The Currumbin Residents' Action Group joined with the Broadbeach Action Group and other community groups across the Coast to release the questionnaire "in response to growing frustration and residents' concerns about a current imbalance in the existing Council planning regime". 

Spokesperson for the Currumbin group, Jack McGregor, said residents were "sick and tired of having to run large-scale campaigns to oppose deficient development applications that should not have come close to being considered for approval in the first place."

Mr McGregor said the questionnaire would give Gold Coast residents a chance to "study the form and see exactly where each candidate stands in relation to planning issues".

"We need to make sure that the Councillors we elect in three weeks' time are genuinely committed to an agenda of responsible development,” he said.

"Through the questionnaire, candidates are being asked to show how they would approach the current imbalance in the planning scheme and what initiatives they would put in place to ensure local communities are protected."

Candidates have until March 5 to complete the questionnaire. Their responses will be distributed via resident databases throughout the Coast and also posted on the Queensland Decides website at www.queenslanddecides.com.

Twenty election candidates attended the launch of the questionnaire at Currumbin Surf Lifesaving Club.

“We had an excellent turn-out with candidates attending from Division 1 all the way through to Division 14,” said Mr McGregor. “Candidates unable to attend today’s launch will have the questionnaires mailed by registered post to their homes.

“We would expect that, at a time like this, all candidates would respond to the questionnaire. If they want residents to vote for them, then they should, at the very least, have a basic understanding of the existing planning regime and how these problems can be addressed."

Mr McGregor said it should be a requirement of the planning process that developers consult with local communities, "particularly where residents and their families are going to be affected". 

“Our current campaign against a Resort Corp development in Currumbin, which falls well outside the intent of the Local Area Plan, combined with the experiences of other resident groups across the Coast, has highlighted the importance of electing a team of strong Councillors who are committed to protecting local communities and their families from unpopular, unwanted and deficient ‘overdevelopment’ applications," he said.

Mr Macgregor acknowledged the important role of the construction industry to the Gold Coast economy.

"We recognise that many Gold Coast residents derive their living from the construction industry," he said. "We want this to continue by promoting a balance between continued responsible development and the maintenance of our diverse lifestyles and quality of living – the assets that attract people to the Gold Coast and provide the market base needed to perpetuate ongoing demand."

The questionnaire asks candidates what initiatives they would consider introducing to address the increasing population growth on the Coast in a way that balances the needs of developers and local residents.

As well as planning issues, it also asks candidates -

• to list all major donors to their elections campaigns (with a dollar value);
• give their vision for the Gold Coast and their particular division
• what qualifications and experience they could bring to the role of Councillor.

Currumbin Residents used the occasion to launch an artist’s impression of the future “Currumbin Metropolis” by local artist David Yardley to highlight the implications of voters not getting it right and electing Councillors who aren’t committed to protecting the interests of local communities and local area plans throughout the Coast.                      

Mr McGregor thanked artist David Yardley for his generous donation of the “Currumbin Metropolis” artwork and support for the protection of the Currumbin Village.