(1) COUNCILLOR CHARGED WITH MURDER.

In late August, at a full council meeting, Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden had a spring in his step. He was at the top of his game. He breezed through a media interview outside the Evandale Chamber, and returning inside got to his feet and put forward strong arguments.

The next day he attended a school event in his Arundel division. Later, leaving everyone in shock, he was being taken away by police from his family home and charged after the death of his stepfather.

He was later released on bail. He intends to plead not guilty to the murder charge.

Former councillor Margaret Grummitt has filled in as a community contact and Mayor Tom Tate taken over Division duties in the chamber as the councillor remains suspended on pay.

Cr Bayldon-Lumsden continues to help charities and attends community events - and has announced his intention to contest his seat at the election this year. New Premier Steven Miles who suspended him on full pay has said the most “likely” outcome if he wins his seat again, is further suspension while the case is before the court.

(2) PREMIER’S RESIGNATION AND OPPOSITION LEADER’S RISE.

Annastacia Palaszczuk resigned in early December. Her Deputy Steven Miles became the new Premier.

YouGov polling in October put Ms Palaszczuk on track to lose government in 2024 and her personal popularity trailed Opposition leader David Crisafulli for the first time.

Ms Palaszczuk had a good working relationship with Mayor Tom Tate. But the appointment of Mr Miles is not expected to cause any distance between George Street and the council.

He and Mr Tate have caught up socially several times.

In the meantime, Mr Crisafulli, the Broadwater MP, is being introduced around town as the “next Premier”. He faces a challenging New Year as his new status requires grilling on major infrastructure projects needed for the Gold Coast like light rail and the Coomera Connector.

(3) MEAGHAN SCANLON BECOMES HOUSING MINISTER.

In May this year Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon was appointed Minister for Housing. She had been the Environment Minister and before that Assistant Minister for Tourism, much gentler portfolios.

Housing is the toughest ministry apart from Health. The Gold Coast is the regional city most under pressure for cost of living.

Both Mr Scanlon’s parents lived in Government housing. The State’s youngest Cabinet Minister has been quick to announce social housing initiatives in her own backyard.

Gaven is a marginal seat but Ms Scanlon increased Labor’s vote by 4.4 per cent in the 2020 poll. If the ALP loses government in 2024, and she retains her seat, Ms Scanlon can expected to play a very senior role in the new Opposition.

(4) STUART ROBERT RESIGNS.

Fadden MP Stuart Robert in May officially handed in his resignation, allowing a by-election to be held.

He remained until the end a controversial figure, under fire for skipping parliament while still collecting his $260,000-a-year salary. He had been in office nearly 16 years.

His resignation led to a Melbourne Cup field of candidates seeking LNP preselection.

Council planning chair Cameron Caldwell won the day. He resigned from the City sparking further changes in its leadership group.

In early July he won the by-election for the seat, securing a 2.54 per cent swing against the government which reflected broader angst in the community over the cost of living and inflation.

Mr Caldwell was sworn in at federal parliament later that month. He was replaced at council in August, by former army medic and education officer Shelley Curtis. Again a Melbourne Cup field of hopefuls but the councillor vote was 13-0 - a huge endorsement. Cr Curtis has since quietly gone about her work gaining respect from colleagues and intends to contest the 2024 council poll.

Northern-based councillor Mark Hammel has taken on the planning chair role, kicking goals for community consultation and hard work ethic. He is regarded as a future city leader.

(7) TOM TATE RECORD BID FOR MAYOR.

In February Mr Tate ended speculation on his future, confirming he’s fit and ready to contest the March 2024 election.

“I am 100 per cent committed to contesting the March 2024 election,” he said. “Gold Coasters know my ­record, we went through Covid together and I am well-known for keeping budgets low. I am blessed with good health and I am benching 120kg regularly, not many politicians can do that. I’m in my prime and my slogan will be experience and reliability.”

The bench pressing must have scared off some rivals. So far only Virginia Freebody - who has declared Mayor Tate is scared of her - and Danielle Dunsmore - who intends running on a strong climate message - are the other candidates running in the mayoral race.

(8) NEW CEO TIM BAKER REFORMS WORKFORCE.

In October Mr Baker announced the Gold Coast’s second-largest workforce had a new executive team after the biggest administrative changes undertaken in the council’s history.

The four new executive general managers (EGM) were experienced leaders from the private and public sectors and hired to spearhead reforms, including a new super department.

Long-time managers had left in recent months, with Lifestyle and Community director Alton Twine the latest to go.

The new EGMs included Michael Kahler to head up Infrastructure Gold Coast, the new super department covering transport, delivery of facilities and engineering services.

Two months earlier Mr Baker announced old council offices and poorly used depots would be part of an accommodation overhaul that would save ratepayers up to $93m.

Part of the review included the Nerang office, which was the Albert Shire Council headquarters before amalgamation with Gold Coast City in 1995.

The Bulletin also reported on secret negotiations to buy a commercial office tower at Bundall, to consolidate staffing, and interest in investing in the Gold Coast, showing the City wanting to pursue new options for financial returns. This is a new era for the City.

(9) CITY’S TALENT DRAIN AS COUNCILLORS RESIGN.

Both governance chair William Owen-Jones and transport chair Pauline Young have announced early enough their retirement next March.

This has allowed quality candidates to put forward their policies and allowed to be judged by voters in the lead-up to the election.

But there is a downside. Both councillors are respected for their local government knowledge and being straight shooters. They are in the short term, meaning four years - irreplaceable.

Hermann Vorster in October announced he would also quit at the March election after being chosen as the LNP’s new Burleigh candidate.

Cr Vorster is the lifestyle chair and arguably the City’s biggest debater in the chambers. He also works tirelessly in his Robina division.

Senior leadership at council is now struggling to consider who will be the appropriate new chairs.

(10) THE FAILED COMMONWEALTH GAMES BID.

Former Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews abandoned his state’s plans to hold the 2026 Commonwealth Games in July, citing costs.

Mr Tate seized the opportunity, pushing for the Gold Coast to again host the event after successfully staging the 2018 Games.

Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells opened the door to the bid saying she would be “willing to consider such a proposal” if support was “forthcoming from the Queensland Government”. However it was not to come, something Deputy Mayor Donna Gates warned would doom the event.

“Without state or federal funding the city cannot put on the Games,” she said. in October

“We spent 10 years organising the last ones and council did not deliver those games, the government did so clearly the Premier has said categorically no.”

Under the proposal put forward by the Mayor, a stripped down Gold Coast games would cost between $700m and $1bn and would have required the state to provide in-kind support such as police and public transport.

Mr Tate in December sensationally pulled the pin on his ambitious bid, citing a lack of support from the state or federal governments to make it a reality,

“We did our best and that’s all people can expect,” he said.

“Since announcing in July that the Coast was prepared to host the 2026 games, I have been overwhelmed by support from locals, sports administrators, businesses and athletes, all wanting to see the event saved.

(11) HOW THE COAST WINS IN THE OLYMPICS AND BRISBANE LOSES

While the Commonwealth Games push failed, it did lead to a renewed discussion about the best usage of Heritage Bank Stadium at Carrara.

With more than $2bn to be spend upgrading and redeveloping the Gabba in Brisbane, Mr Tate wrote to the state government outlining the benefits of spending more than $50m to upgrade the facility, and make it the temporary home of the AFL’s Brisbane Lions and for major cricket matches.

His letter also revealed leading promoters are in talks with city leaders to bring the World Wrestling Entertainment and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) blockbusters to the Gold Coast, with the stadium the preferred location.

If realised, it is hope some of the top mixed martial arts fighters such as Irish mega star Conor McGregor and American Holly Holm - who famously defeated world champion at the time Ronda Rousey - will end up going into the ring in front of more than 30,000 people and a television audience of millions.

Both UFC and WWE are owned by TKO Group Holdings, headed by Vince McMahon and Dana White.

Mr Tate has argued Queensland would enjoy a greater long-term legacy from upgrading the Carrara Stadium.

Former Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s preferred option has been redeveloping the RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane to create a temporary stadium for the Lions and cricket while the Gabba is being redeveloped.

(12) CITY’S NEW TOURISM BOARD (EXPERIENCE GOLD COAST)

Experience Gold Coast was created from the merger of Destination Gold Coast, Major Events Gold Coast, Study Gold Coast, Placemakers and HOTA after council CEO Tim Baker found it could save ratepayers $7m.

In February, council resolved to amalgamate the functions delivered by those groups.

The move finally went through in September, with new CEO John Warn arriving in November.

Mr Warn kicked off his tenure speaking at the Bulletin’s Future Gold Coast luncheon at Sea World and said the city was full of potential and could become one of the world’s leading lifestyle destinations.

“There is no reason why we cannot be the lifestyle capital of Australia and globally too. When you think about why you live here, it’s largely lifestyle reasons,” he said.

“If you work in education, tourism, hospitality and culture, the reasons why people like living here are all around lifestyle.

“That’s the huge advantage we have.”

paul.weston@news.com.au