The growth in population will continue to present challenges for the city while we try to create opportunities for our next generation ensuring that the jobs exist to support them while enabiling our community to flourish.

Please be sure to participate in the forthcoming consultation regarding the Local Growth Management Strategy and the development of a new City Plan. As always, if you require my assistance, please call 5581 6598 or email me.

2025/26 Budget deliberations

We are currently in discussions contemplating the $2 billion Council 2025-26 budget. Careful consideration will be given to allocate the necessary funding for services and infrastructure, ensuring the best possible value for money. It seems this year will be the most difficult to keep rates at CPI but every effort will be made.

The biggest difficulty is the State Waste Levy which was introduced a couple of years back and which will likely see mandatory increases to cover the levy cost. It’s a complicated matter where funds cannot be transferred across Council to the water entity which has to achieve full cost recovery.

Thank you to those who responded to my recent budget survey. I’ve created a folder of suggested improvements to park and shade covers, community facilities, footpath connections, and leash free areas - all of which are vital to protect our lifestyle.

Major road improvements must be delivered via whole of city funds. And - in that regard, traffic congestion again topped the list of concerns. The improvements we need at Coomera will require a big commitment from the State and Federal Governments. It was encouraging to see our Premier recently commit to both the upgrade of the M1 and the Coomera Connector before 2032.

Division 3 survey

We received 287 responses to the Division 3 survey “What upgrade would you like to see happen in your area’”. Growth and its related effects remain of concern in northern Gold Coast so again we need to find a balance in getting the infrastructure delivered to support the steady growth.

The SEQ Regional Plan (which is the Plan for South-east Queensland that sits above the City Plan), presently supports infill development - going “up”, rather than “out”. This is to ensure that development occurs as close to existing services and facilities as possible to stop the sprawl which necessitates new infrastructure. The State Government sets a target for the delivery of homes - and for us it’s 5,000 new dwellings per year.

ANZAC Day commemorations

ANZAC Day, observed on 25 April each year, is a significant day of national remembrance for Australia and New Zealand, marking the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

It honours the service and sacrifice of all those who have served in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. ANZAC Day is a time for us all to reflect on the sacrifices made by military personnel and to acknowledge the courage and dedication of all those who have served and continue to serve in the Australian Defence Force. It allows the nation to come together in gratitude and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

2025 ANZAC Day Dawn Service - Helensvale

Join the ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Helensvale – hosted by North Gold Coast RSL Subbranch.

• When: Friday 25 April
• Time: 5:10 AM - 6:00 AM
• Location: Club Helensvale 20 Discovery Drive HELENSVALE

2025 ANZAC Day Ceremony - Upper Coomera

Join the main 2025 ANZAC Day service in Upper Coomera to honour the service and sacrifice of the ANZAC's and all the service members who have followed in their footsteps.

• When: Friday 25 April
• Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Location: Upper Coomera Centre - 90 Reserve Road UPPER COOMERA

ANZAC Day trading rules

I recently received an enquiry relating to ANZAC Day trading rules and thought it timely to provide information.

Independent retail shops must remain closed until 1pm on Anzac Day, exceptions are predominantly food and/or grocery stores, which can trade without restriction. However, specific trading hour restrictions apply for licensed premises. For more information, visit ANZAC Day trading rules.

Upper Coomera Adventure Parklands BMX track

Last week the Upper Coomera Adventure Parklands BMX Track was temporarily closed due to the excessive water damage from the heavy downpours resulting from Cyclone Alfred.

Officers will be onsite this week to do some minor rectification works to make the track safe and to get it reopened. However, at the time of writing this newsletter I’m unsure if further rain has delayed the start of rectification work.

Further work is planned for May/June which will see us asphalt the 2 main berms reducing future closures and a significant reduction in maintenance cost for the BMX Track in the future. Once I have confirmed dates, I will let you know as it will be closed for approximately 4-5 weeks.

Old Coach Road Shared path project

It’s been two years since the budget was secured and approval granted to proceed to the planning stage of the Old Coach Road Shared path project. Unfortunately, a few hiccups including issues with underground services caused a minor delay in the planning phase, however, I can finally confirm construction of the Old Coach Road shared path will start in the coming weeks.

The project is required due to missing sections of path on the western side of Old Coach Road between Reserve Road and south of Gannon Way. The new path will support walking and cycling to public transport, key services, and destinations. There is also no safe crossing point in the vicinity of Gannon Way.

Work will include:

• Construction of approximately 400m long x 2m wide path on the western side of Old Coach Road from Reserve Road to approximately 60m south of Gannon Way
• New kerb ramps and reconstruction of existing non-compliant kerb ramps.
• Installation of a new pedestrian refuge approximately 60m south of Gannon Way
• Modification to the bike lane/traffic lane, adjacent to the proposed pedestrian refuge south of Gannon Way

Construction work will generally occur between 6:30 am and 6:30 pm, Monday to Friday. During construction you will notice temporary lane closures, traffic delays, noise, and dust at times. Traffic management will be in place to assist motorists, pedestrians, and bike riders.

Kerkin Road Adventure Parklands

Construction is scheduled to start in the coming weeks on the long awaited Kerkin Road Adventure Parklands. The shortfall of parks east of the M1 sparked investigation and then community consultation in September 2023. Planning then commenced for the Kerkin Road South Adventure Parklands, which will be the biggest recreational space planned for our area.

View the Concept Plan

After two years of wide consultation in the planning stage, I’m extremely excited to finally see construction about to start. This will be a destination park for all residents. Kerkin Road South Park, Coomera, provides over 8 hectares of conservation parkland to the Gold Coast's northern suburbs. The project site is made up of Open Space Park (1.8 hectares) and Conservation Estate (7 hectares).

The project aims to deliver a new adventure park that includes infrastructure to support longer stays in the park through new amenities and facilities. With the help of the community, we have developed a design that encourages active lifestyles and caters to all users, while conserving the beautiful natural environment surrounding the site.

The adventure park will provide opportunities for:

• new open space parkland
• enhanced ecological values
• walking trails and pathways
• BMX pump track
• local skatepark
• high quality shaded adventure play areas
• barbecue and picnic facilities
• park furniture
• car parking
• public amenities
• additional landscape planting

New footpath Springdale and Ferncliffe Street

Construction started in January on a new footpath for Springdale and Ferncliffe Streets Upper Coomera. The footpath, almost 270m long, will improve the safety of residents in accessing various key amenities in the area, and encourage school children to walk and cycle safely to school. A few additional missing path links along Ferncliffe Street, approximately 170m long, will complete the path network.

With construction completed late March, the footpath is open, and I can confirm, from feedback, is well received by locals. I’m also happy to report turf has come up well despite the recent weather events however I’m very sure the amount of rain we’ve experienced has certainly contributed to the growth. Please continue to raise your suggestions for footpath links via email.

Coomera Sports Park Dog Off-Leash

The fencing for the new dog off-leash area at Coomera Sports Park is complete. Agility equipment installation should be completed however I could not confirm this at the time of writing this newsletter.

Seating, signage, a waste bin, and bag dispenser will also be installed, with tree planting completed in the next few weeks. Officers will continue with tree care until established.

Learning Street Coomera

Concerns have been raised with drivers speeding through Learning Street and requests for traffic calming has been investigated. Traffic calming devices, such as speed humps, are generally only installed in instances where it is desirable to deter the movement of non-local traffic from entering an area, rather than to eliminate instances of inappropriate driver behaviour such as speeding. The installation of traffic calming treatments can also affect the amenity of an area due to an increase in noise associated with vehicles negotiating the devices.

Learning Street carries an average of 1,146 vehicles per day traveling at an average speed of 43km/h. Officers consider the volumes and speeds are appropriate for a residential street such as Learning Street and indicate high compliance with the default speed limit of 50km/h. Furthermore, there is a raised intersection treatment that already exists on Learning Street at the Keppel Way intersection. This intersection treatment was installed by the developer when the road was initially constructed.

Considering the current traffic volume and speed, officers do not support the installation of speed humps on Learning Street. Please continue to raise driver behaviour issues directly with Policelink 131 444.

Have your say - Tropical Cyclone Alfred recovery

City of Gold Coast is seeking your feedback after the biggest weather event on the Gold Coast in over 50 years. We'd like to know how we can have the greatest impact helping to best address your concerns and understand your most immediate needs as we recover from the cyclone's impacts.

The information gathered will assist in ensuring the city not only recovers as quickly as possible, but also becomes more resilient to future weather events. To provide your feedback, please go to gchaveyoursay.com.au/tc-alfred-recovery

Tree vandalism

Unfortunately, tree vandalism is becoming an increasing issue across the area, ranging from the trimming, and breaking of branches to knocking over or complete removal of trees from public land.

These actions come at a cost to our environment and result in significant financial impacts for Council. If you witness any acts of vandalism to trees or vegetation, please report it so that appropriate action can be taken.

E-Scooter and E-Bike ride rules

As e-scooters and e-bikes become more common on our roads, footpaths, and in parks, it’s important to be aware of the rules to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment. Specific regulations apply to personal mobility devices (PMD), which includes escooters, eskateboards, and other small, electrically powered transport options.

To ride a PMS, you must be at least 16 years old, or at least 12 years old and supervised by an adult while riding the device. Children under 12 years of age must not ride personal mobility devices. PMD are allowed on footpaths, shared paths, and bicycle paths but riders must always give way to pedestrians. Helmets are required if the device has an electric motor.

Queensland Police can and do issue fines for e-scooter and e-bike riders who break road rules, including speeding, using a phone while riding, and not wearing a helmet. For further information please visit PMD Road Rules.

Let’s get physical

Do you ever think to yourself, I wish that I could do that locally? Well, perhaps you can, but you just don’t know that it is offered.

The Active and Healthy program offers over 200 free and low-cost weekly activities in parks and community facilities across the city.

Use our calendar to search a range of free/low-cost activities that are fun, enjoyable and suitable for all shapes and sizes.

Justice of the Peace services Upper Coomera

The Justice of the Peace (JP) is a volunteer service available to the community and acts as an independent body for witnessing official documents.

A Justice of the Peace can be accessed at the Upper Coomera Centre Tuesday and Thursdays from 4:30pm until 6:30pm.

A JP will assist you with:

• Certification of original documentation
• Verifying a person’s identity
• Witnessing an affidavit for court proceedings
• Witnessing statutory declarations
• Witnessing the signing of documentation

Prior to meeting with a JP, ensure you have all your originals and copies of your documentation with you. It is also important to ensure you have photo identification on hand.

Please be aware JPs are not a legal advice service and a JP must not accept monetary payment nor any other payment for the service.

Neighbour Day 2025

Neighbour Day 2025 is Sunday 30 March, with the theme "Create, Share, Grow Belonging". Neighbour Day has operated for over 20 years, highlighting the importance of knowing and connecting with your neighbours.

Research supports that when we connect with each other in our community we have a greater sense of belonging leading to improved mental health and a reduction in loneliness. The support of others strengthens our resilience to outside pressures.

Please visit Neighbour Day 2025 for further information. 

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.

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 I'm 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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