đ Fire ants found at Binna Burra
Volume 156: Urgent Gold Coast toddler fundraiser | AI actress releases new song (which could be the worst thing youâve ever heard) | DinoFest returns to Nerang for Easter and heaps more!
Gâday GC, and welcome back to another big weekly newsletter. Itâs March 12.
In today's newsletter
One Big Thing: Change coming from $10m council spend
Coomera Marine Precinctâs new: Marine training opportunities
Copper chap cops: Big charges in Pacific Pines
Around the web: Urgent Gold Coast toddler fundraiser | Fire ants found at Binna Burra | AI actress releases new song (which could be the worst thing youâve ever heard) | DinoFest returns to Nerang for Easter school holidays and heaps more
Trending: Canât park there mate.. (in Miami this morning)
Upcoming events
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1. One Big Thing: Change coming from $10m council spend
By Marshall Hall
Whatâs Happening: The City of Gold Coast has launched a multi-million dollar program to install female changerooms at community sporting clubs across the city.
Why It Matters: Female participation in sport on the Gold Coast has surged in recent years, exposing the lack of facilities designed for women and prompting the Council to modernise traditionally male-focused club infrastructure.
By the Numbers:
$10 million has been allocated to build modular female changerooms.
Almost 50% since 2021, is what female participation in local sport has grown by
Eight sporting clubs have been selected in Stage 1 across five sports.
Local Impact: The clubs receiving a modular changeroom as part of Stage 1 includeđ
Currumbin Eagles Rugby League Football Club
Coomera Crushers Rugby Union Club
Robina City Soccer Club
Palm Beach Soccer Club
Coomera Cutters Rugby League Club
Helensvale Hornets Rugby League Football Club
Tallebudgera Tigers Football Club
Helensvale Pacific Pines Hawkes Cricket Club.
Game On for 2032: With Brisbane and the broader regions set to host the 2032 Olympic Games, the Gold Coast is positioning its grassroots sporting infrastructure to match the growing momentum behind womenâs sport.
What The People Say: Mayor Tom Tate said construction on the new modular buildings would begin mid-year, featuring toilets, showers and change facilities for female competitors.
âFemale participation in sport is at an all-time high, growing on the Gold Coast by almost 50 per cent since 2021,â Cr Tate said.
âThis increase has highlighted a need to modernise sporting facilities beyond the traditional male-oriented design.â
What To Look For Next: The City assessed 18 team sports and identified AFL, football, rugby league, rugby union and cricket as those with the highest levels of growing female participation, with Council now looking to identify more sporting clubs that require dedicated female change rooms.
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2.
3. Copper chap cops charges
By Marshall Hall
Whatâs Happening: A Pacific Pines man has been accused of drug and theft offences after finding drugs and over 100kg of copper wiring in his home.
Why It Matters: Copper theft has quietly become a costly nuisance across Australia, targeting construction sites and infrastructure where the metalâs resale value makes it attractive to thieves.
With construction sites across the northern Gold Coast grappling with copper theft, project delays can drive up costs for builders and developers, and, of course, buyers.
By the Numbers:
A total of 162kg of copper wiring and electrical conduit was allegedly seized from the property.
1 man, aged 50, has been issued a notice to appear in court.
5 charges laid, including possessing and supplying dangerous drugs and unlawful possession of suspected stolen property.
Local Impact: During a search of the property, police also found methylamphetamine, drug utensils, including electronic scales with residue, and numerous used hypodermic syringes.
What The People Say: Police believe the copper wiring was stolen from a building site, and further inquiries are underway, including investigations linked to recent copper thefts across the district.
What To Look For Next: The man is scheduled to appear before the Southport Magistrates Court on 17 March 2026, as police continue probing copper thefts.
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4. Trending
5. Around The Web
Microsoftâs Xbox mode, is being pushed out to: Every kind of its Windows 11 PC, including laptops, desktops and tablets, in an attempt to convert the whole user base to gaming in same form
In case you havenât been paying attention, an AI job loss bloodbath has been: Hitting out across the western world in recent weeks, with another 1,600 jobs cut today by Australiaâs Atlassian (including the CTO)
Scientists accidentally discovered that: Common bumblebees can withstand flood conditions, which is a big deal considering that more than 80% of them nest in the ground
Given their links to law enforcement, many users are: Rethinking smart doorbells, with instructions like these for ditching Ringâs surveillance network in particular
Tilly Northwood, Particle6âs: AI-generated âactressâ, just put out a music video for called âTake the Leadâ, which some are saying is the worst song theyâve ever listened to..đ
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Last weekâs top-clicked link was đ
Weekly Dream Gig
This week - Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort is on the hunt for a Head of Digital Marketing & Sales in Coolangatta.
If you know your way around paid media, direct bookings, brand storytelling and digital strategy, this is your chance to help fill a coral cay with holidaymakers instead of just flogging another boring product online.
With SEEK filters putting it at $120,000.00+, and with resort perks, family discounts and the odd trip to Lady Elliot Island, itâs 100% this weekâs dream gig standout.
6. Upcoming Events
đ APP Conference 2026 â Thu 12 Mar to Sat 14 Mar, all day; the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach fills with one of the countryâs biggest pharmacy trade gatherings, bringing major exhibitors, workshops and industry networking to the coast for three busy days. Conference tickets.
đ CONSUMED â Thu 12 Mar, 10:30 amâ1 pm; HOTA in Surfers Paradise hosts the premiere of this bold new Shock Therapy Arts work, a sharp, strange and very Gold Coast way to kick off the weekend with something a bit left of centre. Theatre tickets.
đĽ Proving Grounds 8 â Fri 13 Mar, 5:30 pm; Southport Sharks turns into a loud, high-energy fight night as Eternal MMAâs rising prospects step into the cage for a stacked evening of local combat sport action. Fight tickets.
đ Queensland Jewel Raceday â Sat 14 Mar, all day; Aquis Park in Bundall goes full glamour mode with ten races and $2 million in prize money, making this one of the coastâs biggest sport-and-social days of the week. Race day details.
đĽ Eternal MMA 104 â Sat 14 Mar, 5:30 pm; Southport Sharks backs up with another huge combat sports card on Saturday night, where Australiaâs next wave of MMA talent gets its chance in front of a proper Gold Coast crowd. MMA event details.
đ Gold Coast Volleyslam â Sun 15 Mar, all day; Coolangatta Beach is the place for a big final-weekend hit of sand, sunshine and elite beach volleyball, with school, national and international competition all rolled into one iconic southern Gold Coast setting.
đ School Sport Australia Aquathlon and Triathlon â Tue 17 Mar to Fri 20 Mar, all day; the Gold Coast Performance Centre at Runaway Bay welcomes top school-aged athletes from around the country for four days of fast, hard-charging endurance sport by the water.
