Veteran city councillor allegedly busted speeding and drink driving

A long-serving Gold Coast City councillor has been allegedly caught speeding 24km over the speed limit, while drink driving in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Councillor Peter Young with Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Glenn Campbell

A Gold Coast city councillor has been charged with drink-driving and speeding after an early morning police bust on the Glitter Strip.

Veteran councillor Peter Young was nabbed by cops at Burleigh Heads about 4am on Sunday.

Police confirmed a 66-year-old Oxenford man had been issued with a notice to appear for drink-driving.

He was also given a speeding ticket for driving 84km/h in a 60km/h zone.

“It will be alleged the offence was detected when police pulled over the vehicle on the Gold Coast Highway at Burleigh Heads shortly before 4am and the driver allegedly returned a positive roadside breath test,” a police spokesman said.

Councillor Peter Young. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“He was taken to Broadbeach police station and recorded a (blood alcohol) reading of 0.069 per cent.

“The man is expected to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on March 26.”

Contacted by the Sunday Mail for comment, Cr Young said he had made “a pretty stupid mistake” but said he would not say anything more until after he appeared in court.

The green-leaning Cr Young has served as a councillor for Nerang-centred Division 5 on and off for the past 25 years.

He first served 12 years from 2000 to 2012 before being re-elected in 2016 and again in 2020 and last year.