An Electric Engine In A Tank | Lucent Globe Wins and Loses | Richard Marles To Become Prime Minister? | Referendum Historic Facts | Arundel Hills Country Club Fight and more!
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An Electric Engine In A Tank | Lucent Globe Wins and Loses | Richard Marles To Become Prime Minister? | Referendum Historic Facts | Arundel Hills Country Club Fight and more!
Today’s newsletter is 1994 words: 12 minute read.
Happy Thursday, 19 October!
🎬 What To Watch: Rev up for a Ford vs. Holden documentary hitting cinemas today
In today’s email
Arundel Hills Country Club: A fight between developers and keeping green space
The Voice Of The Australian People: A brief history of referendum results and Richard Marles, the 32nd Prime Minister of Australia?
Locals Lucent Globe: Kicking goals and copping heavy reviews along the way
Trending: The Australian Cricket Team being unAustralian
Around The Web (Snippets): The Army put an electric engine in a tank, a local GC company wins Queensland exporter of the year, Microsoft buys Call Of Duty for $69b, ABC found guilty of culture war mentality, a mega work-from-home study and more!
Councillor’s Corner
Upcoming Events
GC Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Gold Coast Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Arundel Hills Fight Between Development and Green Space
What's Happening?
The defunct 67-hectare Arundel Hills Country Club has become a significant focus point in a fight between developers and local residents.
Why It Matters
In the middle of a housing crisis, such a big parcel of land represents a significant opportunity.
However, there's more at stake than just putting roofs over heads.
Zoom In
According to the UDIA (Urban Development Institute of Australia), southeast Queensland has a "massive shortfall of residential land," their analysis suggests that nearly 40,000 hectares are needed over the next 20 years to keep pace.
Their analysis of the current Palaszczuk state government plan shows it would add just 875 hectares of greenfield land for residential use.
Conversely, the Arundel Hills Community Association believes this space is irreplaceable, stressing, "Once our green spaces are gone, they're gone."
The Big Picture
While appearing to want to build up versus out, the state government is focused on curbing urban sprawl, balancing green space preservation and the dire need for housing.
What the People Say
Jason Young, president of the Arundel Hills Community Association, argues for "a balance between development and green space."
Developer Dale Carroll believes the land can house 1,200 people, stating, "It's an extension of what's already there."
Steven Miles, Queensland's Deputy Premier, insists that urban sprawl isn't a sustainable solution.
What To Look For Next
The public had until 17 October 2023 to submit for or against the development (suggested plan above).
The outcome, yet to be seen, could set the tempo for the great Australian way of life in the southeast corner to be reshaped here on the sunny Gold Coast where, once upon a time, 800sqm. blocks were the norm, and everybody lived the dream.
2. Canberran Tone-Deafness Loud And Clear In Voice Referendum Results
What's Happening?
Last weekend, Australians voted in a referendum that asked whether indigenous people should have special access to the government by establishing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
Why It Matters
Barely an hour into counting, all six states delivered a resounding and decisive 'No' to the Voice to Parliament referendum, leaving the government in a state of political vertigo.
The only state or territory to vote yes, and at such a rate it should be considered an anomaly, was Canberra, highlighting the stark disconnect between Canberra and all states throughout the country.
This result now sets the stage for a rumble in the Labor ranks and likely a new political era with suggestions that Richard Marles could take Anthony Albanese’s top spot.
Zoom In
With 20% of votes still to be counted, the current totals are sitting at approximately 61% ‘No’ votes versus 39% ‘Yes’ votes.
Final results are predicted to reach 65% ‘No’ votes to just 35% in the ‘Yes’ camp, which would see the referendum sitting as the fifth largest failing referendum in the nation’s history (see full list of results at the bottom of the article).
The Big Picture
With slurs and insults flying in all directions from all sides, this was perhaps the single most divisive referendum inflicted upon the Australian people.
But, this time around, the nation’s voice resulted in an explicit rejection of Canberra’s referendum by voting convincingly that under no circumstances should people be given special privileges based on racial differences.
If anything, the referendum only highlighted that the country’s most successful campaign (back in 1967, see table below) was to vote in favour of increased recognition of indigenous peoples.
What the People Say
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, widely seen as the front-running candidate to emerge when Anthony Albanese eventually steps down over his role in the campaign, humbly admits, "The Australian people always get it right."
Opposition's Michaelia Cash calls out Anthony Albanese for pushing Australians into a divisive and costly year-long ordeal.
Marles' words of embracing "Indigenous people who are hurting" offer a glimmer of future policy orientation.
What To Look For Next
Landslide majorities tend to tip themselves towards the right and honest decision based on the changes presented and put forward in question.
As Australia looks to mend and come together as a nation after such an ordeal, will Marles lead the new charge?
It will undoubtedly become the elephant in the room if it isn’t already.
The complete list of referendum results from the most unsuccessful to the most successful:
Rights and Freedoms (1988): 30.79% - Aimed to extend rights like trial by jury and freedom of religion.
Parliamentary Terms (1988): 32.92% - Proposed 4-year terms for both Houses.
Local Government (1988): 33.62% - Sought to recognise local government in the Constitution.
Incomes (1973): 34.42% - Wanted to give the Commonwealth the power to legislate on incomes.
*2023 Voice referendum may land here*
Marketing (1937): 36.26% - To give Commonwealth power over marketing.
Fair Elections (1988): 37.60% - Aimed to ensure fair parliamentary elections.
Preamble (1999): 39.34% - To insert a preamble into the Constitution.
Legislative Powers (1911): 39.42% - To the extend Commonwealth's powers over various areas.
Monopolies (1911): 39.89% - To give power to the Commonwealth to nationalise monopolies.
Parliament (1967): 40.25% - Sought to increase the number of Members in the House without increasing Senators.
Rent and Prices (1948): 40.66% - Sought permanent power for the Commonwealth to control rents and prices.
Essential Services (1926): 42.80% - To allow measures against the interruption of essential services.
Industry and Commerce (1926): 43.50% - To control terms and conditions of industrial employment.
Prices (1973): 43.81% - Wanted Commonwealth to control prices.
Republic (1999): 45.13% - To establish Australia as a republic.
Post-war Reconstruction and Democratic Rights (1944): 45.99% - Sought power for various matters, including national health.
Local Government Bodies (1974): 46.85% - To give Commonwealth powers to assist local government bodies.
Interchange of Powers (1984): 47.06% - To enable the interchange of powers between Commonwealth and States.
Democratic Elections (1974): 47.20% - To make population the basis for determining electorate size.
Mode of Altering the Constitution (1974): 47.99% - To change the way the Constitution could be altered.
Simultaneous Elections (1974): 48.30% - To hold elections for both Houses on the same day.
Nationalisation of Monopolies (1919): 48.64% - To give Commonwealth laws for monopolies.
Finance (1910): 49.04% - To implement a fixed payment system from Commonwealth to States.
Railway Disputes (1913): 49.13% - Concerned the Commonwealth's power over railway disputes.
Corporations (1913): 49.33% - To give Commonwealth power over corporations.
Industrial Matters (1913): 49.33% - Sought Commonwealth power over industrial matters.
Nationalisation of Monopolies (1913): 49.33% - To give Commonwealth power over monopolies.
Trade and Commerce (1913): 49.38% - To give Commonwealth power over trade and commerce.
Powers to Deal with Communists and Communism (1951): 49.44% - To legislate in respect of communists and communism.
Legislative Powers (1919): 49.65% - To extend Commonwealth legislative powers.
Trusts (1913): 49.78% - To give Commonwealth power to deal with trusts.
Industrial Employment (1946): 50.30% - To legislate industrial employment terms and conditions.
Organised Marketing of Primary Products (1946): 50.57% - To allow laws for the organised marketing of primary products.
Terms of Senators (1984): 50.64% - To change the terms of Senators.
Aviation (1937): 53.56% - To give Commonwealth power over air navigation and aircraft.
Social Services (1946): 54.39% - To legislate on a wide range of social services.
State Debts (1910): 54.95% - To give the Commonwealth power to take over State debts.
Simultaneous Elections (1977): 62.22% - To ensure Senate elections are held at the same time as House elections.
Senate Casual Vacancies (1977): 73.32% - To fill Senate vacancies with same-party members.
State Debts (1928): 74.30% - To end per capita payments and introduce loan council.
Referendums – Territories (1977): 77.72% - To allow Territories to vote in referendums.
Retirement of Judges (1977): 80.10% - To provide for retiring ages for federal judges.
Senate Elections (1906): 82.65% - To enable concurrent elections for both Houses.
Aboriginal Recognition (1967): 90.77% - To enable laws for Aboriginal people and remove the prohibition against counting them in population.
3. Local Soap Opera: Lucent Globe's Eco-Friendly Sheets Wins And Cons
What’s Happening?
The Gold Coast startup Lucent Globe, founded by twins Brodie and Roger Cook, offers eco-friendly detergent sheets that seem to clean up the market but not your dishes.
Why It Matters
It's a dirty issue: cleaning up the planet but leaving your dishes grimy.
Zoom In
Scaled to 4,000 orders a week from a humble garage start.
The sheets are plant-based, biodegradable, and plastic-free.
Lucent Globe was criticised in the lead-up to the 2023 Shonky Awards.
CHOICE recently declared that Lucent Globe's Ultra Concentrated Dishwashing Detergent Sheets are as effective as "plain water" with a score of just 12%.
The startup, which avoids plastic waste and targets eco-conscious Aussies, has already swapped out more than 40,000 plastic bottles, illustrating the public's appetite for sustainable choices.
The Big Picture
While many applaud the venture's eco-credentials, efficacy seems to have been washed out in the rinse cycle.
If you're keen on a green clean, you might have to wait for the next formula.
What the People Say
Brodie Cook believes in "zero-compromise" on quality when helping the planet, but customers might question the efficacy.
"Our focus is to leverage the power of eco-friendly compositions," says Roger Cook.
"Plain water is also pretty much free," snarks CHOICE..
What To Look For Next
Lucent Globe isn't down the drain just yet.
It is charging ahead with new research and development funds so that the brothers can aim to make their product more effective than ever.
4. Trending
Controversy in the cricketing world this week..
5. Around Web (Snippets)
Gold Coast Company Wins QLD Exporter: Of the year with soft serve giant Frosty Boy taking top honours
Robina’s First Build-to-rent Project: Gets the green light for US Sentinel Real Estate Corp. to start building 300 new units
The Australian Army: Put an electric engine in a tank
$69b Call Of Duty: Maker Activision Blizzard takeover by Microsft completed
ABC Found Guility: Of culture war mentality with Jo Puccini shamed by Federal Court judge for her behaviour
After 10 Years, The ATO Will: Finally release an improved website, making it easier for you to self‑serve and access information
Work From Home Mega Study: Completed in the US with some pretty incredible findings (i.e. an average $51 a day cost to get to and from work with food)
Billion-dollar Hit To State Revenues: After Victorian EV tax struck down
Councillors’ Corner
Div 11 | Robina and Varsity | Cr Hermann Vorster:
Div 3 | Coomera and Wongawallan | Cr Donna Gates (Deputy Mayor):
Upcoming Events
2023 Gold Coast City Leaders Forum: 20 October at the Gold Coast Convention Centre
Groundwater Country Music Festival: 20-22 October with Aussie country legends like Lee Kernaghan, Casey Barnes and more at Kurrawa Park
Gold Coast Car Show: 21-22 October at the Mudgeeraba Showgrounds
GC Sunds AFLW: 21 October at 4:05 pm in a must-win round 8 match
Marine Careers Open Day: 21 October at Gold Coast Marine Precinct, Waterway Drive, Coomera
GC 500 Supercars: 27-29 October with tickets and details here
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