Spit development tender opens | Illegal rubbish dumping fines | GC Council votes green over housing at Arundel Hills Country Club | 🇦🇺 Australia Day events | Steve Jobs' super yacht arrives and more
Spit development tender opens | Illegal rubbish dumping fines | GC Council votes green over housing at Arundel Hills Country Club | 🇦🇺 Australia Day events | Steve Jobs' super yacht arrives and more
Today’s newsletter is 1,601 words: 8.5 minute read.
Welcome to January 25, 2024!
🚨Public Holiday Alert: Tomorrow, January 26, is Australia Day 🏏🇦🇺
In today’s email:
Southport Spit Released To Market: Major redevelopment tender now open
GC Council Votes Green Over Housing: At Arundel Hills Country Club
Steve Job’s Superyacht Arrives: At Gold Coast Marina
Illegal Rubbish Dumping: Big fines and clamp down
Trending: Northern Rivers and GC Future Rail Proposal 🚃
Around The Web (Snippets): 🇦🇺 Australian of the Year Awards coverage, a $3b luxury submarine, $299 single-day ski tickets, Albo’s broken promise, Sweden’s NATO Approval, Medibank cyber-attacker sanctioned and more!
Councillor’s Corner PLUS Councillor Candidates for 2024
Upcoming Events
Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Gold Coast Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Carter’s Basin On The Spit Set for Maritime Transformation
What’s Happening
In a landmark initiative, the Queensland Government has released Carter’s Basin on the spit to market for marine tourism development, with a tender process now open.
This project aims to establish a world-class commercial marina, augmenting the region's marine tourism while nurturing its historic fishing community.
Where even is Carter’s Basin?
It’s here 👇
Why It Matters
This venture is pivotal for elevating Gold Coast’s tourism and economic landscape.
It beautifully intertwines cutting-edge development with the preservation of cultural heritage, reshaping the area into a modern yet traditional coastal haven.
By the Numbers
Carter’s Basin redevelopment encompasses approximately 7,000 sqm of leasable land and a 20,000 sqm seabed lease.
The plan includes constructing a 150-room Ritz-Carlton Hotel and a sophisticated superyacht marine precinct.
Peter’s Fish Market, a Gold Coast icon for over three decades, is set for a major expansion in a new two-storey building.
Local Impact
This ambitious project is expected to invigorate the local economy by drawing marine tourists and providing state-of-the-art facilities for the fishing industry, reflecting Gold Coast's dedication to balancing progress with its historical roots.
Building Up
Representing just the beginning of the Spit Master Plan, this development foreshadows Gold Coast's ambition to become a premier marine tourism destination, merging luxury with the charm of seaside life.
What The People Say
Minister Grace Grace highlights the site’s potential for “a world-class commercial marina and seafood hub.”
Mayor Tom Tate has expressed his delight at the expansion of Peter’s Fish Market and the overall progress of Carter’s Basin.
What To Look For Next
The unfolding of the tender process and the selection of development partners will be critical in charting the course for Gold Coast's aspirations as an elite marine tourism hotspot.
Access and submit a tender application via the Queensland Government’s QTenders for the area here.
2. Teeing Off Against Development: GC Council Goes Green Over Housing At Arundel Hills Country Club
What’s Happening
The Gold Coast City Council has unanimously vetoed the development of the defunct Arundel Hills Country Club into a housing estate, opting to preserve the area's green spaces amid Australia's housing crisis.
Why It Matters
This decision is a significant stance in the balance between urban development and environmental conservation, particularly highlighting the importance of protecting native wildlife habitats, including those of endangered koalas.
By the Numbers
The proposed plan involved 380 lots for about 1,200 residents.
It threatened the removal of 78,000 square metres of vegetation.
Community opposition was strong, with 1,163 submissions against the development.
Local Impact
In a time when the City is facing one of the most challenging housing crises, rejecting the proposal preserves does seem at odds with some dire needs.
Despite this, essential green spaces and recreational areas will be preserved, which are also crucial for the City's ecological balance and residents' quality of life.
What The People Say
Mark Hammel, Council Planning Chairperson: “The impact on fauna would be catastrophic.”
Jason Young, Community Association President: "A big win for us; we prefer it as a golf course."
What To Look For Next
Anticipate potential appeals by developers in the Planning and Environment Court and ongoing efforts to address the housing crisis while preserving Gold Coast’s cherished green spaces.
3. Apple of the Marina: Steve Jobs' Venus Superyacht Arrived
What’s Happening
Venus, the $120 million superyacht once belonging to Apple legend Steve Jobs, recently docked on the Gold Coast, stealing the spotlight as the marina's new crown jewel.
Why It Matters
More than just a floating luxury, Venus symbolises the fusion of high-tech and high-seas.
With its minimalist design and Jobs' touch, its Gold Coast appearance reflects the City's magnetic pull for the world's most opulent sea vessels.
By the Numbers
Striking length of 256 feet (78.2 meters).
Comfortably houses 12 guests and 22 crew, all in sound-proof luxury.
Priced at a cool $120 million, possibly spiking to $230 million.
Local Impact
Venus's grand entrance spotlights the City’s potential as a haven for luxury yachting.
With the largest superyacht facility in the southern hemisphere, just up the road from the marina, it’s hard not to see an increase in high-end tourism and spectacles coming our way.
Forward Thrust
Expect Gold Coast's tides to turn towards more illustrious maritime visitors, potentially anchoring the City as a hotspot for the elite yacht-loving crowd.
What The People Say
Jobs’ vision for Venus: “A boat...with clean, minimalist lines, a low profile, and complete privacy.”
Local media reports: Venus' size and design have stirred excitement, highlighting Gold Coast's upscale maritime appeal.
What To Look For Next
Keep an eye on the horizon for a possible influx of luxury liners following Venus' lead, possibly charting a new course for Gold Coast's marine tourism scene.
4. Illegal Dumping Clamp Down
What’s Happening
Gold Coast authorities are clamping down on illegal dumping, exemplified by the recent discovery of hundreds of tyres illegally discarded in Norwell.
This move includes imposing substantial fines for such offences.
Why It Matters
Illegal dumping poses serious environmental and health risks, including fire hazards and mosquito breeding.
It undermines the City's efforts to maintain its natural beauty and manage waste efficiently, particularly during challenging times like post-storm cleanups.
By the Numbers
Hefty fines up to $11,610 for dumping over 2500L of waste.
Recent incident involved hundreds of tyres dumped in Norwell.
Fines start at $309 for general littering, escalating to $619 for dangerous litter.
Local Impact
This crackdown aims to protect the Gold Coast’s scenic environment and public health, stressing the importance of responsible waste disposal.
The Fines
The fines for individuals in the left column and companies in the right column:
What The People Say
Mayor Tom Tate: “Illegal dumpers are warned – you will be fined.”
What To Look For Next
Your nearest tip, here.
5. Trending
6. Around The Web (Snippets)
🇦🇺 Australian of the Year Awards: Televised coverage kicks off this evening at 7:30 pm on ABC TV and iView
Operation GC Clean Up continues: With 35% of kerbside pickups complete and over 21,000 tonnes of green waste removed since Boxing Day
Australia just sanctioned the Russian hacker: Who cyber-attacked Medibank
Anthony Albanese broke his promise: About honouring tax cuts, a key policy in the campaign that helped him become Prime Minister
The latest Tropical Cyclone Kirrily: 7-day forecast map by the Bureau of Meteorology can be found here
Sweden’s NATO membership was finally approved: By Turkey’s Parliament, voting 287-55, leaving Hungary as the only holdout preventing their access
World's first $3 billion luxury super submarine: The Austrian-designed Migaloo M5 will redefine maritime living at a cost that’ll burn a hole in your pocket
A singe-day ski lift ticket now costs: $299USD to access Vail Mountain
A feel-good look back at: When Australia II won the America’s Cup and the nation united
7. Councillors’ Corner
Div 2 | Helensvalesavle, Hope Island, Sanctuary Cove | Cr William Owen-Jones
Div 13 | Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, Tallebudgera +2 | Cr Daphne McDonald
Councillor CANDIDATES’ Corner
Introducing Div 9 For 2024 Local Elections | Sarah Denny
8. Upcoming Events
🇦🇺 2024 Australia Day Events
Australia Day Eve Party: January 25 from 9 pm onwards; free entry before 10 pm at Lost Kingdom Nightclub
Australia Day Eve: January 25 from 8 pm onwards; live entertainment from The Gathering at Finn McCool's Surfers Paradise
Australia Day Celebrations: January 26 from 4 pm - 8 pm; live local music, food trucks, and fireworks at HOTA Outdoor Stage
Aus Day Fun Day: January 26 from 10 pm onwards; live tunes, Aussie-inspired cocktails at the Currumbin RSL
Australia Day Party: January 26 from 4:30 pm - 11 pm; live Aussie music at Den Devine
🎩 Illusions Magic Show: January 26 - March 9; amazing performance by master illusionist Matt Holywood at the Surfers Paradise
🎪 Zirque La La: January 26 - March 30; circus cabaret show with hilarious comedy and raunchy antics at The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub
⛸️ 'Welcome to Parad-Ice': January 27 from 7 pm onwards; ice skating show, acrobatics, and clown antics at Paradise Resort
😆 'Who’s Your Man?!': January 27 from 8 pm onwards; stand-up comedy show by Jimeoin at The Star Gold Coast
🏖️ Summer Splash: January 27 from 9 am - 12 pm, a free community event with inflatable waterslides, a DJ party, Bubbles, and more at Paradise Point Parklands
⭐️Chariot Festival: January 27 from 9 am - 12 pm; chariot parade starts at the corner of Main Beach Parade and Ferny Avenue, and the stage show is located across from the Paradise Centre
🎷 JJ & Swing Kings: January 31 from 7:30 pm onwards; a night of music, dance and exceptional entertainment at the HOTA
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