E-mobility devices - learn more about the rules

With school holidays now officially started and an anticipated increase in the use of e-mobility devices, its a good time to be reminded of their associated laws.

Combatting the rising threat of illegal e-device usage requires a collaborative, multi-agency approach. E-bike laws are managed by the state government, and you may be aware of the current Parliamentary Inquiry into e-scooter and e-bike safety.

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is the lead agency for enforcement and they work closely with Council on this issue and are committed to ensuring the safety of our community by addressing unsafe behaviours associated with E-mobility devices, including E-bikes, E-scooters, and electric motorbikes.

To assist the QPS with their enforcement, my office has been:

• co-ordinating mobile CCTV deployments and data sharing
• Providing advice on known hotspots and key timings
• Assisting with targeted blitzes
• Undertaking environmental assessments and making adjustments
• Enhancing signage and community education

Please check the Qld government 'Street Smarts' webpage to determine if your e-mobility device is legal and understand the current laws around its' usage.

Your co-operation in helping to create a safer environment for everyone is appreciated.

Secure Communities Partnership Program - grants for small business

The Queensland Government has opened Round 2 of the $40 million Secure Communities Partnership Program, which provides direct funding for small and family businesses to improve safety and reduce crime.

This program funds essential security upgrades such as:

• alarm systems
• physical security items
• surveillance and detection technology including CCTV and motion sensors
• access control systems
• lighting

Grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 are available for businesses with less than 20 employees that have been impacted by crime in the past 3 years. The program requires a co-contribution of at least 50% of the project costs.

This program offers a chance for local businesses to boost their security, deter criminal activity and contribute to safer local precincts.

Learn more and apply via this link.

Finding dates for Fireworks

Fireworks can light up the sky with dazzling colours and create unforgettable moments for our community, but they’re often stressful and frightening for our pets.

You can plan ahead for these events by knowing the scheduled dates for fireworks in your area, and taking precautionary steps to help keep your pets safe.

Did you know that all fireworks displays are required to be registered on the Resources Safety & Queensland website?

You can also check on the City's WhatsOn event calendar and search the keyword 'fireworks' for any events that have been registered and mention fireworks in the lineup.

For any events delivered by my office, there will always be notices via my various channels of communication including Facebook, eNewsletters and my quarterly newsletter delivered to your mailbox.

Mobile office - last one for 2025!

My final mobile office for 2025 is scheduled for 9am-11am on Thursday 18 December at Runaway Bay Centre, Lae Dr, Runaway Bay. I'll be located near the Sushi Hub close by to Santa.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to engage with me at my monthly mobile office meetings this year.  Hearing directly from residents improves my situational awareness and decision making.

Try Sailing Day 2026

If you are interested in trying out sailing, then head along to the Paradise Point Sailing Club 2026 Try Sailing Day.

📅 Sunday 11 January, 2026 - 8:30am to 1:00pm

📌 25 The Esplanade, Paradise Point

This activity is suitable for kids from as young as 6 up to adults.  The will be a sausage sizzle available and donations from $5 will be gratefully accepted with all proceeds going to the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation.

For further details, email ppscinc@bigpond.com.

A message of condolence

Below is a heartfelt message that was made on behalf of our Council by our Acting Mayor, Cr Mark Hammel. I am sharing his words because they are poignant, and as a sign of our own City's unity in the face of terror and violence.

On the evening of 14 December 2025, Australia was changed forever.

The worst fears long held by the Australian Jewish community - and shared by Australians as one - have tragically become a reality. Repeated warnings about the escalation of hate-filled rhetoric, attacks on places of worship, and the need for increased security around Jewish schools have now culminated in an act of devastating violence.

This was a targeted, antisemitic attack on the Jewish community while they were celebrating Hanukkah at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, and its impact will be enduring.

Australia is known around the world as a safe and welcoming nation - and the Gold Coast is proud to reflect those values. We are a city built on diversity, inclusion and mutual respect, where people of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds should feel safe to live, worship and gather in peace. An attack of this nature strikes at the very heart of who we are as a community.

On behalf of the City of Gold Coast, first and foremost I extend my deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. Behind every life lost is a profound and far-reaching loss - husbands, wives, parents, grandparents and children - and a grief that will be felt by hundreds, if not thousands, more. Our thoughts are also with those who remain in hospital recovering and fighting for their lives, and with their families who are enduring unimaginable fear and uncertainty.

As Acting Mayor, I have reached out to representatives of the local Jewish community here on the Gold Coast to offer my support and to discuss, at an appropriate time, how our city can formally acknowledge this tragedy. The City will be guided by the Jewish community as to how and when we respond in a way that is respectful and meaningful to all.
 

For now, it is vital that we stand together - not only in support of our local Jewish community, but calmly and in solidarity with all people of faith and culture who call our city home.

If we feed into division and hatred, we hand those responsible for these acts of terrorism exactly what they want. Our response must instead be one of unity, compassion and strength.

Australia - and our Gold Coast community - must be better than this.

Today, I encourage everyone to hold their children and loved ones a little closer, to reject hate and terrorism in all its forms, and to live out our shared commitment to love, respect, compassion and community.

Privacy notice
Council of the City of Gold Coast (Council) is collecting your personal information in order to provide the services requested, perform associated Council functions and services, and to update and maintain Council's customer information records. Your subscription to these eNewsletters is voluntary. City of Gold Coast eNewsletters are distributed using Campaign Monitor, an Australian company with servers in the United States of America (USA). Information you provide when you subscribe will be transferred to Campaign Monitor's server in the USA. By subscribing, you agree to this transfer. Your information is handled in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) and may only be accessed by Councillors, Council employees and authorised contractors. Unless authorised or required by law, we will not provide your personal information to any other person or agency. For further information go to cityofgoldcoast.com.au/privacy. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link below.