Surf Club businessman Ashley Robinson running for Sunshine Coast Mayor

A beloved businessman, known for four decades of local community service and turning the Alex Surf Club around has confirmed the rumours – announcing he is officially in the running to be the Sunshine Coast’s next mayor. Here’s what he had to say.

Madeline Grace

@MadelineGrace72

4 min read

January 8, 2024 - 12:48PM

Ashley Robinson has announced he’s running for mayor. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

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Ashley Robinson, affectionately known as Tugboat from his rugby league days, has told the Sunshine Coast Daily he would be running for mayor of the region in the upcoming March 2024 election.

Mr Robinson, of Wurtulla, who was born on a Eudlo pineapple farm and went to school at Nambour, has four decades of business and volunteering experience on the Sunshine Coast.

He was CEO of the Alex Surf Club for the past 13 years and had just recently stepped down into a new role as the development director.

Mr Robinson also spent five years as chair of Community Gaming Benefit Fund, among other volunteer and fundraising roles across his lifetime, even being awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2016.

Ashley Robinson wants to be the Sunshine Coast’s next mayor.

“I commit to a full financial review of the books to ensure ratepayers are getting the value for money they deserve and whatever relief is possible from the mounting cost of living pressures affecting Sunshine Coast families,” Mr Robinson said.

“I also commit to respect the Planning Scheme and the certainty it gives people about the areas in which they choose to love and raise their families.

“A review of the Planning Scheme is due and I commit to truly listening to the community of communities that make up our region while being absolutely clear about what is necessary to cater for inevitable growth.”

Rumours had been swirling for the past few months the beloved businessman would join the race.

Ashley Robinson at the Alex Surf Club.

“I’ve lived on the Sunshine Coast my whole life and I have it at heart,” Mr Robinson said.

“Just looking at the list of candidates I think I’m as good as any...with all due respect.”

Mr Robinson said he’d love to be the voice of reason, and already had a plan of attack.

“I’ve been managing businesses on the coast and their money for four decades and I’ve always been able to pay the bills and do it all in an ethical way,” he said.

“Really the council is just a massive business.

“I just felt like there was an opportunity here to get involved with the council.”

Ashley Robinson has announced he’s running for mayor. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

He said his main priorities would be preparing for a population influx while also preserving what everyone loved about the Sunshine Coast.

“We’ve got to figure out a sustainable way to not lose our way of life here while also preparing for our huge population growth,” Mr Robinson said.

“I’ve got grandkids here and we to preserve what we’re lucky to have for them. They’ll never grow up on the same coast I grew up but we’ve gotta do our best.

“Another priority for me is homelessness. I see it everyday.

“I think we also need make our public parks, areas and beaches more accessible for everyone...those with dogs and disabilities.

“We’ve got to get people using public transport here too.”

Controlling cost of living pressures, managing the inevitable growth to come in a way that protects the best of what the region has to offer and respecting the intent of the Planning Scheme, were all central to his decision to stand for the position.

The Alex Surf Club. Image: Nearmap

Since 2010 as CEO of Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club and Alex Supporters Association, Mr Robinson has managed a team that has grown to 120 staff and serves more than 500,000 guests annually and 35,000 members.

From 2005 to 2010 he was General Manager, Hospitality for Oaks Hotels at multiple venues across the state including managing the design and construction of new venues.

From 2001 to 2005, working for Reed Hospitality and Reed Charity, he oversaw a team of more than 200 running hospitality venues across Queensland, supervising all aspects of the business including operations, financial and marketing while also co-ordinating special charity projects, including the construction of an orphanage in India and a hydrotherapy pool at Currimundi Special School.

When asked about the controversial dog ban at Point Cartwright Beach, Mr Robinson said he thought it was a big mistake.

“I’m a dog lover myself and I don’t think that was right,” he said.

“I’m more concerned about the scooters near the beach and their high speeds.

“That’s another thing I think we need to be working with QPS on this one.”

Mr Robinson said he was looking forward to the election.

“I’ve been involved with the local community for four decades and have done lots of volunteering,” he said.

“I just see this as a good fit.”