It’s been a quick start to winter on the Gold Coast with much cooler early morning temperatures but with the warmish, sunny days that make living here so great. It’s the time of year when Council takes a slight break following budget deliberations which adds a lot to the workload for everyone involved. Because we’re all busy, you may have missed my 2025-2026 City Budget summary. If so, please visit Budget Summary for an overview of our area.

Community feedback

Council is reviewing its City Plan and as part of the process is developing a Local Growth Management Strategy so that we can appropriately plan for the future of the city. The predicted growth is that we’ll reach one million people by 2046, requiring 185,000 new homes and 173,000 new jobs.

In October and November last year, Council carried out an Urban Change Readiness Project to gather community perspectives on growth and urban change and to explore emerging urban change scenarios. Growth priorities were also explored. Over 3,000 community responses were gathered through the process from many sectors, including the Junior Council and wider demographics.

There will always be challenges associated with growth, requiring very careful planning and Council is focussed on doing as much work and consultation as possible in advance of the delivery of the new Planning Scheme which will guide growth and development across the city for years to come.

Help shape the future of the Gold Coast

You can help shape the future of the Gold Coast and Have Your Say gchaveyoursay.com.au/hub-page/planyourgoldcoast. Your views will be welcomed.

Mowing

The frequency of mowing rotations varies throughout the year depending on weather conditions, with more frequent mowing in the warmer months when grass grows more rapidly. Recent rainfall has affected mowing in some areas and when pooling water is overlooked contractors are urged not to mow.

Damage to some reserve areas in recent weeks has been significant so please be patient if the grass looks a little longer than usual. We are now in the autumn/winter mowing cycle which will follow the schedule as shown below:

• May to end of June -- Mowing cycle - Every 3 weeks
• July -- Mowing cycle - No mowing
• August -- Mowing cycle - Every 4 weeks

Spot checks of parks, dog off leash areas, public verges, and footpaths will continue where an issue arises, so please keep me informed of any concerns.

Illegal dumping

Illegal dumping is always of concern, especially when we have remained one of the only local authorities to support free rubbish disposal in our city. If you read my budget summary, you’ll see that this is set to change in 2026, with the Council supporting the then introduction of a $5 gate fee for disposal of rubbish.

Councils across Queensland are struggling with a State Waste levy which was introduced by the former Qld Government and as a result are looking for ways to raise revenue to cover the charge. As a result, service charges for every ratepayer will increase and a new charge is to be introduced for those residents who do not receive a weekly service as a contribution to the city’s waste services operations.

I opposed both the introduction of gate fees and the new fee for non-serviceable properties, but unfortunately the decision was supported by the majority of councillors.

Seniors and Veterans Off-Peak Bus Travel scheme

Following my previous newsletter issued 12 June regarding the Seniors and Veterans Off-Peak Bus Travel scheme, I received a request for an explanation as to why Council has discontinued the scheme, sighting the removal as “an attack on seniors”.

The State Government controls public transport, however, 12 years ago in an effort to assist older residents, Council introduced a subsidy towards the cost of public transport. This allowed free off-peak travel for seniors and veterans.

In advance of the State Government election, the Qld Government reduced all fares on public transport to 50 cents. This was made permanent by the new LNP Government – but the ratepayers were still subsidising public transport operations to the full extent. I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s a benefit to be able to travel at any time of the day for just 50 cents – and an unnecessary burden on ratepayers to continue funding operations at the former level.

The 2025-26 Council budget was delivered on 6 June and included other Senior Discounts such as a 10 per cent increase in the Pensioner Rates Rebate, free dog registration for over 60’s, concessions on swimming pool entrance fees and low-cost activities promoting wellbeing and active ageing.

Kondalilla Drive and Old Coach Road intersection concerns

The development at the bottom of Kondalilla Drive currently under construction, with earthworks in progress at the time of writing this newsletter. The development application includes a "condition" to install a traffic island on Old Coach Road to restrict movements to left-in/left-out only. This will ensure a safe exit from Kondalilla Drive. There had been earlier incorrect advice that a roundabout was to be installed – but this is not the case, and the island as described above has been confirmed.

Bus stop improvements

Much is taken into consideration in delivering improvements to bus infrastructure across the city. This includes demand, patronage, underground services location and impact to property owners and of course budget.

Council is committed to improving the standard of its public transport infrastructure to ensure our bus stops are accessible and inclusive to all. Council works with Main Roads to determine the most appropriate location and design for new bus stops and the upgrade requirements of existing facilities.I’m aware there is a desire for a route change to assist Palm Lake and Seachange residents and have offered a letter of support for this to occur.

Please also share with me your locations where a bus stop might be required or let me know if there’s an existing bus stop in need of a revamp so officers can refer to the Department of Transport and Main Roads for consideration.

Bus stop improvements to be undertaken during 2025/26 are as follows:

1. Reserve Road (Opp 633) Upper Coomera - Demolish and reconstruct existing boarding area and install a shelter
2. Brygon Creek Road Upper Coomera - Demolish and reconstruct existing boarding area and install a shelter
3. Billinghurst Crescent Upper Coomera - Demolish and reconstruct existing boarding area and update line marking
4. Reserve Road (Opp 31) Upper Coomera - Demolish and reconstruct existing boarding area. Re-instate shelter, and update line marking

Coomera Valley Rural Fire Brigade Open Day

The Coomera Valley Rural Fire Brigade Open Day is Sunday 27 July from 9am-1pm. The event will feature food vans, including coffee, as well as a display of fire trucks and RFS support capabilities. Other emergency services will also be showcased, along with local community groups. Family-friendly activities available for all to enjoy.

Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for further updates via Coomera Valley Rural Fire Brigade Open Day. I do hope you can attend and support an incredible and hardworking team of volunteers – their aim to reduce the likelihood and consequence of fires. I look forward to seeing you at the open day.

St Joesph’s College Coomera bus indent bay

A while back I met on site with officers to discuss the St Joseph’s School car park. The school had approached me advising safety concerns at the two adjacent roundabouts citing problems with bus movements into and from the school bus parking bays. Traffic was banking up when a bus or buses are within the car park area causing major congestion problems out on to Kerkin Road.

A request for bus bays outside the school car park was investigated. A location close to the corner of Kerkin Road South adjacent to the school’s western carpark has been approved and the budget confirmed however there is still a process to follow including design and then construction.

I’ll continue to keep you updated because I’m aware many parents still struggle at school pick up due to congestion.

Coomera Sports Park dog off leash area

I have requested an estimate for tree planting at the newly constructed dog exercise area within Coomera Sports Park. In preparing the landscaping for this space, officers factored in the use of ex-ground trees to provide immediate shade amenity, particularly around key infrastructure such as seating areas, pathways, and the agility zone.

This approach ensures instant canopy coverage, improving comfort for park users and their pets, enhanced visual appeal and environmental value, contributing to the overall park aesthetic, and reduced heat retention. Trees will be planted strategically within the closure around the seating and the around the outside of the enclosure. Work will occur as soon as possible.

CCTV anti-hooning trailer

The dedicated mobile CCTV anti-hooning trailer will be deployed to Days Road Upper Coomera in the coming week, to address concerns of hooning. The schedule is subject to change if urgent CCTV requests arise such as a high priority police request in an alternate location at that time. Any relevant footage will be made available to police upon request.

Upper Coomera Lions Club

Have you thought about how you can give back to your local community. You could consider becoming a member of the Upper Coomera Lions Club. The primary focus of the club is aiding the needs of the local community. The club engage in a variety of community projects ranging from health initiatives, environmental efforts, and supporting local youth programs and much more.

Joining the Upper Coomera Lions Club is a wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact in the community. For further information please visit facebook.com/UpperCoomeraLionsClub/, email uppercoomera.qld@lions.org.au or phone 0403 954 353.

Botanic Gardens glider

The Botanic Gardens Glider is a perfect way to explore Gold Coast’s Regional Botanic Gardens, especially for those who prefer not to walk long distances. Tours are led by specially trained volunteer drivers and last approximately 50 minutes.

Weekly tours are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM, and monthly on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Reserve your spot now. Group tours are also available by appointment and can be customised to suit your group’s needs.

For inquiries or further details, email glider@friendsgcrbg.org.au. The cost is just $5.00 per person.

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.

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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