
Cr Tom Tate
Mayor
City of Gold Coast
Tom Tate was elected Mayor of the Gold Coast, Australia’s 6th largest city, in April 2012 and is now the longest serving Gold Coast Mayor having been re-elected for a fourth term in March 2024.
Mayor Tate is a civil engineer by trade, having graduated from the University of NSW in the early 1980s. He started his career in the construction industry and later moved into the tourism and hospitality industry. With a strong business background, Mayor Tate has spent his time in office ensuring everyone knows that the Gold Coast is ‘open for business’. This has seen certainty return to the city, which in turn has boosted confidence and created significant investment across the Gold Coast.
Mayor Tate is leading a city that is embracing change and dreaming big. Mayor Tate is looking towards the future and opportunities that will come from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games where the Gold Coast will host 11 sports and a satellite Games village. Continuing to focus on the key areas of transport and digital infrastructure; health, education and knowledge; sports and events; film and screen; arts/culture and business investment, Mayor Tate is committed to ensuring a future for the Gold Coast that includes a stronger economy, more jobs and protecting the city’s enviable lifestyle.
SESSIONS
Day 1
9:40
Local Government Panel: Balancing growth, investment and community legacy
Navigating the impact of accelerated planning powers on council planning and development outcomes
Exploring how councils are balancing growth, density and liveability while embedding sustainability and resilience
Aligning planning, funding and delivery to ensure councils can meet Olympic timelines and long-term infrastructure needs
Positioning regions to capture lasting economic and community benefits beyond 2032
Moderator: Alison Smith, CEO, Local Government Association of Queensland
Cr Tom Tate, Mayor, City of Gold Coast
Cr Tony Williams, Mayor, Rockhampton Regional Council
Scott Waters, Chief Executive Officer, Moreton Bay City Council
