Revealed: Edward Sarroff to run in suspended councillor’s division as poll takes off

Edward Sarroff, the son of former outspoken council finance chief Eddy, is to run as a candidate in the division held by suspended councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden.

Edward Sarroff, the son of former outspoken council finance chief Eddy Sarroff will run as a candidate in the division held by suspended councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden.

In a surprise announcement, the 26-year-old business man and Griffith University graduate, who has built a strong profile in performing arts, revealed it was always his intention to pursue a career at council.

Edward Sarroff has announced he will stand for the first time in a Gold Coast City Council election, in Division Seven.

But he stressed he would be a political independent – and independent from his father as he picks his community battles and campaign team.

“My whole life I have been invested in the city and its growth, watching my father and

being by his side through the highs and the lows has been extremely inspiring,” he said.

“The Gold Coast is finding its feet in terms of achieving a strong voice of accountability,

I wish to tip the scales bringing the same positivity and fight for the people nature that

my father did during his 17 years on the city council.

“Perhaps a lesson learnt is that you need to choose your battles, dad did try to fight

every battle and acknowledges that. He’s taught me to pick the right battle.”

Former councillor Eddy Sarroff was ‘supportive’ of Edwards Sarroff’s decision to run for Division Seven. Picture: Jerad Williams

Asked if his father, who had a lengthy career on council and stood for Mayor had offered any advice, Edward Sarroff revealed he was given the green light to run.

“He was supportive of the decision. His advice to me is to listen. He said you want to spend your first year absorbing as much as you can,” Mr Sarroff said.

His first campaign priority is to doorknock residents in the Arundel-Parkwood-Labrador division and make contact with community groups and leaders.

“Unlike my father, the Gold Coast doesn’t know me. I will personally be making my way

to every home in the division not just to show residents who I am, but to hear what the

division wants,” he said.

“I will be seen at most council meetings between now and the election.”

Mr Sarroff said he would be ensuring he remained an “independent” candidate.

Flashback to 2016 — Connor Bentley-Gibbons, 7, and Petra Dennett, 8, enjoy their time out on the beach during school holidays while musician Edward Sarroff plays the guitar at Main Beach, Gold Coast. Photo: Regi Varghese.

“To ensure transparency at all times to avoid conflict so I can best serve the division and the city, I will not accept donations of any kind,” he said.

“I will self-fund my campaign. I will not buy into party politics. As an independent I am in the best position to serve residents of the Gold Coast, capitalising on the best ideas, no matter what side of politics they come from.

“I will not be the councillor that is going to find the easy path of blaming other levels of government, I will be the councillor that will be the conduit to solve the issues and bring about a result through proper dialogue.”

Division 7 representative Cr Bayldon-Lumsden is currently before the courts charged with the alleged murder of his stepfather Robert Lumsden. He was suspended from his role as city councillor for Division 7.

His lawyer says he will plead not guilty. He can stand for re-election in the poll next March, but if his legal case is not resolved will remain suspended.

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