$5 WORTH OF FREE AUSTRALIAN LOTTO TICKETS!! Want to play the Official Australian National lotto for free? Sign up now for your free account to the value of $5. Be quick while the offer still lasts. Click Here To Get Your FREE $5 Worth Now!!

Room for more migrants: Costello
06/04/2006 Herald-Sun

FEDERAL Treasurer Peter Costello says skilled migration could increase in the light of low unemployment figures released today, but he won't say by how much.

The labour force figures showed the jobless rate fell to five per cent in March, from 5.2 per cent in February.
"I think it's possible to run an increased immigration program focussing on skills. I'm not going to put a number on it," Mr Costello told reporters in Melbourne today.

He said the government had lifted the immigration intake quite considerably in recent years, and focussed on skilled migrants because of a skills shortage in Australia and because the new arrivals were more likely to secure jobs.

"So I think we can continue to run a pretty strong migration program with figures like this, but bear in mind of course that we are also looking to get Australians born here in work," Mr Costello said.

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley yesterday said the Howard government had increased skilled migration at the expense of training Australians and therefore had created a skills shortage.

Mr Beazley said he would invest more in training to address the skills shortage in Australia if he won the next election.

The federal government had brought in an additional 270,000 skilled migrants, while 300,000 people had been turned away from TAFE institutions since 1998, Mr Beazley said.

When asked if the Coalition was being hurt by its policy on skilled migration, Mr Costello today said the government was focussed on training Australians but importing skills was an interim solution.

Mr Costello blamed the states for the present shortage, saying they had made a disastrous mistake in closing technical colleges.

"Now the Commonwealth is going to bring them back and we are going to give them a prestige that they didn't have in the past," he said.

"We are going to set up technical colleges to get skills going, but all of this takes time.

"If you start at an Australian technical college in year 11 today, it's going to be four, five or six years before you are fully trained and out in the workforce.

"So you do have to make some of this up with migration, but it should never be to the detriment of young Australians having an opportunity."

A Productivity Commission report released in January found Australia should significantly increase its level of skilled migrants to make the workforce more highly qualified.

The report into the economic impacts of migration and population growth advocated an increase of 50 per cent on skilled migrant levels of 2004-05.

Queensland Government upgrades Gold Coast bus services
Friday 31 March 2006

The Gold Coast area will receive an extra $6.2 million a year to improve bus services, including a new 24 hour high frequency bus service along the Gold Coast Highway.
Minister for Transport Paul Lucas today says 25 new air conditioned, low floor buses manufactured on the Gold Coast would be provided for the new services.

New Route 700 high-frequency service will operate around the clock along the Gold Coast Highway between Coolangatta and Southport. Route 700 will be Australia's best all-night bus route, with a 30 minute service frequency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The new route, combined with other service improvements, will mean buses every five minutes between 7am - 7pm Monday to Friday between Southport and Burleigh Heads. Minimum service frequencies of 15 minutes will run between Southport and Helensvale, and Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta. Other major service improvements from May 15 include:

* New timetables to ensure on-time running, * Extra services to address over-crowding, * A new direct University service, bypassing the busy Southport business district, * Three routes bypassing the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, delivering time savings of up to 10 minutes, * Tripling of services from Harbour Town to Southport and Surfers Paradise, * Doubling of services from Helensvale Town Centre to Southport, * New routes to the popular Gold Coast theme parks, * Improved coordinated bus services from the Highway corridor to train stations at Helensvale, Nerang and Robina.

The State Government will also invest $200,000 a year to provide a new bus route for Pacific Pines, where many residents currently have little access to public transport. The proposed route for this service is available from TransLink and is expected to commence by August.

New primary school for northern Gold Coast
27 March 2006

Premier Peter Beattie has announced a new primary school will be built on the Gold Coast to cater for the growing demand for student places.

State Cabinet today approved the new school, which is estimated to cost $36 million and be operational by 2008.

"This area is experiencing strong residential growth from families, and is growing faster than most areas along the Brisbane-Gold Coast corridor," Beattie says.

"A new primary school will serve the needs of the community as well as attract further investment into the area, which is important for a buoyant economy.

"We have a couple of possible sites in mind for the new school but there will be consultation with the local community before anything is finalised.

"This new school is a continuation of our commitment to provide quality education facilities on the northern Gold Coast. Since 2000, we have built Pacific Pines State High School, the Upper Coomera State College and the Pacific Pines State School.

"I would expect construction of the new school to get under way early next year and the doors to open to the first intake of students in 2008."

Education Minister Rod Welford says planning and design of the new school will commence later this year. It will be built in the Pacific Pines area.

"The new school will incorporate modern design principles and include a resource centre, administration block, tuckshop, a covered play area and sports oval," he says.

"At the same time, we are providing enhancements at two existing local schools, including a new ramp at Pacific Pines State School to enhance disability access from the street. This will also improve accessibility for parents of children in prams when attending meetings, functions and activities at the school.

"There will also be an $80,000 security upgrade including closed circuit television cameras and sensor lights at Nerang State High School."

Queensland remains the growth state
Gold Coast City Council 23/03/2006

New figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal Queensland has retained its title as the growth state.

Queensland's population grew by a staggering 75,900 last financial year. The growth rate of 2 per cent was easily the best in the nation ahead of West Australia at 1.6 per cent.
 

21/03/2006 - Sanctuary Cove International boat show booms

This year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show looks to beat 2005 exhibitor targets with more than 380 exhibitors confirmed for the May event.
The four-day event will offer the largest on water leisure and light commercial display ever staged in Australia.

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show Manager Harry Davis said with more than 380 exhibitors confirmed by mid-March, the 2006 Show was on track to beat last year’s 383 exhibitor tally. Expanded marina and hardstand space mean visitors can walk along 3km of marina piers to view on-water exhibits.

‘Both power and sail boat enthusiasts will find exciting new models at the 2006 Show,’ said Mr Davis.

‘There’s a stunning line-up of offshore sportsfishing vessels with representation from Australian companies Precision, Riviera, Blackwatch, Pirate Yachts and Deep Vee Marine and leading imports including Viking, Bertram, Luhrs and Cabo Yachts,’ he said.

Read the entire Sail World article here

19/03/2006 - A true blue spectacular!

ALL THE breathtaking drama and action of the Australian outback, where only the tough survive, thunders into the Gold Coast next month with the launch of Queensland's newest theme park.

Australian Outback Spectacular, between Warner Bros Movie World and Wet'n'Wild Water World on the Gold Coast highway, will set a frantic pace in an enclosed 1000-seat auditorium.

During the 90-minute show, which includes a three-course barbecue dinner and drinks, the audience is split into two groups with free stockman hats showing allegiance to one of two stations – Austral Downs and Wondoola Station.

Read the entire Sunday Mail article here by KATE PATTERSON

24/01/2006 - The Council Cab

Getting out and about is important for your wellbeing. Whether shopping or socialising the trip out of the house is a welcome break for many people. The Gold Coast City "Council Cab" assists older people and those with disability with travel to their local shopping centre.

Within Division 5 the service has until now been restricted to Nerang, with services to Nerang Centro or Nerang Mall. From 9th February 2006 services to the Helensvale Town Centre will operate each Thursday for residents of Studio Village, Oxenford, Gaven, and Helensvale.

If you are over 60 years or you have a disability and you live in one of these suburbs then you are eligible to travel. You can have a carer or dependents travel with you if you like. Each Council Cab trip costs $2.00, that's only $4.00 for a return journey. Now that's great value!

The Council Cab will pick you up in the morning from your home and take you to the shopping centre. If you have booked a return trip then they will take you home around lunchtime. You can confirm the times when you book. Booking is easy. Simply phone Regent Taxis on 131008 and ask the operator for the "COUNCIL CAB".

Source: Councillor Peter Young, Division 5

Free Tree Giveaway at Pacific Pines - Saturday 3rd September 2005
The give away will operate from the Pacific Pines Sales & Information Centre Car Park at 2 Hotham Drive from 9.00 am - 12.00 pm. Please bring your current rates notice. The Pacific Pines State High School Band will be performing and the Lions Club will be holding a sausage sizzle.
 

New Nerang Swimming Pool Opening
Sunday September 11th, from 11am to 4pm. The official opening ceremony is at 11:30. There will be food, swimming events (including 'dash for cash'), good entertainment, cheap rides, and ENTRY TO THE POOL IS FREE FOR THE DAY. Did you know there are five pools in the new facility? All heated.

Oceanway Walk
Stretching from Point Danger in the south to the Gold Coast Seaway in the north, the Oceanway is a 36km pathway traversing along the City's ocean beaches.

The Oceanway is one of Council’s key on-going foreshore projects, with many sections already in existence, some currently being upgraded, and others still to be constructed.

The Oceanway can be broken down into approximately 16 different stretches along the beach, each with a slightly different look and feel, representative of the area in which it’s located.

Read more here . . .
 

Council Cabs to run in another 21 suburbs
Friday, 24 June 2005 - The Council Cab trial that is running in 11 suburbs across the Gold Coast will be rolled out progressively over the coming months to include a further 21 suburbs before the end of the year.

Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke said there had been very strong, positive feedback from users of the service, which takes people who are older or have a disability between their homes and selected shopping destinations for a nominal charge of $2 each way.

“The feedback about the shared taxi service has been excellent,” said Mayor Clarke.

“Customers not only appreciate having accessible, affordable transport, but say their quality of life generally has improved with a greater sense of freedom and independence and increased social interaction.

“We always believed that the social aspects of this service would be as important to people as the actual transport.”

General Manager of Regent Taxis, Mr Ian Schilling said the company was proud to provide the additional service to the Gold Coast in partnership with Council.

“Our drivers are giving us very positive feedback from people using the service,” said Mr Schilling.

Suburbs to which the trial will be extended over the next few months are:
Bethania, Waterford (part), Holmview, Edens Landing, Paradise Point, Coombabah, Hope Island, Hollywell, Runaway Bay, Biggera Waters, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Clear Island Waters, Broadbeach Waters, Mermaid Waters, Miami, Robina, Palm Beach, Elanora, Currumbin and Currumbin Waters.

The Council Cab trial will continue running in Beenleigh, Eagleby, Nerang, Mudgeeraba, Labrador, Southport, Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Tugun, Bilinga and Southport.
 

Special playground is among the first of its kind
Friday, 17 June 2005 - The Sophie Purcell Playground in Laguna Park, Palm Beach, is a leader in its field.

The playground, which was named in 1999 in memory of an eight-year-old Palm Beach girl who died that year from a rare genetic disorder, has been expanded and redeveloped especially to cater for children of all abilities.

It is among the first of its kind in Australia.

Built around a nautical theme, the playground features a pirate ship module, a lighthouse, a bridge, cargo nets and various slides and rotating equipment. There also is a special $25,000 Liberty Swing, which is designed to be used with a wheelchair and was donated by the Variety Queensland – The Children’s Charity, a pedal-car monorail, swings and spring toys, climbing equipment and a sand area with specially designed play equipment. A ‘Yellowbrick Road’ on the boundary of the playground is perfect for bikes and wheelchairs and the entire playground area, including tables, seats, barbecue and covered pavilion, is enclosed by a safety fence.

The playground recognises the needs of children, parents and carers and at the same time, has been designed to be a lot of fun and a real adventure for the children who use it.

Sophie Purcell, after whom the playground was named, was a special child whose determination not to allow her condition to prevent her attendance at school or participation in her hobbies of dancing, gymnastics and Tae Kwon Do was an inspiration to those who knew her.

Laguna Park was one of Sophie’s favourite places. The redevelopment of her playground will ensure it becomes a favourite with many children.

A highlight of Sunday’s program will be activities especially designed for children of all abilities as part of Council’s Active and Healthy Program.
 

Gold Coast City Council $813m Budget: Enhancing Our City & Lifestyle

Read more here . . .
 

New Property Values On Display
COUNCIL Administration Centres are among the venues where Gold Coast residents can take a look at a public display of new property values released by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines.

There will be three public displays of the new valuations. They are: City Council Administration Centre, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise; Department of Natural Resources and Mines, 32 Tansey Street, Beenleigh and City Council Administration Centre, Southport-Nerang Road, Nerang. Valuations are on display from Tuesday 29 March 2005 to Tuesday 10 May 2005.

The public display coincides with the posting of "Notices of Valuation" to all landowners advising them of their property's new valuation effective 30 June 2005. Those landowners wishing to lodge an objection to their new valuation will need to do so with the Department of Natural Resources within 42 days of the issue of the "Notices of Valuation". The new property values issued by the Department of Natural Resources will be one of the elements used to calculate Council rates for 2005/2006.

Discount on infrastructure charges to assist families
Families wishing to build a “granny flat”, a smaller second house or extend their home to accommodate other family members won’t have to pay the full infrastructure contributions allowable thanks to a new policy endorsed by Gold Coast City Council.

Statistic of the Month:
The number of registered businesses in Gold Coast City
= 37,460
Source: Department of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development, February 2005

Gold Coast Citizen of the Year
John Witheriff, solicitor and long-serving president of the Gold Coast’s Combined Chambers of Commerce, became Citizen of the Year 2005 at a ceremony at Gold Coast Arts Centre. Presenting the award Mayor Ron Clarke said the work done over many years by Mr Witheriff to further the economic welfare — and through that, the lifestyle — of the Gold Coast was incalculable.

John has lived and worked on the Gold Coast all his life. Over the years, John has played crucial behind-the scenes roles in securing a number of big-ticket projects for the Gold Coast region. He is Chairman of the Event Advisory Committee for the IndyCar Grand Prix, Chairman of the Gold Coast Regional Economic Development Advisory Board, Chair of Commerce Queensland Gold Coast, and Queensland convenor for the Tourism Task Force. He was also Chair of the Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce for 14 years from 1990.

Manufacturing skills shortages
The Queensland Education Department, schools and local companies have joined forces to explore ways of addressing the severe shortage of skilled workers in manufacturing. The group plans to form a partnership between schools and local companies to encourage teachers and students to find out more about employment opportunities in manufacturing and to dispel the myths that this sector has only dirty and mind-numbingly repetitive jobs with no future prospects. The opposite in fact is the truth - manufacturing jobs offer clean conditions, frequently include IT and offer interesting career paths beyond hands on tasks.

A working committee has been established with the objectives of:

• establishing partnerships between industry and schools to develop relationships and linkages that benefit all parties;
  
• communicating to schools the opportunities that exist for careers within manufacturing; and
  
• expanding the pool of quality applicants from schools for the manufacturing industry
  

  For more information contact Sharie Callum Education Training Rerforms for the Futures (ETRF) Project Officer Education Queensland Gold Coast Office on (07) 5583 6315 or email at sharie.callum@qed.qld.gov.au

Regional Growth Management Strategy
The South East Queensland ‘Regional Growth Management Strategy’ was released on 27/10/2004 by the Queensland Government. You can read about this here: http://www.oum.qld.gov.au/?ID=29

The Draft Regional Plan addresses issues such as:
· Protecting our regional landscape
· Protecting our forests, coastline and waterways
· Maintaining open space between our cities
· Building communities
· Developing better transport links
· Creating more compact cities
· Preserving our farmlands

 
New factory for Riviera
Queensland luxury boat builder The Riviera Group is to begin a $26 million expansion of its current 28,000sqm site at the Coomera Marine Precinct. This expansion will add 13,000sqm of factory space in the next 12 months and 6,000sqm the following year.

Riviera currently employs 1,000 people and will increase its workforce in the next year. Riviera said the expansion would help boost output, improve working conditions, improve efficiencies and increase safety.

 

Airport sets growth record
More than 2.57 million passengers passed through the Gold Coast Airport terminal last financial year and June registered the second busiest month ever reported with 238,000 passengers flying in and out of the terminal.

In order to the handle the growth an extension to the undercover car park has commenced and work is expected to start shortly on a further expansion of Terminal Two. Approval for a 450 metre extension to the existing runway is expected by the end of the year and may be tied into work planned for the Tugun Bypass.

Read the latest Gold Coast City Council news here

Visit the main Gold Coast City Council website here