Southern Gold Coast News

Transport & Tourism Industry Seminar

Southern Cross University is hosting an industry seminar on Transport and Tourism as part of a two day symposium organised by the Transport Special Interest group of the Council for Australian University Tourism and Hospitality Education in association with the Tourism & Transport Forum.

The industry seminar will focus on key tourism transport issues including; transport and tourism productivity and competitiveness, international visitor dispersal and facilitating accessibility. The sessions will be facilitated by leading industry experts and provide delegates with the opportunity to share concerns and experiences to create an agenda for the sector to inform policy-makers.

This seminar will be held from 1pm-5pm on Friday 7^th June at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast campus in Bilinga. There is no cost for industry personnel to attend but places are limited and registrations must be made with Nicola Rowe at nic.rowe@scu.edu.au prior to the 01^st June.

For information on the symposium, please visit www.transport-sig.com.

Touted as the “Saviour of the Aussies” the controversial move to North Kirra Beach proved to be the right choice for Surf Life Saving Australia, and the village of Kirra alike! Given some intense scrutiny over the past 12mths, the Surf Life Sving Assoc (SLSA) made a hard decision to move from Kurrawa and also faced critisism from competitors over the flatter, safer conditions of Kirra.

While competitor numbers were slightly down on last year at 6400, entries in the under-15’s and under-17’s divisions did rise. Which meant more families enjoying the beautiful surrounds of Kirra and Coolangatta, traditionally a favourite for family holidays.

Throughout the competition, the club members travelling from around the country commented positively about Kirra’s capacity to host the event despite the wider radius that competitors and their support teams needed to spread out over. Overall SLSA officials have much to celebrate with a flawlessly run event, huge crowds, peerfect weather and thrilling comptetion all week.

The Aussies will return to North Kirra in 2015, as 2014’s event will be held at Perth’s Scarborough Beach, we look foward to welcoming the SLSA team back to Kirra for another great event!

Out and about with Peter!

Visiting MP’s talk with Surfing Industry Giants

Federal Members of Parliament Karen Andrews, Federal Member for McPherson and Sophie Mirabella, Federal Member for Indi & Shadow Minister For Industry, Innovation & Science (pictured to the right) met with surfing industry manufacturers Nev Hyman (Firewire Surfboards) and Richard Harvey  (Harvey Surf) to discuss various aspects of the surfing industry as an economic driver for the Southern Gold Coast region.

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SGC Product at ATE (Australian Tourism Exchange) Sydney 2013

In a win for the SGC region, for the first time, SGC regional products may well make their debut appearance in 2014’s ATE event. Pete hosted a number of SGC businesses including Ocean Plaza Resort, Kirra Surf Apartments, Cooly Rocks On, Bleach* Festival and Currumbin RSL at the largest Tourism Trade Event in the Southern Hemishpere attended by:

• Around 1,700 Australian Seller delegates from approximately 600 companies
• Approximately 700 key Buyer companies from over 40 countries
• Approximately 40 international and 25 Australian media, reporting to millions of people worldwide.

We hope that these businesses gained a lot of insight to this very valuable Trade event and look forward to having our regions products represented at next years event, which will be held in Cairns (Date TBA).

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Over the past month you may or may not have noticed the giant Koala that was placed on Musgrave St Kirra Beach, after all it was all in camo! Artist Midge Johanssen was the artist behind Kirra’s special  guest ‘Eco-Warrior’, just one of 21 wonderfully decorated Koala sculptures that formed a sculpture trail across the Gold Coast.

Last Monday we saud goodbye to Eco-Warrior as it was transported back to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in time to prepare for the Foundation Gala Dinner black tie event taking place on the 4th May to raise money for the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation via a charity auction where you could find yourelf the new owner of one of these awesome sculptures!

Check out our events calendar here for all the details, get your best tux/cocktail dress out and support the mamazing work of the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital as they raise much needed funds to continue their important work and be thoroughly entertained by the Foundation gala Dinner this coming Saturday evening!

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The Hon. Bruce Billson, Shadow Minister for Small Business and Member for Dunkley (pictured right with Peter Doggett, CSGC CEO and Karen Andrews Member for McPherson) addressed a group of small business operators at Bond University.

Here’s an opportunity for local businesses to benefit from industry funding opportunities to develop fresh skills and knowledge on key issues in your business.

Connecting Southern Gold Coast is proud to bring to you, our stakeholders, the Be Recognised – Be Better – Raise the Bar Program.  The program aims to “raise the bar” in areas such as customer service, sustainability, risk management and people management.

With support and funding from Queensland Tourism Industry Council this program will be offered to you at a special rate of $1200.00 for the full program and on-going support. This program would usually cost over $3,000!!

Come along to an information session and meet our training partners One Step Further to hear more about the program.

Where: One Step Further, 52 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

When: Wednesday, 13 February 2013

Time: 7.30am – 8.30am

Complementary continental breakfast will be supplied.  To register email Robyn Keenan or call 0418 777 209.

Be quick – limited places!

The Gold Coast will play host to the first Global Surf Cities Conference in the days preceding the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Surf Events, specifically 28 February and 1 March, 2013.

The premise of the conference is to assemble leading surf city representatives from around Australia and the world to hear from internationally acclaimed speakers in the themes of surf business, innovation in surf, surf tourism, coastal management, surf city governance and more.

The two major aims of the Conference are to establish a platform for networking among surf cities to develop globally sustainable surf industries, and to develop frameworks for international collaboration in surf industry education, employment and global career mobility.

The keynote address will discuss the findings of the Benchmarking Global Best Practice, Innovation and Leadership in Surf City Tourism, a study currently being undertaken by the Gold Coast Surf City Inc. committee, who is facilitating the Conference.

Gold Coast Surf City Inc. (GCSC) is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the continued growth and vitality of the Gold Coast surf cluster as a “global industry leader.”

Formally known as the Gold Coast Surf Industry Taskforce, GCSC was formed in February 2011 as part of a Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) initiative to help grow and support the $3.3 billion surf industry on the Gold Coast. The committee acts as a single collective voice for the surf industry on the Gold Coast, and through its endeavours, promotes the multi-billion dollar economic input to the area.

Registrations are now open for this inaugural event, through the following website: http://www.cvent.com/d/kcqddh

The 2013 Global Surf Cities Conference will be staged at the historic/heritage listed Kirra Community Centre, which overlooks the fabled Kirra surf break.  The conference will also play host to the World Surf Cities Network Annual General Meeting, an initiative that commenced in San Sebastian, Spain in 2011.

The WSCN network consists of nine leading surf cities from around the world including the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Donostia-San Sebastian in Spain, Arica in Chile, Durban in South Africa, Ericeira in Portugal, Hossegor in France, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain and Santos in Brazil.

This network is set to expand to include further Australian and international cities at the conference.  The WSCN is aimed s at encouraging a collaboration of and information sharing to create and maintain a globally sustainable surf industry.

The conference will also be a surf manufacturing trade demonstration, giving delegates a chance to interact and watch some of the Gold Coast’s leading craftsmen as they showcase the methods and techniques of surf board shaping.

The conference will finish on Friday 1st March on the corporate deck at the Quicksilver and Roxy Pro trials, a great opportunity to see the Gold Coast Surf industry in action and see some amazing surfing from the world’s best.

Chairman of Connecting Southern Gold Coast Mr Michael Tree has announced the appointment of Mr Peter Doggett as the new Chief Executive Officer for the organisation.

Mr Tree said the Board was delighted to have secured the services of Mr Doggett, given his wealth of industry experience of over 30 years in senior management positions, together with his insight & broader understanding of the Gold Coast tourism destination during this time.

‘With Peter’s appointment, we share the benefit of his extensive network of contacts both domestically & internationally ‘ he said.

CSGC is a controlled entity of the Gold Coast City Council, and as such Peter will be responsible for engaging with Council, as well as our local business stakeholders throughout the southern coastal strip with its 8 distinctive villages, located between Currumbin to Rainbow Bay and west along Currumbin Valley.

His responsibilities will be to maximise economic development opportunities in the four key areas of Education & Allied Health, Fly In Fly Out, Tourism & Hospitality and Culture & Festivals, to support our already highly successful Bleach* Festival and Cooly Rocks On, plus the well-established Swell Sculpture Festival.

Mr Doggett, a Consultant for the past 3 years following a lengthy 30 year career with Village Roadshow Theme Parks , said he looked forward to the immediate challenges which lay ahead, in what he described as ‘a wonderful opportunity to further develop and expand on the Southern Gold Coast’s iconic brand ‘.

‘This is a particularly favourite part of the Gold Coast for me, with its natural attractions encompassing the diverse landscape, lifestyle and pristine surfing beaches. Additionally, the region boasts major successful businesses including Gold Coast Airport, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Currumbin RSL, John Flynn Private Hospital and Southern Cross University.

Importantly there are eight (8) Surf Life Saving Clubs, which further reflect and enhance the significance of the popular surfing culture of the area.

I look forward to developing strategies with my team and the Board, in consultation with stakeholders including Gold Coast Tourism, to bring about improved business levels, especially in the Gold Coast ‘s traditional trough months of the year ’, he concluded.

Mr Doggett took up his appointment on Monday, 10th December at the newly opened Connecting Southern Gold Coast offices located at Suite 4, 421 Golden Four Drive in Tugun.

CSGC's new Chairman, Michael Tree

After four years as Chair of Connecting Southern Gold Coast (CSGC), Murray d’Almeida has passed the baton to local businessman Michael Tree, who took over the role from 1 October.

Divisional Councillor Chris Robbins expressed her thanks to Mr d’Almeida, acknowledging CSGC had flourished under his leadership, and welcomed new Chair, Michael Tree, saying she looked forward to working with him.

CSGC was established by Council in 2008 to coordinate economic and promotional projects within the Southern Gold Coast, comprising the suburbs of Currumbin, Currumbin Waters, Currumbin Valley, Tugun, Bilinga, Kirra, Coolangatta and Rainbow Bay.

“Among many achievements over the past four years, a standout has been the creation of three major festivals for the Southern Gold Coast – Bleach, Cooly Rocks On and Kirra Kite Festival,” Cr Robbins said.

“These festivals have contributed more than $35 million to the economy of the Southern Gold Coast.

“In addition to these events, CSGC continues to provide support to the Quiksilver Pro, Coolangatta Gold, Swell Sculpture Festival and the Aussie Surf Titles.”

Cr Robbins said other successful initiatives of the CSGC were:

• establishment of the Surf Industry Taskforce (the surfing industry contributes approximately $2 billion annually to the local economy, with a further $3.3 billion generated in outputs)
• introduction of FIFO (fly in-fly out) to the Gold Coast and the continuing development of this significant economic driver to the region
• development of an identity for the Southern Gold Coast in consultation with the business community and Gold Coast Tourism
• support of the surfing industry through involvement with and funding of the Australian Surf Craft Industry Association, the Gold Coast Surf City Inc committee and Surf World Gold Coast
• attraction of Surfing Australia to relocate to Coolangatta
• investment in the Southern Gold Coast Music Hub in partnership with Southern Cross University to develop and promote creative industries.

Mr d’Almeida said he had stepped down as chairman but would continue to serve as a director with a focus on supporting the Bleach Festival and the FIFO initiative.

“I would like to acknowledge the massive input and support of fellow board members Kristin Zeise, Professor Neal Ryan, and former Director James Sparke in their contribution to the economic development of the southern Gold Coast,” Mr d’Almeida said.

Incoming Chair, Michael Tree, is General Manager of The Pines Shopping Centre at Elanora and Vice President of Creek to Creek Chamber of Commerce.

“Under Murray’s leadership, CSGC has established the Southern Gold Coast as a smart place to do business and a natural home for iconic festivals,” Mr Tree said.

“I look forward to being involved with the team at CSGC, continuing this great work and representing the region.”

The Connecting Southern Gold Coast team would like to add our personal thanks to Murray d’Almeida for his leadership, support, wealth of experience and knowledge that he has bought to his role as Chair over the past 3 yrs. We are delighted that Murray remains on the Board, continuting his involvement in the development of the Southern Gold Coast.

We welcome Michael Tree as incoming Chair and look forward to working together for the benefit of the region!

The Veterans Rugby Association of Qld is this again running a Vets 10 a side festival as part of the Festival of Rugby, in the week leading up to the IRB 7s to be held at skilled Park.

The 10s event will take place on Friday  12^th October with the 7s on the Saturday and Sunday and looks set to attract over 200 veterans of the sport for a fun weekend!

This year the veterens events have moved to Coolangatta.

The off field activities will be centred on the Coolangatta Hotel and the rugby will be played throughout the day at the Baa Baa,s Rugby field at Goodwin Park. Players are all over 35years of age and play a form of Ruby with some modified laws to accommodate the rising years. This event is about the friendship and Fraternity that this game generates throughout the world and the festival Motto is “Old Blokes Having Fun”. The bulk of participants will be staying in Coolangatta for the Friday and Saturday nights at least and will be bussed up to the IRB 7s each day.

If you are an accommodation provider in Coolangatta or surrounds, and have availability for the 11th-15th – please email Greg and advise your availabilty, a link to your website or online booking portal and your contact details in order to be included on the website for veterans to find your accommodation.

www.veteransrugbyqld.com

Connecting Southern Gold Coast’s Operations Manager, Rachael Cannard, flew the SGC flag in Auckland at the start of August during the Flight Centre Travel Expo. As a part of the QLD representation, Rachael handed out hundreds of SGC brochures and talked to lots of New Zealanders looking to book their next holiday.

Flight Centre’s Travel Expo attracted approx 8000 NZ locals and approx $3Million in holiday bookings during the 6 hour expo.

For any accommodation operators that are considering attending future expo’s in NZ – here’s a tip, have a flight & accomm package prepared for the best results on the day! Great images, fabulous activities and extra’s in your package will help you to secure bookings there and then.

Overall, the SGC was well received, Rachael spoke to many families and couples who love the Gold Coast as a destination, and many were heading back to our fantastic beaches armed with more info about the Southern part of the region, ready to explore the best part of the coast!

Coolangatta is getting a facelift!

Some of you may feel this is well overdue, and while we would normally have had to wait a little longer, GCCC have bought forward the Centre Improvement Program (CIP) for our business hub – WIN!

Click here for the first update and a bit of a glimpse as to which parts of Cooly are the next cab off the rank for a makeover.

I was lucky enough to see a presentation as a part of the Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce’s information night last week, and I can say that my initial response was very positive. All those comments and complaints about Cooly looking tired and old will certainly be a thing of the past once this project is complete. The GCCC CIP team have put together a great concept for the targeted area and the social and environmental impacts the changes will have on Cooly – in my humble opinion – will be very positive indeed.

Click here to have a look at the first update from GCCC and stay tuned for more info coming soon.