I’m not sure where the year has gone. Christmas is fast approaching and it’s time once again to decorate the tree and spread some of that Christmas cheer. I’m sure the three separate weather events that occurred between Christmas Day 2023 through to January this year certainly contributed to the year feeling like we’ve been short changed. The storm caused considerable structural damage including fallen trees and powerlines, damage to roofs and buildings, playgrounds, and our roads. I admit the recovery has taken its toll on City resources as officers have worked incredibly hard removing storm debris and green waste from our parks and reserves, repairing playgrounds, reinstalling shade sails, and rebuilding shelters. Our experience with severe weather events continues to change and Council continues to learn from those impacts of the disaster events we’ve faced. Our recovery plan identifies key actions to help us be more resilient to disasters and emergency events.

The freak storm on Christmas Day turned many lives upside down and I’m very aware there are still families recovering financially and emotionally. It is my wish that you have a safe and happy Christmas with friends and family and can put the storm events behind you. I again want to thank you for your ongoing support and for highlighting the issues that are important to you which helps me to plan for our area. Thanks also to those of you who continue to be “my eyes”, keeping me informed of things that may require the attention of Council officers.

As always, continue to look out for one another, support local businesses over the Christmas break, and most importantly please take extra care on the roads when travelling. Remember to look out for neighbours if they are elderly or unwell. Christmas, understandably, is not always a happy time for everyone.

I know I say this a lot but I’m truly grateful to represent Division 3 as your Councillor and Deputy Mayor. I again send my thanks to the many community and service groups, rural brigades and volunteers for your incredible commitment and hard work this year. I hope you have a truly wonderful Christmas, and I wish you the very best for the new year ahead.

Division 3 office hours for the holiday period

During the holiday period, The Division 3 office will close from 4.30pm on Friday 20 December 2025 and will reopen at 8.00am on Monday 6 January 2025.

If you need urgent assistance for an issue that may pose an immediate risk to Council’s services and significantly impact amenity or capacity to access services, then call 1300 465 326.

I am here throughout the holiday period so where you need my assistance, I am available on email or on my mobile 0424 778 999.

Christmas Carols

Christmas at Highland Reserve will be on this Saturday 7 December at Tallowwood Park, Upper Coomera. From 5pm there will be a variety of family friendly activities including a visit from Santa. Great food options will also be available. From 6:30pm the Christmas Carols kick off.

This is one of the Division 3 funded events and I hope all residents enjoy the evening. And the popular Carols in Coomera is Saturday 14 December from 4:30pm at Coomera Sports Park 35 Beattie Road. Enjoy food trucks, festive kids show, sing along to Christmas classics, and a visit from a special guest (who wears a red suit). I look forward to welcoming you.

Visit cityofgoldcoast.com.au/carolsincoomera

Kleinschmidt Family Sports Park no golf

I was recently made aware of a member of the public practicing their golf swing at Riverstone Crossing’s Kleinschmidt Family Sports Park. A golf buggy was also trailered in and used to cart the golf clubs onto the field.

Both hitting of golf balls and entering a park in a vehicle (without a permit) is prohibited under Local Law 9, and officers will continue to monitor the park. Fortunately details of the vehicle are known however if you do come across someone golfing on either field, please call me with details so I can provide to officers.

A ‘no golfing’ pictogram is currently being made and will be added to the Kleinschmidt Family Sports Park sign on Rivermill Terrace. This will be installed as soon as possible.

Coomera Rivers State School carpark bollard

There is a bollard installed within the Coomera Rivers State School carpark, just after the pedestrian crossing, to ensure drivers do not park in that spot. It is installed for the safety of pedestrians as they cross the carpark crossing and other drivers entering and exiting the carpark. Following a safety audit of the carpark at the request of the school, a second bollard will be installed directly opposite the existing bollard to prevent drivers from parking in that spot also.

I’m unsure why this wasn’t considered when the first bollard was installed. I’ve popped a request through for consideration to install the bollard during the school holidays to lessen the impact on the school, pupils, and parents.

Coomera Springs wildlife signage

Great news that arrangements have been made to install a wildlife information sign on Coomera Springs Boulevard, Upper Coomera.

Hopefully road users will slow down and be aware of ducks in the road reserve.

William Guise Foxwell Park carpark

A request has been raised to fill multiple potholes in the car park area at the end of 2 Shipper Drive - William Guise Foxwell Park. I visited the car park during a Divisional Inspection while it was raining, and the area was absolutely waterlogged with huge potholes.

It may be that the area requires resurfacing, however I await officer's advice and will provide an update in a future newsletter. 

Finnegan Park playground

Council spends thousands of hours every year maintaining our playgrounds, and any issues discovered will be repaired. However, sometimes playground equipment is beyond repair and requires a full replacement.

The playground at Finnegan Park has been identified for an upgrade to improve the accessibility and standard of the play equipment. The work will consist of the removal of the embankment slides that are in full sun and return the area back to turf. Full replacement of the play equipment under the existing shade structure will include new slides to compensate the removal of the embankment slides.

The playground will provide an engaging and inclusive play space that welcomes children and families of all abilities to learn, play and grow together.

T-Intersection warning sign

Following an accident on Riverstone Crossing Road adjacent to the Riverhouse car park, a request for the installation of a guardrail was received and investigated.

Guardrails are only installed where they do not present a hazard to road users, not to protect private property. The layout of the Riverstone Crossing Road intersection is a typical T-intersection, where officers confirm there are adequate sight distances. Additionally, on-site investigations confirmed that the existing signage and line markings are in good condition.

Considering the above factors and the low-speed environment at the intersection, officers do not support the installation of a guardrail as requested. However, to provide advance warning for vehicles approaching the intersection, arrangements have been made to install a new intersection warning sign. The sign will be installed as soon as possible.

Furthermore, concerns raised about the lack of street lighting at the intersection were also investigated. The existing lighting was found to be adequate however two street lanterns that service the intersection will be upgraded to modern LED lights by Energex within the next 6 months.

Mobile CCTV cameras

Last month, mobile CCTV cameras were deployed to Old Coach Road and Reserve Road as well as to the Upper Coomera Adventure Parklands.

The mobile cameras are temporarily deployed to locations following a spike in issues, and are used to record and monitor public safety issues such as anti-social behaviour, which does include hooning, and graffiti.

Information captured can be provided to the Queensland Police Service to assist them in investigations.

Wesley Mission School Holiday Program

I want to highlight the incredible work done by the Wesley Mission School Holiday Program staff. Young people between the ages of 12 and 17 are offered weeks of free activities, camaraderie, and of course school holiday fun!

You can check out our previous activities from pizza making, to dodgeball, and even the surprisingly popular activity of edible slime time! There’s also been karaoke, boardgames, sports, and the highly rated Lip Sync Battle, so no shortage of great things to do.

Opportunities like these offer our young people a free opportunity to make new friends, find new passions, and have a lot of fun during school holidays.

Visit cityofgoldcoast.com.au/schoolholidays for more information about what’s planned during the coming holiday.

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 to 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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