Gold Coast council elections 2020: Coolangatta councillor Gail O’Neill reveals her future plans

A senior Gold Coast councillor has revealed her future plans just two months out from this year’s local government elections.

GAIL O’Neill has announced her future plans just two months out from the council elections - She will again stand in the city’s most southern division.

The Division 14 councillor, who was immediately promoted in her first term as deputy chair of a committee, will seek a second term after today confirming she would contest the March 28 local poll.

Gail O’Neill represents the Coast’s most southern suburbs.

Cr O’Neill admitted her focus in the first term had been on getting the balance right between lifestyle and progress as the southern Coast faced a development wave.

“It has been a privilege to represent the residents of Division 14 over the past four years,” she said.

“Residents and ratepayers deserve good leadership and a representative with the experience and importantly the tenacity to ensure the southern Gold Coast is not overlooked in council’s future planning and infrastructure development.

“It is incredibly important to be transparent and have a balanced view, especially with any

development or redevelopment for our city.”

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Councillor Gail O'Neill at the council chambers. Pic by Richard Gosling.

Cr O’Neill said she believed her best achievements in the first term included the construction of the Tugun to Bilinga Oceanway, which had proven to be one of the city’s best

assets.

She said the commencement of the Coolangatta Kirra Masterplan would provide a safer suburb focus.

The southern Coast campaign is tipped to be lively with community leader and outspoken council critic Gloria Baker putting her hand up to contest the division.

The former Friends of Currumbin secretary and Tugun Progress Association leader in her campaign so far has focused on the likely impact of light rail and opposed huge apartment towers at Kirra.

Key election issues will include whether light or heavy rail is continued to the airport, and how to retain greener lifestyle closer to the border away from the Glitter Strip.