Discretionary Grants Program

Applications are now open for not-for-profit groups to apply for a donation from the Division 3 community discretionary grants fund. $45,104 is available to each representative, an amount set by the State Government, for projects or events benefitting the city. My personal hope is to assist as many Division 3 groups as possible in delivering services or activities that benefit local residents.

The program always has wide appeal and although the guidelines suggest a maximum application amount of $10,000 - my aim will be to spread the joy as widely as possible. Significant requests for funding should be brought to my attention in advance, so that a full understanding exists for determination and prioritisation during consideration of all applications.

Acquittal of all amounts over $500 will be necessary and initially applicants are required to provide their ABN, contact name, mobile, email, phone, street and postal address, and a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation.

Please visit Division 3 Discretionary Grants for further information and to apply. Applicants must be not-for-profit community organisations, sporting clubs or school P&C's. It will be necessary to demonstrate the proposed use of funds and, if for a project or event, completion must occur within 12 months of the date of receipt.

Yaun Creek path connections

A recent review has been undertaken of reserve areas along Yaun Creek and the footbridge adjacent to Warrandyte Street, Upper Coomera. The footbridge has been found to be completely stable and the fallen trees and branches in the area will be left to provide valuable habitat for wildlife.

The decaying logs and branches play a role in soil enrichment and offer shelter, food sources, and breeding sites for insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and other small mammals. The weeds which are noticeable either side of the pathway will be removed as soon as possible.

Picnic Creek Reserve pathway

A temporary trench has been created to disperse the pooling water on a pathway at Picnic Creek Reserve Coomera. This is simply a temporary fix while the area has time to dry out and allow machinery to safely enter without causing further damage to the area. A soakage pit with drainage lines will be a more permanent fix and as soon as a start date is known, I will post that detail.

Ghostgum Grove

Following a recent divisional inspection, I requested an update regarding rehabilitation of the road surface at Ghostgum Grove Upper Coomera.

Finally, officers have provided a condition assessment which supports the need for rectification from the gravel cul-de-sac end and work is now programmed for what is termed “a granular rectification” and a 2-coat spray seal surface treatment.

The road will be maintained until repaired, and I’ll continue to provide updates in future newsletters.

Tallowwood Dog Park

Unfortunately, like so many other dog parks across the city, the Tallowwood Dog off-leash location is within the storm water overland flow path and in a low-lying area of Highland Reserve. Therefore, it’s proving difficult to maintain the grass during prolonged wet weather events.

Without drainage work being undertaken, there will be continued wet areas and some ponding which will take time to dry out after rain. Worn turf and localised ponding can be addressed by filling voids, top dressing with sand and turfing as required, however I’ve requested officers investigate options for a long-term solution.

A recent inspection highlighted the need for additional hardstand/pathway from the entry to the seat. This has been programmed for future construction. Once the park has fully dried, the installation of the seat slabs will be completed.

Cycle and pedestrian improvement

Construction of a new shared path from Highland Way to Stephens Street, Upper Coomera, has been programmed to start mid-September. This project will deliver the missing sections in the active travel network to improve pedestrian safety.

The work will include construction of a new shared path 2 metres wide by 390 metres long on the south-western side of Highland Way between The Well and Stephens Street, and a crossing point on Highland Way to Skyridge Drive. New street trees will also be planted once stock is available, possibly towards the end of the year.

Finnegan Way Reserve playground

I recently received a request for an upgrade to the Finnegan Way Reserve playground on Park Esplanade Coomera. After requesting an audit of the existing play equipment to assess safety, condition, and compliance with standards, it was noted that the equipment is in good condition but the request for an additional spring toy was supported. Thanks for the feedback that the new toy is being put to good use by local children.

Coomera River Causeway

Following ongoing issues with park users damaging the existing log barriers at the Coomera River Causeway, an onsite meeting was held with Council’s maintenance team to investigate a more robust solution.

The existing log barriers will be removed and replaced with sandstone blocks, which will be embedded into the ground to prevent tampering and provide a long-term deterrent against further damage. The existing timber seat will remain in its current location

Household Resilience Ratings Program – free assessment

Council is partnering with the Resilient Building Council to empower residents to strengthen their homes against natural disasters such as floods, bushfires, severe storms and cyclones.

Homeowners can receive personalised, practical guidance about how to reduce disaster risk and better prepare for extreme weather. For further information about the program and apply to be part of the program by registering, please visit Free Assessment.

Advanced Resource Recovery Centre

The largest and most important project for Council in the foreseeable future is the development of the proposed Advanced Resource and Recovery Centre at Stapylton. Gold Coast landfills are forecast to reach capacity within the next 10 years at current volumes of waste to landfill, and the ARRC project is vital for increasing recycling rates and avoiding the need to transport waste to landfills outside of the Gold Coast.

It will be a state-of-the-art facility offering services to other local authorities. Feasibility studies into the ARRC are well advanced and ongoing, exploring costs alongside technical options. Further information will interest us all as the project proceeds and the various State licensing requirements and other permits are achieved with environmental issues being foremost in everyone’s minds. I’ll keep you posted.

Photo: Visiting the Advanced Resource Recovery Centre project site July 14 2025 with fellow councillors. Photo credit Cr Naomi Fowler.

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 urgent after-hour matters 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, as it can be difficult to be across what’s happening throughout the entire area.

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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