Mayoral Candidate Tom Tate attended an open Q&A forum at the Gold Coast City Marina today.

The informal gathering was an opportunity for marine business owners to meet and hear Mr Tate’s direction for the Gold Coast ahead of the council election later this month.

The forum, compared by Director of GCCM Dean Leigh-Smith, provided opportunity for the candidate to share his view for the future of our city and waterways before attendees had the chance to ask him questions.

At the forum, Mr Tate said if elected he would focus on broadening the Gold Coast’s economy base further than tourism and construction, to include other fundamental industries.

“IT, Education and the Marine industry would be included in that pillar to get the Gold Coast back on track,” Mr Tate said.

As part of Mr Tate’s plan for the future of our waterways, he would look to re-establish a Waterway’s Authority and build a cruise ship terminal in his first term.

He said dredging would also be high on his agenda to enhance the Gold Coast marine industry.

“As a community, we need the right infrastructure in place to service our environment and we need the right policy to fix our waterways,” Mr Tate said.

Mayoral candidate Keith Douglas also visited GCCM later in the morning to talk policy and politics with Managing Director Jeff Leigh-Smith.

As a well-known marine and Tipplers campaigner Mr Douglas discussed his plans for the future of the Gold Coast’s Marine industry.

“Our future is bright. There’s no doubt people want to come to the Gold Coast to visit or retire, buy a boat and use our marine amenities. It’s the present we need to focus on,” Mr Douglas said.

“Council hasn’t engaged businesses, and hasn’t considered sustainable infrastructure which has been at the expense of our economy.”

Mr Douglas said if elected mayor he would look to stimulate marine enterprise on Stradbroke Island, through boosting amenities and enhancing marine safety.

“Currently the master plan for Stradbroke Island is a flawed document driven by a green agenda,” he said.

“It must be redone to ensure our environment is sustainable long term and for safety reasons to ensure viable fire safety management.”

Mr Douglas said a robust financial model which sustains itself long term is what the Gold Coast needs and what is not currently being delivered by senior bureaucrats.

The Gold Coast Council election will be held on April 28.

Mayoral candidate Keith Douglas talks politics with GCCM Managing Director Jeff Leigh-Smith