Council handed down the 2025-26 City Budget on Friday 6 June 2025. It was the most difficult budget in my experience and despite the very best efforts to keep rates low, there are increases in service charges, parking fees. waste fees and changes to the way Council treats horizontal community title properties, including duplex where in single ownership.

It is true that supply chain costs have continued to escalate – a fine example being a 30 per cent increase in the cost of asphalt – just one of the ever growing list of increases affecting the delivery of City projects. Although increases will be noticeable for some, 78.4 per cent of ratepayers will receive a 2.7 per cent or less increase in the general rate.

For the first time in my history with Council there were elements of the budget which I could not support. These related to the increases mentioned above for horizontal community title properties/multi residential properties/retirement villages where multiple dwellings are constructed on one property, with one owner, and are rated on a single assessment. The intent of Council is to provide equity amongst ratepayers, but my personal concern remains the potential for the additional charges to be passed on to those occupying the various dwellings.

I also remain opposed to the introduction of user pays at our waste and recycling centres – a proposal which was supported by the majority of Councillors - but delayed for introduction until 2026. Perhaps there’ll be a chance to further consider during next year’s Budget deliberations.

In a positive light there has been an increased commitment from the City to address the growing female participation in sport. Additional funding for facilities across the city has been allocated to deliver more female change rooms. $10m this financial year, with a further $15m over the following eight years. A recent report showed that there are 48 facilities/upgrades required across the entire city,18 of which are urgent.

I’ll keep you posted with progress for Coomera Sports Park. The delivery of the Coomera Civic Centre has clearly suffered major delays due to site issues which remain unresolved. Funding is still within the four year program ($2m 2025-26, $12m next year and $68m 2027-2029), but the timeframe has very clearly been pushed out and, with a bit of luck, it might be delivered before the Olympics!

Whole of City budget funding

• Construction start for the Kerkin Road South Adventure Playgrounds - $14m this year and another $2m next financial year.
• Planning design and construction of field lighting and car park at Coomera Sports Park for Coomera Magpies - $7m this year and $6m next financial year.
• Roadwork improvements of George Alexander Way to provide access to the Coomera Hospital - $11m
• Installation of signals on Foxwell Road at the intersection of Learning Street including bike lane and pedestrian facilities - $7.2m over three years.
• Construction of a shared path between Amity Road and Ragamuffin Drive to support walking and cycling – work includes new path, kerb ramps, relocation of bus stops and retaining wall/services modification - $7.15m
• Chic Drive Coomera road link from Creek Road to Old Pacific Highway to relieve congestion at Foxwell Road/Creek Road intersection - $5m
• Upgrade of the intersection Beattie Road and Dreamworld Parkway – the first of three sets of signals to be designed and constructed over the next two years - $4.5m over two years.
• Upgrade George Alexander Way to four lanes from Foxwell Road north to Johnny Fox Road - $4m
• Upgrade of Finnegan Way – City of Gold Coast contribution to Department of Main Roads for upgrades at Finnegan Way, Tyrol Street and Urban Village Way as part of the Coomera Connector Stage 1 North intersection works - $2.5m
• Cycle and pedestrian improvements around Highland Reserve State School ($500,000) and Coomera Springs State School ($1.75m) to improve walking and cycling to school.
• Road reconstructions at Jowett and Hickey Streets Coomera approx - $2m this year and $1.8m next.
• Upgrade of the Duce Court Reserve and Billinghurst Crescent Park – approximately $750,000 in total over the next two years.
• Construction of pathways within the Bloom Estate at Coomera in Jaiden Way, Emilia Street, Arissa Street, Olearia Street, Bloom Avenue North and Bloom Avenue Central - $682,000
• Completion of the Viney Park upgrade at $500,000.
• Repair of the mountain bike trails at the Eagle Heights Conservation area (Old Tambo) and the Upper Coomera Adventure Park bike trails - $400,000
• Repairs to the Riverstone Crossing Bridge Maudsland - $150,000 this year and $850,000 next.
• Upgrade of the signals at the intersection of Reserve Road and Tamborine Oxenford road to provide a safer and more accessible crossing for pedestrians - $90,000.

Divisional funding has been allocated to upgrade parks (Rosemallow Park continuation, Jacob Court Reserve and Coomera Springs) and to introduce new fenced leash free dog exercise areas (Serin Street Park Upper Coomera and O’Reilly Park, also known as Levi Park Coomera) and an unfenced area at Lily Street Coomera. The Serin Street dog enclosure includes fencing/gates, slabs for bench seating, bag dispenser, landscaping and pathway connections.

Residents of the Foreshore Estate have been patiently waiting for exercise equipment and that will be delivered this financial year. Funding has been provided to ensure work continues on footpath connections across the division and sporting clubs will also benefit (Crushers $100,000 and Coomera Magpies $100,000). $100,000 has also been approved for Northern Gold Coast Touch for roof work and storage.

I’ve made an allocation for Movies in the Park – so please contact me with your suggestions. I’ll continue to provide updates via socials and future newsletters.

Playground shade structures

The wet weather has unfortunately resulted in delays to the installation of shade structures across the city. However, the footings for Jed Park at Upper Coomera were poured last week. The concrete takes three weeks to cure before further work can be undertaken.

At John Siganto Park Upper Coomera, the footings were poured on 15 April and the frame should soon be installed with the shade sail to follow. Residents have been so very patient waiting almost a year for shade at Waterfall Drive Eastern Park at Wongawallan. I understand construction has now commenced.

Coomera Springs Park

Following my recent budget survey, a request was received for play equipment suitable for younger children at Coomera Springs Park.

While there is limited room at the exiting playground for additional play equipment, I have agreed to the removal of one of the three spinning poles to enable installation of 2 spring toys.

That work will be undertaken very soon.

Hetchy Park sandstone blocks

Officers have responded to a request for seating adjacent to the playground at Hetchy Park, Upper Coomera. Unfortunately there was limited opportunity to install a concrete hardstand to house a park seat – so arrangements have been made to install sandstone block seating to provide informal seating for parents while their children use the playground. The 2 sandstone blocks will be installed in the coming weeks.

Road safety

Thank you to residents who bring to my attention their concern regarding traffic conditions. Council’s Traffic Engineering branch recently reviewed concern regarding vehicles exiting Coomera Sports Park onto Beattie Road.

I can confirm that arrangements have been made to extend the existing yellow lines on either side of the entrance to improve visibility and also that traffic signals are proposed for the intersection of Lorenzo Drive and Beattie Road which will create a better “gap” in traffic.

Visibility at the intersections of Warrandyte Street with Macleay Circuit Upper Coomera has also identified the need for the installation of a side road warning sign prior to the intersection so that traffic on Warrandyte Street can prepare for motorists who may enter from Macleay Circuit.

Water leaks

Property owners are responsible for the cost of all water recorded on the water meter. Property owners are also responsible for the pipes and fittings connected to the meter tail on the property side of the meter. Water leaks may be visible or concealed. Sometimes they will be in pipes underground or in the walls of your house.

It is recommended to regularly read your water meter to detect any unusual variation in consumption between readings. Watch our video to understand how you can read your meter and check for leak. In situations where the meter is full of water and unreadable please contact the water emergencies line 1300 000 928 as soon as possible so that officers can investigate.

If the leak is due to Council infrastructure, officers will organise repairs. If the leak is beyond the water meter (customer side of the meter), officers will attempt to contact the resident or leave a calling card notifying them they have an internal leak in which case a licensed Qld plumber will need to be organised by the property owner.

Concealed water leak relief

While you are responsible for the cost of water lost due to leaks on your property, Council do offer some relief for residential and small business customers if you have had a concealed leak, and it was repaired by a Queensland licensed plumber in a timely manner. Please visit Concealed Water Leak for eligibility criteria.

Waste Services

Council’s waste and recycling centres accept the household waste and recyclables. Remember that load limits apply, so check before your go to your local facility. Fees remain applicable to commercial contractors for the disposal of commercial waste.

As mentioned earlier in this newsletter, from 2026 a user pays fee for tipping will be introduced at all waste and recycling centres. A new fee is also to be introduced for those poor folk in our city who cannot be serviced by a weekly garbage collection. Although I did not personally support this impost, Council has introduced a service charge to those residents as a contribution to the City’s waste services which facilitate their waste disposal. I understand those residents will not be charged to dispose of their waste once the user pays system is introduced next year – but the additional service charge commences with the 2025-26 budget.

Responsible cat owner

Just as dogs must be confined to the owner's property, Council requires cats to be confined to the owner's property at all times.

It is your responsibility to provide a secure escape-proof fence or enclosure. Learn more with the keeping your cat safely contained fact sheet.

Contact me

Please continue to contact me regarding issues of interest or concern. Whatever the issue please call 07 5581 6598 or email division3@goldcoast.qld.gov.au so that I can action your request.

You can also report after-hour matters that might be more urgent to Council on 1300 465 326.

It’s helpful when you alert me to things that require attention, and raise issues of interest or concern with me, because sometimes it’s hard to be across what’s happening throughout the entire area.

The best community is an informed community and I want you involved in making sure our area is up to scratch for the benefit of us all. I am always available to answer any questions you have and I'm just an email or phone call away.

Newsletters archive

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Disclaimer

While care has been taken to ensure that information contained in this newsletter is correct at the time of publication, changes in circumstances may impact on the information provided.

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