💰Extra Storm Assistance Announced | GC Big Bash Final | Burleigh Single Fin Fest | AirBnB Booking Cancellations | A Human Beat Tetris | Tesla Drivers Have The Highest Accident Rate and more!
Today’s newsletter is 1,167 words: 4.5 minute read.
Welcome to Thursday, January 4, 2024!
🚨Community Alert: The City of Gold Coast Disaster and Emergency Dashboard is up and running, which you can find here, and looks like the below👇
In today’s email
Additional Assistance Announced: For small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profits impacted by SEQ storms
Local Tourism Impacted: Lots of AirBnB cancellations
Big Bash Final To Come To The Gold Coast: If Brisbane Heat does well..
Trending: Energex workers
Around The Web (Snippets): The first human to beat Tetris, 11 GC suburbs break property records, Tesla drivers have the highest accident rate and more!
Councillor’s Corner
Local Legend Shoutout
Upcoming Events
GC Christmas Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Gold Coast Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Storm Relief for SEQ's Backbone
What’s Happening
The Australian and Queensland Governments have declared additional support for Queenslanders affected by the SEQ storms on Christmas night.
Why It Matters
Affected small businesses, primary producers, and not-for-profits in the City of Gold Coast, Scenic Rim Regional Council, and Logan City Council can now access Disaster Assistance and Essential Working Capital Loans for essential equipment repair and income loss recovery.
Additionally, primary producers can benefit from freight subsidies to reduce the costs associated with transporting stock and operating materials.
By the Numbers
There is up to $250,000 in Disaster Assistance Loans for businesses and producers
Essential Working Capital Loans of up to $100,000 to sustain operations.
Freight subsidies of up to $5,000 for primary producers have been announced to assist with the movement of stock, feed, machinery, fuel, water, and building or fencing materials.
Local Impact
With so many in the firing line of these recent natural disaster applications, the City of Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, and Logan City Council are crucial to this recovery effort for businesses and communities affected by these intense storms.
What The People Say
Federal Minister Murray Watt emphasises quick support for affected Queenslanders.
Small Business Minister Lance McCallum reassures locals, "The government has your back."
What To Look For Next
Keep an eye on the Government website here for continued updates on natural disaster assistance.
Insights from the SEQ Natural Disaster Business Survey will shape future strategies, which you can fill out here.
Share this with someone who might need assistance using the button below👇.
2. Gold Coast Tourism's Battle Against The Elements
What’s Happening
Gold Coast's and the surrounding area’s peak tourist season faces turmoil, with storms causing millions in losses, shuttering attractions, and slashing visitor bookings.
Why It Matters
The region's largest economic sector is under siege, profoundly affecting businesses and shaking the local economy if recovery efforts aren’t tended to quickly.
By the Numbers
One-third of Airbnb bookings were cancelled, reflecting wider revenue dips
At Cedar Creek, south-west of Ormeau, more than 300mm of rain had fallen in 24 hours
$200,000 lost by Tour Collective since Christmas alone
A 35% capacity reduction on some tourist vessels has occurred
Local Impact
Businesses confront a stark reality of closures and lost income, with the community reeling under power outages and infrastructure woes.
Forward Thrust
Government aid promises a lifeline, but the tourism sector's recovery will test its resilience and adaptability.
What The People Say
Anthony Ardern laments the lost "period of sunshine" for tourism.
Minister Lance McCallum pledges, "The government has your back."
What To Look For Next
Do what you can to support local businesses in these unprecedented times.
Holiday at home this year 🙌
3. Gold Coast Gears Up for Big Bash Final
What’s Happening
In an unprecedented move, the Gold Coast’s Carrara Stadium is poised to host the KFC Big Bash League Final if Brisbane Heat secures a top-three finish due to the Gabba's unavailability.
Why It Matters
This potential shift spotlights Carrara's growing stature as a premium sporting event go-to location and underscores the sport's adaptability and the significance of versatile venues.
The Numbers
8 BBL Matches: The Heat have played on the Gold Coast
20,135 Peak Spectators: Carrara's record crowd for a Heat match
29,155 Fans At The Heats Gabba Game Last Week: Their biggest since 2020
4 Season Wins So Far: Positioning Brisbane Heat as strong contenders
The Future
Brisbane, runners-up last summer, has won four matches with one no-result so far this season.
The odds are looking good that they’ll make the top three.
What To Watch
The top four teams at the end of the regular BBL season will secure a finals berth.
The top two teams will be rewarded with a double chance.
Friday, January 19: ‘The Qualifier - First-placed team v second-placed team
Saturday, January 20: ‘The Knockout’ - Third-placed team v fourth-placed team
Monday, January 22: ‘The Challenger’ – Loser of The Qualifier v winner of The Knockout
Wednesday, January 24: The Final – winner of The Qualifier v winner of The Knockout.
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
The first human to beat Tetris: Just happened this week, reaching level 157 of the classic video game nearly 40 years after its release
11 GC suburbs break records: For house prices across the City
Australian National Pony Racing: Moves to the Gold Coast this weekend
Tesla drivers have been found to have: The highest accident rate
Microsoft’s Copilot just became available to iPhone users: after the Android launch; which is the company’s generative AI app and is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Dall-E3 models for text and image generation
A Mega Cyber Security Operation: Known as Operation HAECHI IV, saw an international police effort spanning 34 countries that resulted in the arrest of nearly 3,500 suspects and the seizure of USD 300 million, targeting cyber-enabled financial crimes.
6. Councillors’ Corner
Div 5 | Gaven, Highland Park, Mount Nathan, Pacific Pines + 5 | Cr Peter Young
Div 10 | Broadbeach, Isle of Capri, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, The Spit +4 | Cr Darren Taylor
Councillor CANDIDATES’ Corner
Introducing Div 12 For 2024 Local Elections | Nick Marshall
7. Local Legend Shoutout
🤤 Shiraz Persian Restaurant: The GC’s #1 Persian Family Restaurant for over ten years, and the Traveller’s Choice restaurant for eight years running - Check it out
8. Upcoming Events
🏖️ Youth School Holiday Programs: free activities for young people aged 12 to 17; click here for the complete schedule
🐝 Guided Native Bee Walk: January 5 from 9 am-10 am; learn more about the bees at the Botanic Gardens
🏄♂️ The Burleigh Single Fin Festival: January 5-7, enjoy DJs, food, and epic giveaways all day at the Burleigh Point
🧘♂️ Yoga Lifestyle and Meditation Information Workshop: January 9 from 10 am-12, a free session about the Journey of Self-discovery, at the Nerang Library
🏀 Basketball Queensland U18 State Championships: January 10-14 at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre
🔬 Sandcastles and Science - Miami: January 11 from 9 am-10 am, learn about coastal erosion and keeping our beaches healthy at the Don McSween Park