- Mayor of the Gold Coast
-
Mayor of the City of the Gold Coast 
Seal of the City of the Gold CoastStyle Councillor
(Informal)
His Worship
(Formal)Term length 4 years Salary $219,307 (February 2010)[1] Website Gold Coast Mayor
Mayor Cr Ron Clarke MBEThe Mayor of the City of the Gold Coast is presiding officer and public face of the Gold Coast City Council,[2] the local government body of the Gold Coast, Queensland. The mayor is charged with representing the city council and is popularly elected by residents of the Gold Coast City local government area in local elections held every 4 years. The mayor presides over all council meetings; is the only councillor to not represent a specific Gold Coast electoral district;[3] and is the foremost representative of the Gold Coast City Council and its policies.[2]
The Gold Coast City Council reportedly maintains a budget of an estimated $1.3 billion annually,[4] among the highest of municipal governments in Australia. The mayor's office is located in the Gold Coast City Council building in Bundall, Queensland.
Contents
Mayoral Responsibilities
Under the Local Government Act 2009 (Qld),[2] Chapter 2, Part 1, the mayor of any city in Queensland, including the Gold Coast and except for Brisbane, has the following responsibilities in addition to their duty as a councillor:
- Leading and managing meetings of the local government at which the mayor is the chairperson, including managing the conduct of the participants at the meetings.
- Proposing the adoption of the local government’s budget.
- Liaising with the chief executive officer on behalf of the other councillors.
- Leading, managing, and providing strategic direction to, the chief executive officer in order to achieve the high quality administration of the local government.
- Directing the chief executive officer, in accordance with the local government’s policies.
- Conducting a performance appraisal of the chief executive officer, at least annually, in the way that is decided by the local government (including as a member of a committee, for example).
- Ensuring that the local government promptly provides the Minister with the information about the local government area, or the local government, that is requested by the Minister for Local Government.
- Being a member of each standing committee of the local government.
- Representing the local government at ceremonial or civic functions.
Delegation of Mayoral Responsibilities
The Act further stipulates that "a councillor who is not the mayor may perform the mayor’s extra responsibilities only if the mayor delegates the responsibility to the councillor,"[2] while also stating that "when performing a responsibility, a councillor must serve the overall public interest of the whole local government area."[2]
Current Mayor
Main article: Ron ClarkeThe current mayor is Cr. Ron Clarke, elected as an independent in 2004 and re-elected in 2008.[5] Clarke is a former Australian athlete, and one of the best known middle and long distance runners in the 1960s. He is notable for setting nineteen world records.[5]
In 2005 Geelong Athletics honoured Clarke with an athletics meet to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Clarke breaking the world record for the 20,000 m and one hour run at Landy Field in October 1965. This meet is held annually as part of the Athletics Australia National Meet Series. On 15 March 2006, Ron Clarke was one of the final four runners who carried the Queen's Baton around the MCG stadium during the 2006 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Clarke and his wife, Helen, first came to the Gold Coast for a holiday in 1957. The couple returned almost every year thereafter, and in 1995, after 14 years abroad mainly in Europe, came back for good.[5] As mayor, Clarke hopes to ensure the continuation of development in the infrastructure of the city, such as roads, transport, education and medical needs.[5]
Governance of Gold Coast City
Main article: Gold Coast CityThe city is governed at the local level by the Gold Coast City Council, whose jurisdiction spans the Gold Coast, Queensland, and surrounding areas.[6] Based on resident population, it is the second largest local government area in Australia and its council maintains a staff of over 2,500. It was established in 1948, but has existed in its present form since 1995.[6]
Wards and councillors
Gold Coast City has been divided into 14 wards (known as divisions), each electing one councillor at elections held every four years. The most recent local government election was on 15 March 2008.[3]
Divisional Councillors are:[3]
- Division 1 Cr Donna Gates - Yatala
- Division 2 Cr John Wayne - Coomera
- Division 3 Cr Grant Pforr - Paradise Point
- Division 4 Cr Margaret Grummitt - Biggera Waters
- Division 5 Cr Peter Young - Pacific Pines
- Division 6 Cr Dawn Crichlow - Southport
- Division 7 Cr Susie Douglas - Surfers Paradise
- Division 8 Cr Robert La Castra - Ashmore
- Division 9 Cr Ted Shepherd - Mudgeeraba
- Division 10 Cr Eddy Sarroff - Broadbeach
- Division 11 Cr Jan Grew - Robina
- Division 12 Cr Greg Betts - Burleigh Heads
- Division 13 Cr Daphne McDonald (Deputy Mayor) - Palm Beach
- Division 14 Cr Chris Robbins - Coolangatta
See also
References
- ^ Gold Coast Bulletin. "Coast councillors found out on pay rise". http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/02/21/191141_gold-coast-news.html.
- ^ a b c d e Queensland Government. "Local Government Act 2009". http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/L/LocalGovA09.pdf.
- ^ a b c Gold Coast City Council. "Mayors and Councillors". http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard2.aspx?pid=349.
- ^ Gold Coast Bulletin. "The Gold Coast's most influential people". http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/10/17/148815_more-gossip-news.html.
- ^ a b c d Gold Coast City Council. "Mayor Cr Ron Clarke MBE". http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard2.aspx?pid=346.
- ^ a b Gold Coast City Council. "Council overview". http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard.aspx?pid=4073.
Categories:- Mayors of places in Queensland
- Gold Coast, Queensland
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