Matt Schneider
‘Be kind; but be fierce’: Vale Matthew Schneider
Matthew Schneider adhered to the basic tenet of “be kind; but be fierce” every day of his life.
It was a motto he would use to sign off with on his regular health updates, a beacon of strength and hope which helped the 39-year-old persevere during his valiant fight against stage 4 bowel cancer.
The devoted father of three from Tamborine Mountain and the Gold Coast director of the consultancy business Urbis is survived by his wife Samantha and three children Maggie, Oliver and Louis.
Throughout his career, Matt was heavily involved in the Gold Coast community; he had enough roles to fulfill an entire lifetime.
In addition to serving as the Director of Urbis Gold Coast, Matt was the director of Placemakers Gold Coast, Southport Sharks president, executive member of the City Heart Task Force, fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia.
He also had board positions at Griffith University, Study Gold Coast, Bond University, Light Rail Business Advisory Group, Top 100 Women in Construction, and Gold Coast Music Advisory Group boards.
Matt was also heavily involved with the Property Council, as the Deputy Chair and then Chair of the Gold Coast Committee. He was so appreciated by the Committee that they broke their own rules just to keep him around longer than the term limit.
His love and impact on the Gold Coast were apparent to all that met him. Enough so that The Gold Coast Bulletin called him “one of the city’s favourite sons”.
City planning was a key passion for Matt and his vision for the Gold Coast, taking a collaborative, common ground approach to his work. Matt also had a keen interest in promoting sport, arts, music and community in the beachside city.
Property Council Executive Director Jen Williams worked alongside Matt during his time engaging with the Property Council and remembered him as a strong advocate for the industry and his city.
“I had the great pleasure of working with Matt through most of my time at the Property Council,” she said.
“My first meeting with him was back in 2012 when he was a senior planner with Cardno HRP.
“He bent over backwards to help me write a comprehensive submission on the then Bligh Government’s Queensland Coastal Plan (subsequently overturned- thanks Matt!).
“Over a decade on and as Director of Urbis, he helped out the Queensland team with countless submissions, event topics, moderating gigs, government meetings and general support for all that we do.
“He joined the Gold Coast Committee in 2015 and quickly rose to became Deputy Chair the following term (2017-2019).
“His reign as Chair of the Gold Coast Committee was meant to extend from 2019-2021, however the Queensland Division Council broke its own rules around two-year terms for committee chairs, to allow Matt an extra term in this important leadership role.
“A strong, tactful, energetic and knowledgeable advocate for the industry and his city, he did a stellar job rallying the local industry and ensuring the voice of developers was heard.
“Sadly, the last six months as Chair of the Committee were overshadowed by his health battles, that he has now sadly succumbed to.
“The Property Council and the Queensland property industry are grateful for the enduring, positive legacy Matt has left. He will be sorely missed.
“We extend our heartful sympathies to his family, friends and the whole Urbis team.”
An outpouring of grief has been felt by those who were familiar with Matt.
In a statement, Urbis said Matt demonstrated great courage and determination since his cancer diagnosis in May 2022.
“His strength and optimism was so infectious that you did genuinely think that if anyone could beat this illness, Matt could. But sadly, Matt’s health deteriorated in recent weeks. We will all miss him more than words can express,” the company said.
“He was not just our co-worker but a loyal, passionate and supportive friend, particularly to his team, clients, and community in Queensland.”
Columnist at the Gold Coast Bulletin, Ann Wason Moore, said his loss is a “gut punch for the Gold Coast”.
“Matt ‘Mr Everywhere’ Schneider knew everybody and was connected to everything … but somehow made everyone feel like someone,” she said.
“Matt may be gone, but his legacy is still here. Everywhere.”