Gold Coast, Queensland

For other uses of the term see: Gold Coast

Gold Coast city is located in the south east corner of Queensland, Australia. It is the second most populous city in the state and the seventh most populous city in the country. The city stretches from Beenleigh on the southern fringe of Logan City, for approximately 60km (38 miles) south to Coolangatta situated on the New South Wales border, and extends west to the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. The city is renowned for its sunny subtropical climate, world-class beaches, waterfront properties, wide array of tourist attractions and long, high-rise-dominated skyline.

History

It has been suggested that small numbers of aboriginal peoples inhabited the greater Gold Coast region approximately 23,000 years prior to European settlement.

English navigator, Captain James Cook became the first European to note the region when he sailed the coast on May 16, 1770 in the HM Bark Endeavour. This exploration was however focussed to areas south of Gold Coast region in the northern rivers of New South Wales.

Captain Matthew Flinders, an explorer, charting the continent north from the colony of New South Wales, sailed past again in 1802 but the region remained uninhabited by Europeans until 1823 when explorer John Oxley landed at Mermaid Beach, which was titled after his boat, a cutter named Mermaid.

The hinterland's redcedar supply attracted large numbers of people to the area in the mid 1800s. The western suburb of Nerang was surveyed and established as a base for the industry. Later in 1875, Southport was surveyed and established and quickly grew a reputation as a secluded holiday destination for the upper class Brisbane residents.

In 1925, tourism to the area grew rapidly when Jim Cavill established the Surfers Paradise Hotel. Coincidentally, population of the area soared and by the 1940s, real estate speculators and journalists pronounced the area "Gold Coast". The true origin of the name however is still debatable. The name "Gold Coast" was officially pronounced in 1958 when the South Coast Town Council was renamed "Gold Coast Town Council".

During the 1970s, hi-rises began to dominate the area now know as Surfers Paradise and later in 1981 the airport was established. More recently, the city has been promoted on the world stage with the construction of the world's tallest residential tower, Q1.

Geography and topography

The Gold Coast is situated in the southeast corner of Queensland, to the south of Brisbane the capital of Queensland. The Gold Coast stretches from the south end of Logan City and Russell Island to the border with New South Wales. The southernmost town is Coolangatta which includes Point Danger and its lighthouse, and it is twin cities with Tweed Heads across the border. At , 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 seventy kilometres of holiday resorts and surfing beaches stretch north as far as the towns of Southport and Surfers Paradise, which together form the Gold Coast's commercial centre (latitude about 27.7 degrees south). The administrative area of the Gold Coast City Council (Gold Coast City Council Website) continues north up to Beenleigh.

The major river in the area is the Nerang River. Much of the land between the coastal strip and the hinterland was once wetlands drained by this river, but the swamps have been converted into manmade waterways (over 260 km ^*, or over 9 times that 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 is lined by a mountain range, often described as the 'Gold Coast hinterland'. Despite being located in a separate local government area of Beaudesert Shire, city locals tend to consider Mount Tamborine a local mountain getaway destination. Mount Tamborine is a small mountain community consisting of numerous wineries, cafes and also arts, craft and antique shops. The hinterland also offers exclusive lodging and accommodation for tourists.

Climate

The Gold Coast has a subtropical climate with warm, mild winters and hot, bright summers. Set out hereunder is a summary of the climatic data for the city:

**Climate Table**
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum temperature (°C)	28.5	28.3	27.6	25.9	23.3	21.2	20.6	21.4	23.3	25.2	26.7	28.1	25.0
Mean daily minimum temperature (°C)	20.3	20.5	19.2	16.5	13.4	10.6	9.2	9.8	12.1	15.0	17.4	19.2	15.3
Mean total rainfall (mm)	175.3	190.0	202.0	135.8	131.5	93.0	74.6	55.8	57.9	86.7	103.8	132.1	1428.6
Mean number of rain days	12.7	13.3	15.2	11.4	10.1	7.5	7.0	6.9	7.3	8.9	10.0	11.2	121.5
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Urban structure

Beaches

The city consists of 57 kilometres of coastline with some of the most famous beaches in Australia including, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Currumbin, Greenmount, Kirra, The Spit and Main Beach, Mermaid Beach, South Stradbroke Island, Surfers Paradise and Tallebudgera.

While the beaches are beautiful and enticing there are also inherent dangers, that is why the Gold Coast has Australia’s largest 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 Safety Program (SSP) to protect swimmers from sharks. For over 40 years no fatal shark attack has occurred on a protected beach on the Gold Coast. Sharks are caught by using nets and baited drumlines off the major swimming beaches. Even with the SSP, sharks do range within sight of the patrolled beaches, lifeguards will clear swimmers from the water if it is considered that there is safety risk.

In an attempt to minimise the inherent risks associated with swimming in the open coastal waters, the local Gold Coast City Council actively promotes these "Golden Rules" for swimmers:

Always swim between the red & yellow flags on patrolled beaches.
Always read the Flags and Safety Signs located on the beach and understand what they mean before entering the water.
A single Red Flag indicates Dangerous conditions and you are not to enter the water. A single Yellow Flag indicates to swim with Caution.

There are usually high levels of the sun’s ultraviolet rays on the beach and overexposure to these rays can cause skin damage, (sunburn) and skin cancer. Being "Sun Smart" is at all times to wear appropriate clothing which includes long sleeve shirts with proper neck protection, using swimming vests and wetsuits, wearing broad brim hats and sunglasses to the Australian Standard 1067. Apply to exposed areas, at least 15+ broad-spectrum sunscreens and follow the makers directions of when to reapply, especially when being in the water.

Governance

Three levels of government exist on the Gold Coast typically known as local, State and Federal. On 23 October 1958, local administrators pronounced the Gold Coast Town Council. In 1995, Albert Shire Council merged with the existing Gold Coast Town Council to form a supra local authority, titled Gold Coast City Council. Previous mayors of the new authority include Gary Baildon and Ray Stevens.

The city is governed at the state level by the Queensland Legislative Assembly. Nine electorates represent Gold Coast namely, Broadwater, Burleigh, Currumbin, Gaven, Mudgeeraba, Robina, Southport and Surfers Paradise.

Federally, Gold Coast is represented by four electorates in the House of Representatives which are Fadden (northern), Moncrieff (central), McPherson (southern) and Forde (western). Historically, the Gold Coast has remained a very safe conservative electorate and the three main Gold Coast electorates (Fadden, Moncrieff and McPherson) have each elected a representative from the Liberal Party since 1986.

Southport Courthouse is the city's major courthouse and has jurisdiction to hear petty criminal offences and civil matters up to AU$250,000.00. Indictable offences, criminal sentencing and civil matters above AU$250,000.00 are heard in the higher Supreme Court of Queensland which is located at George Street, Brisbane. There is a subsidiary Magistrate's Court located at Coolangatta.

Numinbah Correctional Centre, located in the city's hinterland suburb of Numinbah Valley, is an open custody prison farm. The centre is a minimum security prison accommodating for up to 104 male prisoners and in a separate annex, twenty-five female prisoners.

Economy

According to a study^* completed by the Centre for Economic Policy Modelling (CEPM) at the University of Queensland, Gold Coast regional gross domestic product for financial year ending June 30 2002 was nearly AU$8.9 billion.

Main industry sectors contributing to the regional gross domestic product included property services, construction, retail trade, business services, transport, tourism (accommodation, cafes and restaurants), finance & insurance, health services, education, wholesale trade and entertainment.

Gold Coast City is the major film production centre in Queensland and has accounted for 75% of all film production in Queensland since the 1990s, with an expenditure of around $150million per year. Gold Coast is the third largest film production centre in Australia behind Sydney and Melbourne.

Culture

Sport and recreation

Cycling

The Nerang Velodrome (including the Nerang International Criterium Circuit Velodrome) is a 356m asphalt track with lights for night time use. There is a permanent covered grandstand for 240 people and temporary grandstands for a further 150 people. The Criterium Circuits include 3 hot-mix asphalt circuits. There is a flat 600m circuit, and 900m and 1500m circuits which both include a 200m hill. Famously hosted the pre-2000 Olympic Games training for Great Britain Cycling (Road) and Triathlon Teams, and the Sweden Cycling (track) Team. The nearby Nerang State Forest, with its hilly terrain and well-maintained trails is a favourite recreational area for mountain bike riders.

Golf

The Gold Coast has over fifty private and public golf courses which vary in the number of holes, par and exclusivity. Generally, golf club members play competitively every Saturday. A short list of eighteen hole golf courses within the city includes Arundel Hills Golf Club, Emerald Lakes Golf Club, Hope Island - The Links, Parkwood International Golf Course, Royal Pines Resort, Sanctuary Cove - The Palms, Sanctuary Cove - The Pines, Southport Golf Club, The Glades Golf & Spa, Robina Woods, Palm Meadows, Lakelands, The Colonial and Gainsborough Greens.

Horse Racing

The Gold Coast Turf Club hosts weekly horse races every Saturday from 12 o'clock midday for a minor entry fee. Facilities include a bookmaker's ring, betting tote through UNItab, four small to large function venues and public food and drink outlets.

Rugby League

On May 27, 2005, it was announced that Gold Coast was successful in its bid to submit a rugby league team into the National Rugby League (NRL) competition. The announcement came after much dedication and persistence from managing director, Michael Searle. The Gold Coast team to commence its inaugural season in 2007 is known as the Gold Coast Titans. The 'Titans' will be the first nationally recognised sporting team for Gold Coast since the collapse and or relocation of other such ventures such as the Gold Coast Seagulls and Gold Coast Chargers (Rugby League), Gold Coast Rollers (Basketball) and Brisbane Bears (VFL/AFL).

Sports Super Centre

This facility is located at the northern end of the Gold Coast, in the suburb of Runaway Bay, has been earmarked as a world class training facility. The centre includes nine purpose built villas which provide accommodation for touring groups or sporting teams, FINA approved 50 metre outdoor swimming pool, an IAAF certified 10 lane 400 metre athletic track with 3000 seater capacity stadium, a 600m2 gymnasium and health spa.

Stadia

Carrara Stadiumis the city's largest open air, oval stadium with an official capacity of 18,000. The stadium has however on numerous occasions hosted attendances in excess of this official capacity. Gold Coast Stadium was previously the home of now the now relocated Brisbane Bears and now defunct Gold Coast Chargers. Carrara Indoor Sport Centre[http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard2.aspx?pid=100 neighbours Carrara Stadium and has a seated capacity of 3,000. It was previously the home of the defunct NBL team the Gold Coast Rollers.

Following the admission of Gold Coast Titans into the NRL competition, Queensland Government, in conjunction with Gold Coast City Council and Robina Land Corporation, announced their intention to construct a new, multi-million dollar, rectangular, all-seated Gold Coast Stadium at a site in Robina adjacent to Robina Station.

Media

The daily, local newspaper is Gold Coast Bulletin which is published by News Corporation. The Gold Coast Sun and Gold Coast Mail are other local newspapers. Although the weekly Mail has a limited circulation, the Gold Coast Sun is Australia's largest circulation community newspaper.

Gold Coast is unique in that it is officially in the television broadcast license area of both the Brisbane metro area and the Northern New South Wales markets. Broadcasts from eight free-to-air channels are available, but as a result of the hilly hinterland terrain there are some reception 'blind spots' sometimes thwarting clear picture for some channels in these areas. The Metro networks are Seven, Nine and Ten, from the Brisbane license area. The Regional affiliates are Prime Television, NBN Television and Southern Cross Ten, from the Northern New South Wales license area. Also broadcasting to the area are The Queensland ABC and SBS television services. Subscription television services Foxtel (via cable) and Austar (via satellite) are also available.

Major FM radio stations include, 88 BeachFM (tourist info., Top 40), 89.3 4CRB-FM (Christian), 90.9 SEAFM (Top 40, pop), 91.7 Coast FM (contemporary, ABC local news and information), 92.5 Gold 92.5 (mix of 70s, 80s, 90s, and Top 40), 93.5 SBS (Brisbane), 94.1 Radio Hope Island (jazz, blues and swing music), 97.7 JJJ Triple J (alternative and chart music), 102.9 Hot Tomato (Top 40, pop), 104 4MBS Classic, 105.7 Radio Metro (dance, pop, R&B, and leftfield) and 106 ABC Classic FM. Several Brisbane AM and FM radio stations can also be received in various areas.

Infrastructure

Education

The Gold Coast's education infrastructure includes:

Universities - Two major university campuses (Bond University at Robina and Griffith University, incorporating the Griffith School of Medicine and a School of Dentistry and Oral Health at the Gold Coast Hospital and the main campus at Southport) and the smaller campus of Central Queensland University at Southport
TAFE - four campuses at Southport, Ridgeway (Ashmore), Benowa and Coolangatta
Schools - Many primary and secondary schools, both public and private and of a variety of denominations

Health

The Gold Coast Hospital at Southport is the city’s major teaching and referral hospital and the third largest in Queensland, attending to over 500,000 ^* cases a year, and overseeing other services of the Gold Coast Health Service District as its head office. However It is the only public hospital in the city, and because of this is victim to overcrowding and under staffing, as a consequence the emergency department will not be admitting new patients from may 2006, due to much of this Gold Coast Hospital has a dubious reputation with local residents. also in a somewhat uncommon arrangement it has a smaller Robina campus with limited facilities .

A number of private hospitals also exist throughout the city, notably Allamanda Private Hospital located at Southport, Pindara Hospital at Benowa and John Flynn Gold Coast Private Hospital at Tugun in the city's south.

Look here for a directory of Gold Coast doctors, dentists, chemists, cosmetic surgeons, specialists, hospitals and other health professionals.

Transport

The car is the dominant mode of transport for Gold Coast residents, although locals and visitors alike often walk to the beach, shops or anywhere nearby, particularly so in areas of high-density living. The Gold Coast Oceanway is a 36 km network of pathways along the coastline. The Pacific Motorway (M1) is a motorway grade section of the Pacific Highway connecting the Gold Coast with Brisbane. The Gold Coast Highway runs close to the coast for most of its route and through the centres of Southport, Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads and Currumbin. Caution is advised when travelling on hinterland areas. There are many blind entrances to properties and roads are narrow and winding and especially hazardous in wet conditions. Speed limits should be observed at all times.

Trains once travelled the Old South Coast Line from Beenleigh to Southport but the increasing popularity of the motor car forced the closure of the line in 1964, which was subsequently resumed for development. The new Gold Coast railway line was constructed further inland in the mid-1990s and runs roughly parallel to the Pacific Motorway alignment, terminating at Robina. QR CityTrain services connect the Gold Coast with Brisbane, running express between Beenleigh and South Bank stations, with most services continuing onto Brisbane Airport.

The local bus operator is Surfside Buslines, which provides regular services and a network covering most locations. The Gold Coast is part of an integrated public transport network in South East Queensland known as TransLink, which offers integrated fares and tickets across all modes of public transport. Taxis and Limousines operate with no ties to TransLink. Regent Taxis holds the largest fleet of taxicabs on Gold Coast. Yellow Cabs service the city to a lesser degree. Hughes Limousines (also called Gold Coast Limousines), Palm Limos and United Chauffeured Limousines provide luxury transport on the Gold Coast.

Waterfront canal living is a feature of the Gold Coast, and 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.

Gold Coast Airport is located at Coolangatta, approximately 22 kilometres south of Surfers Paradise. Services are provided to interstate capitals and major cities as well as to major New Zealand cities. Other international destinations include Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.

Utilities

Wireless, fixed line voice, data and broadband telecommunication services are provided by a range of competing companies including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone Australia, Hutchison 3 and various other Telcos, resellers and service providers. Telstra owns the exchange service area copper local loop which it can resell to other providers who can also co-locate their switch equipment or edge routers at Telstra exchanges.

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. In the early 1990s Australian governments commenced a program of deregulation of the electricity sector, which is progressively being introduced in multiple phases known as traunches. 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.

The Hinze Dam 15 km southwest of Nerang is the population's main water supply. The Little Nerang Dam supplements this as a secondary source, and both are managed by the city council directorate Gold Coast Water. Gold Coast City Council also sources water from Wivenhoe Dam, west of Brisbane for northern suburbs. Water shortage and water restrictions have been current local issues, and a few Gold Coast residential communities have water recycling schemes in place.

Future projects

There is a proposed marine development of the Southport Spit which includes the provision of recreational facilities for a cruise ship terminal, construction of a marina facility for superyachts, recreational and commercial boats at either the Marine Stadium or adjacent to Sea World and the development of 6.2ha of State land south of Sea World. Public submissions on the draft terms of reference for the proposal closed in November 2005 and the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) process has formally commenced. It is hoped that the Gold Coast can tap into the cruise shipping industry, which nation-wide is estimated to be valued at about $200m.

A 'Quality Public Transport Corridor' is proposed to utilise either light rail or busway technology and run along the coastal strip. The proposed southern terminus is at Broadbeach, with several northern options including a terminus at Griffith University, Parkwood or Helensvale. A funding allocation of almost $1bn has been put aside from State Government funds. The existing heavy rail Gold Coast line will also be progressively extended to Coolangatta. A proposal to start a public ferry service is currently being entertained.

The Pacific Motorway will be upgraded between Nerang and Tugun to a three-lane corridor in both directions, with the Tugun Bypass to be completed by 2008.

A desalination plant is also planned for Tugun.

Sister cities

According to the Gold Coast City Council Website

Country	City (and Province or State)
China	Beihai, Guangxi Zhuang
France	Noumea, New Caledonia island territory
Greece	Corfu
Israel	Netanya
Japan	Kanagawa, Takasu-cho, and Hokkaido
Mongolia	Ulaanbaatar
New Zealand	Horowhenua
Taiwan	Taipei, and Tainan
United Arab Emirates	Dubai
United States of America	Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

External links

References

Gold Coast, Queensland | Cities in Queensland | Local Government Areas of Queensland | Coastal cities in Australia

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