That is opinion of community group leaders who believe council has listened too long to developers over ratepayers.

Division 4 is made up of Paradise Point, Hollywell, Coombabah, Runaway Bay, Biggera Waters and South Stradbroke Island. Two sitting councillors, Cameron Caldwell and Kristyn Boulton, will go head to head to remain at City Hall.

Overwhelming opposition by residents in targeted growth areas such as Biggera Waters has seen a massive rethink of city planning, including lowering that suburb’s population growth target from 3900 by 2041 to just 1400 people.

But Paradise Point and Northern Districts Progress Association secretary Roger Gordon said residents wanted council to support the area’s needs over those of developers.

“One of the biggest issues people have in the Paradise Point area is high-rise buildings, they don’t want them,” he said.

“People want (the height limit) to stay at nine metres. Council was sitting with the developers and not with (residents).

“It’s a nice, quiet community area and the last thing we need is more and more (high-rises) going up, because the end result is going to be ‘where do they park?’

“They’re not putting in enough car parks for each individual unit, and each unit has two bedrooms and one car park, so where does the other car park?

“Then say they’ve got kids who’ve got cars, so if you’ve got 26 new units. That’s roughly 52 extra cars going into the street. You can’t put them in. This was our biggest gripe. It’s ridiculous.”

The group’s president Diane Woods said of the division biggest concerns: “It’s mainly height limits, the highest density, site coverage and the unsustainability of what’s being approved.

“What I’d like to see is for this council to follow what Brisbane City Council has done with their City Plan.

“In an endeavour to preserve the backyard city blocks they’ve said there’s no more high-rises and no more townhouse development in low-rise residential areas.

“There is a place for high-rise development but it certainly isn’t (in Division 4).”

The Paradise Point Local Area Plan recommends maintaining the “low-density, low-rise character” of the area, with a three-storey height limit.

Much of Division 4 is outlined in the City Plan as low-density and medium-density residential areas.

Northern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce secretary Gary Mays said candidates would be relying on who could best maintain the status quo.

“Division 4 is going to get down to who can mass the troops at pre-polling,” he said.

“It’s not an area with a lot of dramas. It’s more about maintaining what they’ve got. The council has done a pretty good job with the City Plan in that area, they’ve tried to create a balance.”

THE CANDIDATES

Cr Kristyn Boulton

Who Am I? The current councillor for Division Four and the Deputy Chair of the City’s Water and Waste Committee.

I attended Griffith University on the Gold Coast and have worked in many local employment sectors including hospitality, events, politics, charities, sales and marketing.

I forged a career in the charitable sector as a community advocate and event planner, including work for Heartkids Qld inc, Bravehearts and C & K Kindergarten.

Why Am I Running? I often describe myself as a motivated Mum on a mission! I’m married with two children and I’m determined to see improvements in my local area where I live, work and am raising my family.

I’m passionate about seeing my community prosper and I’m especially keen to advocate for better local services, facilities, programs and activities for us!

My main focus is creating a North Broadwater Community Hub, Parking time limits increased, more CCTV cameras, Road Upgrades – Hansford Rd Coombabah, Lae Drive Runaway Bay, Bayview Street and The Esplanade, Paradise Point. Traffic congestion relief and upgrade of Pine Ridge Road, Coombabah and Captain Cook Drive approach lanes to Brisbane Road.

I’ll also focus on our parks, gardens, recycling, kerbside clean-ups and pedestrian safety.

Cr Cameron Caldwell

Who Am I? A current councillor and Chair of the Economy Planning & Environment Committee.

Why Am I Running? I’m standing for re-election because whilst we have achieved great things for the City and for our local area, there is always more to do.

I want to continue to serve my community and I have the track record and the know how to keep our community as great as it is.

I will work hard to keep rates and water prices low, keep our community safe, maintain our roads and parks to the highest standards, and be a strong and respected voice in Council so that our community will be heard.