No I'm not, and am fiercely independent. As Gold Coast Mayor I need to partner with state and federal governments to achieve the best outcomes for the Gold Coast, regardless of which party was in power.

I care deeply for the Gold Coast, and it's people. I genuinely want people to be happy, flourish and feel engaged and active in their communities.

I have a unique skills set that includes government and business experience with engagement and communications, polished off with my Master of Business.

Highly ethical, I've been a member of The Ethics Centre for many years, and am always disappointed when people say poor behaviour by politicians is expected. I think the opposite, and there have seen some wonderful Gold Coast mayors such as Lex Bell lead the Gold Coast in ethical, smart and productive ways. 

Having worked in transport and traffic, I know that we need pathways that are safe, connected and inviting, to encourage active travel use - whether it be walking, biking or scooters.

I use the current Oceanway paths all the time with my running club, and can see how busy and well managed they are.

For the Oceanway to travel from Coolangatta to the Spit would be an incredible opportunity and will be game changer for many people's daily lives. 

I would like to understand more detail, and look at a comprehensive review of the entire Gold Coast transport strategy. I have experienced cities like Manila, with unmanaged traffic growth - and that is not where we want to one day be.

The tram is only part of the story - we need investment in better public transport across the entire Gold Coast that takes people where they need to go, and it needs to be affordable with high frequency.

We also need much improved pathways that are safe, shaded and connected. They need to be attractive and practical for people to use them. I am not afraid to wade into a messy debate, and will increase transparency and community engagement so everyone can understand the facts. 

There is also new trackless trams being trialled in Perth, so staying ahead of tech opportunities is where I'd like the Coast to be. 

We moved here from Inverloch in 1974 when I was in Grade Two at Surfers Paradise State School. Our first home was an apartment in Surfers. When scoping out the Coast before we moved here, my parents had sent me a post card of the glamorous Sea World water skiers. I was sold before I arrived.  

Many of my friends from school have left the Coast, and whilst it hasn't always been the best place to foster a high rolling career, I have worked frequently in Brisbane and managed to carve out a life that suits me. 

We absolutely need the help of Gold Coasters to buy merchandise and show your support as often and as loudly as possible. There are t-shirts, a poster for your fence (these are less likely to be vandalised than street posters), and car stickers.  All profits will go back into advertising and printing.

Download our free poster for your work lunch room, noticeboard or front window.

Talk to your neighbours, friends and workmates. If you can get a few people together let us know, and Danielle can come for a visit and a chat. Whilst walking the dog, can you letterbox drop for us.

You can also donate, and our Donate button on the website makes this super easy. Happy to work with donors if there is something in particular they would like their donation spent on such as radio ads, billboards or how to vote cards on election day.

Over the years, this problem has been growing around the world. There are cities everywhere looking at holiday rentals in residential areas, and we will complete a full assessment to understand what Gold Coasters want. 

I'd also like to see a return of boarding houses. These were quite common once upon a time, and provided basic accomodation for people down on their luck. Whilst working for RSL Queensland I was lucky enough to visit Warhaven in Cairns, and this is a model I think could work, with Council's support. 

There needs to be better transparency and community consultation without a doubt. The sentiment from a lot of people I talk to is that developers are a priority on the Gold Coast, with little regard for residents. 

I don't think many people are happier than they were four years ago, so it's clear it's time for a new direction, and a reset of development and town planning policies. I would also work hard to educate all elected councillors in basic Town Planning so they can fully understand the implications when a proposal is voted on. We all have to live with Council decisions for a very long time.

We still need development but we also need more affordable housing, heritage and character streets and suburbs, improved parks and facilities such as small dog parks along the beach front suburbs, and environmental havens for our native plants and animals.

I can make you happier - and I'm actually serious about achieving that goal.

You'll have the opportunity to know and understand everything that's happening in your suburb, you'll be a proud and active community member and hopefully you might even be fitter and healthier!

You will be encouraged to try out new active travel solutions once we make pathways safe and connected, you might get into the habit of taking public transport to work or special events and you'll be meeting neighbours and friends at more community activities and events - just to name a few.

I'll be actively engaging with the community on ways Council can make life better, and ways we can be more innovative.

I don't pretend to have all the answers, and with such a wealth of knowledge and experience to tap into, believe many of the best solutions are right here already - we just need you to share them.

As a small business owner, I know it's incredibly tough, and incredibly fun at the same time.

I want you to flourish and would support, educate and encourage as many Gold Coasters as possible to start their own small business - whether as a side gig or making the full time plunge.  

I remember a few years ago attending a fantastic federal government small business education initiative and the expertise I could tap into - especially on making my business more tech savvy was invaluable. This is a model I'd look to replicating and improving on to really support small business owners. 

Tapping into the incredible network of Chambers of Commerce and supporting them to be the is also something I'd work from the get go. 

Council also has the ability to inject significant income into the local economy, and I would insist on setting up short payment turnarounds for small business as well as ensure they are supported where possible to submit competitive tenders. As much Council spend as possible should be spent locally.

Small business is big business.

From my first role as a cadet journalist I covered Gold Coast council meetings, plus along the way have completed several stints with City of Gold Coast, Brisbane City Council, and worked with Scenic Rim.

They have all given me insights into the workings of a council, an appreciation of ethics, law and regulation, and a deep seated reverence for public spending - it's not my money, it's the public's money.

In my senior roles in major shopping centres, I again worked with Councils as well as various representatives from all levels of government. 

I often ask senior work colleagues about the councils they have worked in, and what really worked or didn't work - which has given me some unique insights.

During my MBA with University of New South Wales, I've focused a number of assessments on council services or strategies and my research has helped me gain a depth knowledge, understand best practice, as well as the capability to implement it for City of Gold Coast. 

Make your vote count by numbering all the boxes on voting day. You can view my How to Vote card here.