🚒 Rural Fire Service Week | $1m doesn't buy you beachside (anymore) | Olympic gold | Nexus signs with Sony | Komodo dragons found to have iron-plated teeth and more!
Volume 74: Today's newsletter is 1,165 words, a 5-minute read.
Welcome back to Thursday, this time August 1.
Energetically heading into day 5 of the Paris Olympics, where our athletes are truly punching above their weight on the ladder.
#AllezAUS 🇦🇺💪!
In today's email:
One Big Thing: Rural Fire Service Week
The groundbreaking: WTO E-commerce Agreement
Only got $1 million? Say goodbye to living near GC beaches
Trending: Jess Fox, legend🥇🥇🇦🇺
Around The Web (Snippets): GC’s Nexus strikes deal with Sony, Komodo dragons found to have iron-plated teeth and more!
Upcoming Events
Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Gold Coast Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Rural Fire Service Week
By Courtney Mulder
What’s Happening
Rural Fire Service members across Queensland are being recognised for their outstanding contributions from 28 July to 3 August.
Why It Matters
For the tens of thousands of volunteers who give their time and effort to protect our communities from fires and disasters, this week marks an important part of the annual calendar.
By the Numbers
• 28,000 Rural Fire Service members in Queensland
• There are currently 13 Gold Coast brigades
Local Impact
Gold Coast brigades, like Bonogin Valley and Coomera Valley, are hosting open days.
Meet the volunteers, learn about bushfire preparedness, and stay connected for updates on emergency situations.
Regional award ceremonies will celebrate their commitment and bravery.
Get Involved
Volunteer with your local brigade.
Opportunities are available in Mudgeeraba, Bonogin, Gilston Advancetown, and more. Contact your local branch to get started.
Stay informed and stay safe!
2. The Digital Trade Revolution
What’s Happening
Australia, Japan, and Singapore have led the negotiation of a groundbreaking WTO E-commerce Agreement, establishing global rules for digital trade.
Why It Matters
Finalised after five years, the deal aims to create a secure and transparent online environment, which is vital for Australian businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises.
By the Numbers
25%: Is the recently reportable share of global trade in digital services
5 years: Has been the negotiation period behind the new agreement
90+: Participating WTO members were engaged with developing the new standard
Local Impact
For Gold Coast businesses who want to go global, the deal simplifies international market access, reduces red tape, and offers new international trading opportunities.
Basically, it will:
simplify International transactions
lowers costs incurred with international trade
enhance consumer protection
encourage digital innovation
What The People Say
Holly Dorber, Australian Services Roundtable: "A pivotal deal for SMEs."
This Global Services Coalition: "This will be the defining 21st century moment for the multilateral trading system and not a minute too soon for global economic development, MSME revival and jobs growth."
What To Look For Next
Overall, it’s major step towards an inclusive digital future, ensuring small businesses benefit from global trade.
As more countries join, the agreement's scope will likely expand, offering even more opportunities for local businesses in the global market.
Read the full statement below.
3. Only got $1 million? Say goodbye to the beach
By Marshall Hall
What’s Happening
Dreaming of a beachside home on the Gold Coast for $1 million?
Think again.
The days of finding affordable coastal properties are gone.
Why It Matters
According to recent information by Herron Todd White, property prices are soaring, pushing buyers on the Gold Coast inland and changing market dynamics.
By the Numbers
$1 million was the median house price reached earlier this year, indicating prices in sought-after beachside locations are few and far between
Coomera and Pimpama are among the top five most in-demand coastal suburbs in Queensland, with median prices still well below the $1 million mark, experiencing 15.4% and 9.2% per cent rises over the past twelve months, respectively
Local Impact
With beachside proximity homes out of reach, inland areas will undoubtedly be on the agenda.
What The People Say
“Buying options at this price level in beachside suburbs are few and far between,” said Sam Gray, Herron Todd White.
What To Look For Next
The full article by Marshall Hall, below 👇
4. Trending
Jess Fox, the greatest Canoe Slalom athlete of all time @AUSOlympicTeam!
You little ripper 🥇🥇
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
The GC’s local rocket developer and satellite launcher is getting: Into the hypersonic flight test business for commercial and defence customers with speeds above Mach 5
Komodo dragons have just been found to have: Iron-coated teeth
REX goes broke and affects Gold Coast: Routes from to Sydney and Melbourne - Virgin steps in to help
The original Apple Computer costs $666.66, but Steve Jobs’: Polaroids of the computer cost $2148
Gold Coast-headquartered Nexus Sports Nutrition has: Secured a merchandising agreement with Sony to sell Cobra Kai-branded sports and nutrition supplements
Following the major CrowdStrike global IT outage over a week ago, Xero once again had: Major outages this week that impacted local Gold Coast businesses, this time because of Amazon Web Services
Massive Bing update will start prioritising: AI-powered answers first
A car abandoned at Exit 87 near Elanora has: Resulted in charges being laid against a man by police
6. Upcoming Events
🎊 BLEACH* Festival: August 1 to August 11 from 12 pm - 8 pm; Gold Coast’s 13th annual contemporary arts festival happening city-wide
🏆 2024 TRL World Cup: August 1 to August 4 from 10 am - 3 pm; games across men's, women's, mixed, men's 30s and mixed 30s at Alabaster Sports Complex, Alabaster Drive, Carrara
🏅 School Sport Australia Games - Netball Finals: August 2 from 10 am onwards at Coomera Indoor Sports Centre
🏊🏼♀️ 2024 National and Interstate Pool Rescue Championships: August 2 to August 4; elite lifesavers displaying their skills at Southport Aquatic Centre, Marine Parade
🐶 Main Beach’s Next Top Dogel Finals: August 3 from 9 am onwards; come and see Bluey and Bingo live at Tedder Avenue, Main Beach
🎨 St. Hilda's School Fete & Festival of the Arts: August 3 from 12 pm - 7 pm; carnival rides, art show, fireworks, live entertainment and more at St Hilda's School, 52 High Street
🎵 Music is Magic: August 3 from 3 pm to 5 pm; Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra's 40th anniversary at Gold Coast Youth Orchestra Centre
🤵🏼 🤵🏽♀️ Make-A-Wish Parisian Dream Gala Ball: August 3 from 6 pm to 11:30 pm; dance the night away at an exquisite black-tie soirée at The Star Gold Coast
🏃🏼 Dreamworld Fun Run: August 4 from 6:30 am; fun run with bubbles, smoke, snow and colour zone at Dreamworld Parkway
🏳️🌈 Goldy's Arvo Disco: August 4 from 3 pm to 7 pm; friendly community event to bring together the LGBTQI+ community on the Gold Coast while supporting local artists and performers at Hairy Mary's
📣 Connect 2 Home | Homeless Connect: August 7 from 8 am to 2 pm; free services to a range of vulnerable community members, especially those experiencing homelessness at People First Stadium