Calls for Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates to remain in the role to due to crisis handling

There are calls for Gold Coast deputy Mayor Donna Gates to remain in the role due to her crisis management as a transition for her back to councillor looms at the end of the week.

Calls are mounting for Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates to stay in the role after widespread praise for her weather crisis leadership.

Ms Gates has fronted communications and led the city response to the impact of now ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in the absence of Mayor Tom Tate, caught overseas after heading to Las Vegas for the NRL round extravaganza.

Ms Gates is to be replaced as the deputy by Councillor and Planning chair Mark Hammel within weeks after a council vote she accepted late last year as part of a plan for succession to foster leadership among councillor ranks.

But in the wake of her succinct messaging and handling of the weather crisis with aplomb some city leaders, councillors and even widespread community sentiment reflected in Bulletin reader feedback questions whether now is the right time for such a major leadership change.

One veteran City source said: “Donna doesn’t just speak well and concisely - you should see her in the disaster briefings - she is brilliant.

“That original decision to replace her was made as part of a broader renewal of the council after the 2024 election.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and Mayor Tom Tate at the disaster management press conference on the Gold Coast on Sunday. Picture Glenn Hampson

“She graciously accepted that transition. But this is one of the biggest weather events to impact the city. Clear, articulate messaging to the community is absolutely vital.”

A respected city business figure said now was a time for experience in leadership not change: “We have a great team in Tom and Donna - they work well, are known quantities and have got the city through challenging times. We need the A team on - it’s an opportunity for others to learn.

“The city must come first - not ego.”

It’s understood several councillors, while supportive of Mr Hammel, are concerned at the timing given Ms Gates will be removed as Deputy only two weeks after leading the city.

Full council meets early next week.

“There is some talk (among councillors) around the fact Donna has done an exceptional job,” a source said.

“There is a move to push it out a year. Some councillors have had conversations about that. It’s not an anti-Mark position, it’s a thank you Donna position.

“The whole city is talking about what a great job she has done. It’s being a bit tone deaf not to be hearing that.”

Senior councillor Glenn Tozer said he had not heard of a push for a fresh resolution to keep Ms Gates as Deputy Mayor.

“Donna did a fantastic job in the Mayor’s absence, as she always does,” he said. “I’m not aware of any plans to deviate from council’s resolution to see Councillor Hammel move into the Deputy role early this year.”

Mayor Tate backs sticking with the already-decided pending change in council leadership to Mr Hammel.

“Donna has done an incredible job over 13 years but as we all know, a good team is when we have more than one skilled-up and trained councillor to support my role as Mayor,” he said.

“That is what this resolution will deliver.”

Councillor Hammel also praised Ms Gates and as a member of the Disaster Management Group had “witnessed first hand the exceptional work she has done as Acting Mayor”.

“Outside of our cyclone response, I have always had the utmost respect for how Donna has gone about serving her community as Deputy Mayor and divisional councillor for the past 13 years,” Mr Hammel said.

“I am humbled and honoured that the Mayor and my fellow councillors supported me with a resolution of council to become the City’s new Deputy Mayor from April 2025.

“Until that time, I have tens of thousands residents in the area I represent in the north of the Gold Coast doing it tough. They have been significantly impacted by flooding, road closures and the loss of power and other services.

“My focus remains on working alongside them to help rebuild our community as we recover from one of the most devastating natural disasters in our city’s recent history.”

Bulletin reader feedback flooding in says Ms Gates has delivered faultless, calm and clear leadership in the past week.

On return on Sunday, Mayor Tate said: “As far as I’m concerned when you get someone off the bench to the do job, they are even better than the person in the starting line up.”

Ms Gates said on Monday she was happy to serve council in any capacity as speculation increased about having her remaining in a leadership role after Cyclone Alfred.

Ms Gates has had rave reviews from within council after stepping in for Mayor Tate.

“I’ve loved the role. It’s been an honour to step up in the last week in the Mayor’s absence,” Ms Gates told the Bulletin.

“However, there is an existing council resolution that the change takes effect from the fifth of April.

City Planning chair Mark Hammel, who has sat in on disaster management meetings is due to become Deputy Mayor next month.

His appointment was regarded as a move by the Mayor to bring youth into the leadership role.

But Ms Gates has impressed the council administration with marathon working days, attention to detail and maintaining the City’s message during it’s toughest weather event in recent years.

At no stage after being re-elected in March last year has she given any indication she wanted to stand down from her job as Deputy.

Acting Mayor Donna Gates addressing the media at the Disaster Emergency Centre on Cyclone Alfred. “I’ve loved the role. It’s been an honour to step up in the last week in the Mayor’s absence.”

The resolution to appoint Mr Hammel can be overtaken by another resolution at any time once councillors meet.

Ness Zaitoku commented on the Bulletin Facebook: “Take a seat, Tate. Donna stepped up and has been outstanding so far.”

Lucy Fisher wrote on Facebook: “Well done Donna Gates - what a great job leading our city through this.”

Readers heavily questioned the pending transition with her looming stand-down, with Sheelagh Storey writing: “Donna is having her deputy mayor position taken off her?”

Wayne Williams responded: “What?”

And Razzie Razzie wrote: “I read that rumour...a disgrace.”

The Bulletin understands several councillors, while supportive of Mr Hammel, are concerned of the timing given Ms Gates will be removed as Deputy only two weeks after leading the city.

But there is nobody pushing for a new resolution. Full council meets early next week.

“There is some talk (among councillors) around the fact that Donna has done an exceptional job,” a source said.

“I think there is a move to push it out a year. Some councillors have had conversations about that. It’s not an anti-Mark position, it’s a thank you Donna position.

“The whole city is talking about what a great job she has done. It’s being a bit tone deaf not to be hearing that.”

Senior councillor Glenn Tozer said he had not heard of any push for a fresh resolution to keep Ms Gates as deputy mayor.

“Donna did a fantastic job in the Mayor’s absence, as she always does,” he said.

“I’m not aware of any plans to deviate from council’s resolution to see Councillor Hammel move into the deputy role early this year.”

Originally published as Calls for Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates to remain in the role to due to crisis handling