Gold Coast council election 2020: Long-serving councillor will not run at March election

A long-serving Gold Coast councillor has suddenly quit the race for city hall in a major shake-up just two months out from the election.

A LONG-serving Gold Coast councillor has suddenly quit the race for city hall in a major shake-up just two months out from the election.

Broadbeach councillor Paul Taylor told the Gold Coast Bulletin this morning he would not contest the March 28 poll.

Cr Taylor, who was first elected in 2012 said he had received medical advice in the “past 48 hours” which meant he would not be in a position to run for another four-year term.

Councillor Paul Taylor. Photo: Jerad Williams

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“This decision has only been made in the past 48 hours and it comes on doctor’s advice,” he said.

“You don’t know what could happen in the next four years and I am not getting any younger.”

Cr Taylor thanked his supporters and said he was proud of his years of service.

“I feel like I have done my bit - we have kept rates down, the Commonwealth Games have been paid for and things have improved in Broadbeach,” he said.

“We have got the Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club upgraded, the roundabouts were fixed and I feel like I have done as much as I can.”

It comes just a day after Coolangatta councillor Gail O’Neill announced she would contest another term in office.