🚄 Gold Coast Fast Rail Breakthrough: New Contract Sparks Hopes for 2032 Olympics Boost
Volume 111: Major sport centre upgrade | Katy Perry's cringeworthy act | Local Little Athletics National representatives and heaps more!
Today's newsletter is 1,393 words, a 6.5-minute read.
🌴 G’day GC, it’s Thursday again.
The beaches are back (or, at least 80% of them..) after last month’s weather, just in time for what’s looking like a warm Easter long weekend with plenty of waves.
Grab ya’ choccies and get to the beach for what will likely be the last gasp of summer.
In today's newsletter
One Big Thing: Hopes rise for completion of Gold Coast fast rail project
Young Gold Coast athletes take on: 2025 Little Athletics Nationals
Construction starts on major upgrade for: GC Sports Centre
Fifty Gold Coast clubs form pledge to help: Organisers of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Trending: Getting chicken in your chicken..
Around The Web (Snippets): Katy Perry’s cringeworthy act, Bay Islands to get part of $20 billion, Trump considers banning DeepSeek, The GC’s 275.5ha Greenheart and more
Upcoming Events
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🚨Public Holiday alert:
Friday, April 18 - Good Friday
Sunday, April 20 - Easter Sunday
Monday - April 21 - Easter Monday
Weekend Weather and Surf (pumping!)
Live Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Hopes rise for completion of fast rail project
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: An Olympic-sized upgrade is inching closer, with CPB Contractors and UGL—under the ActivUs Alliance—snagging the design and pre-construction contract for the Logan-Gold Coast Faster Rail.
Why It Matters: The long-anticipated rail revamp between Kuraby and Beenleigh is upping gears, with 20km of new dual-track infrastructure set to ease congestion and ramp up frequency on the Gold Coast-Brisbane commute.
With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon and local population growth on the rise, the new infrastructure will double the tracks and help future-proof the southeast’s busiest corridor.
By the Numbers
🚄 20km: Of new rail and systems are planned to be installed
🚉 4 tracks: Upgraded from 2, will help by allowing more express and all-stop services
🏟️ 2032: Is the deadline for the project, which aims to align with the Olympic and Paralympic Games
What They Said:
“The project would increase public transport capacity, improve accessibility, and deliver a more seamless, comfortable commute” said CIMIC Group executive chairman Juan Santamaría.
Local Impact: The project will double train capacity between Kuraby and Beenleigh, easing congestion and boosting connections to Brisbane and also improve local roads, walking paths, and cycling links ahead of the 2032 Olympics.
What to Look for Next: The full article, below👇
2. Young Gold Coast athletes take on the 2025 Little Athletics Nationals
What’s Happening: The next Cathy Freeman, Tatiana Grigorieva, or Gout Gout might just be hailing from the GC as the 2025 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships hit Adelaide this weekend.
Track Talk: Over 500 U13–U15 athletes will compete at SA Athletics Stadium on 26–27 April; including 20 top talents from Ashmore, Helensvale, Runaway Bay, and Mudgeeraba.
Now in its 60th year, Little Athletics is more than podium finishes—it’s about building confidence, resilience, and team spirit from the sandbox to the stadium.
By the Numbers
🏅 500+ young athletes nationally
👟 20 local GC representatives
🎉 60 years of Little Athletics history
Local Legends: The line-up to local contenders at this year’s event include👇
What to Look for Next: More information and images at the link below👇
3.
Major upgrade for Gold Coast sports centre
Construction has now started on a major upgrade at the Gold Coast Recreation Precinct at Tallebudgera.
The Weekly Dream Gig
This week – The City of Gold Coast is rebooting its IT support team and needs a Service Desk Support Officer who can troubleshoot faster than you can say “have you tried turning it off and on again?”
Paying $94,939–$101,377, with a 10-day fortnight and tech challenges as diverse as the city itself; you’ll be the first port of call for all things ICT—fixing hardware headaches, network niggles, and the classic “forgot my password” dramas.
If you're tech-savvy, calm under pressure, and love helping people behind the screen, it’s time to log in.
Apply by 10.30 pm Monday, April 21
4.
Tourist in my town: Hinze Dam
When you think of the Gold Coast, what comes to mind? Famous beaches, meter maids, theme parks, nightlife, traffic gridlock, endless summer, to name a few.
5. Gold Coast community clubs key to 2032 Games volunteers
What’s Happening: From Broadbeach Bulls to Kurrawa Surf Club, 50 Gold Coast community clubs have pledged their people power to help pull off the most decentralised Olympics ever.
What’s Happening: As the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games edge closer, organisers are calling on Queensland’s community clubs to rally the state’s largest volunteer base; just as they did so proudly and successfully in Sydney 2000.
Why It Matters: Volunteer numbers in Queensland have dropped 10% since 2020, and the Games will need friendly, well-trained faces across 11 regions—from the Gold Coast to Cairns.
By the Numbers
🏐 50+ Gold Coast clubs have opted to be involved
🧍 There are 41,500 volunteers currently in the club network
🏟️ 1,290 clubs are situated across Queensland alone
What They Said
🗣️ “Community clubs are the heart of Queensland—they’re ready to help the Games shine.” – Kelly Egan, Clubs Queensland
What to Look for Next: The full articles, below👇
6. Trending
Getting chicken in your chicken..
🕰️ In Case You Missed It - Last week’s newsletter
7. Around The Web (Snippets)
Formula 1 put on notice with: Genesis' LMDh Hypercar announcement set to take on Le Mans in 2026
Multiple complaints have been made against the ABC, including by the Australian War Memorial, after it: Admitted to editing footage to imply construction noise intentionally disrupted a Last Post ceremony — the second time in just months they’ve been caught including misleading audio
The Federal Coalition has announced a landmark: $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund, making the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, Coochiemudlo Island, and North Stradbroke Island eligible for vital regional investments.
Katy Perry and friends have been brutally: Mocked after cringeworthy acts following an 11-minute space mission
A toddler taken from a Gold Coast home over night has been: Found safe and well
The Trump administration is considering new: Restrictions on the Chinese AI lab DeepSeek that would limit it from buying Nvidia’s AI chips, and potentially bar Americans from accessing its AI services
This week, after 100 Years Of Searching, A Live: Colossal Squid Has Been Filmed For First Time👇
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🆓 Dig the dig? We’ve got rewards for sharing!
We’ve updated our referral program to make it easier to get a few little freebies👇
8. Upcoming Events 🐣
🎶 Hotel California – The Eagles Experience: April 17 from 7:30 pm; enjoy the timeless music of The Eagles performed by Hotel California at The Star Gold Coast
🎩 Easter in the Laneway: April 18–20; roving entertainment, live music, magic shows, and Easter Bunny visits bring Cavill Lane Surfers Paradise to life.
🥚 Sanctuary Cove Easter Eggstravaganza: April 20 from 10:00 am; pony rides, petting zoo, Easter egg hunt, and live entertainment at The Marine Village, Hope Island.
🎨 HOTA’s Mad Hatter Easter Bonnet Workshop & Parade: April 18–20; kids create whimsical bonnets and join a festive parade at HOTA, Bundall—crafty chaos with a touch of Wonderland.
🐰 Harbour Town Easter Fun: Until April 21; free family fun, meet the Easter Bunny, and scoop up sweet holiday deals at Harbour Town Premium Outlets, Biggera Waters.
🏉 NRL Round 7 – Titans vs Raiders: April 20 at 2:00 pm; the Titans host the Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium. A cracking Easter Sunday footy clash with Monday to recover!
🎬 Gold Coast Film Festival 2025: April 30 to May 11; amazing films, inspirational panels, outdoor screenings and special events at HOTA.
🗳️ Australia’s largest ever Federal Election: May 3; get ya’ votes in.