🚂 QLDs $30m Rail Revival | Surfing's $1 Trillion Mental Health Benefit | Ron Howard's Eden | The World's Oldest Whisky Just Found and more!
🚂 QLDs $30m Rail Revival | Surfing's $1 Trillion Mental Health Benefit | Ron Howard's Eden | The World's Oldest Whisky Just Found and more!
Today’s newsletter is 1037 words: 4 minute read.
Thursday is back, and it’s November 23!
🎧 Listen Up: 100 years ago today, it's 8 pm, a button is pushed, the red light comes on, and radio begins for the first time ever in Australia.
In today’s email
Queensland’s Rail Revival: A $30 million leap to make it great again
A $ trillion market benefit: Found by Griffi
Ron Howard Brings Eden: And jobs to the Gold Coast
Trending: Big Clive Palmer’s big housing problem
Around The Web (Snippets): The world’s biggest Lego store, the oldest ever whisky just found, Sam Altman (ChatGPT guy) fired and rehired, GC beekeepers need help and more!
Councillor’s Corner
Upcoming Events
GC Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Gold Coast Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Queensland's Rail Revival And A $30M Leap Forward
A New Era for Local Train Manufacturing
Queensland's rail industry receives a significant $30 million boost, promising local advancements.
What’s Happening?
Hyundai Rotem invests $30M in Queensland, focusing on train manufacturing.
New facility to produce train car components, previously imported.
Creation of 20 new jobs in Maryborough, strengthening the local economy.
Why It Matters
This initiative is a major step in revitalising Queensland's local manufacturing and job market.
Zoom In
The Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP) to generate 800 jobs aims to produce 65 six-car passenger trains for the SEQ network.
Crucial for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, aligning with the Cross River Rail and Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail projects.
The Big Picture
This development signifies a strategic shift towards enhancing Queensland's industrial capabilities and long-term economic growth.
What the People Say
Minister Mark Bailey emphasises skill development and economic benefits.
Hyundai Rotem's investment underlines Queensland's growing industrial strength.
What To Look For Next
First QTMP train completion by 2026, operational for Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
Ongoing infrastructure upgrades, shaping a more connected Queensland.
2. Catching the Economic Wave: Surfing's Billion-Dollar Break
Surfing: A Mental Health Goldmine
A Griffith University study unveils surfing's significant global economic impact through mental health benefits.
What’s Happening?
Research led by Griffith University on Australia's Gold Coast has shown that surfing contributes about US$1 trillion a year to the global economy, by improving the mental health of surfers.
Why It Matters
Surfing’s economic ripple goes beyond recreation, playing a crucial role in enhancing mental well-being and productivity.
Zoom In
Surfing contributes around US$1 trillion globally per year.
Gold Coast reaps US$1.0–3.3 billion annually from surfing-related mental health benefits.
Surfing's mental health advantages outstrip direct expenditure by surfers 4.4–13.5 times.
Mental health improvements from surfing form 57–74% of its total economic impact.
Influences property values and tourism significantly.
It affects lifestyle choices, leading to broader economic shifts.
The Big Picture
While many of us love it here, it turns out that surfing's role in the economy extends to a bunch of other things like shaping work preferences and residential decisions and further driving local economic growth.
What the People Say
Professor Buckley highlights surfing's efficacy in reducing workplace stress.
The study emphasises the economic imperative of preserving coastal ecosystems for activities like surfing.
What To Look For Next
Detailed local economic impact studies and long-term effect analyses.
Heightened political support for coastal conservation, driven by surfing’s proven economic and mental health benefits.
3. Ron Howard's Eden On The GC
Hollywood on the Horizon: Ron Howard's Queensland Encore
Ron Howard starts filming "Eden," boosting Queensland's burgeoning film industry.
What’s Happening?
"Eden," featuring stars like Jude Law, begins production.
Supported by Screen Queensland and the Federal Government.
Part of a surge in productions on Queensland's picturesque shores.
Why It Matters
This high-profile project underscores Queensland's magnetic appeal to the global film community.
Zoom In
"Eden" to inject an estimated $26.5 million into the local economy.
The project is expected to create over 300 jobs.
Queensland's Production Attraction Strategy has generated $2 billion and 20,000 jobs since 2015.
The Big Picture
Queensland's strategic approach to film production is transforming its economic landscape, offering significant employment opportunities.
What the People Say
Ron Howard commends the creativity of Queensland's film community.
Annastacia Palaszczuk highlights Queensland's status as a top filmmaking destination.
What To Look For Next
The opening of the $12.6 million Screen Queensland Studios in Cairns.
Continued growth in local and international film projects, further boosting employment and economic development.
Queensland's Cinematic Highlights
Reflecting on Queensland's film successes, notable productions include "Thor: Ragnarok," "Aquaman," "Godzilla vs Kong," and "Elvis," all of which have showcased the region's versatility and appeal as a prime filming location.
4. Trending
5. Around Web (Snippets)
A decline in schoolies: Is now a problem for local businesses instead of schoolies being a problem..
The world’s oldest Scotch whisky was just found: In Blair Castle
NaturallyGC program is on the hunt: For suggestions for more nature-based recreation opportunities
Businesses are spending big: On digital advertising, with the Australian advertising industry up by $13 billion, or 12 per cent, to $53 billion
The world’s largest Lego store: Just opened in Sydney, and took 549,378 bricks and 3,650 human-hours to build
🐝 GC Regional Beekeepers are looking for: Households to foster native beehives - Contact gcrb.secretary@beekeepers.asn.au if you can help
Sam Altman (ChatGPT founder) got fired from OpenAI: But then rehired by OpenAI in the same week
Prince Edward unveils a castle in Sydney: At The Scots College
Queenslanders pay $95 million: In mobile and seatbelt camera fines in 10 months
Councillors’ Corner
Div 4 | Biggera Waters | Coombabah | Sovereign Island | South Straddie +3 I Cr Shelley Curtis
Div 9 | Mudgeeraba | Springbrook | Reedy Creek | Worongary +9 | Cr Glenn Tozer
Upcoming Events
Something To Talk About: Every Friday evening from 5:30-7:30 pm from now until December 15 at Cuddihy Park in Mudgeeraba, live local music, stories and great food
Australian Young Entrepreneur Awards: November 25 at The Star Gold Coast celebrates many achievements over the year with tickets still available
Wellness Festival: 25-26 November, is an all-encompassing wellness weekend of yoga and meditation across three studio locations
Roast Christmas Lunch: November 26 is a long lazy lunch with a 3-course meal at the Globe Trotters Café in Mudgeeraba
🎅The Mayor’s Christmas Carols: December 2 is a FREE EVENT presented by Village Road Show in the HOTA Parklands
Johnny Warren Champion of Champions: 25-26 November, is an epic Futsal competition in Coomera
Gold Coast Innovation Rumble: November 3 is an awesome opportunity to connect with SEQ founders, technologists, and entrepreneurs!
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