Gold Coast Council Candidates Election 2020
The Community Alliance has a comprehensive Gold Coast Council election coverage.
Gold Coast Council Candidates Election 2016
Save Our Spit have emailed every candidate (bar the couple we had no contact for) and asked them to respond to 7 quick questions regarding their stance on development, their affiliations, The Spit and Broadwater, cruise terminals and casinos.
Thank you to those fantastic candidates that have promptly replied with open and honest responses.
Note: the information is to be considered a guide only, not official election advice or endorsement or instruction. Voters are asked to consider all the facts, conduct their own research and make an informed decision. Save Our Spit Alliance accepts no liability for our candidate guides - they are only pertainent to issues related to our organisation and do not consider the full spectrum of candidates policy and history. Information on this website is offered without warranty or condition. We do not endorse any single candidate and remind voters it is their full choice to vote for whomever they choose.
2004 Gold Coast Election Corruption Inquiry
"Exhibits presented at the public inquiry into allegations that Gold Coast City Councilors had breached the Local Government Act 1993 by misleading voters, failing to disclose election gifts and failing to declare material personal interests."
Some current candidates have learnt the lessons of transparency and declaring potential conflicts of interest - some clearly have not.
View Overview all 347 exhibits
Find your Division
Political Allegiances
Image Gold Coast Bulletin 15 Mar 2016
Recent history has included local LNP with a hideous track record in regards to the Spit. The Newman Seeney Tate attempt at drawing a yellow line around the entire Spit to sell to foreigner interests has only been prevented by the election of Palaszczuk government.
Mayoral Candidates
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| WILSON, Jim |  |
Jim is known for his outspoken and strong stance on conserving and maintaining The Spit and Broadwater for future generations, his support for the surfing community and has a track-record of being unwavering on these views. |
| ABBOTT, John |  |
John's background is in the entertainment and music industries. Mr Abbott's views on issues of The Spit and Broadwater, public open space and development are mostly aligned with those of Save Our Spit however his views and history on issues like family, community ideals and the law appear to be not very well aligned with those of Save Our Spit. |
| TATE, Tom |  |
Tom Tate is known for his strong views on developing parts of The Spit and Broadwater, his brazen attitude, for his unwavering support for skyscrapers, development and cruise terminals - has been an aggressive and outspoken supporter of casino, boat race, ferry, tower, resort and cruise-ship-terminal proposals in the area.
Surfers Paradise branch of LNP: "With less that 48 hours to polls open on Saturday morning 19 March it’s not to late for you to offer some assistance to some of our own Surfers Paradise Branch Members, namely Mayor Tom Tate and Lucy Cole who is running for Division 7. Please bear in mind that there are no formally endorsed LNP candidates for the Gold Coast local government elections." |
| TOLAND, Penny | |
Penny's views on The Spit, Wavebreak and greater Broadwater space are very similar to the Save Our Spit mantra - she is a strong opponent of cruise terminals, excessive development in the area and inappropriate private commercial interests on public crown lands. |
| MIDDLETON, Andrew | |
Little is known about Andrew, who is a local professional writer.
Andrew does not support cruise terminals or highrises on The Spit. Andrew provided us a partial response to the questionnaire. |
| LAMBERT, Brett | |
Publicly opposed CST. Supported 'leaving Spit, Wavebreak and Broadwater alone' as public open spaces and as natural as possible, not a member of political party, self funded campaign and no developer donations. |
| Gecko Environmental Credentials of Mayoral Candidates | ||
Division 2
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| OWEN-JONES, William | |
Voted with Tate to support Cruise Ship Terminal (CST) and ASF casino on Wavebreak, Spit and Broadwater. As GCCC Finance and Governance Committee Chairperson has done nothing to ensure Tate or other Councillors have behaved ethically over the past 4 years. Has declared that he accepted a Sunland developer donation. No other candidate running. |
Division 3
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| BOYLE, Brendan | |
Opposes CST, ASF and Sunland high-rise developments on The Spit, Wavebreak and Broadwater. Keep 3 storey height limits on southern Spit. Declared he will not accept developer donations. |
| DOUGLAS, Keith | |
Has run as Council and State candidate in the past for various political parties. Fought to keep Tipplers as a community asset. Founder of marine action group. Policies totally in-line with SOSA for Broadwater Wavebreak Island and Spit. |
| NICHOLLS, Jim |  |
Senior Policy Advisor. Authorising only homes fit for humans - no squat boxes in high rises; by cutting density we reduce congestion, noise and pollution." |
| WARD, Fran | |
"I was the general manager of a national training company...Ensuring our division's natural asset like waterways and parks are properly managed and accessible to everyone. |
| CALDWELL, Cameron | |
Sitting Councillor. Has voted for everything Tate has proposed on the Spit, Wavebreak and Broadwater including CST, ASF Casino and mega-developments etc. As Chair of GCCC Planning Committee he has held secret meetings with Tate to refer several controversial high-rise development proposals to 'Delegated Authority' ensuring Planning Committee and full Council did not get opportunity to discuss or vote on development proposals. Has not declared if he has accepted developers' funds. |
Division 4
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| VAN PEPPEN, Barry | |
Running as an independent |
| WILSON, Courtney | |
"I was born and raised on the Gold Coast, I attended Griffith University and work locally as a Chartered Accountant." |
| KWON, Daniel | |
Transparent about running as a Member of Greens Party. Ran for Greens in Broadwater seat in State election 2012. Opposes commercial/private development of public parks, open space, beaches, islands and waterways. Does not accept developer donations. |
| JAVANMARD, Amin-Reza | |
Australian born and trained local pharmacist. Ran as an independent in last state election. |
| BOULTON, Kristyn | |
Member of LNP and running as an 'independent'. Staff Member of the now disgraced Federal LNP Senator, Stuart Robert. Has not declared if taking developer or LNP funding or not. |
| STROHFEDT, RJ(Santa) | |
Popular community identity known as 'Santa' to all on the Gold Coast. Opposes commercial/private development of public parks, open space, beaches, islands and waterways. Does not accept developer donations. |
| SARROFF, Eddy | |
Experienced former GCCC Councillor. Came second to Tate in 2012 Mayoral campaign. Very knowledgeable of Local Government Act. Owns a local Real-Estate business. Eddy has changed his previous stance after gaining feedback from residents "who show genuine concerns about the impact the cruise ship will have on the Broadwater." |
Division 5
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| TAVLI, Mehmet | |
Mehmet is a Justice of the Peace, the Presdient of the Pacific Pines soccer club and his website lists him as "The Vice President of the Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce".
The Chamber is immeasurably pro-development, and their website says the following In order to grow business and the Gold Coast economy, the Chamber is in support of: The development of The Spit including Sunland’s The Mariner project (dependent on surrounding infrastructure) ... the development of a cruise ship terminal and the commercialisation of some Gold Coast beaches“ |
| SCHINNERL, Stacey | |
Lived on the Tweed and Gold Coast for the last 27 years. Background is in advocacy, representation, negotiation, tertiary teaching and research. Currently lives in Maudsland.
Is also a Justice of the Peace (Qualified), treasurer and strongly involved with Crime Stoppers Queensland (Gold Coast North Volunteer Area Committee). Also linked to Australian Workers’ Union. She has upfront and has been forthcoming with her Labor and union links. Member of ALP. |
| HAY, Jankin | |
21 year old business student. |
| STEVENSEN, Felicity | |
Has strong links to the LNP, in particular the now-disgraced federal MP Stuart Robert. Mr Robert is reportedly under Federal Police investigation for his alleged invlovement in dealing with a Chinese mining company. |
| SCERIHA, Mark | |
"You won't hear election promises from me, nor will I rubbish my opponents." |
| YOUNG, Peter | |
Experienced former GCCC Councillor. Came third in Mayoral race against Tate in 2012. Opposes CST, ASF casino and mega-developments, Sunland and High-rises on Spit, Wavebreak and Broadwater public parks, open space, waterways beaches and islands. Supports retaining 3 storey height limit on southern Spit. Does not accept developers' donations. |
| SZCERZERBANIK, John | |
Division 6
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| GALLAGHER, Susan | |
Does not support CST. Does not support highrise and 3 storeys must be enforced in perpetuity. |
| CHRICHLOW, Dawn | |
Current sitting Councillor who has voted for CST and ASF development of entire Broadwater, Wavebreak and Spit (except Doug Jennings Park). No rationale in her voting patterns. Previously an avid supporter of SOS (during Beattie/Bligh era) then hostile adversary when Seeney/Newman came into government. Supports Tate on most issues. Life-long member of Qld Nationals. Has not declared if she is taking developer or LNP donations or direct financial support from Tate. |
| PULLFORD, Michael | |
Runs successful Job Consultant firm in Southport. Sensible stance on sustainable employment and development on the Gold Coast. No public policy yet posted re: CST, Spit /Broadwater development proposals or height limits |
| JOUBERT, Johan | |
No clear policies on substantive issues, only general 'vision' statements. Professional photographer who appears to be partially using election to help promote his business and his Christian leanings. |
Division 7
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| PATTERSON, Brooke | |
Experienced international corporate finance consultant (Australia and SE Asia). Opposes private/commercial development of Spit, Wavebreak, Broadwater public parks, waterways, islands, open space and beaches. Opposes development over the 3-storey limit on southern Spit. Declared she is not accepting developer donations. Has consulted with communities in Div 7 re: their concerns and possible solutions. |
| FRIEND, George | |
Realistic stance based on maritme experience in opposing CST. |
| COLE, Lucy | |
Has consistently spoken out against Sunland proposal and called for a Broadwater Masterplan. Supports maintaining 3 storey limit on Spit. Opposes CST. Member of LNP running as an independent. Surfers Paradise branch of LNP: "With less that 48 hours to polls open on Saturday morning 19 March it’s not to late for you to offer some assistance to some of our own Surfers Paradise Branch Members, namely Mayor Tom Tate and Lucy Cole who is running for Division 7.
Please bear in mind that there are no formally endorsed LNP candidates for the Gold Coast local government elections." |
| JAMES, Billy | |
Ambiguous and unclear on most SOSA policies. |
| DOUGLAS, Susie | |
Has a good history of support for Friends of Federation Walk. Has previously supported concrete paths on sections of beachfront dunes in division 7 near Northcliffe. Has a cloud over involvement with a community group who sent a letter of support for Sunland residential towers on 3 storey zoned Spit. |
| BAILDON, Gary | |
Previous Mayor of Gold Coast with history of accepting large sums from a multitude of developers during his past campaigns including Sunland as a major donor. Has stated his family is funding his current campaign. No clear policy on Spit, Broadwater or Wavebreak and possibly supports a CST on the Spit. Recently stood down by Palaszczuk Government as Chair of Gold Coast Waterways Authority |
Division 8
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| BURKE, Elizabeth | |
|
| WEST, Margaret Lynn | |
Transparent in running as a Greens Party candidate. Has publicly opposed private/commercial development of Spit, Wavebreak, Broadwater public parks, waterways, open space and beaches. Opposes development over the 3-storey limit on southern Spit. Not accepting developers' donations |
| LA CASTRA, Bob | |
LNP Member running as 'independent'. The sitting Councillor who is very experienced. Has tended to vote with Tate on issues such as Gold Coast cruise ship terminal and ASF casino/mega-development. Has not declared who is funding his campaign or if he is taking developer donations. Made a stance on preserving Black-Swan Lake from becoming Turf Club carpark. |
Division 9
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| SHEPPERD, Ted | |
Former GCCC Councillor. Close business associate of Wayne Moran (Tate's Chief of Staff). Moran was Shepherd's campaign manager when Shepherd was first elected to Council. Some 'curious' development decisions were made when Shepherd served as GCCC Planning Committee Chairperson. Has not declared if Tate or developers are supporting/funding his current campaign. |
| TOZER, Glenn | |
A first term sitting Councillor. Strong advocate for IT industry on Gold Coast. Joined LNP early in his term as Councillor. Voted predominantly with Tate early in term on issues such as high-rise and CST on the Spit and Broadwater. Appeared to stand up to Tate in Council meetings later in his term and did not always vote with Tate. Has stated "I support over 3 storeys on already developed sites" [on southern Spit] |
Division 10
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| TAYLOR, Paul | |
LNP Member. Sitting Councillor who has voted in favour of Tate's agenda on nearly every issue including CST, High-rise on Spit, ASF casino on Wavebreak and Public land grabs. Despises SOSA and has been public about it. Has not declared if he is taking developer donations. |
| HECKE, Mona | |
"Grew up in Monaco Street". Manager, health consultant and "well being strategist" at Pacific Fair. Has publicly declared she wants to preserve green space and public land and more transparency in Council. Concerned about City Plan and decisions not open to public discussion. Promote Youth Arts, Music and Culture in public spaces. |
| TAYLOR, David | |
Local lawyer. Ambiguous responses to SOSA policies and issues. Has not previously displayed any affinity with recreational or tourism surfing, diving, boating or fishing activities on the Gold Coast. Has declared he will not take developer donations. Wants more consultation and transparency re: future of Division 10. |
Division 11
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| RONE, Nic | |
Supports Sunland and Spit CST. Successful owner of a chain of Tourist Agencies. Expresses concern about quality of life for GC residents. His business is heavily involved in cruise industry bookings and consequently he supports a cruise ship terminal somewhere on the Gold Coast. |
| VORSTER, Hermann | |
Currently Tate's Media Advisor (ratepayer funded) and consequently responsible for Tate's disparaging and vitriolic public attacks on community groups, surfers, journalists, individuals and just about everybody who has a different opinion to Tate. Supports Tate's entire agenda while hypocrytically campaigning on 'traffic management and quality of life' for Gold Coasters. Previously President of Young Qld LNPs. |
Division 12
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| CAMPBELL, John | |
"I am a true local. I was born on the Gold Coast in 1974 and have lived in or within a few kilometres of Division 12 my entire life. I attended Burleigh Heads State School and Miami State High School." |
| YOUNG, Pauline | |
|
| BETTS, Greg | |
Sitting Councillor with experience. Strong support for southern Gold Coast communities including surf community and industry. Supports possibility of 'over 3 storey' construction on 'already developed' Southern Spit sites. Stands up to Tate in Council meetings. Transparent in previous acceptance of developer donations. He has declared he is not accepting developer donations in this current campaign. Not a member of any political party. |
Division 13
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| FOSSEL, Kurt | |
A police officer for 28 years. Self funded. |
| BEIKOFF, Katrina | |
Award winning journalist. ALP member. She is listed as an Account Director and Copywriter at SHAC Communications. SHAC Director, Simone Holzapfel, ran Tate's 2012 Mayoral campaign. SHAC and Holzapfel were then employed on GCCC salary (ratepayer funded) and apparently well-rewarded financially for creating the GCCC 'red dot' campaign. SHAC switched from working for GCCC to working for ASF China Consortium halfway through the process of GCCC/Sate Govt. assessing ASF's Casino/CST/Private/Commercial takeover of the entire Broadwater and Spit. SHAC has also listed Pearls Aust. as a client whose parent company Pearls international owns Sheraton Mirage which is the subject of investigation by Indian Authorities for defrauding poor Indians of $hundreds millions in a 'ponzi scheme'. |
| MCDONALD, Daphne | |
Very experienced sitting Councillor who has stood up to Tate despite his apparent threats and bullying in Council meetings. Does not always please every constituent in her Division but at least undertakes serious community consultations before voting in Council. Opposes development over the 3-storey limit on southern Spit and opposes CST. |
| MAITLAND, Keith | |
Chiropractor, natural therapist. Member of LNP. |
Division 14
Candidate |
Flag |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| WADE, Ric | |
LNP Member. |
| BOGGISS, Lee | |
"Vote for sensitive development." |
| WAIN, Natalie | |
Heavily involved in the successful application for Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve. Opposes private/commercial development of Spit, Wavebreak, Broadwater public parks, waterways, open space and beaches. Supports retaining 3-storey limits on southern Spit. Supports the construction of an 'Oceanway' pathway on a section of beachfront in Tugun-Bilinga. |
| TREBBLE, Shawna | |
LNP Member. Monitor development so we don't overbuild. |
| O'NEILL, Gail | |
"I will support only good development that enhances the area and creates employment." |
© 2015 Save Our Spit Alliance Inc. 