🟢💡Coomera Connector + Exp. GC New Board Announced + Palm Beach Tram Options + Twitter's X and more!
Discover more from The GC Minute
🟢💡Coomera Connector + Exp. GC New Board Announced + Palm Beach Tram Options + Twitter's X and more!
Today’s newsletter is 883 words: 3.5 minute read.
Thursday, July 27.
Olllééé!!!
Sitting second on the table, the Matilda's continue their World Cup campaign TONIGHT at 8 pm against Nigeria.
Yeahh the girls!
In today’s email
Start Your Engines: The Coomera Connector bridge construction over the Coomera River is off and racing
All On Board at Experience GC: With the new Board Members announced
Brekky with the Mayor (and others): Palmy tram route options, the solid state of the GC budget and whether state/federal government will responsibly reallocate funds to the GC for 2026
Trending: $1.3b Coomera Public Hospital revealed
Around the Web (Snippets): Twitter = X, 'Verified humans', TikTok Challenges Twitter, Cooly’s Griffith Street Mega Facelift and more
Live Gold Coast Housing Prices
GC weekend weather and surf:
1. One Big Thing: The M2’s Final Path Declared
Gearing Up
The Australian State Government has officially declared the final path of Gold Coast’s new ‘M2’ motorway, a.k.a; the Coomera Connector.
This strategic six-lane route will span 42km between Nerang and Logan, promising to alleviate the M1 congestion by rerouting approximately 60,000 cars daily.
Zoom In
The Coomera Connector project progresses rapidly with the Maeve Anne, a 48-metre piling barge, now on site at the Coomera River.
Travelling from Murrarie docks in Brisbane, this unique construction equipment will aid in building the nearly one-kilometre Coomera River bridge, a part of Stage 1 North.
Zoom out
The M2 begins its course at Nerang-Broadbeach Road, weaves through Helensvale, Coomera, Pimpama, Ormeau, Stapylton, and Eagleby, and ends at the Logan and Pacific Motorway interchanges.
This north-south conduit will play an essential role in addressing the transport needs of burgeoning Gold Coast communities, a much-needed solution for a region witnessing heavy traffic flow and rapid population growth.
What the People Say
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey emphasised the project's importance, intending to reduce travel time and provide better work-life balance for the region's inhabitants.
The plan dubbed a future state-controlled road, has been in public planning documents since the 1990s.
It promises increased options for local traffic and improved river crossings while streamlining local trips on the M1.
The Road Ahead
Even though the route's blueprint is ready, much groundwork remains.
The Palaszczuk Government has pledged $5 million for transport planning studies, with local community members being integral to the project's future stages. Consultations, both in-person and online, will allow residents to provide feedback.
These insights will inform the master plan, dictating the project’s preferred option and staging.
The final construction timeline is dependent on future traffic growth and funding availability.
2. Experience GC’s New Board
Gold Coast Gets Experienced
In a progressive move, the Council has appointed a formidable board for the City’s newest super-entity, Experience Gold Coast.
This initiative marks a significant step towards a more integrated Gold Coast.
Top-Notch Talent for a Top-Notch City
Out of 100+ expressions of interest, a selection of high-calibre individuals was chosen to drive visitation growth and economic investment.
As Mayor Tom Tate affirmed, this passionate team reflects the dynamic vision for the Gold Coast's future.
Savings In Paradise
Merging HOTA, Destination Gold Coast, Major Events Gold Coast, Study Gold Coast, and Placemakers will generate an estimated annual saving of $6.8 million.
These savings will fuel further investment into tourism, events, arts, and education through Experience Gold Coast.
All Together Now
The merger seeks to bolster collaboration and alignment, enhancing the Gold Coast's global standing.
An additional $1.5 million community arts fund will support arts and culture in the City, underscoring our commitment to cultural programming.
See who made the cut, below.
Chairperson:
The Hon Rob Borbidge AO – former Premier of Queensland, former member for Surfers Paradise, Chair of Study Gold Coast, Chairman of Life Flight, Senior Advisor for Govstrat Pty Ltd.
Directors:
Jackie Cross – Major Events Gold Coast board of directors, Director Cross Promotions International
Louise Bezzina - Artistic Director Brisbane Festival and former CEO and Artistic Director of Bleached Arts Ltd (Placemakers).
Clark Kirby –Destination Gold Coast and Major Events Gold Coast Board of Directors Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Village Roadshow Group.
The Hon Kate Jones – former Minister for State Development, Tourism & Innovation, Executive Director for Tech Council of Australia, Independent Commissioner on the Australian Rugby League Commission.
Adam Twemlow – Destination Gold Coast board of directors, Partner in Charge KPMG Enterprise division in Queensland, New South Wales & Victoria.
Danielle McFall-Weiss - HOTA Board of directors, Queensland Ballet Board of directors, Arts Manager.
Rebecca Frizelle OAM - former Chief Operating Officer Frizelle Sunshine Automotive, Co-owner Gold Coast Titans. Destination Gold Coast board of directors
2032 and Beyond
Mayor Tate emphasised the City's relentless drive to seize every opportunity as we set our sights on 2032 (and hopefully 2026) and beyond.
The Experience Gold Coast initiative seems to be a perfect thing to keep this great City on its evolution as Australia’s sixth largest.
3. Brekky With The Mayor, and others, on the Southern GC
The GC’s Budget
At the post-budget release breakfast just this morning, luminaries such as Mayor Tom Tate and Councillor Gail Oneill deliberated on our City's trajectory.
The budget, the key drawcard of the meet, is undoubtedly in excellent order at present.
This is an epic result for the Gold Coast, and full credit to Tom Tate and the team.
On trams
It was clear that the Palm Bech residents do have some options… And they are to confirm whether they want a tram stop in Palm Beach or not.
Outside of these questions, the project is full steam ahead with Federal, State and Local funding.
The 2026 Games
Tate's quip about Victoria's rising taxes ironically fuelling Gold Coast's tourism surge underscored yet another reminder of the state of despair the incumbent Dan Andrews is leaving for his successor.
It is yet to be seen if State and Federal governing bodies will responsibly reallocate 2026 Commonwealth Games funding to the Gold Coast, which they should, given it is the honest thing to do for a ready-to-go City and its people wanting them.
Infrastructure On the Fast Lane, Not the Memory Lane
Councilor Gail O'Neill highlighted localised initiatives, spotlighting infrastructure revamps at Kirra Hill and a mega facelift on Cooly’s Griffith Street.
Her insights painted an optimistic, future-ready picture of the Southern Gold Coast in particular.
Off-Leash, Out-of-Pocket
A noteworthy legislative update, enacted last Tuesday, is set to impose steeper fines for unleashed dogs in public areas - a nod to our community's commitment to safety and regulation.
In essence, the gathering signalled an assertive local government fully capable of steering the Gold Coast towards a prosperous future that is safe for all.
4. Trending this week on the GC
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Tweet No More: Twitter is now X, who just took over the @x handle without warning or compensation to the previous owner
GCB goes bust: With Gold Coast projects that were on the go
$4 million facelift: For Griffith Street in Cooly kicks off
'Verified human': People around the world are getting their eyeballs scanned in exchange for a digital ID and the promise of free cryptocurrency
ASIC on Greenwashing: Seeking penalties against behemoth Vanguard. Will this happen to companies that blackwash?
TikTok Challenges Twitter: TikTok launches text-only posts to rival Elon Musk's Twitter
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