Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says he should have thought twice before converting a disused office at council chambers into a prayer room, following attempts by a group of satanists to use it for a blessing.
The prayer room was implemented in March following the appointment of the mayor's long-time spiritual adviser Sue Baynes as council's pastoral adviser.
Ms Baynes has publicly advocated for the controversial Seven Mountains Mandate — a dominionist religious movement that seeks to gain influence over seven spheres of society, including government, education and media — and shift their focus towards evangelical Christian beliefs.
At a religious service in November 2021, Ms Baynes also warned that a "demonic stronghold" had been established at the city's Home of the Arts (HOTA) resulting in a "spiritual battle".
In response, the Noosa Temple of Satan attempted to book council's prayer room in April for a satanic blessing — a request that was denied.
Should have been 'R U OK' room
Mr Tate said he "didn't name the room" but has since had a rethink.
"If I had my time over again, I would have called it an R U OK room," he said.
"It is a quiet time really primarily for our staff, or somebody's already gone through security to meet council inside and go 'I need to breastfeed, let's go in there'."
Mr Tate said the experience with the satanists brought issues with the prayer room into focus.
"God works in different ways, even utilised the satanists to help me realise I should have called it R U OK room," he said.
"So thank you very much."
No public access
Mr Tate said the prayer room is no longer available for public bookings.
"The decision on anyone who [is] coming in our building is operational matter," he said.
"Council security has made the decision that it breaches their protocol ... because it's in among the staff.
The ABC understands some councillors only became aware of the prayer room decision when signage was put up earlier this year.
Mr Tate has previously declined to answer how much the room or the appointment of Ms Baynes has cost ratepayers, but said such figures should be available in council's annual report.
"We want to sweat council assets," he said.
"We spend 500 bucks, clean the carpet, put a few chairs in there."
'Connectivity' of church-council efforts
Mr Tate said Ms Baynes worked two days a week to coordinate church charity efforts with council resources.
"In recovery mode after disaster, we get so many calls from good-hearted people that go, how do we help," Mr Tate said.
"After 12 months, you'll see that it has been a wonderful connectivity."
