Long-serving former Gold Coast councillor Paul Taylor dies

City leaders have been paying tribute to former councillor Paul Taylor, who has passed away surrounded by family after a long illness.

Former long-serving Gold Coast councillor Paul Taylor, 80, has passed away. Photo: Jerad Williams

Former long-serving Gold Coast councillor Paul Taylor, 80, has died.

Mr Taylor, the father of incumbent Surfers Paradise councillor Darren Taylor passed away surrounded by family after a long illness.

His son posted a loving tribute to his father.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my dad, Paul Taylor,” he wrote.

“After several years of illness and many stays in hospital, this time he wasn’t able to bounce back. He passed peacefully, surrounded by family.”

Paul Taylor with his son Darren.

Mr Taylor, who was heavily involved in the surf lifesaving movement for decades, represented Broadbeach on the council for eight years, serving from 2012-20 when he retired.

Well-liked by his colleagues, the pro-development councillor became famous for his often-uttered exclamation “we’re building a city here” during debates.

Darren Taylor said his father’s mark was “woven into our city’s very fabric”.

“Dad was a man who truly loved this small part of the world we are privileged to call home,” he said

“As the former councillor, he wasn’t just involved, he shaped so much of what makes our part of the world so special. From the grassroots at Broadbeach Soccer Club to the surf culture of Kurrawa Surf Club, his mark is woven into our city’s very fabric.”

Paul Taylor with Mayor Tom Tate at his final Gold Coast City Council meeting before the 2020 election. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Dad, Paul, Cr Taylor, however and what capacity you knew him, was a good bloke, a joker, a family man, always ready to give his right arm to help someone out.

“He will be missed deeply by many.”

Mayor Tom Tate remembered his friend as someone who had left a strong legacy.

“Paul gave great service to his community including eight years on council as Chair of Water and Waste,” he said.

“He was an incredibly strong man, never afraid to make hard decisions that he knew were in the city’s interests.

Councillor Paul Taylor pictured when the 2016-2020 Gold Coast City Council were sworn. Photo: Jerad Williams

“As a successful businessman Paul employed hundreds of people over the years and was renowned for innovation and fairness in business.

“Through all that he continued to serve the city and his beloved Broadbeach on the Committee of the Kurrawa Surf Club where he will be long remembered.

“Family was Paul’s greatest legacy and my deepest sympathies go to Yvonne, Darren and the entire Taylor family.

“They can be proud of their father’s amazing contribution and achievements.”

Acting Mayor Mark Hammel paid tribute to the late councillor at a press conference on Monday, describing him as a rare breed of politician driven by passion rather than profit.

“Paul Taylor was very pragmatic and very blunt,” Mr Hammel said.

He said he had come to know Mr Taylor well through working with his son Darren.

He said Mr Taylor represented a diminishing group of politicians who were “not doing it for a pay cheque”.

“Paul represents a group of politicians that we don’t see as often anymore, who came from a long, big business background, who were doing it not for a pay cheque, but were doing it for their passion for the city,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel passed on his condolences to the Taylor family at a press conference Monday. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“We saw that recently with Bill Laver – it represented a different time in politics on the Gold Coast when some really big people put a lot of effort in for the city and gave so much.”

The acting mayor said Taylor’s willingness to make tough decisions set him apart.

“He was known as a politician with a spine – he wasn’t afraid to make the hard decisions,” Mr Hammel said.

“He was always happy to give advice, but he was also really happy to listen and give guidance to young councillors as well, and he’ll be truly missed for that.

“Paul Taylor was a really, really genuine, authentic Gold Coaster, who had a great passion for the city and made a big contribution in his business life and his council life.

“I’m passing my sincere thoughts to the entire Taylor family.”

Originally published as Long-serving former Gold Coast councillor Paul Taylor dies