Beach councillor Daphne McDonald wants heavy rail extended from Varsity Lakes south.
Cr Tozer, during a special budget session in 2018, pushed for council to pressure the State Government to upgrade the centre after fear of a costs blowout and loss of potential business.
The Broadbeach centre opened in 2004 and was last extended in 2008. Meanwhile, the Cairns tourism facility is undergoing a $176m upgrade.
GOLD COAST CITY COUNCIL BUDGET: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Cr Tozer at a special council meeting on Monday admitted he could not “in good faith” back the light rail, Greenheart and HOTA upgrades and not include the Convention Centre expansion.
“I love all three of those projects. In this chamber I’ve spoken in favour of every single one of them at different times. But there are other projects I think should be of higher priority for the city,” he said.
Cr McDonald admitted she could not support the wish list being sent to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese because it backed light rail stage four.
She said the resolution needed more description of what the funding request was for, and her preference was extending heavy rail south from Varsity.
“There are projects that I find are more worthy,” Cr McDonald said.
Robina’s Hermann Vorster was outspoken in support of the three projects in the lead-up to a federal poll, which must be held by May.
“We are Australia’s sixth largest city. Quite often we talk about whether the city wears a blue tie or a red tie. But this city adorns a gold tie,” he said.
“We want the rivers of gold to be flowing into this city.”
Southport councillor Brooke Patterson, appointed recently as an observer on the cultural precinct’s board, said the Coast was not receiving similar amounts of federal funding per capita in the arts compared to other cities.
“It is stark, it is shocking,” she said, remarking about the difference in funding per capita for Sydney and Melbourne.
Planning chair Cameron Caldwell said council had backed a “targeted and balanced portfolio of projects” of the highest value and return to the city.
He questioned councillors who voted against it, saying it was not the right approach because other projects could be negotiated if put forward by the Commonwealth or State.
“We are open to business to talk to them about all matters of projects they might be delivering,” he said.
Airport light rail backed to transform Coast
Earlier: The Federal Government and Labor will be lobbied to back funding for three mega projects which will transform the Gold Coast leading up to the 2032 Olympics.
Mayor Tom Tate called on “all sides of politics to show their true golden colours’’ and back major city-changing projects for the Coast.
After full council met on Monday, the following projects were backed:
* Investment in the city’s Central Park (GreenHeart) project to create a 270 hectare public space between Robina and Merrimac – six times the size of Broadwater Parklands.
* Investment in the next stage of the city’s HOTA precinct.
* Light rail to Coolangatta and the airport (stage 4) – with tenders to be issued for the major bridge and wildlife overpass works during Stage 3 from Broadbeach to Burleigh.
Only councillors Daphne McDonald who is opposed to light rail through Palm Beach and Mudgeeraba’s Glenn Tozer who backs the Gold Coast Convention Centre expansion did not support the top three choices.
Cr Tate told the Bulletin: “These projects are for the benefit of not only our city but the SEQ region. These are generational projects that will shape the liveability of this part of Australia.
“With a Federal election looming and our city boasting five Federal seats, the message is very clear – it’s time to show your golden colours for the Goldie.
“One-in-seven Australian voters reside in the SEQ corner of Australia so collectively, we are a powerful voice that needs to be heard.’’
Cr Tate said the council was committed to partnering with any government to make these projects a reality.
“The time for talk is over. It’s now time for real on-the-ground commitment,’’ he said.
Mayor Tate has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese.
“The wording in the letter is identical and the message is clear. We want real commitment now.’’
MAR 3, 2022:
New protection methods will be launched save koalas from road accidents after research revealed the worst suburbs for wildlife-vehicle collisions on the Gold Coast.
Council data shows more than 13,000 records of wildlife-vehicle collisions — all native species — have been reported on Coast roads in the last decade.
Koala protection measures on roads at the Gold Coast.
Koalas account for 12.5 per cent of these records with 1625 animals being hit by a car on Coast roads from 2010-2020.
The hot spots are at Currumbin on the southern end and middle stretch around Arundel.
The top ten worst areas for koala-vehicle accidents include:
* Tallebudgera Connection Road at Tallebudgera (96).
* Pacific Motorway at three locations (86).
* Brisbane Road at Labrador (68).
* Simpsons Road at Elanora (56).
* Captain Cook Drive at Arundel (54).
* Smith Street at Southport (47).
* Guineas Creek Road at Elanora (43).
* Galleon Way 40 at Currumbin Water (40).
* Napper Road 34 at Arundel (34).
* Tallebudgera Creek Road at Tallebudgera (34).
Mayor Tom Tate said most collision hotspot roads would require a suite of mitigation measures to change both driver and wildlife behaviour.
“We currently undertake a range of measures to reduce strikes such as fauna exclusion fencing, fauna underpasses, static wildlife signage, koala speed awareness devices, variable messaging signs as well as community education and awareness messaging,” he said.
“We will build on what we already do to hopefully reduce wildlife fatalities on City-controlled roads.
“The City will also explore a feasibility trial of a koala crossing at Napper Rd.
“We will continue to analyse and assess the best ways to prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions on the Gold Coast and work with state government on how best to manage these instances on State-controlled roads.”
Koala protection measures on roads at the Gold Coast.
New measures to be explored include additional signage, which would be static as well as vehicle activated.
Other options include fauna fencing, installing culverts and vehicle calming devices such as speed humps, rumble strips and chicanes.
Council future transport study axed
March 2: A council transport study showing how the Gold Coast will look in 20 years has been trashed by councillors because it does not address traffic congestion.
The 2041 transport strategy discussion paper was put together by council officers to provoke resident comment.
However, a hard copy handed to councillors four weeks ago will not be released to the public, as they rejected recommending it and told officers to go back to the drawing board.
They said the report was full of pretty pictures.
Instead it was recommended “a confidential memo” would be circulated inviting further feedback from all councillors.
At a transport committee meeting on Tuesday, Councillor Hermann Vorster appreciated the “body of work” but was “nervous” about the discussion paper.
“A failure of the transport system is actually a failure of the promise of the Gold Coast,” he said.
Images in the discussion paper showed a “utopian existence” in future suburbs where the possibility of living there was “zero per cent”.
The reality would be like streets in existing suburbs – full of vehicles, a parking shortage, and parents uncomfortable with children playing on a medium strip with any parklands.
Deputy Mayor Donna Gates said “our streets are half as wide as that”.
She said it was important for residents to understand the city had to meet population targets set by the state government.
“The major concern of everyone is how they can get around this city without congestion,” Cr Gates said.
“Quite frankly, a vehicle (RACQ) trial (at Main Beach) for four people to get on an automated bus is not going to be the answer to those congestion problems.
“I think that’s where we leave ourselves open to criticism. I don’t see (from this paper) what we are going to do with our current road network to make it easier for people to get around.”
Cr Gates said she had just returned from Melbourne where clearways with parking bays had kept the traffic flowing in peak hour.
She said residents would want to see the solutions available, apart from light rail, east-west bus connections and a fast train to Brisbane.
“I just don’t see that you are going to get a lot of buy-in for things like active and healthy avenues we are pursuing, even the streetscaping,” Cr Gates said.
The photographs look “wonderful” but the images were not achievable at a street front, she said.
“I don’t know how you start the conversation about reducing congestion, but that will be foremost in everyone’s mind considering a transport strategy for the future.”
Transport director Alton Twine said the comments by Cr Gates and Cr Vorster “echoed my recent sentiments to the team” and his concern about “expectations being raised about streetscape”.
“I asked, ‘why wasn’t traffic congestion there’ (in the paper),” he said. “I think the answer is it’s implicit, and I think the answer is it needs to be explicit.
“In the feedback to date, which is driving the content in this paper, why isn’t it specifically relating to the road network. I think people think we are doing that anyway – it’s our fault, we haven’t called it out enough.”
Patron shortage not enough to deter Coast ferry service
March 2: The Gold Coast’s ferry service is expected to become a permanent public transport fixture despite patronage challenges during a trial run.
Councillors went into closed session at a transport committee meeting on Tuesday to consider the awarding of a long-term contract, the Bulletin can reveal.
A report to councillors says the two-year Gold Coast Ferry Trial concludes on June 30 and officers recommend a “significant contracting plan”.
The “commercial matter” had to be discussed behind closed doors at committee, before its recommendations and a final vote would be made at full council on March 18.
“It is proposed that a new contract be negotiated and entered into with the existing contractor for a period of five years, plus a further five-year extension option,” the report says.
Outside the meeting, Mayor Tom Tate told the Bulletin: “I’m a strong supporter of the ferry service as we have to ensure we have multiple transport modes for our growing city.
“At the same time, we must ensure value-for-money, which is the same philosophy we apply to every ratepayer dollar.
“I believe a five-year contract is sufficient so far as certainty.”
Cr Tate predicted the ferry service would increase patronage once the Marine Stadium terminal at The Spit was finished.
“Shorter trips with more frequency is definitely the long-term aim but I am looking to support the contract extension at (the) full council (meeting),” he said.
Research by officers shows the trial has been impacted by Covid with low patronage numbers forcing council to seek speed exemptions and timetable changes so the service could become more competitive.
The original ferry trial was intended to be completed by December last year but was suspended due to Covid from March through to August in 2020. The contract was then extended to June this year.
“The ferry trial was planned for and implemented in a pre-Covid-19 environment and has not escaped the impacts to the local economy and public transport patronage,” an earlier council report said.
“Despite this, the service provider has demonstrated a desire to persevere by achieving or being on-track to achieve all the outcomes of KPIs outlined in the contract.”
Lower patronage numbers were due to periods of lockdown when the service could not run or because during Covid there had been “less appetite for public transport services”.
Some residents continued to work from home and interstate border closures and restrictions to international travel had made an impact.
The ferries in the trial stop at five waterfront precincts – Surfers Paradise’s Appel Park, HOTA, Marina Mirage, Sea World and the Broadwater Parklands. A round trip takes about an hour and costs $25.
‘Worst ever’: Council’s most controversial calls revealed
The Yatala lights, Sir Joh, Dr Death, mosques, islands of culture, amalgamation, silver ferns for Australians and water on the brain. You name it, it has cost Gold Coast ratepayers money.
City leaders this week voted to build a replica of its “rusty chook” sculpture at Kirra Hill.
Council will take the project to tender. The cost of replica is unknown.
Some have questioned the value of spending ratepayer funds on the statue.
It is the latest on a number of controversial call councillors have had to make. Here are nine of the stand outs:
YATALA LIGHTS
Council spent more than $2m to build a “gateway statement” for the city on the M1 at Yatala ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The result was an 11m-tall sign that could not be read by anyone on the Pacific Motorway.
City leaders had planned to pull it down after the Games – until they found out it would cost $1.2m.
It is still there.
AMALGAMATION
The city was ruled by two councils – Gold Coast and Albert Shire – for more than 40 years.
Premier Wayne Goss’s Labor government decided in 1994 to amalgamate the two, pitting two mayors against each other – the Gold Coast’s Gary Baildon and Albert’s Ray Stevens.
On polling day, the reported polls suggested a cliffhanger result after Cr Stevens and Cr Baildon both spent $100,000-200,000 on their campaigns.
Following the amalgamation, the new Gold Coast City Council was officially created on March 22, 1995 but this was not the end of the battle.
Former mayor Lex Bell, who stood down from City Hall in 1994 and returned to his former position as Surfers Paradise councillor, launched a long-running campaign against the amalgamation.
A referendum to split the councils again was held in 1996 at a cost of several million dollars and was unsuccessful.
SILVER FERNS
In 2013, the council launched a competition to create an art piece for the light rail route in Surfers Paradise.
The Urban Oasis public art commission saw council obtain $330,000 from the state government and chip in almost $81,000 for operation costs and $17,500 for local area works.
The result was four 11m metal structures in the shape of silver ferns.
The artwork was created by Irish artist Alex Pentek, but there was an outcry about the cost when the ferns were unveiled in June 2016.
They were put in storage and cost ratepayers nearly $430,000.
ISLAND OF CULTURE
The mood of the Gold Coast was dire in 2009 as the global financial crisis bit into the city’s economy.
The council, under then-mayor Ron Clarke, announced plans for a cultural precinct at Evandale.
Council commissioned a design competition to create a new-look Evandale, securing 61 entries from across the country.
The winning design was a bold concept: the Island of Culture which was to sit in the middle of the Nerang River and require the demolition of most of Evandale itself.
It was to connect by pedestrian bridges on three sides to Evandale, Surfers Paradise and Chevron Island.
Within its walls were housed the mayoral chambers, performing and visual arts facilities, some council staff offices, restaurants and public spaces.
Its perimeter was to be wrapped in a luminous “scalloped glaze curtain” that would glow at night.
Councillors baulked at the idea and abandoned it less than a year later.
The exercise cost the city more than $90,000.
ALLCONNEX
The creation and demise of corporate water entity Allconnex was one of the most divisive issues in the Gold Coast’s history.
The state government beast spurred a massive spike in water bills in 2010-2011, but burst when Gold Coast ratepayers rebelled and the council voted to ditch it.
It was viewed as a win for people power but would come at a devastating financial cost – ratepayers forked out more than $100m.
CURRUMBIN MOSQUE
Salsabil Charity Organisation filed a development application with the Gold Coast City Council in early 2014 to enable a warehouse on the corner of Coghill and Villiers drives to be converted into a “place of worship”.
The application sparked a record 3867 submissions and eight petitions containing 5511 signatures along with protests outside the Evandale council chambers.
Council’s planning committee voted to approve the development amid death threats made against several city leaders.
However, the council’s planning committee back flipped a week later and rejected it.
Council ultimately won a legal battle in the Planning and Environment Court but it cost ratepayers nearly $3m in legal fees.
SACKING DR DAINES
It was January 1998 and tensions grew in City Hall over the future of council CEO Dr Douglas Daines, who had proved a highly divisive figure.
A long-running feud with Mayor Gary Baildon finally came to a head in the early weeks of 1998 as the council moved to sack the chief executive.
Dr Daines became known as “Dr Death” after clashing with the development community who became frustrated over delays in project approvals.
Cr Baildon pushed through a motion to sack Dr Daines on the grounds that his relationship with the council had “irretrievably broken down”.
The alleged mishandling of a Freedom of Information application to the council was among the grounds councillors used to dismiss him following months of infighting over his $200,000-a-year position.
The sacking outraged the public gallery and councillors Dawn Crichlow and Eddy Sarroff, both of whom were supporters of the ousted chief executive.
The volatile Cr Sarroff exploded and hurled his council agenda papers at Cr Baildon, hitting the mayor in the face and chest, knocking him backwards and sending pens and a glass falling from the table.
THE ENTIRE COUNCIL GETTING SACKED
Mayor Sir Bruce Small’s controversial council was famous for its brawls and battles with Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen through the late 1970s.
In 1979, infuriated by the constant fighting, the Bjelke-Petersen government acted swiftly and sacked the council and installed an administrator who ran the city from Bundall until a new council was created more than a year later.
APPROVING THE ARTS CENTRE
In March 1985 then-mayor Denis O’Connell used his casting vote to approve the controversial Gold Coast Arts Centre project at the final meeting before that year’s election.
The project was in the crosshairs of the council’s budget hawks who considered it too expensive and unnecessary.
The decision proved politically fatal for Mr O’Connell, who later attributed this decision as the reason for his shock loss at the 1985 council election to Denis Pie.
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