Gold Coast, Queensland

This article is about the city in Australia. For other uses, see Gold Coast.
Gold Coast
Queensland
Gold Coast
Coordinates 28°01′0″S 153°24′0″E / 28.01667°S 153.40000°E / -28.01667; 153.40000Coordinates: 28°01′0″S 153°24′0″E / 28.01667°S 153.40000°E / -28.01667; 153.40000
Population 507,642 (2010)[1]
 • Density 972/km2 (2,520/sq mi)
Area 414.3 km2 (160.0 sq mi)
Time zone AEST (UTC+10)
Location 69 km (43 mi) SSE of Brisbane
LGA(s) City of Gold Coast
State electorate(s) Albert, Broadwater, Burleigh, Coomera, Currumbin, Gaven, Mermaid Beach, Mudgeeraba, Southport, Surfers Paradise
Federal Division(s) Fadden, Moncrieff, McPherson, Forde
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
25.1 °C
77 °F		 17.2 °C
63 °F		 1,218.2 mm
48 in

Gold Coast is a coastal city in South East Queensland on the east coast of Australia. It is the second most populous city in the state, the most populous non-capital city, part of the sixth most populous urban area in the country, and part of the largest cross-state metropolitan area in Australia.[2] The city's northernmost point at Ormeau is located 42 kilometres south-east of the Brisbane central business district, and the metropolitan area extends south along the coast to Tweed Heads, New South Wales. The Gold Coast metropolitan area converges with that of Greater Brisbane, forming part of an urban conurbation of over 3 million people.[3]

The first settlement in what is now South East Queensland was as a penal colony at Redcliffe. The Gold Coast region remained largely uninhabited by Europeans until 1823 when explorer John Oxley landed at Mermaid Beach. The hinterland's red cedar supply attracted people to the area in the mid-19th century. Later in 1875, Southport was surveyed and established and grew a reputation as a secluded holiday destination for wealthy Brisbane residents.

The Gold Coast region grew significantly after the establishment of the Surfers Paradise hotel in the late 1920s. The area boomed in the 1980s as a leading tourist destination and in 1994, the City of Gold Coast local government area was expanded to encompass the majority of Gold Coast's metropolitan area, becoming the second most populous local government area in Australia after the City of Brisbane. Gold Coast is today a major tourist destination with its sunny subtropical climate, surfing beaches, canal and waterway systems, its high-rise dominated skyline, theme parks, nightlife, and rainforest hinterland, making tourism one of its most significant industries. Gold Coast will host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.[4]

History

Burleigh Heads c. 1939.
Part of the Surfers Paradise skyline

Lieutenant James Cook became the first European to note the region when he sailed along the coast on 16 May 1770 in the HM Bark Endeavour. Captain Matthew Flinders, an explorer charting the continent north from the colony of New South Wales, sailed past in 1802. Escaped convicts from the Moreton Bay penal settlement hid in the region. The region remained largely uninhabited by Europeans until 1823 when explorer John Oxley landed at Mermaid Beach, which was named after seeing a cutter named Mermaid. The hinterland's red cedar supply attracted people to the area in the mid-19th century. The western suburb of Nerang was surveyed and established as a base for the industry. Later in 1875, Southport was surveyed and established. Southport quickly grew a reputation as a secluded holiday destination for wealthy Brisbane residents.

Gold Coast was originally known as the South Coast (because it was south of Brisbane). However, inflated prices for real estate and other goods and services led to the nickname of "Gold Coast" from 1950.[5][6][7][8][9] South Coast locals initially considered the name "Gold Coast" derogatory.[10] However, soon the "Gold Coast" simply became a convenient way to refer to the holiday strip from Southport to Coolangatta.[11][12][13][14][15] As the tourism industry grew into the 1950s, local businesses began to adopt the term in their names, and on 23 October 1958 the Town of South Coast was renamed Town of Gold Coast.[16] The area was proclaimed a city less than one year later.[17]

In 2007, Gold Coast overtook the population of Newcastle, New South Wales to become the sixth largest city in Australia and the largest non-capital city.[18]

Geography

The Gold Coast is approximately half covered by forests of various types. This includes small patches of near-pristine ancient rainforest, mangrove-covered islands, and patches of coastal heathlands and farmland with areas of uncleared eucalypt forest. Of the plantation pine forests that were planted in the 1950s and 1960s, when commercial forest planting for tax minimisation was encouraged by the Commonwealth government, tiny remnants remain.[19]

Motorists can reach Gold Coast from Brisbane by Pacific Motorway M1 (blue) and from Sydney and Newcastle by Pacific Highway (Highway 1)

Gold Coast City lies in the southeast corner of Queensland, to the south of Brisbane, the state capital. The Albert River separates Gold Coast from Logan City, a suburban area of Brisbane.

Gold Coast City stretches from Beenleigh and Russell Island to the border with New South Wales (NSW) approximately 56 km (35 mi) south, and extends from the coast west to the foothills of the Great Dividing Range in World Heritage listed Lamington National Park.

Aerial view of Gold Coast suburbs: Mermaid Waters (left) and Broadbeach Waters (right)

The southernmost town of Gold Coast City, Coolangatta, includes Point Danger and its lighthouse. Coolangatta is a twin city with Tweed Heads located directly across the NSW border. At 28°10′00″S 153°33′00″E / 28.1667°S 153.55°E / -28.1667; 153.55, this is the most easterly point on the Queensland mainland (Point Lookout on the offshore island of North Stradbroke is slightly further east). From Coolangatta, approximately forty kilometres of holiday resorts and surfing beaches stretch north to the suburb of Main Beach, and then further on Stradbroke Island. The suburbs of Southport and Surfers Paradise form Gold Coast's commercial centre. The major river in the area is the Nerang River. Much of the land between the coastal strip and the hinterland were once wetlands drained by this river, but the swamps have been converted into man-made waterways (over 260 kilometres (160 mi) in length[20] or over 9 times the length of the canals of Venice, Italy) and artificial islands covered in upmarket homes. The heavily developed coastal strip sits on a narrow barrier sandbar between these waterways and the sea.

To the west, the city borders a part of the Great Dividing Range commonly referred to as the Gold Coast hinterland. A 206 km2 (80 sq mi) section of the mountain range is protected by Lamington National Park and has been listed as a World Heritage area in recognition of its "outstanding geological features displayed around shield volcanic craters and the high number of rare and threatened rainforest species".[21] The area attracts bushwalkers and day-trippers.

View from 'Best of All Lookout', Springbrook National Park

Urban structure

Gold Coast includes suburbs, localities, towns and rural districts.

The skyline of Gold Coast and coastline from Burleigh Heads

Waterways

Surfers Paradise skyline from Q1
Gold Coast Waterway and Chevron Island in Surfers Paradise
View of the canals from Q1

Waterfront canal living is a feature of Gold Coast. Most canal frontage homes have pontoons. The Gold Coast Seaway, between The Spit and South Stradbroke Island, allows vessels direct access to the Pacific Ocean from The Broadwater and many of the city's canal estates. Breakwaters on either side of the Seaway prevent longshore drift and the bar from silting up. A sand pumping operation on the Spit pipes sand under the Seaway to continue this natural process.

Residential canals were first built in Gold Coast in the 1950s and construction continues. Most canals are extensions to the Nerang River, but there are more to the south along Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek and to the north along the Gold Coast Broadwater, South Stradbroke Island, Coomera River and southern Moreton Bay. Early canals included Florida Gardens, Isle of Capri which were under construction at the time of the 1954 flood. Recently constructed canals include Harbour Quays and Riverlinks completed in 2007. There are over 890 kilometres (550 mi) of constructed residential waterfront land within the city that is home to over 80,000 residents.

Beaches

The entrance to Surfers Paradise beach.

The city consists of 70 kilometres (43 mi) of coastline with some of the most popular surf breaks in Australia and the world including, South Stradbroke Island, The Spit, Main Beach, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, Nobby Beach, Miami, Burleigh Beach, Burleigh Heads, Tallebudgera Beach, Palm Beach, Currumbin Beach, Tugun, Bilinga, Kirra, Coolangatta, Greenmount, Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and Froggies Beach. Duranbah Beach is one of the world's best known surfing beaches and is often thought of as being part of Gold Coast City, but is actually just across the New South Wales state border in Tweed Shire.

There are also beaches along many of Gold Coast's 860 km (530 mi) of navigable tidal waterways. Popular inland beaches include Southport, Budds Beach, Marine Stadium, Currumbin Alley, Tallebudgera Estuary, Jacobs Well, Jabiru Island, Paradise Point, Harley Park Labrador, Santa Barbara, Boykambil and Evandale Lake.

Beach safety and management

Gold Coast has Australia's largest[22] professional surf lifesaving service to protect people on the beaches and to promote surf safety throughout the community. The Queensland Department of Primary Industries carries out the Queensland Shark Control Program (SCP) to protect swimmers from sharks.[23] Sharks are caught by using nets and baited drumlines off the major swimming beaches. Even with the SCP, sharks do range within sight of the patrolled beaches. Lifeguards will clear swimmers from the water if it is considered that there is a safety risk.

Gold Coast beaches have experienced periods of severe beach erosion. In 1967, a series of 11 cyclones removed most of the sand from Gold Coast beaches. The Government of Queensland engaged engineers from Delft University in the Netherlands to advise what to do about the beach erosion. The Delft Report[24] was published in 1971 and outlined a series of works for Gold Coast Beaches including Gold Coast Seaway,[25] works at Narrow Neck that resulted in the Northern Gold Coast Beach Protection Strategy[26] and works at the Tweed River that became the Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project.[27]

By 2005 most of the recommendations of the 1971 Delft Report had been implemented. City of Gold Coast commenced implementation of the Palm Beach Protection Strategy[28] but ran into considerable opposition from the community participating in a NO REEF protest campaign.[29] The City of Gold Coast Council then committed to completing a review of beach management practices to update the Delft Report. The Gold Coast Shoreline Management Plan[30] will be delivered by organisations including the Environmental Protection Agency, City of Gold Coast and the Griffith Centre for Coastal Management. Gold Coast City is also investing into the quality and capacity of the Gold Coast Oceanway that provides sustainable transport along Gold Coast beaches.

Climate

Gold Coast experiences a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa), with warm winters and hot, humid summers. The city experiences substantial summer precipitation mostly concentrated in thunderstorms and heavy showers with rain events occasionally lasting up to a few weeks at time giving residents "the Summer blues", while winter is pleasant and warm with little rain. In fact, it is this pleasant winter weather that both the city and the Sunshine Coast—the coastal region north of Brisbane— are internationally renowned for. Extreme temperatures recorded have ranged from 2.5 °C (36 °F) on 19 July 2007 to 40.5 °C (105 °F) on 22 February 2005, although the city rarely experiences temperatures above 35 °C (95 °F) in summer or below 5 °C (41 °F) in winter.[31]

Climate data for Gold Coast (1992-2014)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 40.5
(104.9)		 40.5
(104.9)		 36.3
(97.3)		 33.3
(91.9)		 29.4
(84.9)		 27.1
(80.8)		 26.8
(80.2)		 32.4
(90.3)		 33.0
(91.4)		 36.8
(98.2)		 35.5
(95.9)		 39.4
(102.9)		 40.5
(104.9)
Average high °C (°F) 28.7
(83.7)		 28.6
(83.5)		 27.8
(82)		 25.9
(78.6)		 23.5
(74.3)		 21.3
(70.3)		 21.1
(70)		 21.9
(71.4)		 23.9
(75)		 25.4
(77.7)		 26.8
(80.2)		 27.8
(82)		 25.2
(77.4)
Average low °C (°F) 21.8
(71.2)		 21.8
(71.2)		 20.8
(69.4)		 18.3
(64.9)		 15.3
(59.5)		 13.2
(55.8)		 12.0
(53.6)		 12.5
(54.5)		 14.8
(58.6)		 16.9
(62.4)		 19.0
(66.2)		 20.5
(68.9)		 17.2
(63)
Record low °C (°F) 17.2
(63)		 17.2
(63)		 13.4
(56.1)		 8.9
(48)		 6.6
(43.9)		 3.8
(38.8)		 2.5
(36.5)		 4.2
(39.6)		 7.9
(46.2)		 9.5
(49.1)		 8.2
(46.8)		 14.7
(58.5)		 2.5
(36.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 136.6
(5.378)		 177.7
(6.996)		 110.8
(4.362)		 134.3
(5.287)		 111.8
(4.402)		 111.7
(4.398)		 50.1
(1.972)		 61.4
(2.417)		 44.3
(1.744)		 88.6
(3.488)		 117.5
(4.626)		 136.2
(5.362)		 1,294.5
(50.965)
Average precipitation days 14.2 14.6 15.0 12.1 11.9 10.9 8.5 7.1 8.7 9.8 12.3 12.6 137.7
Average relative humidity (%) 70 70 68 65 62 58 55 56 62 66 68 69 64
Source: [32]

Governance

The Crest of Gold Coast City used on street signs and for official occasions

The city is governed at the local level by the Gold Coast City Council, the second largest local government in the country behind Brisbane City. Its origins lie in two local governments established at the 10 June 1949 elections: Town of the South Coast, which merged the Town of Coolangatta, Town of Southport and part of the Shire of Nerang; and the Shire of Albert, which took in a large surrounding region. On 23 October 1958, South Coast was renamed Gold Coast and on 16 May 1959 it was proclaimed as a City. The modern City of Gold Coast was created in 1995 when the existing City and the Shire of Albert merged. In 2008, Gold Coast shrank slightly as part of Queensland government's reorganisation of local government boundaries, losing the Beenleigh and Eagleby areas north of the Albert River to Logan City Council. The Gold Coast City Council has 14 councillors, each representing a division of the City. Businessman Tom Tate was elected Mayor of the Gold Coast in 2012. Former mayors include Ron Clake, Gary Baildon, Lex Bell, Ray Stevens, Ern Harley and Sir Bruce Small, who was responsible for the development of many of the canal estates that are now home to thousands of Gold Coast residents.

The Gold Coast area is represented at the state level by ten members in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland. The seats they hold are: Albert, Broadwater, Burleigh, Coomera, Currumbin, Gaven, Mermaid Beach, Mudgeeraba, Southport and Surfers Paradise. Federally, the Gold Coast area is split between three divisions in the House of Representatives--Fadden (northern), Moncrieff (central) and McPherson (southern). Some western areas are part of Forde, which stretches into the outer southern portions of the Brisbane area.

Historically, Gold Coast has tilted conservative. It was a Country Party bastion for most of the first three decades after World War II, but increasing urbanisation has made it a Liberal stronghold. Labor has historically only done well around Labrador and Coolangatta. Only one Labor MP has ever represented a significant portion of Gold Coast at the federal level since 1949; the three Gold Coast divisions have only returned Liberals since 1984. At the state level, Labor has been fairly competitive in Gold Coast for most of the early part of the 21st century. However, as part of its massive landslide in the 2012 state election, the Liberal National Party won every seat there. The LNP repeated its sweep of the Gold Coast seats at the 2015 election, a major reason why it harboured hope of a minority government after losing its majority.

Southport Courthouse is the city's major courthouse and has jurisdiction to hear petty criminal offences and civil matters up to A$250,000. Indictable offences, criminal sentencing and civil matters above A$250,000 are heard in the higher Supreme Court of Queensland which is located in Brisbane. There are subsidiary Magistrates Courts, also located at the northern and southern suburbs of Beenleigh and Coolangatta.

City of Gold Coast[33]
Div Office suburb Councillor Term
Mayor Southport Tom Tate 2012–
1 Upper Coomera Donna Gates 2007–
2 Helensvale William Owen Jones 2012–
3 Paradise Point Cameron Caldwell 2012–
4 Labrador Kristyn Boulton 2016–
5 Nerang Peter Young 2016–
6 Southport Dawn Crichlow 1991–
7 Bundall Gary Baildon 2016–
8 Nerang Bob La Castra 1997–
9 Mudgeeraba Glenn Tozer 2012–
10 Bundall Paul Taylor 2012–
11 Robina Hermann Vorster 2016–
12 Burleigh Heads Pauline Young 2016–
13 Palm Beach Daphne McDonald 1991–
14 Tugun Gail O’Neill 2016–
Queensland[34]
District Member of Parliament Party Term
Albert Mark Boothman LNP 2012–
Broadwater Verity Barton LNP 2012–
Burleigh Michael Hart LNP 2012–
Coomera Michael Crandon LNP 2009–
Currumbin Jann Stuckey LNP 2004–
Gaven Sid Cramp LNP 2015–
Mermaid Beach Ray Stevens LNP 2009–
Mudgeeraba Ros Bates LNP 2009–
Southport Rob Molhoek LNP 2012–
Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek LNP 2004–
Australia
Division Member of Parliament Party Term
Fadden Stuart Robert LNP 2007–
McPherson Karen Andrews LNP 2010–
Moncrieff Steven Ciobo LNP 2001–

Economy

The Gold Coast region is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.

In fifty years, Gold Coast City has grown from a small beachside holiday destination to Australia's sixth largest city (and the country's most populous non-capital city). Situated within South East Queensland's growth corridor, the city is now considered Australia's fastest growing large city, with a 5-year annual average population growth rate of 3.4%, compared to 1.2% for Australia.[35] Gross Regional Product has risen from A$9.7 billion in 2001, to A$15.6 billion in 2008, a rise of 61 percent.[36] Tourism remains fundamental to Gold Coast City's economy, with almost 10 million visitors a year to the area.[37] In the past the economy was driven by the population derived industries of construction, tourism and retail. Some diversification has taken place, with the city now having an industrial base formed of marine, education, information communication and technology, food, tourism, creative, environment and sports industries. These nine industries have been identified as the key industries by the City of Gold Coast Council to deliver the city's economic prosperity. Gold Coast City's unemployment rate (5.6 per cent) is below the national level (5.9 per cent).[38]

Tourism

View of the Gold Coast at dusk.

Around 10 million tourists visit the Gold Coast area every year: of 849,114 international visitors, 3,468,000 domestic overnight visitors and 5,366,000 daytrip visitors. Tourism is the region's biggest industry,[39] directly contributing more than $4.4 billion into the city economy every year and directly accounting for one in four jobs in the city[40] There are approximately 65,000 beds, 60 kilometres (37 mi) of beach, 600 kilometres (370 mi) of canal, 100,000 hectares of nature reserve, 500 restaurants, 40 golf courses and 5 major theme parks in the city. There have been various prospects and proposals raised for even more theme parks than the current five.

Gold Coast Airport provides connection across Australia with airlines including Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Tiger Airways. International services from Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia also land at Gold Coast Airport with airlines including Flyscoot, Jetstar, Qantas, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia and Airasia X. Brisbane Airport is less than one hour from the centre of Gold Coast, and direct trains operate.

Film production

Gold Coast City is the major film production centre in Queensland and has accounted for 75%[41] of all film production in Queensland since the 1990s, with an expenditure of around $150 million per year. Gold Coast is the third largest film production centre in Australia behind Sydney and Melbourne. Warner Brothers has studios located just outside the city, at Oxenford which have been the filming locations for films such as the Scooby Doo films and House of Wax (2005). Many Bollywood films also use the Gold Coast environs as a filming location, such as Singh Is King. The Gold Coast Hinterland is also used for UK's and Germanys television series "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!" (German: "Ich bin ein Star - Holt mich hier raus!").

Village Roadshow Studios are adjacent to the Warner Bros Movie World Theme Park at Oxenford. The Studios consists of eight sound stages, production offices, editing rooms, wardrobe, construction workshops, water tanks and commissary. These sound stages vary in size and have an overall floor area of 10,844 sq metres, making Warner Roadshow Studio one of the largest studio lots in the Southern Hemisphere. Recently shot there is the latest film in the award-winning Narnia series, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the largest production ever to be made on the Gold Coast. The Queensland Government actively supports the film and television production industry in Queensland and provides both non-financial and financial assistance through the Pacific Film and Television Commission.[42]

Gold Coast is also the filming site for the TV series, H2O: Just Add Water. Australia crime series The Strip is set on the Gold Coast. The Big Brother Australia house and studios are located at Dreamworld Studios. In January 2002, the third season of The Mole was filmed and based mostly on the Gold Coast. Venues and destinations used included the Gold Coast shopping malls, Burleigh Heads, the Hinze Dam, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Warner Bros. Movie World and Binna Burra.

Cultural

Music

Music groups in this region include the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra and Operator Please. Musicians Casey Barnes, Cody Simpson and Ricki-Lee Coulter are from Gold Coast. Music events include Big Day Out, Good Vibrations Festival, Summafieldayze, and V Festival (2007–2009).

Arts

The Arts Centre Gold Coast is the Gold Coast's premier cultural facility for visual and performing arts with a performance Theatre, two Cinemas and an underground venue "The Basement'. The Theatre has hosted performance by The Imperial Russian Ballet Company, the Australian Ballet Company and the Queensland Ballet. Musicals, Plays and a variety of performances are regularly scheduled. Film Festivals and the Comedy Club host international Artists. A redeveloped Gold Coast Cultural Precinct is in planned to be functioning when the city hosts the 2018 Commonwealth Games.[43]

Sport and recreation

Gold Coast is represented in two national competitions by the following teams:

Team name Competition Sport Years
Gold Coast Titans National Rugby League Rugby league football 2007 – present
Gold Coast Suns Australian Football League Australian rules football 2011 – present
The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Burleigh Bears football club play in the Queensland Cup and have won two premierships (in 1999 and 2004)

Recreational activities on the Gold Coast include surfing, fishing, cycling, boating and golf. The Gold Coast area has numerous golf links, including Hope Island, Sanctuary Cove and The Glades.

There are a number of libraries located on the Gold Coast. For a full list see Gold Coast libraries.

Sporting facilities include the Carrara Stadium, Carrara Indoor Sport Centre, Nerang Velodrome and the Sports Super Centre. Some of these facilities are being superseded by newer and larger capacity facilities. Two examples of these are the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre to play host to a Gold Coast Basketball team and Skilled Park to host NRL games.

Former World Wrestling Entertainment performer Nathan Jones comes from Gold Coast, as do Olympic gold medal winning swimmer Grant Hackett, 2011 US Open tennis champion Samantha Stosur and Sally Pearson (who recently received the keys to the city).

Former teams in national competitions

Team name Competition Sport Homeground Years
Gold Coast-Tweed Giants New South Wales Rugby League Rugby league Seagulls Stadium 1988–1990
Gold Coast Seagulls NSWRL/ARL Rugby league Seagulls Stadium 1991–1995
Gold Coast Rollers National Basketball League Basketball Carrara Indoor Stadium 1990–1996
Gold Coast Chargers ARL/NRL Rugby league Carrara Stadium 1996–1998
East Coast Aces Australian Rugby Championship Rugby union Carrara Stadium 2007
Gold Coast Blaze National Basketball League Basketball Gold Coast Convention Centre 2007–2012
Gold Coast United FC A-League Association football (soccer) A-League 2009–2012
Gold Coast Blue Tongues Australian Ice Hockey League Ice hockey Gold Coast Iceland 2007 – 2012

Events

Gold Coast Indy 300 2006

The Gold Coast 600 (formerly known as Lexmark Indy 300) is a car racing event held annually, usually in October. The course runs through the streets of Surfers Paradise and Main Beach. The GC 600 comprises many other events such as the Indy Undie Ball and the Miss Indy Competition. Formerly an Indy car event, V8 Supercars are now the headline attraction, using a similar track route, as the circuit was cut in half by a hairpin. The Magic Millions carnival is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Gerry Harvey (of Harvey Normans) and John Singleton. There are plans to relocate and build a state-of-the-art new racetrack at Palm Meadows which will incorporate the Magic Million sale with facilities for up to 4000 horses.

Each June, Coolangatta hosts the Wintersun Festival renamed as Cooly Rocks On for 2011, a two-week 1950s and 1960s nostalgia festival with free entertainment and attractions, including hot rods, restored cars and revival bands playing music of the era. Every July, more than 25,000 congregate on the Gold Coast from around the world to participate in the Gold Coast Marathon. It is also the largest annual community sporting event held on the Gold Coast. In 2015, it will be held on 4–5 July and the 37th Gold Coast Airport Marathon is set to motivate and challenge more than 25,000 people of all ages and abilities. The Gold Coast Airport Marathon will feature an event for all ages and abilities, including the full Gold Coast Airport Marathon, ASICS Half Marathon, Southern Cross University 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) Run, Suncorp Bank 5.7 kilometres (3.5 mi) Challenge, and Junior Dash over 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi).

in August Currumbin hosts the annual half distance Challenge Gold Coast triathlon, with the 1.9 km swim taking place in the Currumbin River, the 90 km bike going through the Currumbin and Tallebudgera Valleys in the Hinterland, and the 21.1 km run going along the beach to Elephant Rock and Tugun.[44]

Late November to early December sees thousands of school leavers across the country descend on the Gold Coast for Schoolies, a two-week period of celebration and parties throughout Surfers Paradise, hosted by the City of Gold Coast . The event is often criticised nationally and locally for its portrayal of drinking and acts of violence, however every effort by the Queensland Police Service and State Government to ensure all school leavers have a good time are put into place, including locals volunteering by walking the streets and keeping an eye out for those in need of assistance. Early each year the Gold Coast hosts one leg of the ASP World Tour of surfing, where some of the worlds best surfers compete in the Quiksilver Pro at Coolangatta.

The Arts Centre Gold Coast located in Evandale, features a fine art gallery featuring local and international works from painting to sculpture and new media. In addition, there is a theatre for live productions including musicals as well two arts cinemas showing foreign and independent films from Australia and abroad.

Media

The daily, local newspaper is The Gold Coast Bulletin which is published by News Corporation. Newspapers from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Northern NSW towns such as Tweed Heads and Lismore are also available. National surfing magazine Australia's Surfing Life is published in the Gold Coast suburb of Burleigh Heads, by Morrison Media.

The Gold Coast straddles the boundary between the television licence areas of both Brisbane (metro) and Northern New South Wales (regional). The Brisbane primary channels are Seven, Nine and Ten. The regional affiliates are Prime7 (aligned with Seven), NBN Television (aligned with its owner Nine) and Southern Cross Ten. Both sets of commercial stations are available throughout the Gold Coast, as well as the ABC (ABC1) and SBS (SBS ONE) television services. Digital-only channels available in addition to the ones listed above include One HD, Eleven, ABC2, ABC3, ABC News 24, SBS Two, 7Two, 7mate, GEM and GO!. SBS ONE simulcasts its programming in high definition on SBS HD. Subscription television services Foxtel (via cable) and Austar (via satellite) are also available.

Major FM radio stations include 92.5 Gold FM (part of the Macquarie Regional RadioWorks network – a mix of 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and current hits), 90.9 Sea FM (callsign 4SEA – Top 40, pop), FM 102.9 Hot Tomato (a mix of 80s 90s and Top 40), 99.4 Rebel FM (Rock), 100.6 Breeze FM (Classic Hits/Easy), 89.3 4CRB-FM (Christian), 91.7 ABC Gold Coast FM (contemporary, ABC local news and information), 93.5 SBS (Brisbane), Jazz Radio 94.1FM (jazz, blues and swing music), 97.7 JJJ Triple J (alternative and chart music), 104 4MBS Classic, 105.7 Radio Metro (dance, pop, R&B, and left field), 106 ABC Classic FM, and Juice107.3. Several Northern NSW and Brisbane AM and FM radio stations can also be received. Aiysha Saagar[45][46] first Indian to become brand Ambassador of Gold Coast

Tourism and landmarks

The Q1 building, one of the tallest apartment buildings in the world.

Tourism is Gold Coast City's main industry, generating a total of $2.5 billion in revenue per annum. Gold Coast is the most popular tourist destination in Queensland.[47] It is Australia's 5th most visited destination by international tourists.[48]

The city has over 13,000 available guest rooms contributing over $335 million to the local economy each year. Accommodation options available range from backpacker hostels to five star resorts and hotels. The most common style of accommodation is three and four star self-contained apartments. Tourist attractions include surf beaches, and theme parks including Dreamworld, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild Water World, Warner Bros. Movie World, WhiteWater World, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, David Fleay Wildlife Park, Australian Outback Spectacular, and Paradise Country.

The Gold Coast skyline at night

Since the opening of what was then the world's highest residential tower in 2005 (it is now the fifth highest), the Q1 building has been a destination for tourists and locals alike. It is the second highest public vantage point in the southern hemisphere after the Eureka Tower in Melbourne. The observation deck at level 77 is the highest of its kind in Queensland and offers views in all directions, from Brisbane to Byron Bay. It towers over the Surfers Paradise skyline, with the observation deck 230 metres (755 feet) high, and the spire extending nearly another hundred metres up. In total, the Q1 is 322.5 metres (1058 feet) high. Another famous tourist attraction are the Surfers Paradise Meter Maids, instituted in 1965 to put a positive spin on new parking regulations. To avoid tickets being issued for expired parking, the Meter Maids dispense coins into the meter and leave a calling card under the windscreen wiper of the vehicle. The Maids are still a part of the Surfers Paradise culture but the scheme is now run by private enterprise.

Education

Bond University in Varsity Lakes

The Gold Coast's education infrastructure includes:

Infrastructure

Health

The Gold Coast is well catered for health care with a mixture of both public and private hospitals.

Private hospitals

Private hospitals in the city include Allamanda Private Hospital located at Southport, Pindara Hospital at Benowa and John Flynn Private Hospital at Tugun in the city's south.

Public hospitals

Gold Coast University Hospital

The Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) is the main hospital serving the Gold Coast region. The 750 bed facility is one of the largest public hospitals in Queensland is located on Parklands Drive, Southport. GCUH opened to the public on September 28, 2013, replacing the old Gold Coast Hospital on Nerang Street, Southport.

Robina Hospital

The Robina Hospital is the second public hospital located on the Gold Coast. The Robina hospital is smaller than the Gold Coast University Hospital but expansions in recent years has seen the hospital get a brand new emergency department an extra 179 beds, making the hospital the sixth largest in Queensland.

The Hospital is located centrally within Robina, being located adjacent to the Robina Railway Station and a short drive from the Pacific Motorway.

Transport

The increasing population has resulted in an increase in traffic congestion.[49] This has led to the Queensland State Government and City of Gold Coast placing more effort into investing into sustainable transport. Examples include public transport including a new ferry service, community bike hire,[50] the light rail system and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists such as the Gold Coast Oceanway.[51]

Private transport

The car is the dominant mode of transport in the Gold Coast, with over 70% of people using the car as their sole mode of travelling to work.[52] A number of major roads connect the Gold Coast with Brisbane, New South Wales, and the surrounding areas. The Pacific Motorway (M1) is the main motorway in the area. Beginning at the Logan Motorway (M6) in Brisbane, it travels through the inland Gold Coast region and links with the Pacific Highway at the New South Wales/Queensland border near Tweed Heads. Before the Tugun Bypass was completed in 2008, the motorway ended at Tugun. The Gold Coast Highway services the coastal suburbs of the Gold Coast, including Surfers Paradise, Southport, and Burleigh Heads. Starting at the Pacific Motorway at Tweed Heads, it runs parallel to the coast until it reaches Labrador, where it turns inland to meet the Pacific Motorway again at Helensvale. Other arterial roads include the Smith Street Motorway, Reedy Creek Road, Nerang–Broadbeach Road and Bermuda Street.

Public transport

Public transport modes in the Gold Coast include taxis, buses, ferries, heavy rail, light rail and monorail for commuting to work, visiting attractions, and travelling to other destinations. The two primary pieces of public transport infrastructure on the Gold Coast are a light rail line running along the coast and a heavy rail line running inland and providing a connection to Brisbane.

Light rail

G:link tram on Surfers Paradise Boulevard

The Gold Coast's light rail service is called G:link. A 13 km (8.1 mi) line between Gold Coast University Hospital and Broadbeach connecting the key activity centres of Southport and Surfers Paradise opened in 2014. A 7.3 km (4.5 mi) extension, from the current terminus at Gold Coast University Hospital to Helensvale railway station, was announced in October 2015. The extension is expected to open before the 2018 Commonwealth Games.[53]

Heavy rail

Queensland Rail operates rail services from Brisbane to the Gold Coast along the Gold Coast railway line. The line follows the same route as Brisbane's Beenleigh railway line, continuing on after reaching Beenleigh. It then follows a route similar to that of the Pacific Motorway, passing stations at Ormeau, Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang and Robina before terminating at Varsity Lakes. An extension to Coolangatta and the Gold Coast Airport is proposed.

Bus

The Gold Coast's main provider of public bus services is Surfside Buslines.[54] It is a part of the TransLink initiative by the Queensland Government, designed to coordinate the public transport providers in Brisbane and the surrounding areas. The majority of the bus routes that Surfside operates run along the Gold Coast Highway. Services are frequent during the day, with intervals being as little as 5 minutes between Southport and Burleigh Heads.

Airport

Varsity Lakes station, the terminus for the Gold Coast line connects the city with Brisbane.

Gold Coast Airport is located at Coolangatta, approximately 22 kilometres (14 mi) south of Surfers Paradise. Services are provided to interstate capitals and major cities as well as to major New Zealand cities, Malaysia, Japan and Singapore.

Utilities

Electricity

Electricity for the Gold Coast is sourced from Powerlink Queensland at bulk supply substations which is provided via the National Electricity Market from an interconnected multi-State power system. The Government-owned electricity corporation Energex distributes and retails electricity, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and value-added products and services to residential, industrial and commercial customers in South-East Queensland.

Water supply The Hinze Dam 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Nerang is the population's main water supply. The Little Nerang Dam which feeds into Hinze Dam can supplement part of the city area's water needs, and both are managed by the city council directorate Gold Coast Water. Reforms of the way in which the water industry is structured have been announced by the State Government, with transfer of ownership and management of water services from local government to the state occurring in 2008–09. City of Gold Coast also sources water from Wivenhoe Dam, west of Brisbane for northern suburbs when the Hinze Dam, at one-tenth of Wivenhoe's capacity, becomes low.

Water shortage and water restrictions have been current local issues, and a few new Gold Coast residential areas have recently included dual reticulation in their planning and development to supply water from a new water recycling plant being built concurrently. This will make available highly treated recycled water for use around the home in addition to potable water. The Gold Coast has received world recognition for this scheme in its Pimpama-Coomera suburbs.[55]

Gold Coast Water has also been recognised for its world leading HACCP water quality management system by the World Health Organisation which published Gold Coast Water's system as a good model for managing water quality and safety from catchment to tap.[56] The Gold Coast desalination plant, which opened in February 2009,[57] has the capacity to supply up to 133 megalitres of desalinated water per day.[58]

Projects

Burleigh Heads beach in summer, with the Surfers Paradise skyline visible on the horizon.

Sister cities

According to the BusinessGC Council Website, Gold Coast is twinned with:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Gold Coast (Statistical Area Level 4)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2013-14". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  3. ↑ Preliminary population estimates for local government areas, 2009. Local government areas included in the calculation of the South East Queensland population are: Shire of Beaudesert, Shire of Boonah, City of Brisbane, Shire of Caboolture, City of Caloundra, Shire of Esk, Shire of Gatton, City of Gold Coast, City of Ipswich, Shire of Kilcoy, Shire of Laidley, Logan City, Shire of Maroochy, Shire of Noosa, Shire of Pine Rivers, Redcliffe City, and Redland City.
  4. ↑ Gold Coast defeats Hambantota to host 2018 Commonwealth Games
  5. ↑ "BEACHES NOW NOT SO GOLDEN BOOM FOR LAND IS EBBING.". Sunday Mail (Brisbane: National Library of Australia). 29 October 1950. p. 4. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  6. ↑ "Talk of the Town.". Sunday Mail (Brisbane: National Library of Australia). 24 December 1950. p. 1. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  7. ↑ "DAY by DAY.". The Courier-Mail (Brisbane: National Library of Australia). 28 August 1951. p. 1. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  8. ↑ "DAY by DAY.". The Courier-Mail (Brisbane: National Library of Australia). 22 November 1951. p. 1. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "'Can get it-at a price'.". The Courier-Mail (Brisbane: National Library of Australia). 26 December 1951. p. 1. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  10. ↑ "Don'ts for South Coast 1951-52.". Sunday Mail (Brisbane: National Library of Australia). 18 November 1951. p. 7. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  11. ↑ "DAY by DAY.". The Courier-Mail (Brisbane: National Library of Australia). 14 November 1951. p. 1. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  12. ↑ ""Gold Coast" jinks.". The Courier-Mail (Brisbane: National Library of Australia). 29 December 1951. p. 3. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  13. ↑ "NSW will have own Riviera.". Sunday Mail (Brisbane: National Library of Australia). 17 February 1952. p. 5. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  14. ↑ "Day by Day.". The Courier-Mail (Brisbane: National Library of Australia). 18 February 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  15. ↑ "TALK of the TOWN.". Sunday Mail (Brisbane: National Library of Australia). 24 February 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  16. ↑ "Agency ID2476, South Coast Town Council". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  17. ↑ "Agency ID10379, Gold Coast Town Council". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  18. ↑ Gold Coast sixth largest city John McCarthy and Greg Stolz From: The Courier-Mail 11 November 2007
  19. ↑ Hundloe, Tor; McDougall, Bridgette; Page, Craig, eds. (2015). The Gold Coast Transformed. CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 9781486303298.
  20. ↑ "Gold Coast City Council – Boating". Goldcoastcity.com.au. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  21. ↑ UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves
  22. ↑ "Gold Coast Lifeguard Services". Goldcoast.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  23. ↑ Queensland Shark Control Program
  24. ↑ "Delft Report". Archives.qld.gov.au. 20 May 2004. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  25. ↑ Gold Coast Seaway Archived 27 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine.
  26. ↑ "Northern Gold Coast Beach Protection Strategy". Coastalmanagement.com.au. Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  27. ↑ "Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project". Tweedsandbypass.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  28. ↑ Palm Beach Protection Strategy Archived 11 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
  29. ↑ "No Reef Campaign". Sargesdailysurf.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  30. ↑ Gold Coast Shoreline Management Plan Archived 2 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine.
  31. ↑ "Climate statistics for Australian locations: Gold Coast Seaway". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  32. ↑ "Climate statistics for Gold Coast Seaway". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. April 2014.
  33. ↑ Councillors and Divisions
  34. ↑ 2012 Queensland State Election Summary
  35. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics, June 2008 Cat No. 3218.0 – Population estimates by Statistical Local Area 2001–2008
  36. ↑ National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR) November 2007
  37. ↑ Tourism Research Australia Domestic and International Visitor Surveys
  38. ↑ ABS Regional Labour Force Survey February 2009
  39. ↑ Gold Coast, Famous for Fun – Official Gold Coast Holidays Guide in Queensland, Australia. Visitgoldcoast.com (2012-11-18). Retrieved on 2013-07-16.
  40. ↑ http://www.saltwaterestate.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=9
  41. ↑ "Film Industry on the Gold Coast". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  42. ↑ "Pacific Film and Television Commission". Pftc.com.au. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  43. ↑ http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/gold-coast-cultural-precinct-13122.html
  44. ↑ http://www.challenge-goldcoast.com.au/
  45. ↑ Aiysha Saagar brand Ambassador of Gold Coast Times Of India
  46. ↑ ambassador to promote tourism and lure investors Goldcoast.com.au
  47. ↑ "Key Gold Coast Industries Report". Sdi.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  48. ↑ "International Market Tourism Facts" (PDF). Tourism Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2012.
  49. ↑ Gold Coast City Council (2 September 2009). "2.3" (PDF). Gold Coast City Transport Plan. p. 26. Retrieved 26 September 2009.
  50. ↑ "Gold Coast Community Bike Hire". Goldcoast.qld.gov.au. 16 February 2010. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  51. ↑ "Gold Coast Rapid Transit". TransLink.com.au. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  52. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2007). "Method of Travel to Work by Sex — Gold Coast (Local Government Area)" (Excel Spreadsheet). Retrieved 12 April 2008. Consists of people who solely either drove or travelled as a passenger in a car to work.
  53. ↑ "Stage two of Gold Coast light rail on track for Commonwealth Games". Queensland Government. 11 October 2015.
  54. ↑ Surfside Bus Services Archived 28 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine.
  55. ↑ "Gold Coast City Council – Pimpama Coomera Master Plan Frequently Asked Questions". Goldcoast.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  56. ↑ "WHO | Water safety plans: Managing drinking-water quality from catchment to consumer". Who.int. 21 February 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  57. ↑ Kaine, Charmaine (27 February 2009). "Smooth start for Tugun Desalination Plant". ABC News. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  58. ↑ WaterSecure. "WaterSecure – a new source of pure water". Archived from the original on 29 June 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
  59. ↑ Willoughby, Shannon (4 April 2012). "Plans for Coast cruise-ship terminal". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  60. ↑ "New light rail route will be a winner". 13 August 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  61. ↑ Ardern, Lucy (24 February 2010). "State okays Olsen Avenue light rail route". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  62. ↑ Chamberlin, Thomas (14 December 2009). "Long wait for Gold Coast airport train". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 24 April 2012.

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