Cyclone Jasper Approaches | GC Reddit 2023 Recap | Parkwood Surf Park Approved | $600m Sewage Upgrade | Top Honours For Local Tourism | King Charles III Coins Released and more!
Cyclone Jasper Approaches | GC Reddit 2023 Recap | Parkwood Surf Park Approved | $600m Sewage Upgrade | Top Honours For Local Tourism | King Charles III Coins Released and more!
Today’s newsletter is 1,493 words: 6 minute read.
Welcome to the first GC Minute of summer, December 7 (and our Editor’s birthday 🥳)!
🚨GC Community Alert: Queensland’s first tropical cyclone of the season is approaching our coastline, and it’s looking big.
Forecasting currently shows it missing the GC, despite predicting a direct hit days ago, so given how erratic these things are, stay updated with the Bureau of Meteorology here.
In today’s email
Surf Park Washup: Parkwood’s epic wave park approved by Council
Gold Coast Flushes Ahead: With a $600M sewage system revamp
Top Honours Awarded To Locals: In the State Tourism Awards
Trending: A sovereign citizen in the wild…
Around The Web (Snippets): The smallest, most expensive block in QLD just sold on the Gold Coast, Spotify’s most-streamed artist 2023, GC Titans get EV sponsored, King Charles III coming down under and heaps more!
Councillor’s Corner PLUS Councillor Candidates for 2024
Upcoming Events
GC Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Gold Coast Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Gold Coast's Groundbreaking Surf and Golf Resort Approved By Council
What’s Happening
The Gold Coast is set to make waves with its first-ever surf park as a part of a world-class integrated golf and surf village following receiving development approval from the Council for the $300m facility.
Why It Matters
It will be the Gold Coast’s first surf park and will also include an upgraded 18-hole golf course, as well as retail, entertainment, residential, hotel and dining facilities.
By the Numbers
The facility will include:
A 4-ha dual-zone surfing lagoon
The wave will offer up to a 26-second end-to-end barrelling six-foot ride
There will be a $10 million redevelopment of an existing 18-hole golf course
An addition of 225 residential apartments, a hotel, and various commercial spaces will be built
Local Impact
The bold vision required council approval to increase “the scale and intensity” of an existing approval for the site.
The development is expected to transform Parkwood into a premier sport and leisure hub, combining surfing, golf, and various entertainment options.
Forward Thrust
With a projected completion in early 2026, Parkwood Village aims to redefine the local Gold Coast experience with something not seen here before, merging the thrill of surfing with the tranquillity of golf with a premium facility.
What The People Say
Luke Altschwager, Managing Director of Parkwood Village, envisions a unique blend of sport and leisure, positioning Parkwood as the heart of the Gold Coast's sporting world.
Paul Chutter, President of Endless Surf, believes the facility will deliver a world-class surf experience that meets the high expectations of Gold Coast surfers and those worldwide.
What To Look For Next
As construction progresses, anticipate Parkwood Village's evolution into an essential destination for an area not commonly thought of as a tourist hotspot that will become known for offering a unique mix of sport, leisure, and a lifestyle we’re famous for.
2. Major $600 Million Sewage Upgrades Announced
What’s Happening
Gold Coast is set to receive a massive upgrade in sewage infrastructure, with a $600 million investment aimed at supporting the city's population, which will get close to doubling over the next 25 years.
Why It Matters
These upgrades are crucial for accommodating the city's expected population growth, particularly in the north, while reducing environmental impacts such as odour issues.
Zoom In
Planned upgrades Include:
Coombabah Sewage Treatment Plant: $160M upgrade, increasing capacity by 30%, serving an extra 140,000 people.
Coombabah Plant: $70M for biosolids management, $100M for new sedimentation tanks and processing technologies.
Pimpama Plant: $140M, doubling capacity with new treatment facilities.
Merrimac Plant: $140M, expanding to serve 90,000 additional people.
Elanora Plant: $77M, increasing capacity for the next 20 years.
An additional $6 million has been allocated just for odour control at Coombabah.
Local Impact
These upgrades will ensure efficient waste management for over 480,000 residents, vital for the city’s sustainable growth over the coming year.
Looking Into The Future
With contracts for these projects to be awarded between 2024 and 2028, the upgrades are a significant step in preparing the Gold Coast for its future infrastructural needs.
What The People Say
Mayor Tom Tate emphasised the importance of this infrastructure in planning for the city's future, highlighting its role in environmental sustainability.
What To Look For Next
Keep an eye on the progress of the contracts awarded over the next 1-2 years.
Undoubtedly, this planning ahead for such crucial infrastructure projects will be a breath of fresh air for the city.
3. Gold Coast Clinches Top Honours in Tourism
What’s Happening
In a triumphant week for the GC, the region garnered major accolades at Queensland's Tourism Week.
A significant achievement!
Why It Matters
These recognitions underscore the Gold Coast's vibrant contribution to Queensland's tourism, emphasising its diverse and premium tourist destination offerings.
Key Funding And Other Announcements
Year of Accessible Tourism extended into 2024.
Future Tourism Fund grows to $30 million.
New $10 million Building Bush Tourism Fund.
$4 million Accelerated Tourism Business Development Program.
Award Winners
Gold Coast's excellence shone with ten awards at the Queensland Tourism Industry Council Awards, including:
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Kokomo Cruises
Tamborine Mountain Distillery
Sea World Cruises
Sea World
QT Gold Coast
Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Gold Coast Aqua Park
ULTIQA Signature at Broadbeach
Additionally, accolades at the 2023 HM Awards were claimed by Avani Broadbeach Residences, The Langham, and more.
Local Impact
These awards reflect the Gold Coast's status as a premier destination, heralding diverse, high-quality tourism experiences operated by professionals in the industry.
What To Look For Next
With new additions like the Parkwood Wavepark, anticipate ongoing development in the Gold Coast's tourism sector on multiple fronts, promising to further elevate its reputation on both national and international stages.
4. Trending
Local wildling watching…
PLUS, Reddit Recap 2023 just dropped for the Gold Coast & Hinterland..
Click the pic below 👇
5. Around Web (Snippets)
The smallest, most expensive block of land in QLD just sold in Palm Beach: At 125sqm for $750,00, it was advertised as “affordable” entry into the beachside
Amazon To Own Cricket: Broadcasting rights in Australia to show ICC and World Cup for both men’s and women’s events on its Prime service
👑 Return Of The King: Charles the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Australia and His other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, and Queen Camilla are coming down under in 2024 on their first trip since 2018
The first electric vehicle sponsorship for an Australian sporting team: Has been secured by the Gold Coast Titans
Gold Coast airport multi-million dollar: Transformation enters the second and final phase of its $500m upgrade with an airport bar and lounge, expanded food offerings, retail stores including luxury goods and a children’s play area
Heritage Bank and People’s Choice unveiled: Their new name, People First Bank, as the largest customer-owned bank in the country, following their merger.
Canadian and Australian Royal Mints proudly introduced: The first King Charles III coins in each country this week
Spotify’s most-streamed artist of 2023 globally was: Taylor Swift, raking in more than 26.1 billion streams since January 1
Australia's first Moon rover: Prototype revealed that will take part in the ‘Moon to Mars’ Trailblazer program
751 Australian 7-Eleven Stores just sold: To Japanese retail conglomerate Seven & i Holdings
Titans NRLW captain Georgia Hale has created Gold Coast history: after being awarded the 2023 female Golden Boot on Wednesday
6. Councillors’ Corner
Div 2 | Helensvale, Hope Island, Sanctuary Cove | Cr William Owen-Jones
Div 14 | Kirra, Coolangatta, Currumbin, Elanora, Tugun +6 | Cr Gail O'Neill
Councillor CANDIDATES’ Corner
Introducing Div 7 For 2024 Local Elections | Joel McInnes
7. Upcoming Events
Merry Startmas: December 7, ‘sleigh’ the 2023 StartMas competition at Burleigh Heads Bowls Club
🎅Christmas in Broadbeach: December 9, the mall is transforming into a magical gingerbread village to celebrate the most wonderful time of year!
🎅Alicia Street Christmas Fair: December 9, starting at 4 pm, will have live music, food trucks, market stalls, games, activities, and Santa
🎅Northern Gold Coast Carols: December 10 from 6 pm, a free family event with pre-show entertainment, Santa, food vans, fireworks and more - Brien Harris Oval
Infliction Fight Series: December 10, an exhilarating experience of a big-stage fight at Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium
🎅Cooly Carols: December 10 from 5:30-7:30 pm oceanside in the iconic Queen Elizabeth Park
Giant Slide: December 11 from 9am-1 pm; come slide at the Broadwater Parklands
Colour Blast in Broadwater Parklands: December 12, a kids day of games, challenges and water fun at The Great Lawn
Agents of Discovery In Burleigh: December 14 at 9 am, learn about the dune vegetation, rock pools and beaches of beautiful Burleigh Heads at Justins Park