Huge move to overhaul Gold Coast’s New Year’s Eve celebration with laser light show

Move over fireworks – a laser lights extraordinaire has pitched a record-breaking plan to take Gold Coast’s New Year’s Eve display to an international standard. VOTE IN THE POLL

A laser lights extraordinaire has pitched a plan to take Gold Coast’s New Year’s Eve celebrations to an international standard with a beachfront spectacular.

Oracle-Liquid director Glenn Turner wants the city to get behind his bid to create a world record-breaking projection spanning a kilometre of our famous coastline.

Known as Australia’s “Laserman”, Mr Turner’s liquid and light shows have featured in Vivid Sydney, Sea World’s Carnivale Aqua Light Show and Movie World Fright Nights.

Glenn Turner wants to take the Gold Coast New Year's Eve display to a world-class level. Picture: Glenn Hampson

He has also worked on stage shows for the biggest music artists in the world including Rihanna, Kylie Minogue and Jason Derulo.

Mr Turner said a grand-scale laser light show would put the city’s entertainment “on the world map”.

Oracle Liquid's previous work for Sea World’s Carnivale Aqua Lights Show. Picture: Supplied

“We have spoken about doing a display here that takes over the entire city area and also projects onto the beach and uses the beach as a projection surface,” he said.

“We can create a projection laser that is a kilometre-long.

“If we can do that, we can actually break a world record.”

Glenn Turner’s previous work for Vivid Sydney at Darling Harbour. Picture: Supplied

Mr Turner said being Australia’s entertainment capital, the Glitter Strip would be the ideal location for such a spectacle on New Year’s Eve.

“I think the Gold Coast out of all of Australia is probably one of the best destinations for international travellers,” he said.

“If there is any place you would do it, it would be here.

“It is a tourism attraction that others can’t claim.

“Sydney doesn’t have the capacity of what is here to project onto the beach – that is the main difference.”

Oracle-Liquid's previous work. Picture: Full Throttle Photography

Mr Turner said the show could tie into the current NYE fireworks display at Surfers Paradise and he had previously been in talks with Gold Coast City Council about the plan before Covid.

“It is just a matter of council coming on board,” Mr Turner said.

A council spokeswoman said City Hall was open to suggestions for the end of year event.

“The city is in planning phase for this year’s Christmas and New Year celebrations and is always open to receiving new ideas for consideration,” she said.