💸 Council splashes $100m+ to snap up tower
Volume 116: GC locals charged with daylight robbery | Internet finds out what paprika actually is.. | Light Rail Stage 3 powers ahead | Fighting dementia at Pratten Park | Beer Fest turns 15 and more
Happy Thursday and welcome back to the GC Minute, it’s May 22!
Today's newsletter is 1,498 words, a 7-minute read.
In today's newsletter
One Big Thing: Council splashes $100+m to snap up tower
The GC’s rocket company, Gilmour has: Halted rocket launch
Check out Mudgeeraba’s new: Indie romance hub
This weekend’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show: Boat safety focus
Trending: Punting while driving on the M1 😶
Around The Web (Snippets): GC residents charged over daylight robbery, the internet finds out what paprika actually is and blows minds, a humpback whale nursery discovered and heaps more!
Upcoming Events
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Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Council splashes $100m+ to snap up tower
What’s Happening: The City of Gold Coast has splashed over $100 million on the 17-storey Corporate Centre One in Bundall, the highest price ever paid for an office tower on the Coast.
Why It Matters: While Southport holds the “CBD” label, Bundall is fast becoming Council’s true power base, with this strategic land grab set to future-proof operations and deliver long-term returns.
By The Numbers:
$117 million: Record office tower price paid by Council
2.26 hectares: Is the land acquired across multiple titles
$32.5 million: Was paid for the Waterside East and Waterside West buildings by Council at Holden Place for $32.5 million in August 2012
37 tenants: Are currently present, including CBA, KPMG and Findex
Local Impact: Already owning key neighbouring buildings, Council is now Bundall’s biggest landlord, unlocking new civic and commercial potential in the area.
From canals to council capital: Once known for car yards and canals, Bundall is now shaping up as the city’s operational heartland.
What The People Say
“This is a fantastic outcome… delivering strong financial returns.” — Mayor Tom Tate
“A forward-thinking investment that positions the Gold Coast for prosperity.” — Will Hodgman, Invest Gold Coast board chairman
What To Look For Next: The full article below.
In partnership with Earth Beer Company.. The Golden Hour Giveaway 🍯
Rumour has it that the first batch almost sold out over the weekend, so go in the draw for a chance to win of the GC Minute’s five cases while you can!
Here’s how to enter the Golden Hour Giveaway:
💌 Be subscribed to our free weekly newsletter (must-have to win!)
✅ Follow The GC Minute + Earth Beer Company on Instagram AND Facebook
📲 Share this post to your story and tag us — help spread the buzz
👯 Tag a mate who makes everything taste better — 1 tag = 1 entry
👌 Bonus +1pt if you’re a paid subscriber to the GC Minute Premium.
🎉 Winners drawn Thursday, May 29, entries close May 28
[Paid partnership with Earth Beer Company]
2. Gilmour halts Australian-first rocket launch
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: Helensvale’s Gilmour Space Technologies has postponed the maiden launch of its Eris rocket from Bowen Orbital Spaceport after a “pre-launch anomaly” triggered a safety abort.
Why It Matters: This was set to be the first Australian-built rocket to reach space, and while the mission might be paused for now, it’s a reminder that rocket science doesn’t always run to schedule.
By The Numbers:
34 tonnes: The launch weight of Eris — equivalent to 17 cars
7-storeys high: Is the height of the three-stage rocket
10 years: This rocket has been in development since Gilmour was founded in 2015
Local Impact: The payload fairing, the part that triggered the fault, is being replaced with a new one built at Gilmour’s Gold Coast facility, showing how crucial our region is to this national mission.
Rocket Science Is Hard: A minor electrical fault stopped the launch pre-fuelling, exactly what the tests are designed to catch.
What The People Say
“Our team and rocket are both fine.” said Adam Gilmour, CEO. “Safety is our highest priority.”
What To Look For Next: A revised launch window will be announced once a resolution is confirmed.
Weekly Dream Gig
This week: Surf the digital wave with Boardriders who is on the hunt for a Head of Digital to steer the ship across eCommerce, marketplaces, and iconic brands like Billabong, Quiksilver, and Roxy.
Paying an epic $200,000.00+ (according to Seek filters), if you live and breathe digital strategy, data, UX, and growth, this Burleigh-based role is your pipeline to leadership, lifestyle, and legendary surf perks.
Bring your A-game (and maybe your board) – this full-time gig offers generous discounts, flexible culture, and the chance to leave your mark on a multi-brand empire.
3. Mudgeeraba’s new indie romance hub
By Courtney Mulder
What’s Happening: A moody, romantic new bookshop has opened its doors in Mudgeeraba, Ivy and Ink, and is the brainchild of local author and online sensation Melinda Terranova, offering a curated escape into the world of indie romance fiction.
Why It Matters: It’s the Gold Coast’s first bricks-and-mortar bookshop dedicated to independent romance authors, giving rising literary voices a rare chance to be seen on actual shelves.
By The Numbers:
1st: Dedicated indie romance bookshop on the Gold Coast
5 days: Open Tuesday to Saturday for browsing and bookish vibes
10k: Followers across socials, already drawing readers from Brisbane to Toowoomba
Local Impact: Nestled in historic Mudgeeraba, Ivy and Ink is helping put the village on the literary map, and boosting foot traffic for nearby local favourites like Globe Trotters café.
What The People Say
“There’s something magical about finding a book that resonates deeply with a reader,” says Melinda.
“I knew Mudgeeraba would be the perfect location and the community has been so welcoming.”
What To Look For Next: Keep an eye on their socials for signings, story nights, and cosy literary events.
4.
Boating safety in focus at Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is stepping up efforts to educate boaters about new lifejacket rules at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, which runs from Thursday 22 May to Sunday 25 May 2025.
5. Trending
⏮️ In Case You Missed It - Last week’s newsletter
6. Around The Web (Snippets)
Wait, paprika’s made from what? The internet just found out and it’s blowing minds
Boxes full of Nazi propaganda have been: Discovered in the basement of Argentina’s Supreme Court
Coinbase said this week that at least: 69,461 customers had personal and financial information stolen during a months-long data breach
The Trump administration said this week that it’s: Beginning the process of selling deep-sea mining leases after a request from startup Impossible Metals
Check out this video showing Light Rail Stage Three: Powering ahead👇
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7. Upcoming Events
🏃♂️ OCR 100m World Series by YOHKA: May 23–25 from 8 am onwards; the world's fastest obstacle race and team challenges at Kurrawa Beach, featuring the 100m Obstacle Sprint and the team-based Pursuit
🐢 World Turtle Day: May 23 from 10 am to 11 am; a guided walk at the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens to discover the resident turtles and their role in healthy waterways
🎤 DOLLY - I Will Always Love You: May 24 at 8 pm; a dazzling tribute to Dolly Parton, featuring Brooke McMullen's powerhouse vocals and all the hits like “Jolene” and “9 to 5” at The Star Gold Coast
🤝 Australia Friendship Day: May 24 from 10 am onwards; celebrate unity and diversity with music, dance, food, and cultural activities at Broadwater Parklands, Southport
🏃🏼♀️ Women Only Adventure Race: May 25 from 9 am onwards; a 4-hour adventure race involving running, mountain biking, and kayaking with a teammate, all fitness levels welcome
🎶 Seventh Wonder Performs Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and the Hits: May 25 from 3 pm onwards; a tribute to Fleetwood Mac's iconic album "Rumours" and other hits, performed by Seventh Wonder at Wallaby Hotel
📊 Gold Coast Export Growth Forum: May 29 at 11 am; gain insights on global tariff updates and strategies to grow your export business at this informative forum at Level 78, Q1, 3003 Surfers Paradise Boulevard
Community Contributor - Thought for the week
[Sponsored supplied]
You’re arguing, so whose right, whose wrong?
We know there are two sides to every story, but did you know, in fact, there are always three?
Yours, the other, and the truth. One or other, mostly neither are anywhere near valid reality!
Truth deals with 4+ dimensions, our argument deals with 1, mostly ‘effects’.
So, pause momentarily, use this interlude to ‘turn in’ and listen silently.
Emotions rage and distort, breathe them away.
Then ask yourself; what’s back of this?
What else are you observing?
One day, you’ll see more than appearances, and thus, the journey of true relations begins.
How much accommodation could Council have built or bought for this $117M
What happened to the Councils core responsibility of roads, rates and rubbish?
$100 million extra to be paid for by rate payers, who weren’t asked about this purchase, at a time when we have homeless people living in cars and tents, says a lot about the priorities of this Council.