Veteran city councillor allegedly busted speeding and drink driving

A long-serving Gold Coast City councillor has apologised after allegedly being caught speeding 24km over the speed limit, while drink driving.

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

Long-serving Gold Coast Councillor Peter Young has apologised to his colleagues and the public after allegedly being caught speeding and drink driving Friday night.

The veteran Nerang councillor was nabbed by cops at Burleigh Heads about 10pm on Friday while driving home on the Gold Coast Highway after attending the Astra Lumina exhibition at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Police earlier confirmed a 66-year-old Oxenford man was given a notice to appear and he was also given a speeding ticket for driving 84km/h in a 60km/h zone.

On Sunday Mr Young issued letters of apology, both to his colleagues and to the public, writing of his “extreme embarrassment” and asking for forgiveness.

“I realise that my position is one of some privilege and with that comes an extra burden of responsibility,” he wrote in his letter to the public.

“My decision to drive after I had consumed alcohol was a stupid one, and I regret that enormously.

“I apologise to anyone who has been a supporter and follower of my career as a public representative for damaging the trust that you might have in me.

“I will continue to perform my duties to the best of my ability, and I ask for your forgiveness.”

Councillor Peter Young. Picture: Glenn Campbell

In his letter to his council colleagues, Mr Young “apologised sincerely”.

“I humbly offer my sincere apologies to you all – I’m deeply aware of my obligation to be a model citizen and I have clearly failed in this incident,” he wrote.

“No doubt this focus will bring negativity upon all of council and that’s not deserved.”

In confirming the notice to appear earlier, police said: “It will be alleged the offence was detected when police pulled over the vehicle on the Gold Coast Highway at Burleigh Heads and the driver allegedly returned a positive roadside breath test.”

“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 earlier, 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.

Originally published as Veteran city councillor allegedly busted speeding and drink driving