Ann Wason Moore shares the legacy of the late Matthew Schneider

Matt ‘Mr Everywhere’ Schneider knew everybody and was connected to everything … but somehow made everyone feel like someone. His loss is a gut punch for the Gold Coast. Read about his legacy

Matthew Schneider was the director of Urbis and heads up the Gold Coast office at Southport. Picture Glenn Hampson

They called him Mr Everywhere.

Matt Schneider knew everybody and was connected to everything … but somehow made everyone feel like someone.

Aged just 39, the devoted family man has left behind hundreds of grieving friends and colleagues … and an incredible legacy for every Gold Coaster.

As a town planner driven by a social conscience and a deep love for the Coast, his response was always the same whether dealing with a high-ranking politician or grassroots community activist: to listen intently, respond honestly and, above all, respectfully.

His loss is a gut punch for the city.

Given less than four decades, he somehow filled enough community roles for at least a dozen lifetimes.

Matthew Schneider had advanced cancer. Picture: Matthew Schneider.

Along with leading Urbis Gold Coast, Matt was president of the Southport Sharks, director of Placemakers Gold Coast, executive member of the City Heart Task Force, fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia, and had board positions at Griffith University, the Property Council of Australia, Study Gold Coast, Bond University, Light Rail Business Advisory Group, Top 100 Women in Construction and was a former member of the Gold Coast Music Advisory Group.

But his involvement in this almost ridiculous list was never about self-promotion or professional advancement, it was simply about seeing the Coast succeed.

In this growing city, it’s not always easy to make opinions meet … but Matt sure did try.

Like the time he organised the Palm Beach Peace Talk of 2020.

As I wrote at the time: “It sounds like a joke: a town planner, a pro-light rail journalist and two community activists walk into a Palm Beach restaurant …”

Maggie, Samantha, Oliver, Matthew and Louis Schneider at Schneider lunch at Southport Sharks, Parkwood. Pic: Regina King.

While our cross-table views on the light rail were never quite on the same track, every one of us at that lunch walked away feeling good not just about each other but about the Gold Coast.

“Not a cross word was spoken as the four of us, from opposite sides of the literal tracks, listened without prejudice and spoke with kindness, ultimately realising that we have one huge thing in common: love for our city.”

And it wasn’t only the issue of the light rail where he tried to find common ground, build open dialogue and create opportunities.

He worked towards strata title reform as a means of not only helping our housing crisis by accelerating urban renewal, but also addressing over-development in terms of stopping supersized towers from sprawling across city blocks.

As much as he loved the Sharks, it was the potential he could see for a stadium development on its Southport grounds, with all the sporting and music opportunities that could bring, which inspired him to become president of the club and try to bring that vision to life.

He wanted to see our town plan adapt to allow the creation of our ‘missing middle’, the duplexes and low-rise developments that can prevent our city from not only resembling Gotham, but a village where only the old and rich can afford to live.

Joshua Daley, Lauren Thompson and Matthew Schneider at YPGC Enteprenurs lunch at Miami Marketta. Pic: Regina King

It’s funny, that phrase: the missing middle. Because the middle is where he could always meet people.

As Nicolle Archer, activist and attendee of the Palm Beach Peace Talk, recalls: “The last time I saw Matt was at the Bulletin’s Future Gold Coast conference, where I’d accidentally interrupted a conversation with him and a business leader to say hello. With absolute diplomacy this business leader asked, ‘Where do you work with Matt?’

“‘With? I work against Matt,” I replied…and we all laughed. Regardless of our differences, Matt was a genuine friend and passionate about our city. For that, I am not just a critic, but a cheerleader.

City of Gold Coast director of city operations, and former director of economy, planning and environment, Alisha Swain, says planning was only one aspect of Matt’s passion for the Coast.

Alisha Swain and Matthew Schneider at the launch of Gold Coast Open House at The darling, Broadbeach. Picture: Regina King.

She says he saw buildings as just one thread in what he considered to be the fabric of the city.

“He wanted that fabric to be as rich as possible: sports, music, arts, food, transportation. It all mattered to him and he always tried to consider all perspectives and all eventualities. He had a strong moral compass and sense of social justice which guided him.

“So many people would whisper he was running for mayor, but he was never interested. He believed he could do more on the outside. And he did.

“He pulled everyone together, he was a connector, a communicator and a champion for the Gold Coast.”

I’ll miss Matt. I’ll miss the words of support he would send when I voiced contentious opinions, I’ll miss his insight and expertise, I’ll miss the example he set when dealing with any and every resident.

I’ll miss all the progress he would have continued to bring to our city.

But I’ll also remember to look around and appreciate what he built … not just for his own family, but for mine. For all of our families.

Matt may be gone, but his legacy is still here.

Everywhere.

Originally published as Ann Wason Moore shares the legacy of the late Matthew Schneider