Labrador locals angry as Councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden asks ‘saviours of our suburbs’ not to set their ‘hair on fire’

A Gold Coast councillor has upset locals by asking “self-appointed saviours of our suburbs” to control themselves – and not go setting “their hair on fire” over a new approved tower.

A GOLD Coast councillor is inflaming residents by pre-warning “self-appointed saviours of our suburbs” not to go “setting their hair on fire” over a new tower being built.

Labrador Cr Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden took to social media to chide critics in advance of any objections to new student accommodation, featuring two-bedroom units, at 6 Tonga Place.

He said once completed it will be the “largest building in Parkwood by some margin”.

“Before the self-appointed ‘saviours of our suburbs’ and their echo chamber Facebook groups start setting their hair on fire, this development was approved in 2014 (under Cr Crichlow) and work commenced in 2019,” Cr Bayldon-Lumsden wrote.

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The eight-storey building being constructed in Parkwood, backing onto Ballybunion Park, that’s being supported by Cr Ryan Bayldon_Lumsden Division 7. Photo: Facebook.

“Saying all of that, after visiting the site, reviewing the location and impact, I also would have approved this.”

It was a “good example of using the available space to its maximum, and utilising the location’s amenity, access to public transport, shops, the university etc.”... and would have “next to no impact on long-term residents when completed”, he said.

Local resident Jenna Schroder said she was disappointed by Cr Bayldon-Lumsden, calling his comments “inappropriate”.

“Is that an appropriate way to speak about your own constituents?” she replied on the Facebook post.

“You door knocked and spoke with these people and know overdevelopment is a concern, and this is how you address them? What a disappointment”.

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Labrador locals fear their waterside suburb may soon be overdeveloped. Picture: Lea Emery

Mrs Schroder said the proposed overdevelopment of Labrador was a hot topic for residents and she suggested the councillor read his post “from the eyes of somebody who is living there and concerned about high rises being build next to their homes”.

Former division 3 council candidate Wayne Purcell, said he agreed with the Cr Bayldon-Lumsden that the location made good sense for higher-density development but expressed his disappointment at the councillor’s comments.

“I find it disappointing, however, that you are making what I believe are false presumptions about local residents and, in doing so, casting aspersions upon them,” he said.

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Cr Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden says he’s comfortable he represents the views of his community. Picture: Jerad Williams

Sonia Zuvela wrote: “Ryan, please consider your use of words more carefully. Just because there only appears to be a few that have a ‘very vocal’ online presence, doesn’t mean their concerns aren’t also shared within the wider community”.

Many locals supported and thanked the councillor for the update, saying “as a community are watchful of what is happening in our suburb”.

Cr Bayldon-Lumsden said: “I made my position very clear on development for Labrador during the campaign and funded the promotion of the forum held in Labrador to alert people to the city plan in that area.

“I speak with hundreds of residents in Division 7 each week, many about developments. I understand the concerns they have regarding developments. I am comfortable I represent their opinions.”

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