Surfers poll shock as candidate pulls out

Leading council candidate Karen Philips has been forced to pull out of the election race.

HIGH-profile council candidate Karen Phillips, who has been contesting the new super division of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, has pulled out due to a family illness.

Ms Phillips, the Gold Coast Citizen of the Year 2018 and an experienced marketing businesswoman, was considered one of the favourites to win the division which will produce a new councillor after the retirement of veteran councillors Gary Baildon (Surfers) and Paul Taylor (Broadbeach).

Karen Phillips has pulled out of the race for Division 10. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Her decision leaves Councllor Taylor’s son Darren Taylor and Surfers Paradise marketing identity Mike Winlaw as the two most high profile contenders.

“It is with a heavy heart that I have made the difficult decision not to contest the upcoming council election. I have reassessed my current priorities based on my father suffering a stroke on Saturday,” Ms Phillips said.

The Bulletin understands Ms Phillips’ priority will be to care for her father and help other members of her family as he embarks on a recovery.

“The opportunity to hear from so many locals over these past weeks as to their key issues and vision for the Gold Coast has been a very humbling experience,” she said.

“I would like to thank my wonderful supporters and the many locals who have come forward. I wish all the candidates well for the upcoming election.

“I will continue as I have for the past 26 years to support our female led enterprises and serve our Gold Coast community.”

Darren Taylor and his father, Councillor Paul Taylor. Darren is running for council.

Mr Taylor said he was continuing to doorknock residents in the suburbs behind the Glitter Strip and talk to community groups, aware there were “individual and dynamic suburbs” with unique challenges.

“The thriving communities within these areas each need energy, passion and forward planning.

My division now includes longstanding entertainment precincts, business hubs, waterfront

communities and family neighbourhoods” Mr Taylor said.

“Each suburb is different in their own way. Each faces its own community challenges.”

His father, Cr Paul Taylor, had held the Broadbeach division for two terms but a month ago decided to retire due ill health.

Mr Winlaw has indicated he would spend $30,000 out of his own pocket to contest the division.

Mike Winlaw on the Gold Coast. Picture: Tertius Pickard

After heading the Surfers Paradise Alliance for nine years, Mr Winlaw said the division needed leadership to change Surfers Paradise and fix areas, including around the Paradise Centre which he said had become “an absolute eyesore”.