In early 2002 Lawlor and Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft started a campaign opposing a Gold Coast City Council document titled "Harbour Vision 2020", Lawlor estimated that a petition he started on the issue had attracted 1000 signatures in 10 days. The petitioners opposed commercial development on Wave Break Island, the western foreshore and any reclamation. Lawlor criticised on environmental and engineering grounds any possibility of a new bridge being built to Wave Break Island and a possible cruise ship facility on the island.
Lawlor and Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft launched an opposition campaign against the Gold Coast City Council's "Harbour Vision 2020" document in early 2002, highlighting concerns about its potential impact. Lawlor reported that his petition had attracted a substantial number of signatures within just 10 days. The opponents of the plan strongly opposed any development on Wave Break Island, the western foreshore, and reclamation, citing environmental and engineering concerns.