Welcome to April

Hi folks,

I hope you all had a lovely Easter break spent with family and loved ones. As many of us return to our workplaces and children head back to their classrooms, settling back into the swing of everyday life, I encourage you to take a moment later this week to pause for ANZAC Day.

It is a time to pay our respects and reflect, and for me personally, a chance to remember how incredibly fortunate I was to have two grandfathers who served in World War II, in New Guinea and Tobruk, and returned home, unlike so many young men who gave their lives for freedoms we can sometimes take for granted.

I hope everyone has an opportunity to reflect on our past and the ANZAC spirit that is woven into the fabric of both the Australian and New Zealand way of life. If you’re able to, I encourage you to attend a local service and take a moment to remember and give thanks.

Local ANZAC Day commemorations include the Burleigh Heads Dawn Service and the Surfers Paradise Dawn Service & March, with further details provided below.

Looking ahead next month, I hope you can join me for our very first Mother’s Day Picnic in the Park event at Deodar Park, Burleigh Waters on Sunday 10 May. Mother's can relax with complimentary pamper sessions and enjoy live music on stage. Meanwhile there's plently organised for the kids, including free face painting, jumping castles, craft stations and more. Mums will truly be in the spotlight - and rightly so – we’re rolling out the special ‘pink carpet’ for you to take family photos beneath a beautiful floral arch! Scroll down to see the event poster with more details.

I hope to see you and your family there!

Nick

ANZAC Day services – Saturday 25 April

On ANZAC Day, our community will come together to remember and honour the service and sacrifice of all Australians and New Zealanders who have served.

Local and nearby commemorations include:

Burleigh Heads Dawn Service 

The dawn service will take place at 5:30am, a change in time from previous years – form up 5:20am on park walkway alongside Bowls Club.

The community service will commence at 10:00am – form up 9:20am Cnr West & James Streets, Burleigh Heads. March off at 9:30am to the Cenotaph.

📍Memorial Park (corner of Connor Street and Gold Coast Highway)

Surfers Paradise Dawn Service & March 

Dawn march from 5.00am along Beach Road (in front of Subway), followed by the dawn service at 5:30am at the ANZAC Memorial, The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise.

There will also be a midday service at the Cenotaph, Cavill Park, Surfers Paradise. Following the midday service, there will be light refreshments at Club Paradise located at 9 Beach Road, Surfers Paradise.

👉Click here for more Gold Coast services.

Don't forget to spoil mum!

Bring the whole family along for a beautiful day out celebrating Mother’s Day in the sunshine!

💐Click here for the Facebook event listing with more details.

Lake Hugh Muntz – currently closed

On Monday 13 April, an Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) approved algaecide was applied to Lake Hugh Muntz at Mermaid Waters to help reduce blue green algae levels.

🚣The lake is prone to blue green algal blooms. At times, these blooms can affect water quality and may pose a risk to human health.

As a precaution, Lake Hugh Muntz will remain temporarily closed during the treatment process. Signage has been installed around the lake to keep residents informed.

▶️ Click here to watch my explainer video to understand why this treatment is taking place.

🔎 Click here for the latest water quality results and management updates.

Crocker Park fitness equipment

Outdoor fitness enthusiasts will soon enjoy a new station featuring moving items, such as the shoulder press, leg workout station, pedal/bike equipment, and static items including chin-up bars, parallel bars and dip bars.

Built with marine-grade materials and synthetic turf soft-fall, this upgrade guarantees durability, safety, and a visually appealing workout space for all ages.

💪Works commenced earlier this month and is scheduled for completion at the end of May.

North Burleigh slide prevention project

The North Burleigh Slide Prevention Project at Mick Schamberg Park in Miami is near completion.

The project involved the installation of five levels of terraced seating walls and new turf, addressing ongoing mud sliding issues that occurred during heavy rainfall and caused damage to this much loved open space.

These works have strengthened the park’s resilience to severe weather while enhancing the usability and appearance of the area for the community to enjoy.

🌲Once the turf is fully established, additional trees will be planted to provide increased shade.

Lions Head slope stabilisation

As part of the City’s stabilisation works at Lions Head Park, Stage 4 is now underway to enhance public safety and protect the headland.

Following the recent fire at Lions Head Park, rock scaling works have already been completed to remove loose rock, debris and rubbish from the slope. Trees have also been trimmed to maintain separation from buildings and boundaries.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused a landslip on the eastern-facing slope, which now requires stabilisation.

Proposed works include:

🚧 Installation of an anchor and mesh system.
🚧 Fibrecrete applied in selected areas to enhance slope stability and ensure community safety.
🚧 The catch fence within Chairlift Avenue sustained damage from fallen trees during the cyclone. Repairs, including replacement of damaged anchors, are proposed to restore the asset to its required standard.

📅 Works are expected to be completed by late August 2026.

Click here to read more about the project.

Coming soon - Sixth Avenue viewing platform

A new viewing platform will be constructed at Sixth Avenue in Burleigh Heads.

The Sixth Avenue platform has been designed to:
🌊 Enhance coastal views
🌊 Improve public amenity
🌊 Strengthen connectivity between the beachfront and surrounding public spaces

Construction is currently scheduled to commence in May, with completion anticipated by July, subject to weather conditions.

👷‍♂️Works will generally be undertaken Monday to Friday between 7:00am and 4:30pm.

In addition to the Sixth Avenue platform, a similar viewing platform will also be delivered further south at Second Avenue.

📸 Pictured is Fourth Avenue viewing platform

Bike racks for Marymount College

A new pedestrian ramp and bike racks have been installed outside Marymount College in Burleigh Waters, making the area safer and more accessible for students and the wider community.

🚴Two rows of bike racks were added in response to ongoing demand, with bicycles previously being locked to fencing and signposts. The new racks help keep pathways clear and improve safety for pedestrians.

The works were completed during the school holiday break to minimise disruption.

Ernie Tebb Park basketball court renewal

The existing basketball court at Ernie Tebb Park in Miami is being demolished and rebuilt. A new half court will be constructed on the southern side of the park, featuring a basketball hoop at one end and a netball hoop at the other.

🏀Relocating the court will create a more open, flexible space and improved connections to nearby amenities including the playground, picnic shelter and drinking fountain, making the area more inviting for families and park users of all ages.

🏗️ Construction works commenced Monday 13 April.

💡During excavation works, City officers will temporarily de-energise the park lighting. As a result, the lights will be switched off for approximately one week.

The new space is expected to reopen for public use from 5 May, weather permitting.

Defibrillator grant program – boosting safety in Division 12

Sporting and community organisations throughout the Gold Coast have received funding through the City’s Defibrillator Grant Program, helping to enhance safety, including within Division 12.

Additional local groups were supported through Divisional funds with the full list of successful organisations including:

    🏖️Miami Beach Surf Life Saving Club Inc
    🏈Burleigh Bombers Australian Football Club
    ⚽Burleigh Heads Soccer Club ‘The Bulldogs’
    🏊Kennedy Pacific Swimming Club Inc

Why defibrillators matter? Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone and can occur anywhere. Quick access to a defibrillator, combined with early CPR and calling Triple Zero (000), can significantly increase a person’s chance of survival.

For queries regarding the Defibrillator Grant Program please contact the Community Safety team via communitysafety@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

Historical corner

The year is 1970 and we’re looking over Miami. 🚁

Further inland sits what would one day become Burleigh Waters - but at this point, it simply didn’t exist. The landscape was mostly paddocks, bushland and natural waterways, with development still years away. 🐏

At the time, the Gold Coast’s population was only around 84,000, a fraction of what it is today.

📸GCCC photographer, City of Gold Coast Libraries Local Studies Collection.

New home for U3A Central Gold Coast at Burleigh Waters Community Centre

It’s wonderful to see U3A Central Gold Coast (formerly U3A Broadbeach) settling into their new office/meeting room at the Burleigh Waters Community Centre.

Operating on the Gold Coast for more than 30 years, the organisation continues to grow and serve the local community by offering a wide range of educational and social opportunities for retirees and seniors.

The new space will enhance the group’s ability to coordinate activities, welcome members, and expand its programs in a comfortable and accessible environment. Classes run during QLD school terms and recommenced on Monday 20 April.

📞If you’d like to become involved or learn more about U3A Central Gold Coast and its programs, please contact the Secretary on 0436 449 139

👉Click here to visit their website.

Meet an author at Broadbeach Library in May

Gold Coast Libraries host a variety of authors each month as they promote their latest books. Come along to hear great conversations, get a new reading recommendation and meet an author in person. In May, the Broadbeach Library will be hosting:

📖Dervla McTiernan ‘Three Reasons for Revenge’ on Thursday 7 May - book your free ticket here

📖 Sarah A Parker ‘The Ballad of Falling Dragons’ on Thursday 14 May - book your free ticket here

📖Frances Whiting ‘The Nocturnals’ on Thursday 21 May – book your free ticket here

📍The Broadbeach Library is located right next to our Division 12 office at 61 Sunsine Blvd, Mermaid Waters.

Have your say on the city's future

There are currently two City planning projects open for community feedback.

🏢The Local Growth Management Strategy (LGMS) sets the overall direction for how the city will grow over the next 20 years, including where growth could happen over time.

🚋The Neighbourhood Framework focuses on the local level, shaping how this growth could look in specific neighbourhoods in the Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads corridor.

Both projects will inform the new Planning Scheme program which outcomes to guide future development across the city. More information below.

Neighbourhood Framework

The City is planning for growth along the Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads corridor.

What this is about:

• We’re planning for growing communities while preserving the lifestyle, amenity, heritage and landscape character valued in our local neighbourhoods.
• Public transport infrastructure delivery (Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3) offers significant neighbourhood renewal benefits, while also improving access to these areas for the community and visitors.
• The Neighbourhood Framework aims to guide how local areas within the corridor may grow and change.
• Community input has already helped shape Concept plans for Nobby Beach/Miami North and Christine Avenue/Second Avenue Station Neighbourhoods.

Remaining Station Neighbourhoods proposed for concept planning:
🚊Mermaid Beach
🚊Mermaid Beach South
🚊Miami
🚊Burleigh Heads
(A Station Neighbourhood is an identified local area within the Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads corridor).

Why your feedback matters:
Your feedback will help guide future planning directions in the remaining Station Neighbourhoods. 👉 Click here to get involved and have your say to help shape the future of these important local areas.

Community Pop Up Kiosks: 🗣️
We’re hosting a series of community pop up kiosks where you can drop by, ask questions and share your feedback on future planning for our area (dates and times may change due to weather).
📍Miami – Oceanway (Thorn Park): Monday 27 April, 7am – 10am
📍Mermaid Beach – Ken Mansbridge Park: Saturday 2 May, 7am – 10am
📍Burleigh Foreshore – Justins Park: Thursday 7 May, 7am – 10am

Local Growth Management Strategy (LGMS)

The Gold Coast population is predicted to reach one million people by 2046. To accommodate this growth, the City of Gold Coast is planning for 388,300 more people, 173,800 more jobs and 185,000 more homes.

We’re finalising the LGMS which informs the development of the new Planning Scheme. Your feedback has helped shape the LGMS, which is a long-term, evidence-based guide to help us plan for housing, jobs, transport, infrastructure, and environmental resilience - ensuring we meet future growth challenges and opportunities.

On 10 March Council gave in-principle support for the LGMS, and endorsed the 9 Directions for Growth that underpin it. Community engagement is continuing throughout 2026 to share details of the LGMS and how we are planning for growth in the long term, including preparing the new Planning Scheme.

👉 Let us know your thoughts and help us refine the LGMS and share your feedback. Complete the survey now and go into the draw to win one of five $100 gift vouchers (terms and conditions apply).

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3-GCLR3

Keep up to date with works and notifications for GCLR3.

Freecall: 1800 312 600-select option 1

Email: contact@gclr.com.au

Visit: http://www.gclr3.com.au