From Goldywood to building monster green plants as Glitter Strip prepares to grow up
New Year will soon be fast upon us, so it’s time for some crystal ball gazing beyond the Christmas tree. What will or will not be big news on the Gold Coast in 2025?
Council
Don't miss out on the headlines from Council. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The New Year will soon be fast upon us, so it’s time for some crystal ball gazing beyond the Christmas tree. What will or will not be big news on the Gold Coast in 2025?
Here are “The Magnificent Seven” – after talking to political insiders – a handful of guaranteed headline news acts in the next 12 months.
POPULATION GROWTH
Latest forecasts reveal Coomera and Upper Coomera will see 62,851 new arrivals, taking its population to 118,065 by 2041. The reports have caused us all to take a breath.
The other suburbs to see these monster increases will be Surfers Paradise and Southport.
Many urban planners, along with councillors, are questioning whether these targets can be met.
What council will talk up in 2025 is its “local growth management strategy”.
The big revelation – you will have to wait for my future report – will be the surveying, and just how many people are comfortable with the growth.
The responses will shock, with some residents saying “we accept there will be growth, just make sure there is infrastructure built first and make at least some of the housing affordable”.
POWER GAMES
Gold Coast City Council will see a shake-up of its committees and chairs by councillors.
All of this sparked by planning chair Mark Hammel becoming Deputy Mayor in early April.
So what will happen to Donna Gates, our long-serving Deputy? Several City sources suggest she will become chair of governance, chaired by Brooke Patterson.
If councillors tick off a much bigger restructure, expect veteran Bob La Castra and Surfers Paradise-Broadbeach councillor Darren Taylor to be the casualties.
Only Mr Hammel in City planning and Shelley Curtis in water and waste can expect their committees to be safe. Newcomers Dan Doran and Naomi Fowler could expect promotions.
In State politics, the honeymoon will end for the new Crisafulli Government and report card begin on delivering for the Coast, given the LNP holds all but one seat here.
In the spotlight will be young new Ministers – Currumbin’s Laura Gerber on Youth Crime and Sam O’Connor on Housing.
In Federal politics, where an election is looming, Labor on the Coast will expect to hear more from Southport-based Senator Murray Watt. Gaven MP and Opposition shadow minister Meaghan Scanlon will be hoping for signs of improved polling after the October state election disaster.
THE COMPLAINT FILES
In July this masthead revealed Southport councillor Brooke Patterson had 11 complaints from administration staff, which were referred to the Office of Independent Assessor.
No findings were made against Ms Patterson and she denies any wrongdoing. After some legal discussions in recent months, these issues will be dealt with early in the New Year.
On a separate issue, a complaint has been lodged after Mayor Tom Tate at the last full council meeting silenced two councillors and told one to “sit down”.
The Mayor denies any wrongdoing, saying his legal advice is he acted according to proper legal procedures.
Where this ends up depends on how the Mayor addresses the issue on return to full council in the New Year — if he explains his position to council, we could all possibly move on.
BRIGHT SHINY BAUBLES
The new toys on the Mayor’s Christmas wish list include the Southport indoor stadium, the Surfers Paradise Town Hall and $538m Lyric Theatre in an upgraded HOTA precinct.
HOTA is problematic, because it requires councillors to make decisions on future size and budget, and secure government support. The indoor stadium’s Carey Park site is creating heat during public consultation from neighbours, but we are told a proponent wants to build there.
What’s guaranteed is we will be listening to live music in Surfers – the town hall is funded.
PREMIER DAVID CRISAFULLI — AND CAN “YOU SHOW ME THE MONEY”
The City views at least four major projects – all critical in improving the lifestyle of a city headed in a rush towards one million people – needing State Government funding.
Light rail Stage Four, Pacific Motorway northern exit upgrades, the extension north of the first stage of the Coomera Connector and a cop beat at Burleigh top the Christmas list.
Like in the movie Jerry Maguire, are councillors going to have to stomp their feet in the chamber and chant “show me the money” to get the contracts signed off?
The other so-called transport project is the hinterland cableway. The new Government is supportive. It’s an easy political position to take, because the Commonwealth will be opposed.
BECOMING GOLDYWOOD
This is not a cinematic dream space, it will be reality viewing. The City has ticked off on Shadowbox Studios developing a 22ha site at Stanmore Road at Yatala.
Phase one involves six sound stages with a workshop, office building and an outdoor filming space to be operational by 2028.
It’s all lights and action. So too is turning the old council depot at Miami into a creative industries precinct. Baz Luhrmann’s production company Bazmark will relocate there.
SMELLY STUFF
Councillors have agreed to stall going to expressions of interest on the Advanced Recovery Resource Centre. What’s that, you ask.
ARRC is a mouthful, and at $1.6bn the City’s most expensive project. Ratepayers need to keep a watch because its organic and recycling facilities will ensure you pay less waste fees.
Councillors must tick off by mid-year on EOI to meet tight deadlines to build the precinct.
Meanwhile, just a tip. They will be discussing gate fees at your tip, as early as the first meetings in the New Year.
SO WHAT ELSE DOES OUR CRYSTAL BALL TELL US?
Both the Suns and the Titans finally, will make the top eight in twin celebrations.
Traffic on the M1 will grind to a standstill, for at least the next month – no big surprise.
The Mayor will announce publicly what is being said privately, that he wants to continue in office until the 2032 Olympics.
This column, on return from leave in three weeks, will continue these conversations. In the meantime, enjoy your Christmas-New Year, stay safe and avoid the M1.
‘Must-see, must-do’: How to supercharge Southport’s streets
Southport’s Chinatown could be transformed into a vibrant hub of night markets and bustling street life under bold new proposals to revitalise the area. ALL THE DETAILS
‘Don’t do it willy nilly’: Bizarre reason council is selling land
The Gold Coast City Council will sell a giant block of land - more than 85 years after its named owner’s death - for a surprising reason. THE BIZARRE DETAILS