By Callen Sorensen Karklis
From 1901–1950 Gold Coast shires and what was then Cleveland and Tingalpa Shires (in what is now known as Redlands and Logan) were bayside villages of farming and agricultural interests, and then quiet tourist get aways. These communities benefited from the agricultural boost from the early state Labor governments from 1915–1957, briefly interrupted by the Arthur Moore state government (Country and Progressive National Party) between 1929–1932. During that 40-year period of Labor governments, communities did particularly well from the policies of Labor’s Red Ted Theodore (Premier from 1919-1925).
In the 1960s these costal farming townships began to develop when the new Country (later National) party sold the farm, and a sway of interstate and international European migrants moved in during Nicklin and Joh eras on the back of Menzies boom off the back of the post – war reconstruction that Ben Chifley had enacted in the late 1940s.
Both men pushed for more highways, dams, bridges (one such proposal was building a bridge to Straddie across the bay!), and canal estates like Raby Bay, developing Toondah and building many of the canal estates and high-rises that we know of today behind and around the Gold Coast CBD. Let’s also not forget the string of theme parks and casinos on the Goldy. The only good thing they probably did was electrify the rail corridors and local dams under Joh to both areas which many take for granted today.
Cr Ray Batt, representing Capalaba/Mt Cotton in 1969–1973 along with early Green-leaning Cr Ellie Durbidge (founder of SIMO) representing North Stradbroke Island in Redlands, and later Labor Crs John Bonney, Ronald Hartley, and Ken Taylor in 1973–1976. Cr Keith Hunt in 1967-1973, and Labor Mayor Robert Neumann on Surfers in 1973-1976. Labor gained the state seat of Logan (later Redlands) in 1969’s state election under teacher union organiser Ted Baldwin, who held it until 1974 and narrowly lost the Mayoral election against Dick Wood losing by 53 votes (5267 to 5214 votes).
Redlands was more successful in holding back complete overdevelopment, unlike Surfers. In both cities, due to the growing discontent of both major parties, Greens-leaning independents were elected, such as Cr Goeff Skinner fighting to protect wetlands in Wellington Pt in the 1980s, Cr Jenny Cooke Bramley (SIMO) on Straddie in 1988–1991 off the back of the “Leave Straddie Unabridged” campaign in the mid-1980s, and her successor Cr Betty Groom in 1991–1992 in Cleveland/Straddie areas after her failed independent Civic Group ticket run in the 1988 elections. Cr Helen Murray was also elected, supported by the Greens group, the Koala Action Network in Birkdale/Thornside division 10 in 1994–2012. Labor did poorly on a state level against Sir Joh’s tight grip while it did well on a federal level benefitting off the back of the popularity of Bob Hawke’s rise to power and in Len Keogh making a comeback in 1983–1987 and David Bedall MP for Fadden/Rankin in 1983-1998).
Gold Coast voters turned to Lex Bell, a community independent businessman as Mayor in 1988-1994, with conservative environmentalist Cr Betty Fountain as his Deputy Mayor who advocated to stop sand–mining on South Stradbroke Island. Bell was succeeded by independent Cr Gary Baildon for a term in 1994-1995, who was defeated by Liberal Cr Ray Stevens, who served from 1995-1997. Baildon won again in 1997 and served until 2004. Former Beattie minister Labor MP and GCC Cr Peter Lawlor worked with Baildon and Bell to oppose the original spit developments as an environmentalist since 1988-1994, serving as the Chair of the GCC Planning Committee.
Labor didn’t do well enough in Redlands until the early 1990s when the Joh era was cleaned away from voter sentiments and the harsh realities of the Fitzgerald Inquiry after 32 long years in office. Len Keogh, who lost Labor’s preselection to his successor lawyer Con Sciacca (1987–1996, later 1998-2004) became Mayor for a single term on the promise of stronger sustainability, transparency, integrity, improved customer service, community input and oversight. This was also the period where Labor consistently opposed the original Toondah proposal canal estate both by figures like Keogh and Labor Cr for Division 2 Frank Bradley (1994-2004). Keogh was succeeded by Cr Eddie Santagiuliana, a National Party and later best mates with the then Labor federal MP Con Sciacca due to their Sicilian background. Despite Eddie beating Keogh he kept most of his policies and Con stitched up a deal for Labor Cr Ray Bucknall to be his deputy Mayor for a term (1997-2000). While developing Capalaba into a retail business hub and organizing direct bus routes of public transport from Brisbane to Redlands, Santagiuliana and Bucknall instilled regulations to prevent overdevelopment through red tape. This all ended with Santagiuliana’s passing and the election of pro developer Mayor Don Secombe in 2001 who lasted two terms until 2008 attempting to cut that red tape and revive developer dreams that Dick Wood pushed in the 1960s and 70s. This was helped by the election of Andrew Laming in the federal seat of Bowman in 2004 when Con Sciacca’s tenure became impossible due to the redistribution of the federal electorate into what we know today as Bowman and Bonner, making it harder for Labor to compete.
Backlash and concerns led to a rise of both Greens, and community independents in 2004-2008 first with Greens-aligned Cr Debra Henry in Division 3 (Thornlands) in 2004-2012, along with Cr Wendy Boglary elected in 2008 who worked with Cr Barbara Townsend (2000-2012) and a group of Labor-aligned; Cr Craig Ogilvie, Cr Toni Bowler, Cr Murray Elliott to flip the council with the election of Melva Hobson in 2008 who as Mayor in 2008-2012 pushed for GFC stimulus with other areas of government, reducing carbon emissions, native title, ending sand mining on Straddie for eco-tourism with an emphasis on consultation (in the form of the Redlands 2030 plan) and better customer service delivery. However, the strains of the GFC and sale of water assets by state saw Hobson – like Anna Bligh – defeated at the ballot box. But with a sizeable opposition; progressives temporarily holding the numbers on the Council in 2016-2020 with Cr Boglary and Lance Hewlett serving a term each as deputy Mayor. LNP Cr Karen Williams, a loyal foot solider and protégé of Cr Betty Goleby, former Mayors Secombe and Merv Gengrich protégé of Wood who pressed upon her the need for a renewed Toondah Harbour redevelopment.
On the Goldy former Olympian Independent Ron Clarke succeeded independent Cr Baildon, backed by a sway of environmentalist, Labor supporters, and disillusioned Tories to endorse Clarke who served two terms. But his tenure was tenuous at best; he navigated a divided council between the pro-developers with the Liberal Nationals on the right and the left Cr Peter Young (Nerang), Cr Dawn Crichlow, and Cr Eddy Saroff concerned about over-development. Clarke protected several key areas from overdevelopment including campaigning against a cruise ship terminal, improved public transport, and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Unfortunately, Clarke isolated his base, and Tom Tate became elected Mayor in 2012 upon his retirement, securing 65% of the vote against Saroff on 35% who had a sway of LNP supporters elected to the council also supported by then local federal MP Stuart Robert, future ScoMo minister. In 2016 Cr Bell retired, while Cr Crichlow retired in 2019 without any checks on the Gold Coast except Cr Peter Young against a super majority of 7– 8 LNP councillors in office, with Tom Tate eyeing to propose a mega ship cruise terminal on the spit between the South end of South Straddie and the Gold Coast mainland.
Both cities can learn from each other on two similar issues and how they have been handled in their local communities in the past decade, especially during the era of the Newman State Government (2012-2015). In its arrogance, refusing to learn from the lessons of history of Joh, the Newman government supported power hungry developer endorsed councils in both Redlands and Gold Coast to support both LNP Tory Mayors in their mission to build the “next big thing in the name of progress”?! The Labor Opposition led by Annastacia Palaszczuk opposed both the Gold Coast spit ship terminal and Toondah high rise development proposals. The unpopularity of the spit proposed terminals by the Beattie Labor government was enough for it to be dropped by the then state government but like Toondah in the guise of a port upgrade building 800 units in Ramsar wetlands was revived once the LNP assumed power under Campbell Newman, supported by the Walker Corporation.
A collection of community groups and environmentalists such as the Community Alliance on the Gold Coast formed to counter the spit issue while another, Redlands 2030 and the Toondah Alliance formed to counter the Toondah issue. Upon the election of the Palaszczuk Government (2015-2023) Labor dropped support for the unpopular spit issue and established The Spit Master Plan 2020 while it controversially worked with the LNP dominated Redland City Council led by Mayor Karen Williams (LNP) and the Federal Abbott/Turnbull/Morrison governments (2013-2022) to develop 3600 high rise units in Ramsar wetlands at Toondah Harbour in Cleveland, despite the community mostly wishing for a simple port upgrade at the harbour in Cleveland. In both coastal communities a ten-year campaign to save these areas ensued by community groups. In Redlands, upon the successful election of the Albanese Labor government (2022) the Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek ruled to reject the Toondah Harbour PDA by Walker Corporation in early 2024, only for it to be revised substantially a year later in 2025 by Walker Corporation with a new revised plan with the Toondah Alliance proposing its own community concept plan encouraging more community consultation. One thing is for certain both areas of Redlands and Surfers would be drastically impacted if they became more populated and more developed without sustainable infrastructure effected by rising sea levels and extreme weather events, such as more intense cyclones or storm surges.
The successful election of former police officer and prosecutor Jos Mitchell as the TEAL mayor of Redland City Council on 67% of the vote solidified a growing trend towards community independents since the 2020 local government elections in the area. But with grassroots movements gaining considerable traction in the 2004-2008 period, is evidence of the communities’ concerns regarding major party politics ignoring community wishes on issues like Toondah, transparency, and integrity in local politics and government in recent years. This off the back of the drink driving scandals by Karen William in 2023-2024, failing to resign over the issue and former Bowman MP Andrew Laming’s failed tilt for Mayor in one of the most controversial political campaigns in living memory. Jos and her Leading Change voting bloc in the Redland City area is the only formal counter-balance to total rule by the LNP who hold the majority 6 led by Deputy Mayor Cr Julie Talty and have the support of a Labor city councillor Cr Tracey Huges who allies herself with Cr Julie Talty from time to time on issues. Despite a divided council, particular on local issues such as the proposed Birkdale White Water rafting for the 2032 Olympics bid similar to Brisbane’s Victoria Park at present. Under Mayor Mitchell she has done the following after almost a year in office:
• Introduced E Petitions (online petitions)
• Defended LGBTIQ rights
• Public info – re Capital Works Program
• Moved Office of Mayor to Governance
• Ensured a multi – sports complex is back on the table
• Reinstated meetings with QYAC (the local First Nations corporate body)
• Oversaw wildlife awareness advertising for animals like Koalas
• Advocated for $0.50 fares for North Stradbroke Island residents using ferries
• Worked with the Federal Government to introduce $35.5 million worth into the Housing Support Program locally in upgrading storm water drainage, footpaths, and road infrastructure at the Kinross Road Estate in Thornlands
• Led the Cyclone Alfred response and recovery as the Chair of the Disaster Management Group with emergency services and SES since mid-March 2025.
• Ensured an external major operational review of Redland City Council’s financial history $ based on evidence–based.
In the 2024 election seats such as Oodgeroo (formerly Cleveland) and Redlands – Labor for two decades – but issues such as youth crime and the economy and struggling in a cost-of-living crisis played a factor for voters moving away from Labor to the LNP. The “it’s time” factor played heavily into the narrative much similarly to the Goss 1989 win after 32 years of Coalition Country/National party rule since 1957 in Nicklin/Joh eras, and their two short-term successors in Premiers Ahern and Cooper during the onslaught of the Fitzgerald scandal into police and political corruption.
Unlike Redlands, which has had two periods of marginal progressive resurgence locally on the Gold Coast, however, it has gradually become more LNP aligned since 2012 on a council level, where unlike Redlands City Council Mayor Tom Tate seems invincible politically. There only stands one progressive city councillor despite several close calls electorally in 2024’s local government elections on the Gold Coast, with former Labor-aligned Cr Eddy Saroff falling short there with only 33% of the primary vote. This was after the failed bid of Penny Toland in the 2016 election who only secured 26% of the vote and being charged with perjury for failing to declare donations worth $38,241 from the CFMEU. Redlands the Gold Coast had a strong state and federal presence during the Hawke era federally, and the Goss, Beattie, and Bligh state eras. Since 1989 the Gold Coast has had a state Labor MP in the area for the past 23 years. It held most of the seats from 2001-2012 during the height of the Beattie/Bligh era.
Independent former Mayor Lex Bell held the conservative seat of Southport for a term (2001-2004). Labor’s support of Toondah on a state level – despite federal rejection – could have cost it votes but the cost-of-living relief measures such as 50 cent fares on public transport and the abortion scare campaign also helped Labor to remain competitive in South–East QLD during the 2024 state election loss which Labor can easily make gains from in four years depending on how Crisafulli governs the state. Labor remained at 48% with the LNP polling at 52% in both state electorates. If Labor works hard, it can easily win these areas off Greens or Independent preferencing on a two-party preferred. And if the QLD LNP haven’t learnt from cost cutting austerity obsessions in the Newman era which the Trump administration is learning the hard way at present with DOGE boss Musk which could isolate their supporters, wider community and lead to another recession.
In the 2024 local council election community independent Jenna Schroeder only lost on 46.7% compared to new LNP elected Cr Joe Wilkinson on 53% of the vote. Kath Down lost on 44% to incumbent Cr Gail O’Neil on 46%. Down also ran in the state seat of Currumbin only polling at 10%. Like Redlands, due to its history of electing Independents I foresee the potential for community independents and even Labor one day making a political comeback on the Gold Coast on a local, state, and potentially federal level in the not-too-distant future if the Crisafulli State Government and Tate LNP dominated City Council doesn’t reflect on the lessons of overdevelopment and not involving the community in the planning process. Marathon runner Erchana Murray-Bartlett is contesting the Liberal safe seat of McPherson after the resignation of former Liberal minister and MP Karen Andrews. The major parties particularly the LNP must move away from being to politically driven and compromise more and accept the reality that the wider community wants action and to be heard and listened to.
Calls for a national Australian protection agency!
What is clear from the trends is how local environmental planning has occurred on all three levels of government along the South-East corner of Queensland is that we need a national Australian protection agency. The Albanese Government totally dropped the ball to introduce it. The 2025 WA election and lobbyists from the mineral’s resources council scared Albo to force Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek from pushing the agenda through with climate 200 and Greens support in both houses of federal parliament. If we have an EPA we could very well mitigate the continuing effects of events like recent bush fires in recent years and Cyclone Alfred that battered the cost, costing the taxpayer billions in damages along the coast that will take years to recover. An EPA could make the necessary decisions without political interference from corporate lobbyist. It will also ensure better regulations and more consultation with community interests on issues like the Toondah Harbour redevelopment. Without an EPA it makes issues such as this so much more uncertain in the years ahead. It is something the Greens, Climate 200 and Labor should work to achieve now that the Greens hold the balance of power in WA and if a hung parliament is on the cards federally at the upcoming federal election. We also need local government to plan for net zero by 2050 in accordance with international Paris commitments or these issues will continue to cost us. This is why I will be submitting a petition calling on net zero by the year 2050 in Redland City Council in the lead up to the 2025 federal election.
Callen Sorensen Karklis was the 2024 Greens candidate for the Qld state electorate of Oodgeroo. He holds a Bachelor of Government and International Relations from Griffith University and Business Diploma from QLD TAFE. He currently studies a Cert 4 in Youth Work. He has worked in retail, media advertising, union and government roles. He has also been involved with Bayside Crime Stoppers in 2015 – 2016 and was on the Griffith Student Representative Council as the Indigenous Officer during the Pandemic in 2021. He also has been a cohost on 4ZZZ radio programs on Workers Power and Indigi Briz. He was also a coordinator for Jos Mitchell’s Leading Change Team during the 2024 Redland City Council elections. He used to be a local organizer in the Labor Party during the Newman and early Palaszczuk eras and had advised TEAL campaigns.
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