Apply for a Community Grant - Round 2 now open!

The City of Gold Coast's Community Grants Program provides grant funding to community organisations seeking to deliver projects with a whole of city focus; that are in the public interest; and that benefit Gold Coast residents.

Applications for Round 2 are now open and this round incorporates both the Seniors Week and NAIDOC Week programs. Closing date is 31 January.

Recipients of Round 1 community grants included sporting clubs, welfare and social development organisations, environmental agencies and multicultural organisations.

For more information and to apply visit cityofgoldcoast.com.au/communitygrants

NAIDOC Week Grants Program | Seniors Week Grants Program | Community Grants Policy

Discover Sailing Day

Oxenford Watersports Centre is having a Free Discover Sailing Day!

This is your chance to try sailing for the first time at your local lake. Bring a change of clothes and have some fun on and off the beach.

• Free sailing from 10am - 2pm
• Face painting
• Paddle boarding
• Live music
• BBQ
• Jumping castle
• Coffee and snacks available for purchase from 7.30am

When: Saturday 23 January 2021

Where: Oxenford Watersports Centre, 33 Watersports Lane, Oxenford Lake.Ph: 5591 3500  Damian Leeding Memorial Park

Register here: Discover Sailing Day

Active and Healthy Summer Holiday Program

Summer of Fun

Its time to embrace the sunshine and enjoy some good old fashioned FUN this Summer!

The City of Gold Coast’s Summer of Fun guide has an array of free events and activities lined up for all the family to enjoy. From our popular Active & Healthy holiday activities to Christmas celebrations and sunset movies in the park, there are events and activities the whole family can enjoy.  Not only are we offering a huge line up of fun activities, a range of our popular Active & Healthy fitness classes will also continue over Summer to keep you feeling fit and inspired.  
Feature activities on offer this Summer include:

•  Silent disco’s
•  Inflatable water slides
•  Yoga, pilates, tai chi and heaps of your favourite fitness classes
•  Beach fitness and fun
•  Nature and craft
•  Bubblelicious
•  Movies under the stars
•  Colour explosion obstacle course
•  Surfing and skateboarding
•  Side show alley and heaps more

There is so much fun to be had right across the City this Summer so check out the program and make your Summer one filled with sunshine, fresh air and laughter! To check out the full program.

NATURALLY GC CREEPY CRAWLIES | NATURALLY GC BIRDS PHOTOGRAPHY WALK

For a complete calendar check out the Active and Healthy Program.

2020-2021 Discretionary Grants

The Discretionary Grants Program (previously Divisional Donations) is a program of funding, allocated each financial year, to assist community organisations deliver projects with a community purpose. Funding is allocated in one round per financial year.

Following changes to State Legislation, the amount available for the Discretionary Grants program in 2020-21 is $35,118 (down from $45,000 distributed in 2019-2020).

Successful recipients include the following local community groups and sporting clubs:

• Helensvale Hogs Rugby Union Club       
• Coomera Cubs Baseball Club
• Helensvale Senior Citizens Club
• Southport Yacht Club (Damian Leeding Memorial Park)
• Helensvale Hornets Junior Rugby League Club
• Hope Island Tennis Club
• Helensvale High School, Helensvale State School and Gaven State School P & Cs
• Studio Village Community Centre ( to assist with programs)
• Helensvale Swimming Club
• Australian Red Cross (Helensvale Branch)
• Gold Coast Sikh Council (to assist with their feed those in need program at Shepparton Road premises)
• Helensvale Hurricanes Basketball
• Helensvale Netball Club
• Local Neighbourhood Watch groups                           

Congratulations to the successful groups. The limited funding is allocated across as many groups as possible, and consideration is given to programs that will benefit local community needs.                                       

Oxenford quarry

I previously advised that the quarry assessment was imminent, and it was expected to come to Council before the end of 2020. In November 2020 the Director of Environment, Planning and Economy advised:

"Officers were proposing to present the application to our Planning and Environment Committee on 3 December 2020. This has been an extremely complex application for the officers to assess however the officers' recommendation was a refusal and this was conveyed to the applicant, as is normal process.

Subject to this communication, the applicant has indicated in writing that they intend to change the current application to address concerns regarding the footprint of the quarry pit raised in the assessment of the application. We are aware that plans and supporting materials are currently being prepared in order to formally change the application.

As the application is to be changed, Council officers' current assessment of the application will not reflect the proposal when the change is made. Accordingly, the application is no longer able to be presented to Planning and Environment Committee and Council for consideration this year as originally scheduled. As officers will be obligated to assess the application (as changed), the application will be presented to a Planning and Environment Committee and Council for consideration in 2021.

Based on what the applicant has advised the change will include, the change to reduce the footprint of the quarry will not require the application to be re-notified. This is due to the Planning Act 2016 and the Development Assessment Rules.Section 26.2(b) of the Development Assessment Rules states that public notification must be undertaken again, unless the assessment manager is satisfied the change would not be likely to attract a submission objecting to the thing comprising the change. In this case, based on what we understand the change will be, we don't consider that a reduced foorprint to protect further ecological features of the site would result in a submission."

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on 0412 242 622.

Seniors and Veterans Free Bus Travel

We have some exciting news for Seniors and Veterans!

Our free bus travel for seniors and veterans has expanded to include weekends too. As of Dec 1 2020, eligible Gold Coast seniors and veterans are now able to travel for free on Surfside Buslines buses all day on weekends, in addition to Monday to Friday (8.30am to 3.30pm). 

How you can apply:

• Submit an online application form at cityofgoldcoast.com.au/freebustravel
• download a hard copy from cityofgoldcoast.com.au/freebustravel
• phone 1300 GOLDCOAST (1300 465 326) and one can posted one to you
• collect a copy from a City Customer Service Centre.

Download a copy of the Seniors' Safe Travel Guide or drop into Helensvale Customer Service to collect your hardcopy.

Helensvale Heroes revamp

The City of Gold Coast partnered with Helensvale State High School students in a temporary art project around Oxenford Lake. The project provides an opportunity for students from years 8 and 9 to showcase their artwork at Damian Leeding Memorial Park. 

16 new artworks have recently been installed at every 250 metre increment, so make sure you check them out next time you are walking around the lake. Each artwork represents the students "Helensvale Hero".

Justice of the Peace (Q)

The local Justice of the Peace Association hosts a regular Wednesday 10am to 2pm session at Helensvale Plaza Shopping Centre. They have returned to normal weekly service following an extended COVID-19 break. They are available to witness documents for local residents without an appointment.

I am also a Justice of the Peace (Q) and I am available Monday and Friday mornings, however please contact my office on 5582 8555 beforehand to confirm availability/">book an appointment.

Community Consultation

I am available to meet with members of the community in my office on the ground floor of the Helensvale Library and Cultural Centre from 9am - 10.30am most Mondays and Fridays. Please ring the office first to confirm attendance.

If a meeting is required outside of these times, please contact my PA ( Karen) at the office on 5582 8555.

I welcome feedback from residents at division2@goldcoast.qld.gov.au or contact my Facebook page - WilliamOwenJonesDivision2GoldCoast.

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