Prioritisation of work

This year, Council approved an increase in the Divisional budget to $975,000 annually – clearly due to the increased cost of materials which impacts on the delivery of projects. Every project boils down to money which requires the prioritisation of work across the Division.

Our new Council CEO, Mr Tim Baker, started with us in February and there is much work being done throughout the organisation in terms of efficiencies that will hopefully lead to cost savings. Mr Baker has already conducted a “cultural survey” to review the Council workplace in full and the results of that survey will guide the way forward to ensure a healthy workplace with good processes I’m sure.

Bus service multi-million dollar boost

After years of lobbying, representing the Mayor and City of Gold Coast at SEQ Regional Planning workshops, and through Minister Mark Bailey, I am very pleased with the announcement last month that the State Government has matched the Council’s $8.2 million commitment to improved bus services in northern Gold Coast. The current timetable has been largely ineffective and with so many families living in the north, the (approximately) 700 additional services each week will be more than welcome. The funding is for a five year trial over 3 stages and permanent implementation will depend upon usage.

During the development of the Pimpama Sports Hub, I worked closely with designers and the State to ensure access for buses – and an expanded service. I’m pleased to say that this will form part of the trail, as well as a new network from Pimpama Station, which is targeting completion in late 2024. It’s also worth mentioning that changes to route 722 (Ormeau-Pimpama-Coomera) in 2019 resulted in a 250 per cent growth in patronage in the first six months of operation, so I’m confident the cash injection into new bus services for northern Gold Coast will be money well spent.

During the coming year several bus stop upgrades will be undertaken in the Upper Coomera area.

Reserve Road near Lawson Street will receive a slab reconstruction to the correct grade and reinstatement of the seat. The bus stop on Old Coach Road approaching Coomera Spring Blvd will be relocated approximately 15 metres south with reconstruction of the slab and installation of a suburban shelter. The Old Coach Road bus stop near Low Street will also receive a slab reconstruction and reinstallation of the shelter. And finally, reconstruction of the slab and installation of a shelter on Reserve Road near Herbert Street Upper Coomera.

What does the future of transport look like to you?

As our city grows, we all need to consider how we move about the Gold Coast. We’re planning how we will meet population growth with the development of the Gold Coast City Transport Strategy 2041 – and we need your input. 

We need safe and sustainable travel choices that enable us to move around the city easily.

Have Your Say now at gchaveyoursay.com.au/transport and go into the draw to win one of five eftpos gift cards valued at $500 (terms and conditions apply), or drop in between 9:00am to 5:30pm and Have Your Say at a Community Consultation Session at Westfield Coomera, Level One, Friday 5 August.

™eftpos Payments Australia Ltd (ABN 37 136 180 366). eftpos is a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian Payments Plus Limited.

Amity Foxwell intersection upgrade

A Coomera Community page recently had a query and a fair bit of criticism about the progress of work at the Amity/Foxwell Road intersection. As an update, the initial preparatory work has been completed and the water barriers removed allowing for two vehicles to pull up at the stop sign on Amity, as existed previously. The full project work will recommence shortly, and I can confirm there will be a free turn-left lane from Amity to Foxwell East which will also provide a safe pedestrian crossing facility.

These past two years have seen great challenges for Council in delivering its capital works program and we’ve fallen well short of expectations due to staff shortages and supply chain issues being felt across the world due to the pandemic. I totally understand community frustration, but most of us have never before experienced the impacts of a pandemic and it’s a curve ball no-one expected. The Amity/Foxwell signal installation was one of the first projects I managed to get approved by Council in June 2020 as part of budget deliberations, just after I became the representative for Coomera. The work has not only been delayed by the pandemic, but also by the ongoing planning and design of the Coomera Connector.

The next work on site will be the tree plantings, which will begin this month, with the next phase of infrastructure works commencing in October (both timeframes are weather contingent). Thanks for your ongoing patience – I know it’s been a long time coming to fruition.

Memorial Wall Vandalism

Offensive graffiti on the memorial wall at the Upper Coomera Centre, was reported to me and immediately removed. Queensland Police is investigating this and several wilful damage incidents across our area. If you have information that may assist, please contact Crime Stoppers, Policelink on 131 444 or visit the Coomera Police Station.

Graffiti is covered by the Graffiti Vandalism Act of 2016. If charged and found guilty, a maximum penalty of a $24,000 fine and a 2-year jail term can result.

Open communication

Good decision-making, transparency, and community consultation very much relies on strong two-way communication between my office and the community I represent. It’s important that as your councillor I keep you as well informed as possible regarding divisional decisions and council activities in general.

Equally, I need to hear your views, issues of concern, and understand what’s important to you.

Please keep putting before me your ideas for improvements to our community. 

Maintaining our existing footpaths

Council’s program to build new footpaths is separate to our footpath renewal and maintenance program. This involves the continuing upgrade or repair of existing footpaths throughout the city. Council looks after constructed footpaths throughout Division 3 in accordance with City of Gold Coast’s Road Management Plan. You can report a damaged footpath to 5581 6598 or email details to Division 3 so I can action the issue.

Discretionary Grants

I recently sent an email to Division 3 community groups, sporting clubs, and schools notifying them of $33,777 available for distribution to the Division 3 community through Discretionary Grants under the Community Grants Policy. This level of funding is dictated and capped by the State Government. If your group or school did not receive an email, please contact me to ensure I have your correct contact details in our database.

If your group or school is planning a project or activity, I urge you to make application during the advertised period from 1 August to 21 August 2022. Click here to view the application criteria - funding available is noted as from $250 to $10,000, however in Division 3 there will be no large allocations made. This is to ensure the spread of funds for the widest possible community benefit.

Apart from the Division 3 Discretionary allocations, there is also a list of grants, funding, and development programs available in areas such as seniors, sport, accessibility, cultural and more. Please visit Grants, funding & development programs for further details.

There is also an opportunity for me to fund small events throughout the year through the lodgement of a Community Events Grant funded from the Division 3 Local Area Works budget. I encourage you to contact me prior to the lodgement of an application so that I can check the availability of funds and provide the appropriate link for your application.

Coomera Connector Stage 1

Last month Department of Transport and Main Roads progressed Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector. Stage 1 will be delivered in three construction packages:

• Stage 1 North: Shipper Drive, Coomera to Helensvale Road, Helensvale Major construction expected to commence later this year
• Stage 1 Central: Helensvale Road, Helensvale to Smith Street Motorway, Molendinar Undergoing a competitive tender process for design and construction
• Stage 1 South: Smith Street Motorway, Molendinar to Nerang-Broadbeach Road, Nerang Undergoing a competitive tender process for design.

Over the past few weeks Main Roads has been undertaking minor clearing for access tracks in the Coomera Connector corridor adjacent to the rail line to allow for surveying and geotechnical investigations in areas which have not yet been accessed. A wildlife spotter-catcher has been onsite monitoring wildlife before any vegetation is removed and as part of Main Roads Koala Management Plan, Endeavour Veterinary Ecology has also been onsite to monitor koala activity.

The minor clearing has been endorsed by the federal Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment. I continue to provide a link to Coomera Connector updates in the ‘Useful quick links’ at the end of my newsletter.

Image: © Department of Transport and Main Roads | Concept design only – subject to change

Baileys Mountain Road

With an unprecedented eight months of extreme wet weather, the city’s road network has been significantly impacted. Council crews and contractors have worked hard to repair damage, only to see further adverse weather create more impacts.

Significant additional operational and maintenance costs have been incurred. Some damage is covered by Natural Disaster Recovery Arrangements – and the repair of those assets is often delayed due to necessary inspections prior to funding approval. One such road is Baileys Mountain Road, Willow Vale, which has been on the program for repair since late 2021. Fingers crossed that completion can be effected by the end of August and apologies for the ongoing delays.

Submit a petition to Council

I’m often contacted seeking information on how to prepare and submit a petition. Petitions are an important way for the community to make requests to Council. They are one of the ways in which people can advise Council of their concerns and influence the decision-making process. Online petitions are not recognised by Council as formal petitions and the requirements are as below.

Essential requirements for preparing a petition

A petition is not to be presented by a Councillor or received by the Council unless it:

1. Is worded in respectful language
2. Is typewritten or otherwise legible
3. Contains a minimum of 10 signatures
4. Contains the names and addresses of signatories

It’s important to note that a petition is a public document. Those signing the petition should be aware that the names, addresses and signatures will be made available in the public realm. The City of Gold Coast will record these details for the purpose of the petition only.

Lodging your petition

Compliant petitions should be emailed (mail@goldcoast.qld.gov.au) or posted (see details below) to either the Chief Executive Officer or the respective Divisional Councillor. E-petitions will not be accepted.

Chief Executive Officer
City of Gold Coast
PO Box 5042
GCMC QLD 9726

NaturallyGC 2022/23 program

Discover dolphins, walk with Koalas, become wild about whales, or learn the importance of recycling and ongoing sustainability – these are just a few of the incredible events listed in the NaturallyGC 2022/23 program.

Visit NaturallyGC Workshops-Division 3 page for further information. Please read the event description and age eligibility prior to registering.

Support for business growth

The Gold Coast is Australia's sixth largest city with a fast-growing economy. We're continuing to support and enable future growth to create a modern, globally connected city.

Find out about the services and programs we offer businesses to support the development of one of the fastest growing regions in Australia. Visit Business Support for further information.

My details

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.

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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