TAYLOR BUNNAG FOR DIVISION 8
YAROOMBA local Taylor Bunnag who was born and raised on the Sunshine Coast will be running in Division 8 for the Sunshine Coast Regional Council Elections to be held this March.
The 32-year-old has had a career so far as an industrial lawyer where he has been advocating for workers in the manufacturing industry. Taylor currently sits on the Queensland Work Health and Safety Board and previously worked as a health lawyer at Maurice Blackburn.
A lifelong surfer, Taylor lives in Yaroomba with his wife Gabi and their 18-month-old daughter, and Taylor knows the area well having grown up in Coolum on Centenary Heights Road and attending school in Coolum, Yandina and then Nambour High, where he graduated as School Captain.
Taylor is crediting lifestyle, liveability, nature, and community-mindedness as his key drivers for taking up the challenge of running for Council.
“I’m motivated to do this because when I go down to the beach with my family or take the dogs for a walk, I reflect on my upbringing on the Sunshine Coast and want my daughter and future generations like her to have the chance to enjoy the same opportunities I did.”
Taylor also believes that he has the right business background for the job.
“With my strong experience negotiating and solving complex problems with small business, multinational companies and governments on behalf of workers, I have the right mix of experience, local knowledge and values to help make good decisions for our region.”
And Taylor has literally hit the ground running since making his announcement by getting out and talking to the community.
“I’ve been fortunate enough over the last month to spend a lot of time doorknocking locally and hearing what the priorities of the community are.
“Listening has always been a key aspect of my role as a lawyer, and it’s something that I think representatives at all levels of government need to do more of.”
One of the big items within Division 8 has been development and Taylor is committed to being on the side of standing up against inappropriate development.
“My priority is endorsing a planning scheme that reflects community expectations and is in keeping with the established character of our area. This means rejecting inappropriate high-rise developments and urban sprawl onto floodplains. I have consistently advocated for this approach for well over a decade, which included being a community reference group member for the first Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme.”
Mr Bunnag is also very aware of how hard many are doing it right now with the cost of living and believes Council can actively help.
“Straight up I believe the five per cent early rates payment discount should be reintroduced and that we should be getting better value for money from services like a kerbside clean-up and yearly tip vouchers.”
Division 8 will be vacant with current Councillor Jason O’Pray running for Mayor and Taylor believes that he is the right candidate to take on the job.
“Ultimately, there are some terrific candidates emerging in Division 8 who each bring different qualities. However, I believe I’m the best candidate for our area at this election because we need a unifying local representative with backbone. My commitment to you is that I won’t forget where I came from, and I’ll always be on your side.”
Hi Taylor,
It was a pleasure to meet with you this morning.
Thank you for taking the time to talk with us about Duporth Avenue and how we have tried for 4 years to get something done about the speeding cars along this road.
Our community and the many locals who cross this dangerous road daily will be encouraged to hear that we have someone who actually may be able to help us.
We believe you will be awesome in your new role if you are voted in.
We wish you all the very best and hope you are successful.
Angela Levendis
Waves Maroochy River – Manager