Oxenford Investigation Area Update

Residents may recall that further progress on the investigation area was 'paused' last year due to uncertainty around being able to conduct consultation during COVID-19. A short update was provided to the last meeting of Council (#808) in relation to the progress of the Oxenford Investigation Area.

Details of the Planning and Environment Committee agenda item can be found on-line here (page 444-462).

The next step in the process is City Officers will prepare a report for the December 2021 round of Council meetings that will outline a draft sequencing strategy, a concept plan for the first proposed precinct area (Riversdale A), and details for the next round of community consultation scheduled for February 2022.

It is the intention that three separate stakeholder groups will be consulted:

1. Investigation Area community
2. Riversdale A precinct community
3. Frame Area community (i.e. greater Oxenford)

Oxenford Quarry Update

The additional information requested at the last Council meeting has not yet been resolved / provided to Councillors.

Accordingly, it is the Mayor’s intention to move a further procedural motion at this coming Tuesday’s Full Council meeting (12 October 2021), which will be as follows:-

“That the matter be deferred to the Council meeting of 1 November 2021 to allow further consideration and review of the officer’s report and recommendation”

Sickle Park

The contractor undertaking works in Sickle Park has released the  majority of the park back to the City.The playground, footpaths, and car park are all complete. Minor works are still required in and around the sheltered areas. We thank the community for their patience with the closure.

Sickle Park serves a large catchment of residents on Hope Island and it is our intention to add more trees each year to improve shade and amenity. 

We encourage Hope Island residents to check out Hope Island Tennis Club, which offers well priced memberships and casual court hire.

Helensvale State School

The City of Gold Coast is partnering with the Helensvale State  School to help deliver much needed improvements to the school’s sporting facilities. The City has a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Education. Over the coming summer holidays, City staff will be reconditioning the school oval, adding a synthetic cricket pitch, and refurbishing the school’s irrigation system.

It is a small capital investment from the City, but the upside of the arrangement is the City will be able to co-ordinate right-of-use arrangements for sporting clubs outside of school hours, which is great news for junior cricket and the Helensvale/Pacific Pines Hawks Cricket Club.

Celebrating Seniors Month on the Gold Coast

Seniors Month is the perfect opportunity to enjoy what the city has to offer and connect with others.

Our 2021 Seniors Month Gold Coast Event Guide features a range of free or low-cost activities offered across the city.

Download the 2021 Seniors Month Gold Coast Event Guide

You can also check out Seniors Month events on the Gold Coast Event Calendar.

Other formats of the 2021 Seniors Month Gold Coast Event Guide, including hard copy, are available by request.

For more information, or to request a copy, please contact us via email liveable@goldcoast.qld.gov.au or phone 07 5581 6642.

Helensvale Seniors

The Helensvale Senior Citizens Club meets every Thursday morning at 37 Discovery Drive Helensvale. The Seniors offer activities and friendship and are always looking for new members. 50’s and over are welcome and you don’t have to live in Helensvale. To get involved, contact the club on hsccbluebird@gmail.com or 07 5573 0518.

Naturally GC Wildlife Fest

Come and celebrate the diversity of our Gold Coast fauna at the NaturallyGC Wildlife Fest. A day for celebration, awareness, and action! You will be able to get up close to some of our iconic wildlife with live animal displays plus interactive activities, native plant sales, kids craft and learn what actions you can take to keep our wildlife safe.

There will be several displays and interactive activities for all ages.

• Face painting for all children, pick a native animal design! Supplied by Deer Me.
• Waterbug Activity: Come meet and greet some of the amazing bugs that live in our waterways. Kids can get hands on to find and ID waterbugs. Supplied by Watergum.
• Native wildlife display including birds, reptiles, squirrel gliders and more. Supplied by Wildcall and Wild Rangers.
• Display of some of our scaly native animals, including snakes, lizards and more. Supplied by Reptile Relocation and Awareness.
• Get up close to some giant native insects. Supplied by BugKidz.
• 'Who Lives in a Hollow?’ kids plasticine modelling activity. Supplied by Green Heroes.
• Enjoy a marine touch tank and meeting some of our native sea creatures. Supplied by Ocean Stars.
• Meet the team from Dolphin Research Australia and learn about their mission to conserve dolphin and whale species. Supplied by Dolphin Research Australia.
• Learn about Flying Foxes and how you can get involved to help conserve the species. Supplied by Bats QLD.
• Check out a bee-utiful native bee display and learn how you can attract some bees to your backyard.
• Learn how to report sick and injured animals and how to become a wildlife carer. Supplied by Wildcare Australia Inc.
• Have a go at being a wildlife veterinarian on some plush native animal teddies that need your help! Supplied by Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Learn about Queensland's largest marine mammal monitoring program dedicated to the protection and research of marine mammals and how you can get involved.  Supplied by Humpbacks and High-Rises.
• The City will have several information stalls where you can learn about koala conservation, responsible pet ownership, backyard biodiversity, pest management and the NaturallyGC Program.
• Purchase some native plants to attract fauna to your backyard. Supplied by Native Plant Sales.

WHEN: 20 November 2021

WHERE: Helensvale Library and Cultural Centre

TIME: 9:00am – 10:30am and 10:30am – 12:00pm
** Limited number at each session due to covid

Registrations required.
*Places are limited, you must register for both children and adults attending. Further details provided upon registration.

Supported by Division 2 Councillor William Owen-Jones

Walk your dog on a Leash

Top 5 reasons to keep your dog on a leash:
1. Not all people are dog people – be considerate of others.
2. Avoid injuries – there’s no guarantee other dogs are friendly
3. Avoid causing an accident – be aware of your surroundings
4. Don’t lose your dog – control change in behaviour and help build your bond
5. It’s the law – fines apply

DID YOU KNOW if you are caught with your dog off a lead in a public place, it is a $137.00 fine.   

All dogs in a public place must be kept on a leash at all times unless in an off leash area.

Look out for koalas on our roads

Koala injuries and fatalities on our roads are on the rise as we move into peak koala breeding season. Help keep our furry friends safe by driving carefully, especially between dusk and dawn.

If you see a koala road sign, variable message sign or speed awareness sign, slow down and stay alert for koalas crossing the road. The placement of these signs is based on data from past vehicle strikes, so even if you haven’t seen a koala in the area, it is important to observe all signage to prevent further fatalities.

If you see a koala on a road – whether it is unwell, injured, in danger or deceased – call Wildcare Australia Inc immediately on 07 5527 2444.

During breeding season, females will often have either a small joey in their pouch or on their back, which can be thrown on impact after a vehicle strike. If you have struck, or come across a deceased koala on the road, check for pouch young and call Wildcare Australia Inc right away.

For more information, including a list of hot spot roads, visit our website.

Recruiting and retaining volunteers

Learn ways to promote and explore volunteering opportunities and retain volunteers. In this workshop we will provide you with methods to help you recruit new volunteers, assist you to learn about retention strategies and enable you to discover promotional avenues and techniques.

WHEN: Thursday 11 November 2021 

TIME: 5.30pm - 7pm 

WHERE: Upper Coomer Centre or online via Teams 

Presented by City of Gold Coast.

Register at https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/ or phone 07 5581 6642.

FREE MOVIE - Singin' In the Rain

Celebrate Seniors Month with a free movie!
Bring your friends and enjoy the toe-tapping classic Singin' in the Rain.

When the transition is being made from silent films to `talkies', everyone has trouble adapting. Don and Lina have been cast repeatedly as a romantic couple, but when their latest film is remade into a musical, only Don has the voice for the new singing part. After a lot of practise with a diction coach, Lina still sounds terrible, and Kathy, a bright young aspiring actress, is hired to record over her voice.

WHEN: Tuesday 19 October 2021

TIME: 10.30am - 12.30pm

WHERE: Helensvale Auditorium at the Helensvale Library and Cultural Centre

Book now 

Morning tea will be provided by Red Cross - Helensvale  

Helensvale Auditorium is state-of-the-art and you will enjoy an incredible cinema experience.
Then pop over the Helensvale plaza for lunch with your friends for the perfect day.

Justice of the Peace (Q)

The local Justice of the Peace Association hosts a regular Wednesday 10am to 2pm session at Helensvale Plaza Shopping Centre. They have returned to normal weekly service following an extended COVID-19 break. They are available to witness documents for local residents without an appointment.

I am also a Justice of the Peace (Q) and I am available Monday and Friday mornings, however please contact my office on 5582 8555 beforehand to confirm availability/">book an appointment.

Community Consultation

I am available to meet with members of the community in my office on the ground floor of the Helensvale Library and Cultural Centre from 9am - 10.30am most Mondays and Fridays. Please ring the office first to confirm attendance.

If a meeting is required outside of these times, please contact my PA (Karen) at the office on 5582 8555.

I welcome feedback from residents at Division2@goldcoast.qld.gov.au or contact my Facebook page - WilliamOwenJonesDivision2GoldCoast.

Newsletter Archive

Previous newsletters

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.