Inside story: The arrest of Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden was the first shockwave now another looms

The arrest of Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden, accused of murdering his stepfather, caused the first shockwave at council. The second now at council is how much it will change after next year’s poll.

The arrest of Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden, accused of murdering his stepfather, has sent shockwaves through council. And while the process has to play out in court, with the councillor’s lawyers indicating he will fight the charges, it does become a potential and unexpected political domino in what looms as a year of major change within the council chambers.

“I reckon there could be up to seven changes in council. A majority of committee chairs could be out of play at the next election,” a council insider says.

In May, your columnist had predicted only two changes in the 14 divisions. William Owen-Jones was standing down in Helensvale and Robina’s Hermann Vorster was talked about as there were whispers Michael Hart had considered retiring in the state seat of Burleigh.

Since then planning chair Cameron Caldwell has become the Federal MP for Fadden. Shelley Curtis is his replacement and will run for the position next year.

Speculation is Pauline Young in Burleigh and Bob La Castra at Ashmore along with Peter Young at Nerang are contemplating retirement.

Insiders say Southport councillor Brooke Patterson, after one term, will be challenged. They wonder if Darren Taylor wants a second term in the pressure cooker of Surfers Paradise.

Cr Vorster has been strongly committed to another term in council. But Mr Hart’s retirement announcement this week means he will be approached by the LNP for preselection. On Thursday he indicated he would seek preselection.

And then there is Bayldon-Lumsden, who faces a lengthy wait for trial, possibly after the March 2024 poll.

Gold Coast City Councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden who was accused of murdering his step dad leaves the Southport Police Station after reporting for bail. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Scott Powick.

Acting Premier Steven Miles, who on Crown law advice recommended suspending Cr Bayldon-Lumsden on full pay, admits there is nothing to stop him running for re-election.

But he said in relation to a councillor facing such unique circumstances: “I think in practical terms, that would and be very difficult, and winning the necessary votes also could be challenging when facing that cloud hanging over them.”

So there are at least no future guarantees for about six councillors out of 14.

What does that mean for governance? This is about elected representatives directing and communicating policy to City officers. Does it also give the Mayor Tom Tate more power?

At this point there are no mayoral candidates, let alone a serious campaign out there.

“It could create a vacuum that allows the Mayor more unbridled influence,” a council insider says.

“Newer councillors could push back on (criticising) the Mayor who could claim all sorts of mandate from the election. Tom is (now) freelancing on issues like the Commonwealth Games without councillor endorsement.”

Where are the candidates, because several divisions may not having a running councillor?

Naomi Fowler, the new candidate for Division Two in the Gold Coast City Council elections. She is campaigning for more car parks at the new Hope Island railway station.

The only candidate seriously campaigning is Naomi Fowler in Division 2 after Cr Owen-Jones made the deliberate choice to announce his retirement early to allow his constituents to rate potential candidates.

Ms Fowler has launched a petition calling for urgent action to address carparking at the new Hope Island Train Station. Only 179 spots are planned.

She has attended 48 community meetings, letterbox dropped thousands of homes and staged several Meet the Candidate mobile offices across the community.

On Saturday at 10am, the successful business owner will host the monthly Fowlers Coffee and Connection meet up at Leo’s Community Cafe at The Meeting Place in Oxenford.

“The current proposal for carparking facilities at the Hope Island Train Station is simply inadequate,” she says.

Serious candidates like Ms Fowler wear out of the shoe leather to reach you, the ratepayer. It’s a journey not without the odd pothole, but makes them better council representatives if they win the job.

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