Gold Coast hottest state poll issues are population growth and protecting beaches

What are the hottest issues for the Gold Coast community on the eve of next month’s state poll? Is it a beach bar, or cableway? SEE THE LIST

What are the hottest issues for the Gold Coast community on the eve of next month’s state poll? More importantly, how are the candidates who want your vote going to respond?

The Community Alliance has begun sending out a survey form to more than 50 candidates.

The Alliance represents 13 groups – it’s a mix with the GECKO environment council, the new Arundel Hills Community Association and old sea barking dogs like Save Our Spit.

On their email list are sitting MPs like Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon, in Gaven, and Opposition leader David Crisafulli, in Broadwater.

Other notables include the LNP’s Hermann Vorster in Burleigh, the Greens Sally Spain in Gaven along with recent council election candidates independent Kath Down in Currumbin and Libertarian Party’s Cathy Osborne in Burleigh.

But there are a host of “smokies” – fringe candidates representing the Greens, One Nation, Family First and the Legalise Cannabis Queensland Party we really know little about.

The survey’s key questions ask them if they support or oppose:

* Law reforms to make housing more affordable and less tilted to developer’s pockets.

* Beach clubs, a cableway, a cruise ship terminal and development on The Spit.

* A review into public transport including light rail and whether the trams should be extended as part of Stage 4 to the Gold Coast Airport.

* More accountability in government including early release of Cabinet documents and community meetings here on the Coast.

Gold Coast community groups are asking all the candidates before the October State election whether they support beach bars, light rail and cableways.

The Alliance says its about sustaining the city’s environmental, cultural and lifestyle values.

“Community Alliance is not anti-growth and not-anti-development. We are pro-sustainable development and pro good quality urban renewal,” the group told candidates.

Their spokeperson John Hicks admits the core of the questionnaire is about getting a response from candidates on “managing growth” and developing better legislation to achieve that end.

“The questions about The Spit, the Cableway, the beach clubs – that’s all driven by concerns about privatisation and public land,” Mr Hicks says.

Questions on accountability in government and the so-called Coaldrake reforms are being pursued because among all parties “it doesn’t seem to be on anyone’s agenda”.

Candidates have until October 10 to reply. This is four days before pre-polling starts. Alliance members on that weekend will work hard to put up candidate responses online.

Community Alliance leader John Hicks — working hard to survey all Gold Coast State poll candidates. Picture Glenn Hampson.

In the March council poll, with a similar survey, they secured a 75 per cent feedback.

That surveying, from a reporting perspective, was critical because candidates were “on record” on the city’s biggest and most controversial issues before being elected to office.

The expectation is the return survey rate from candidates will be lower this time around.

This is because we are not dealing with so many independents running for council office. In that sense, there’s a key question missing from this survey.

Will your political party prevent you from directly answering these questions and put out a standard response? This also translates to fronting up at Meet the Candidates meetings.

Ask your candidates before you vote about “transparency” – see what answer you get.

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Originally published as Gold Coast hottest state poll issues are population growth and protecting beaches