Gold Coast City Council election 2020: Two high-profile candidates announce they will contest Surfers Paradise division

Two leading tourism and marketing identities have put their hand up for the new Gold Coast City Council super division covering Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

TWO leading tourism and marketing identities have put their hand up for the new council super division covering Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw, in an exclusive interview earlier today which will appear in The Bulletin tomorrow, reveals his reasons for standing in Division 10.

Mike Winlaw on the Gold Coast. Picture: Tertius Pickard.

Gold Coast Citizen of the Year Karen Phillips late today put her hand up for the division. Her interview will also appear in tomorrow’s paper.

Former mayor Gary Baildon who represents Surfers Paradise is retiring, and in a shock move, veteran Broadbeach councillor Paul Taylor late this week pulled out of the March 28 local government election race for medical reasons.

“It is time for a new voice, one that will be dedicated to listening and serving local residents and present their issues to council,” Ms Phillips said.

“I’ve proudly been dedicated to serving our city in a variety of roles and now with both division councillors announcing their retirement, it provides an opening to step up and contribute in an even bigger way and run for council.”

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Public relations Guru Karen Phillips announcing she will run for Division 10 super seat for Gold Coast City Council. Picture Glenn Hampson

After 26 years as a business owner, Ms Phillips said she understood the “heartbeat of our city”.

Mr Winlaw, the Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO, said he believed “the ball had been dropped” in many areas during the past term. He is promising to address problems with real solutions.

“It’s about looking after jobs, it’s about making sure we’ve got continued business growth,” he said.

“It’s been one of my frustrations that I haven’t had the opportunity to influence a number of things people are concerned about.

“They can be lower order things, like the number of bike accidents, electric bikes on the foreshore, or it can be major things, like the redevelopment of the Paradise Centre and the stalemate that’s going on.”