🚭 Illegal GC tobacco sellers hitting back after crackdown
Volume 145: QLD's $20,000 mud crab fine | Local international bestselling authors | ChatGPT's Adobe apps | Brisbane 2032's newsest Board member and heaps more
G’day GC, and welcome back to another Thursday.
It’s December 11.
In today's newsletter
One Big Thing: Illegal tobacco sellers hitting back after coast crackdown
Home-grown Gold Coast authors that are: International best sellers
Superhero company tackles: Titans sponsorship head-on
Trending: eBike crackdown memes
Around the web: Brisbane 2032’s new Board member, ChatGPT now uses Adobe apps to edit your photos for free, QLD’s $20k mudcrab, HOTA to host world disco premiere and heaps more
Upcoming events:
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1. One Big Thing: Illegal tobacco sellers hitting back after crackdown
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: The Gold Coast’s retailers of illegally imported cigarettes and vapes appear to be moving their businesses online after a crackdown that forced local stores across the city to shut their doors.
Why It Matters: In the biggest crackdown so far, Queensland Health carried out the nation’s largest coordinated vape raids over 10 days, known as Operation Major, forcing the closure of nearly 150 stores throughout the state.
By the Numbers
19 Gold Coast stores were closed, which sold packets of cigarettes for as low as $12 as opposed to $40 at legal retailers.
148 stores hit with three-month closures across Queensland.
11.8 million cigarettes and 87,000 vapes were seized.
1.7 tonnes of loose tobacco were confiscated
There is an estimated $8 billion lost annually in federal tax revenue from the illegal tobacco trade.
Local Impact: The Gold Coast is in the spotlight as a frontline battleground, with banned products still slipping through the cracks, and dodgy dealers now using QR codes outside pubs and clubs to skirt the law.
What The People Say: Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls is gloating over the success of the big crackdown.
“They can’t fill orders if the warehouses have been emptied,” Mr Nicholls said.
Mr Nicholls thanked Queensland Health’s public health units for the success of Operation Major.
“The Crisafulli Government’s tough new tobacco and vaping laws are undoing Labor’s decade of decline, during which criminals were allowed to set up these illegal operations in towns across the state,” Mr Nicholls said.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the Queensland Health blitz, which had been supported by the police, had targeted organised crime syndicates behind trade.
“The efforts of both agencies have led to a significant disruption in the state’s illegal vape and tobacco black market after the Commonwealth failed to keep pace,’’ Mr Purdie said.
What To Look For Next: The full article below.
2.
A year defined by Gold Coast authors
The Gold Coast is known for its beaches, tourism, nightlife, and fun. But below the surface there is a thriving creative writing scene, with many of our home-grown authors becoming international best sellers.
3. Superhero company tackles Titans sponsorship head on
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening: Despite battles for the wooden spoon, the Gold Coast Titans have scored a sponsorship win, partnering with Village Roadshow Theme Parks (VRTP).
Why It Matters: The company behind Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild and Top Golf has agreed to sponsor the struggling rugby league club, with the deal including continued support for the fan-favourite Superhero Round at Cbus Super Stadium.
By the Numbers
The new VRTP deal will run until the end of the 2027 season.
Titans have been in a wooden spoon battle for the last four years.
The partnership includes branding across both NRL and NRLW jerseys.
Local Impact: For the Gold Coast, this deal cements a community-first approach from two of its biggest brands, given the Superhero Rounds to player appearances, the partnership adds genuine value for locals and visitors alike.
What The People Say: Gold Coast Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said the club was very excited to be extending its relationship with one of the region’s most iconic entertainment brands.
“Village Roadshow Theme Parks have been long-term premier partners of the club, and we’re delighted that this relationship now extends through to the 2027 season,” he said.
“They help us create memorable experiences for our members and fans - whether it’s Superhero Round, full team appearances or our Christmas celebrations - they share our commitment to making the Gold Coast a vibrant and connected community.
What To Look For Next: More at the full article below, and, hopefully a Titans finals appearance in 2026.
Recent newsletters
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
Qantas jets off to the land of the long white cloud
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After five years of absence, Qantas has announced the return of international flights from the Gold Coast, with direct flights to Auckland set for take-off in June next year.
You can now share live video with: Emergency services on an Android device
ChatGPT can now use Adobe apps to: Edit your photos and PDFs for free
Netflix is buying: Warner Brothers, which is apparently bad news for cinema lovers
Police have charged a teenage boy following: Investigations into two armed robberies at Paradise Point and Underwood
Smash science with this: Clever new formula now predicts exactly how many pieces, big or small, something will shatter into. From rockfalls to rogue vases, it could help us stay one step ahead when things go crack.
A single dose to cut cow burps by 75%? Meet: NZ’s Ruminant BioTech, which says moo-ve over methane, they’re ready to launch by 2026.
Weekly Dream Gig
This week: eCom Capital is on the hunt for an Operations Director who makes chaos disappear and performance sing.
Based in Bundall (remote-friendly), this $170,000.00k–$220,000.00 role is about owning outcomes by syncing marketing, sales, product, finance and client success into one clear operating rhythm, fast, clean, and sharp.
You’ll cut churn, tighten delivery, remove blockers, and drive serious scale. If you’ve run ops at speed before, and know how to keep a business laser-focused while it scales globally, this one’s got your name on it.
6. Upcoming Events
🎄 Carols on the Lawn at Sanctuary Cove: December 11 from 5 pm onwards; a relaxed outdoor carols night on The Lawn at Sanctuary Cove, featuring live performances, roving entertainment and family-friendly Christmas cheer. carols
🎨 Perspecta - Land. Sea. River. Home: December 11 to 22; a compelling group exhibition uniting four distinct artistic voices in conversation with place, perception and environment at Studio 8 Currumbin
🎧 Not So Silent Night: December 12 from 6 to 11:30 pm; a high-energy Christmas-themed late-night party at The Star Gold Coast in Broadbeach, with DJs, dancing and festive club vibes for 18+
💡 Public Menorah Lighting: December 14 from 6 pm onwards; celebrate the first night of Chanukah 2025 at Broadwater Parklands
🦩 The Pink Flamingo Circus Fun House: December 13 at 10 am; aerial stunts, breathtaking acrobatics, and side-splitting comedy and more at The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub
