Tamborine Mountain: 65 per cent of residents vote to leave Scenic Rim for Gold Coast council
A super-majority of Tamborine Mountain residents have decided the future of the Hinterland town, with the results revealing a "strong desire" for change. SEE THE RESULTS
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A SUPER-majority of Tamborine Mountain residents have voted to break away from the Scenic Rim and become Gold Coasters.
The results of the controversial “Rexit” plebiscite to be released on Saturday will show 65 per cent of the 1539 who responded want a change.
The plebiscite was an election promise self-funded by long-serving Scenic Rim Regional councillor Derek Swanborough, who has lived in the mountain for 35 years.
“The people have spoken and there is a clear desire to make this change,” he said.
“The reason is for the long-term future – we need a council which is perhaps larger and more resourced and robust and can realise our potential.
“We are already considered by Gold Coasters as being within their city and this region is often referred to as the Gold Coast hinterland.
“This proposal is good for Tambourine Mountain but it is good for the Gold Coast too. We need a strong council so Tamborine’s beauty and character can be protected and enhanced for the benefit of all of southeast Queensland to enjoy.”
The plebiscite was sent to 3015 homes across Tamborine. Fifty-one per cent responded.
Online voting using a QR code was also used.
Cr Swanborough said the statistical level of confidence achieved by the result was equal to 99 per cent.
The results of the vote, which ran for two weeks in late May and early June, will now go to the state government for consideration.
Local Government Minister and Deputy Premier Steven Miles will be asked to recommend the split to the Local Government Change Commission, an independent body which has the final say.
The most significant consideration would be the continued viability of the Scenic Rim Regional Council if it was to lose the hinterland township’s 8100 residents.
If Tamborine residents get their way, they would join the Gold Coast at the March 2024 election.
And they’d be welcomed with open arms by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.
“The people of Mount Tamborine have clearly spoken in favour of becoming Gold Coasters, proving once again there are only two types of Australians – Gold Coasters and those who want to be Gold Coasters,” he said.
“This is ultimately a decision for the state government so we await the state’s response with interest, but should the boundaries be redrawn we will provide a typical Gold Coast welcome to the good people of Mount Tamborine.”
The issue has long divided the community and political leaders.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen has strongly opposed the move, insisting that “changing council boundaries is not as simple as moving a line on a map”.
“To make such a significant change involves following a stringent state government process and the decision is ultimately made by the Local Government Minister,” he told the Bulletin in May.
The idea was first proposed in August 2018 by the Tamborine Mountain Chamber of Commerce which argued the town was not getting enough out of the regional council and joining the nation’s tourism capital would boost its viability as a tourist destination.
If approved, the 2024 move would be the biggest shake-up to the Gold Coast’s electoral boundaries since a March 2008 electoral boundary redistribution resulted in Beenleigh and Eagleby moving from the Gold Coast into Logan council.
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Cr Christensen reiterated the private plebiscite among more than 3000 people living in Tamborine – dubbed “Rexit” by some – would not be binding.
“Changing Council boundaries is not as simple as moving a line on a map,” he said.
“To make such a significant change involves following a stringent state government process and the decision is ultimately made by the Local Government Minister (Deputy Premier Steven Miles).”
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Cr Christensen said the plebiscite on whether to shift to Gold Coast City Council was not endorsed by Scenic Rim Regional Council and “hasn’t even been tabled for any discussion since the 2020 election”.
Earlier, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate had “no problem” with welcoming Tamborine, but said the matter was in the hands of the government.
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Cr Christensen moved to assure Tamborine residents they were valued members of his community.
“I assure you that Council values all communities across the region and the unique character that each of them contribute to the Scenic Rim’s enviable lifestyle,” he said.
“A change of this nature would impact all Scenic Rim residents, not just those on Tamborine Mountain.
“The state government alone has the authority to change local government boundaries, so I would expect a proper and balanced process to enable all our residents to make an informed decision before any proposals for change were considered.”
Cr Christensen said the council had reinforced its commitment to Tamborine in the council’s Planning Scheme 2020.
Three years ago, the Bulletin revealed Tamborine residents wanted to boost tourism by joining the Coast, one of the nation’s most popular areas among holiday-makers.
Voting was due to begin this week and continue to June 11.
May 20: Hinterland town to vote on joining Gold Coast
Tamborine Mountain residents will next week vote on whether to break away from the Scenic Rim and join the Gold Coast in a bid to reap the benefits of being part of the nation’s tourism capital.
More than 3000 people who live in the mountain town will vote in the so-called “Rexit” plebiscite to decide the issue, which has long divided the community and would be the biggest local government shake-up in more than 13 years.
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And they’re being welcomed with open arms by Mayor Tom Tate
Cr Tate said he was aware of the looming vote and would work to bring the Hinterland hamlet into the city if it was what the majority of residents wanted.
“If Tamborine residents are passionate about joining the Gold Coast, I’d welcome a plebiscite on the issue and I believe one is currently being discussed,” he said.
“Ultimately, it is a matter for Tamborine and the state government – not a decision for our council.
“If the plebiscite showed strong support, I would have no problem welcoming these residents into our city boundary, if that was the will of the Tamborine Mountain residents and the state government.”
Next week’s vote comes three years after the Bulletin revealed Tamborine residents and business leaders wanted to join the Gold Coast to get greater tourism benefits through improved marketing, better spending and more bang for their rates bucks.
The plebiscite was an election promise by long-serving Scenic Rim councillor Derek Swanborough, who has funded the vote himself.
The vote will run for two weeks and closes on June 11.
If successful, the plebiscite’s vote will go to the state government which will have the final say.
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