🔥 El Niño Affirmed | Dreamworld's Disneyland Upgrade | Rental Levies | AI Fools Humans | Compulsory Spy Catching Classes and more!
🔥 El Niño Affirmed | Dreamworld's Disneyland Upgrade | Rental Levies | AI Fools Humans | Compulsory Spy Catching Classes and more!
Today’s newsletter is 1,129 words: 4.5 minute read.
Happy Thursday!
A scorcher in our seaside city 🔥
And, a massive welcome to the (almost) 500 new subscribers who joined The Gold Coast Minute this week.
We’re stoked you’re here 🙌
📚 Need A Read? Wander back a few decades on the East Coast with Bob McTavish
In today’s email
El Niño Affirmed: A harsh summer ahead officially announced
Dreamworld’s Disneyland Upgrade: A $50 million investment
Victorian Rental Levies: Coming soon to the Gold Coast?
Trending: AI fooling humans en masse, again
Around The Web (Snippets): Spring school holiday activity program, QLD drone delivery expansion, compulsory spy catcher school, Apple’s patent to ID your movement and more!
Local Legend Shoutouts: 🏺Temple Clay Pottery Studio
A NEW section: Councillor’s Corner
Upcoming events
GC Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Gold Coast Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: El Niño Affirmed And A Harsh Summer Ahead
What’s Happening?
The Bureau of Meteorology this week has warned that the coinciding El Niño and positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events signal an alarming summer forecast for Australia and the east coast.
What is an El Nino and IOD anyway..?
El Niño is the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, leading to various global weather and climate effects, including altered rainfall patterns, storms, and temperature changes.
A Positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) occurs when the western Indian Ocean becomes warmer than the eastern part, often leading to drought conditions in Australia and increased rainfall in East Africa.
Why It Matters
Their combined impact can increase the chance of below-average rainfall over much of the continent and higher temperatures across the southern two-thirds of the country.
In short, we’re looking at potential water shortages and extreme fire risks.
Zoom In
El Niño events occur every 3-7 years and can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.
An El Niño usually starts to develop in the Southern Hemisphere in autumn and winter, matures in late spring to early summer and then weakens in autumn of the following year.
You often see:
Temperature Increases
Rainfall Decline
Extreme Fire Danger
Water Restrictions
Job Losses (like the early end to the ski season..)
Historical Perspective
The last simultaneous occurrence of these phenomena was in 2015, which led to bushfires and droughts across Australia.
Around two-thirds of Australia's driest years on record were during El Niño.
What The People Say
Bureau Senior Climatologist Catherine Ganter said the Indian Ocean Dipole could have as significant an influence on Australia's rainfall and temperature as El Niño.
Dr Karl Braganza from the Bureau emphasises that significant changes in weather conditions compared to the last three years are coming for us this summer.
What To Look For Next
While these systems are part of a natural climate cycle that affects global weather and occurs on average every three to five years, regardless, the summer ahead is going to be a scorcher.
2. Dreamworld’s $50 Million Expansion Bet to Rival Disneyland
What’s Happening?
Gold Coast's iconic theme park, Dreamworld, is gearing up for a monumental expansion.
Why It Matters
This isn't just a face-lift; it's an evolution to convert Dreamworld into an all-inclusive landmark tourist destination that’s a shot at a Disneyland-like adventure venue.
Zoom In
The $50 million investment will do much more than add thrill rides.
With a keen eye on data, Ardent Leisure anticipates a 20% growth in employment levels over two years that will see:
A mega expansion from 55.3ha to 85ha
Investment of $50 million over the next 18 months
Additionally, the expansion will develop four unique precincts that include high-density residential areas, function centres, theatres, and even retirement facilities.
The Big Picture
With an aim to boost visitor patronage by 30%, a transformation of this scale could redefine the northern Gold Coast as a blend of urban living and high-octane tourism, leveraging significant, long-term investment opportunities for the city
What the People Say
The buzz is cautiously optimistic yet palpable.
"This will strengthen the tourism industry within the northern Gold Coast," says a city report.
"The proposal supports the vision of a world-class city," it adds.
What To Look For Next
Keep an eye out for local council decisions as the key determining point in mega expansions on this scale.
Either way, with a $50 million investment on the line and a prospective 30% increase in visitor numbers, Dreamworld's reinvention could be the shot in the arm that Gold Coast's international tourism economy has been waiting for after some long Covid years.
3. Victoria's Short-Term Rental Game Changer
What’s Happening?
Victoria turns heads by introducing a 7.5% levy on short-term rentals, the first in Australia.
Why It Matters
It's not just a small change but a precedent-setting move aimed at social housing and market dynamics.
Zoom In
The levy is expected to raise $70 million annually to fund social housing projects
A special rate of 7.5% has been set
Will be part of a broad housing reform package
Other states like Queensland (and the Gold Coast) express interest in doing the same to combat short-term holiday rental saturation
The tourism industry is super concerned, citing a 21% drop in regional tourism spending in May compared to last year
The Big Picture
It’s a fine line between social good and market stress, potentially influencing state policies around Australia.
There’s obviously a crisis, but moves like this can crush broader markets, so it’s yet to be seen how such a hefty levy will impact markets.
What the People Say
Not all are thrilled.
Critics argue it gives hotels a "free kick."
"A rate this high could have a negative impact," says Airbnb Australia and New Zealand's head of public policy
Municipal Association of Victoria voices concerns over not being consulted
What To Look For Next
Keep an eye out for reactions from other states and how this might impact short-term rentals in tourist-heavy regions.
There’s a desperate need to fix the housing situation, but this move doesn’t seem like an overly thought-out solution.
4. Trending
AI fooled heaps of humans on the internet this week, again..
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
GC Spring School Holiday Activity Program: Is in full swing and has heaps on
Controversial QLD Drone Delivery: System to continue statewide expansion
X (aka Twitter) Paywall: On the cards for all platform users to combat bots
A Historic Fine: For NRLs Redcliffe Dolphins in first-ever anti-tampering breach
Local Surf Etiquette Program: Named Good Surfer launched by GCCC and WSR
Australian Regulator Sues Crypto: Exchange Kraken for heaps of failures
Footy Finals: Our QLD cousins are still in with Broncos and Lions this weekend
YouTube Demonetises: Russell Brand’s channel over recent allegations
Who’s The Spy?: Top unis in China introduce some ominous compulsory learning
In-ear Movement ID: Apple files patent for headphones to track/identify people by their movement
Local Legend Shoutout
🏺Temple Clay: A new and very cool little pottery studio just opened up down the south end of the Gold Coast after months of hard work in setting up!
Councillors’ Corner
Div 14 | Cooly to Currumbin | Cr. Gail O’Neill:
Div 2 | Helensvale and surrounds | Cr. William Owen-Jones:
Upcoming Events
The NBL Blitz 23 Is Back: 16-22 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
The 23rd Annual: Gold Coast Rose Show on September 23
World Title Boxing Blockbuster: October 15, Tim Tszyu is back for more
GC 500 Supercars: 27-29 October with tickets and details here
Shop Local and Win Competition: With $5,000 worth of prizes each month from September to November 2023 with Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3.
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Ts and Cs
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