'They can do their worst': Craig is among 70,000 people who oppose Trump's hotel on the Gold Coast

Craig Hill is mobilising tens of thousands of Australians to oppose Donald Trump's luxury Gold Coast hotel.

The Queenslander and Legalise Cannabis candidate launched a petition urging the local council and state government to block the US president's plans to erect a $1.5 billion tower, claiming it will cast a long shadow over the Surfers Paradise region.

At the time of writing, the Change.org petition against Trump International Hotel & Tower Gold Coast has surpassed 70,000 signatures – and Hill hopes the US president and his team notice the growing movement.

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Hill doesn't fear retaliation from the president.

"I've been a prison officer and I've been in politics for 15 years," he said.

"They can do their worst."

Hill and his fellow opposers say Trump's association isn't the only issue they have with the proposed $1.5 billion development, warning of the economic and environmental impacts.

"It's going to put housing prices up right across Gold Coast and probably south-east Brisbane as well... it'll put rates up," he claimed.

"I estimate around $50-150 million of taxpayer and ratepayer money will have to go into developing the infrastructure like sewerage, water supply, electricity, internet and expanding the roadways."

Hill acknowledged the fierce opposition also has to do with the branding.

"The Trump name is a big part of it," he added.

"I don't think it aligns with our Australian values and the fact that he's a convicted criminal.

"I don't think he should be allowed to do business in Australia."

Trump became the first president in US history to be convicted of a crime in 2024 after being found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records.

While the conviction stood, the president was not sentenced to any jail time nor any immediate penalties.

Hill is aware it will likely shape up to be a David versus Goliath fight, but maintained he was in the right.

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"We do have say over who does business in Australia and who makes investment," Hill said.

Hill merged his petition with another anti-Trump petition in the hours after the announcement.

The second organiser did not want to be identified due to fear of repercussions from the US president.

Meanwhile, a smaller contingent of Trump fans has launched a counter-petition in favour of the tower.

The petition states the building "holds immense potential to transform the local economic landscape and propel the region into a thriving hub of activity and opportunity".

This second petition has attracted 3300 signatures.

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The Trump International Hotel & Tower will be 340 metres and 91 storeys high, Altus Property Group Pty Ltd said.

Altus chief executive David Young said he signed the deal on February 14 at Trump's Florida home but that the development had been 20 years in the making.

"We are now deeply into a process of design, engineering, construction and fit-out that will cost a shade under $1.5 billion and bring the world's preeminent hotel-resort brand to our shores," Young said.

Hill said he was surprised to hear Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate's support for the proposal.

When asked about the hotel, Tate said he believed "it will be very popular and will put us on the map".

The Gold Coast mayor's office confirmed to nine.com.au that no development application has been lodged for the tower.

"Any development application is assessed by city officers on its merits and in accordance with the Planning Act 2016," a spokesperson said.

Queensland Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie said the developers must abide by the city's planning laws.

"It doesn't matter who they are. It's a matter for council," Bleijie said.

"Obviously, it will go through a council approvals process."

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