Welcome to the August edition of the Division 3 newsletter. It’s been an extremely busy time with the Mayor travelling to Paris for learnings from the 2024 Olympic Games and it’s always a bit of a juggle combining divisional and whole of city work.

Nevertheless, I think we’ve managed so far to squeeze all that’s necessary into the days and please be alert to any issues that require attention that I may miss in the coming weeks.

The Paralympics follow the Olympics and I’ll be Acting Mayor through that period as well. I appreciate your help during these busier than usual times.

Image: Celebrating 8 years until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games with Olympic gold medallist cyclist Sara Carrigan.

As always, if you have suggestions for future projects, issues of concern, or questions, please don’t hesitate to raise them with me.

I am available on email, or you can call me in the office 5581 6598 or on my mobile 0424 778 999.

Community funding availability

The 2024-2025 City of Gold Coast budget included a Community Projects Program providing funding of $100,000 per Division for community initiatives, in four categories as follows:

• community services and development
• community activations/events
• equipment and resources
• capital works

I have taken a decision to make $25,000 per quarter available, to be assessed quarterly in September, December, March, and June, with the following eligibility criteria - A community organisation will be eligible if they are:

• An incorporated association or under the auspices of an incorporated association
• A registered charity, and located in, or primarily servicing, the City of Gold Coast - Funding can be considered if a service is outside the Gold Coast local government area but the initiative is in the public interest of our community

Clearly, I hope to focus on outcomes and improvements in our area and I look forward to welcoming applications. I urge you to note the timeframes above for consideration of applications – the first batch to be considered in September.

Pleasant Parklands Upper Coomera

Deadwood and vegetation overgrowth behind properties abutting Pleasant Parklands has been addressed. Fallen timber within areas deemed as a 'natural area' will remain as valuable habitat for wildlife and nutrients for the continued health and growth of the forest area.

As Pleasant Parklands is narrow and lineal, has wet vegetation species, is disconnected from other high hazard bushland, and has limited opportunity for long runs of fire, it is not currently scheduled for fire hazard reduction work or back burning. However officers will continue to monitor the parklands.

There is a large fallen tree that prevents access to the fire management trail and walking track from the back of 50 and 52 Glenview Drive. Officers will cut a section of the tree to allow for easier walking. Officers will also improve the creek flow that sits behind Glenview Drive.

From a catchment health perspective, there is no issue with the creek, however, saw-cuts will be made to several fallen trees to allow the creek to flow better. Officers will attend as soon as possible.

Highland Way extension project

Following several enquiries regarding the Highland Way extension project I thought it timely to provide an update. The future extension of Highland Way to the Tamborine Oxenford Road from Reserve Road remains in the 10-year capital works program, presently scheduled for 2032 delivery.

Unfortunately, the timeframe for delivery has been influenced by other citywide priorities and has varied over the years. There are, however, proposed cyclist and pedestrian improvements in this year's budget along Highland Way.

I will continue to provide updates in future Division 3 newsletters and via Facebook.

The image shown is for illustration purposes only and does not represent the Highland Way extension project.

Parking regulations

Receiving a Council parking fine is always unwelcome as cost of living pressures mount. If considered unfair, your first option is to request a review of your parking fine. There is an appeals process where you can lodge a review, explain your situation, and request for the fine to be withdrawn.

Recognising the many narrow streets in our growing community, I have requested a review of both the regulations (2 wheels up, 2 wheels down which is imposed on Council by the State Government) and a potential reduction in fines.

Officers will provide a report to Council regarding whether, in certain circumstances, it might be permissible to park 2 wheels up, 2 wheels down. It's a tricky one because it's a State Government regulation and also due to the underground services which differ across locations. The erection of signage to vary the regulation where necessary is also being considered.

Measures to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions

Council developed a Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Mitigation Program in 2022 to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in areas such Coomera, Upper Coomera, Willow Vale, and Wongawallan. The Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Mitigation Program identifies and ranks the top 30 hotspot roads in the city and recommends site-specific mitigation measures to build on existing actions and reduce wildlife vehicle collisions. Both Colman Road and Foxwell Road are identified as priority roads and are currently ranked 17th and 22nd respectively.

Whilst many of the roads are controlled by State Govenment, the report indicated that the majority of the 15 City-managed hotspot roads would require a suite of mitigation measures, with activities that change both fauna behaviour (e.g. fencing) and driver behaviour (e.g. signage or speed reduction).

To ensure measures are tested, targeted, and cost effective, officers are working with asset custodians, and have developed a proposed implementation approach to deliver appropriate and cost-effective fauna outcomes on the city’s highest priority roads when opportunities arise, and through integration of fauna-safe road actions under the road asset renewal program.

Mitigation measures being delivered across Northern Gold Coast include:

• fauna exclusion fencing
• fauna underpasses
• static wildlife signage
• koala speed awareness devices
• variable message signs
• community education and awareness messaging

The Wildlife-Vehicle Collision Mitigation Program Report, which includes road profiles for each of the priority hotspot roads, can be viewed here (starting on page 466).

Wheelie bin road safety stickers

The 'Take Care' wheelie bin road safety stickers are now available and can be collected from my office at the Upper Coomera Centre 90 Reserve Road Upper Coomera. 'Kangaroo, 'Children playing', and 'Koala' stickers are available.

Simply affix the eye-catching A3-sized vinyl stickers to your wheelie bins as visible reminders to prioritise caution and care while navigating neighbourhood streets.

"Take Care in Our Street" is a collective effort to instil a culture of safety and mindfulness on Gold Coast roads. Together, we can make a tangible difference and create safer communities.

Tooraneedin Road path connection

For some time requests have been received for better pedestrian connectivity to Coomera Waters from Tooraneedin Road. There are difficulties because of private ownership of the adjoining land.

However, a new path is in the 10-year program, but presently does not meet the criteria for construction. Officers have identified the network could potentially be improved by a short connection to the existing 1.5 metre wide footpath and the addition of kerb ramps.

These works have been allocated to the minor works program 2024/25.

O'Reilly Park basketball half court

Funding was approved within the 2024-25 budget for a half basketball court at O’Reilly Park (also known as Levi Park) Coomera. Following my site inspection, officers also inspected the area confirming the park can accommodate a basketball court.

A minimum 50 metre clearance will be maintained to nearby residences. Following the site survey, I letter box dropped surrounding residents to gauge general support, with response tracking positive for a half court.

The image shown is for illustration purposes only and does not represent the O'Reilly Park project.

Submit a petition to Council

I’m often contacted seeking information on how to prepare and submit a petition. Petitions are an important way for the community to make requests to Council. They are one of the ways in which people can advise Council of their concerns and influence the decision-making process. Online petitions are not recognised by Council as formal petitions and the requirements are as below.

Essential requirements for preparing a petition

A petition is not to be presented by a Councillor or received by the Council unless it -

1. is worded in respectful language
2. is typewritten or otherwise legible
3. contains a minimum of 10 signatures
4. contains the names and addresses of signatories

It’s important to note that a petition is a public document. Those signing the petition should be aware that the names, addresses and signatures will be made available in the public realm. The City of Gold Coast will record these details for the purpose of the petition only.

Lodging your petition

Compliant petitions should be emailed or posted to:
Chief Executive Officer
City of Gold Coast
PO Box 5042
GCMC QLD 9726

E-petitions will not be accepted. 

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 to 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 am just an email or phone call away.

Newsletters archive

For previous editions, please contact my office.

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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