Runaway Bay Sports Precinct - an exciting future ahead

The Master Plan for Runaway Bay Sports Precinct has been adopted.

It represents a vision for one of our city’s premier grassroots and high-performance sporting precincts, blending a range of community-focused facilities with enhanced and expanded sports infrastructure.

The Plan is the product of almost a years’ worth of expert analysis and community consultation.

The Runaway Bay Cricket Club’s united advocacy to preserve the Sam Loxton Oval successfully achieved this outcome; a testament to the Club’s professionalism and the value of its history.

The original Netball court proposal has been reconfigured to better accomodate spectators and access between courts.

The adopted plan returns the Luke Harrop Memorial Track to its original circuit design, with junior track and pedestrian flyovers as new safety features.

Each of these improvements to the original draft plan are a credit to the quality engagement received, and the City’s genuine responsiveness to stakeholder feedback throughout the process.
Access to the full detail is available online.

Thank you to the hundreds of local residents and committee members who provided critical input into this high level planning process.

I’m excited to continue working with the community and our clubs as the more detailed phases of the project are rolled out over the coming years.

BAY ALL DAY

Unstoppable Andrew Harris - a story of local resilience

Anyone can get lucky, not everyone can persevere.

One of the most cherished parts of my role is when local residents trust me with their stories. We live in a network of stories; it is how we connect, explore our humanity and give meaning to our lives. What a gift it was to finally meet Paradise Point resident, and soon to be Dr, Andrew Harris, in person earlier this month.

Born 10 weeks premature and with Cerebral Palsy, Andrew was born a fighter. At 7, meningitis nearly claimed him. He spent 20 years advocating and working in the disability sector, and obtaining a Masters in Writing, before illness almost claimed his life again. In 2018 and he was diagnosed with acute polycystic kidney disease.

After ten months on dialysis, he was the fortunate recipient of an anonymous organ donor. He underwent a transplant operation in Brisbane, returning home to the Gold Coast just before the COVID lock downs. He kept himself focused and productive through his PhD studies at Bond University, in criminology and writing.

In February next year, the kid whose parents were told would never walk or attend mainstream school will be the man who strides to accept his doctorate. On behalf of our local community, Andrew, you are an inspiration and we are incredibly proud of your extraordinary life-long achievements.

“Anyone can get lucky… The person who has been dealt a harder hand, understood it, but still triumphed? That’s greatness”*

His message for our community? Please, if you haven't already considered becoming an organ donor, learn more and register as an organ donor .... some amazing lives depend on it.

*Holiday & Hanselman, 2016

Good news for regular visitors to O’Connell Park!

O'Connell Park, Biggera Waters is undergoing improvement works commencing in mid-November 2025 to enhance park access, with new footpaths and picnic settings designed to meet Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) standards.

The new pathways will connect Stradbroke Street with the existing shelter and drinking fountain, creating a more inclusive and enjoyable space for everyone. Works are expected to take around four weeks to complete.

I’m looking forward to seeing this beautiful green space become even more welcoming and accessible for our whole community.

Paradise Point Parkrun - 10 years old!!

On Saturday 18 October, Paradise Point Parkrun celebrated a remarkable milestone - 10 years since the very first event in our community.

It was wonderful to be joined by Cameron Caldwell MP and Sally Cameron, founder of the Anzac Day Annual Virtual Marathon and Marathon Event, both of whom played key roles in establishing this much-loved tradition.

A quick look around our local cafés and shops on any Saturday morning shows the incredible impact Parkrun has on our communityy - boosting local business while promoting health, connection, and wellbeing - all for free! None of this would be possible without the dedication of our amazing volunteers and race directors.

Here’s to the next 10 years of Saturday mornings filled with community spirit, friendship, and fitness - because Parkrun truly is so much more than a walk in the park!

Discretionary grants –2025 allocations announced

I’m delighted to announce the successful recipients of the Discretionary Grants Program 2025, which supports projects that primarily benefit residents within specific divisional areas. This year, a total funding pool of $45,104 has been allocated to the following deserving community groups:

• Animal Welfare League of Queensland
• Coombabah Community Garden
• Gold Coast Wind Orchestra
• Paradise Point & District Meals on Wheels
• Probus Club of Southport
• Runaway Bay Baseball Club
• Runaway Bay Little Athletics
• Runaway Bay Netball Club
• Runaway Bay Senior Citizens Indoor Bowls& Cards Association
• Runaway Bay Senior Rugby League Football Club
• Runaway Bay Soccer Club
• St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland – Runaway Bay

Pedestrian safety upgrade at Oxley Drive / Harbourside Court

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will soon be undertaking safety improvements to pedestrian facilities at the intersection of Hope Island Road (Oxley Drive) and Harbourside Court in Biggera Waters. Work is expected to start early November 2025 and be completed by early 2026, subject to weather, contractor availability and site conditions.

Planned work includes:

• Installation of two new signalised pedestrian crossings on the southern and eastern approaches to enhance pedestrian safety.
• Installation of a wombat crossing (raised pedestrian crossing) on the left turn lane from Harbourside Court onto Oxley Drive.
• Upgrading the two existing zebra crossings on the Harbour Town slip lanes to wombat crossings.
• Installation of new median pedestrian fencing to the north and south, connecting with existing fencing from Gold Coast Highway (Brisbane Road).
• Conversion of dual exit lanes from Harbourside Court into a combined through and right lane.

Work hours:

• Day works: Monday to Friday, 6am–6pm
• Night works: Sunday to Thursday, 6pm–6am (as required)
• Weekend works: As required

Expected impacts:

• Noise, dust and vibrations during construction.
• Temporary lane closures, stop/slow traffic control, and reduced speed limits.
• Detours in place during certain stages.
• Access for residents and businesses will be maintained, with advance notification of any disruptions.
• Motorists will be kept informed via electronic message signs, traffic alerts and updates on www.QLDtraffic.qld.gov.au.

For more information, contact the project team on 1800 297 020 or email RoadTek_STH_GC_Comms@tmr.qld.gov.au.

Gold Coast Relay for Life

This year I was proud to be the patron for the Cancer Council’s Gold Coast Relay for Life.

Relay For Life has become the largest fundraising event for cancer in the world. Celebrated by more than 4 million people in over 20 countries, this inspirational overnight event empowers and unites local communities to make strides toward our ultimate vision - a cancer free future.

Relay For Life began in Australia in 1999 when the Victorian community of Murrumbeena raised over $75,000 for Cancer Council. Relays are now held in every Australian State and Territory, with more than 134,000 participants raising over $14 million each year.

Every dollar raised goes towards funding Cancer Council’s vital research, prevention and support programs, many of which help people in your community every day.

If you’re keen to register a team for next year’s Gold Coast Relay for Life, visit their website and save the date for next year’s event – 17 Oct 2026!

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