GC Life

Edition 31, December 2009

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Christmas trading hours at Council

Trading hours for Council administration offices and libraries will change over the Christmas break. All libraries and administration offices will close on all public holidays.

Read more »

Christmas Lights Street Party and Bus Tours

The winner of Council's 2009 Christmas Lights Street Party competition was announced at an award presentation ceremony held at Robina Town Centre on Thursday 10 December.

Read more »

Gold Coast Gives

You can make a difference this festive season by giving to a local community group, where your support will really count. Gold Coast Gives is a free online resource that links donors with local community groups.

Read more »

Active & Healthy School Holiday program

There's a feast of free or low-cost activities across the coast these school holidays. With activities for the littlies right through to the teens, you'll find something to keep kids of all ages happy.

Read more »

$10,000 Prize for Gold Coast ratepayers

Congratulations to Graham and Lexie of Elanora. These lucky Gold Coast ratepayers were the winners of a $10,000 account with the Heritage Building Society. They simply paid their full year's rates by the discount date and automatically entered Council's random annual prize draw.

Read more »

Griffith University Science Experience

The Gold Coast City Council will become a sponsor of the Griffith University Science Experience in January 2010. The Science Experience is a three-day workshop held from 12 to 14 January and open to students entering Year 10.

Read more »

Gold Coast commences Permanent Water Conservation Measures

The Queensland Water Commission has introduced Permanent Water Conservation Measures, target 200, to the Gold Coast, along with all other councils in the South East Queensland region.

Read more »

Christmas Trading Hours at Council

Trading hours for Council administration offices and libraries will change over the Christmas break. All libraries and administration offices will be closed on all public holidays.

The Southport, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach and Coolangatta administration offices will close from 25 December 2009 and reopen on 4 January 2010. During this time, Council's two main administration offices in Nerang and Surfers will remain open during business hours but will close on Christmas, Boxing and New Year's Day.

Council libraries will also be closed on all the major public holidays, as well as 27 and 28 December.

During the Christmas period, libraries will close earlier at 5pm (not 6pm). Normal operating hours begin again on Friday 2 January.

The mobile library will not operate between 25 December and 9 January.

For more information on Council administration and library trading hours, visit www.goldcoastcity.com.au.

Christmas Lights street party and bus tours

The winner of Council's 2009 Christmas Lights Street Party competition was announced at the Award Presentation Ceremony held at  Robina Town Centre on Thursday 10 December.

The best street was awarded to Errol Flynn Court, Parkwood which won the Heritage Building Society three-night street party. This is a free public event to be held from Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 December, 6.30pm to 8.30pm and includes street entertainers, carol singers, Santa Claus and more. Come along and enjoy the Christmas Spirit.

Other winners from the night include:

Robina Town Centre Grand Champion: 22 Gordonia Drive, Reedy Creek
Residential 1st Place: 75 Coronet Crescent, Burleigh Waters  
Residential 2nd Place: 7 Coolara Street, Tugun
Residential 3rd Place: 3 Laysan Crescent, Oxenford
First Year Entrant 1st Place: 17 Kanangra Crescent, Pacific Pines
First Year Entrant 2nd Place: 5 Mintwood Place, Molendinar
First Year Entrant 3rd Place: 21 -25 Country Crescent, Nerang
Single Feature 1st Place: 2/97 Annabelle Crescent, Upper Commera
Single Feature 2nd Place: 17 Wattle Street, Varsity Lakes
Single Feature 3rd Place: 668 Ashmore Road, Ernest
Commercial 1st Place:  Aztec Hair & Beauty - 19 Young Street, Southport

Highly Commended
Residential Entry: 51 Quambone Street, Worongary 
Residential Entry: 98 Eugaree Street, Southport
Residential Entry: 1 Inman Court, Pacific Pines 
First Year Entry:  34 Nottinghill Gate Drive, Arundel 
First Year Entry:  254 Cotlew Street, Ashmore
Street Entry: Clematis Court, Varsity Lakes

Residents will be able to see the lights for themselves by taking a Christmas Lights tour. A list of the displays can be found at www.goldcoastcity.com.au or by phoning (07) 5581 6877.

Bus tours depart from the Gold Coast Arts Centre each night at 7pm between 10 - 24 December. Bookings are essential with Murray's Coaches on 13 22 51.  The cost is $14 for adults and $9 for children with $1 from each ticket sold being donated to the 2009 Mayor's Christmas Appeal.

Congratulations are extended to all entrants who have worked tirelessly to build their displays. Collectively, these displays light the city with the magic of Christmas and bring much joy to the wider community.

The Council competition would not be possible without the support of its sponsors, including Heritage Building Society, Robina Town Centre, Gold Coast Bulletin, 92.5 Gold FM, Channel 9, Rudolph's Warehouse, Decorative Lighting and Display, Birch Carroll and Coyle and Gold Coast Christmas Trees.

Gold Coast Gives

You can make a difference this festive season by giving to a local community group, where your support will really count.

Gold Coast Gives is a free online resource that links donors with local community groups. Visit  www.ourcommunity.com.au/goldcoastgives for a quick, secure and easy financial donation service, or to give away items such as equipment and furniture.

For further information, please phone (07) 5581 6881.

Active & Healthy School Holiday Program

There's a feast of free or low-cost activities across the coast these school holidays. With activities for the littlies through to the teens, there is something to keep kids of all ages happy.

Over 260 free or low-cost activities are running across the six-week holiday period. The program caters for children of all abilities up to the age of 17. Activities include water mad, pirates of the Gold Coast, wildlife presentation, juggle jam circus fun, laser skirmish, rockwall, bicycle obstacle workshop, splashtastic fun in the park and much more.

Visit  goldcoastcity.com.au/activehealthygc for full program details.

$10,000 prize for Gold Coast ratepayers

Congratulations to Graham and Lexie of Elanora. These lucky Gold Coast ratepayers were the winners of a $10,000 account with Heritage Building Society. They simply paid their full year's rates by the discount date and automatically entered Council's random annual prize draw.

A huge thank you to Heritage Building Society, official sponsor of Council's annual ratepayers prize.

Griffith University Science Experience

The Gold Coast City Council will become a sponsor of the Griffith University Science Experience in January 2010. The Science Experience is a three-day workshop held from 12 to 14 January and open to students entering Year 10. Workshop topics include medicine, science, engineering and medical training. Students carry out experimental work within university laboratories and attend keynote lectures from leading scientists and engineers. The Science Experience also includes a trip to Wet 'n' Wild, where the students experience some of the world's most amazing engineered water rides.

For more information contact Griffith University or visit  www.scienceexperience.com.au.

Gold Coast commences Permanent Water Conservation Measures

The Queensland Water Commission has introduced  Permanent Water Conservation Measures, target 200, to the Gold Coast, along with all other councils in the South East Queensland region.

Permanent Water Conservation Measures ensure we continue to enjoy our enviable lifestyle and amenities, but in a water efficient manner. We recognise that the Gold Coast community has worked hard to conserve water over the last few years and we thank you for your efforts! As a community member, you are encouraged to continue to conserve water, by using only what you need.

Let's do our bit for the Gold Coast's water supply by saving water where possible. By efficiently watering outside the hours of 10am and 4pm, you can help save water. For more information visit  www.goldcoastwater.com.au.

Gold Coast City Council, PO Box 5042, Gold Coast MC Queensland 9729