Light Rail – As as previously been reported CSGC provided a secretariat for a number of SGC businesses who considered that a submission needed to be made to the Misister for Transport in relation to the extension of the light rail project to Gold Coast Airpoprt and Coolangatta township. A copy of this report is on our website we are pleased to report that the Light Rail Working Group and ourselves made a deputation on the report to Minister Palaszczuk, Minister for Transport at the community cabinet meeting held on Sunday 27th Febrary on the Gold Coast. We are pleased to report that we believe that we gave the Minister and deptaertment heads present, a lot of new information in relation to the changing economic, social and demographic factors that are affecting and are continuing to significantly impact upon the need for light rail to Coolangatta Airport and township.
Business Investment and Development Activities (BIDA)
Our Funding Agreement with Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) requires us to align our BIDA with the priority business categories of the GCCC’s 2020 Economic Development Strategy. These categories are:
creative industries;
education;
environment;
film;
food and wine;
health and medical;
ICT;
marine;
sport;
tourism; and
trade mission
CSGC does not have the resources to take steps in all of the priority business categories, so our Board has decided to focus on the areas listed on the attached sheet. These activities are in addition to our sponsoring of events and festivals and general tourism promotions and marketing activities.
Our aim is to foster new initiatives from our region’s existing businesses, and attract new business and investment, with the goal of increasing exports and employment opportunities. Accordingly, we invest our time, business resources and funding into projects which we assess will achieve these outcomes.
Should you have any ideas or suggestions in relation to the above projects, please do not hesitate to call me at our office.
Jim Wilson
General Manager
Connecting Southern Gold Coast Ltd (CSGC)
Priority Business Category
CSGC Project
Detail of Project
Creative Industries
SGC Music Industry Hub
Working with Southern Cross University, Bilinga, to map the Southern Gold Coast’s venues, artists and bands and define possibilities for increased education and employment of local talent, including exporting talent.
Education
Southern Cross University- Applied Learning to Southern Gold Coast Businesses
The Southern Cross University, Bilinga, wishes to commence working with us to ascertain how its educational base can be used to improve the business performance of local businesses, by interacting with them.
Health and Medical
Medical Tourism and Travel
A cooperative venture between ourselves, Gold Coast Airport, John Flynn Hospital, Palm Beach Currumbin Clinic, Southern Cross University and other businesses, to try to bring more definition to how the region can attract more overseas visitors to undergo invasive and non-invasive medical procedures, as well as health and well-being options (day-spa and the like).
Sport
Gold Coast Surf Industry Task Force
Recognising that the Southern Gold Coast is the epicentre of surfing, we are working with the GCCC and Surfing Australia and the industry generally to identify initiatives to improve the economic impact of the sport in our region, as well as other sub regions of the Gold Coast.
Tourism
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – Surf World Gold Coast precinct strategy
We and the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary have made application to the Department of Employment Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) to part fund a strategic study on how this precinct might be developed on a responsible basis, over time, to increase its appeal for existing and new business operators.
Manufacturing
Australian Surf Craft Industry Association
We are working closely with this newly-formed Currumbin Waters initiative which has been established to represent the interests of manufacturers of craft and supplies, Australia wide, but recognising the importance of the Southern Gold Coast in manufacturing of surf craft.
Our General Manager, Jim Wilson, is a member of this city-wide task force which has been formed with the help of GCCC, to identify ways in which the surfing industry and its events & festivals can be enhanced for the benefit of city-wide promotion employment and investment. Jim is also working closely with the newly-formed ASCIA which has its headquarters at Currumbin Waters and represents manufacturers of all types of surf craft.
The aim is to ensure that the manufacturing and employment base can be preserved in the face of a high exchange rate and much cheaper products being manufactured overseas.
Establishing the taskforce was part of Gold Coast City Council’s Surf Industry Development Project aimed at identifying strategies and initiatives for future surf industry development.
Chair of Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Committee said the taskforce, which includes surfboard makers and representatives from learn-to-surf schools and the tourism sector, was focused on pushing the industry forward.
“The Gold Coast’s surf industry contributes significantly to the city’s economy with $3.3 billion in gross output annually and the taskforce is the result of strong collaboration between Council and industry representatives,” said Cr Douglas.
“The goal is to identify opportunities to further enhance this industry, which will ultimately provide greater career opportunities and more industry jobs.”
Councillor Chris Robbins, who attended the first taskforce meeting, said “the sky was the limit for the local surf industry.”
“The Gold Coast has already established a reputation as a leading surf industry hub – the surf culture here is very strong and so we are building on our strengths,” said Cr Robbins.
“The taskforce is all about industry representatives connecting with each other and the local surfing community and establishing a clear direction forward on how to maximise development opportunities.”
Taskforce Chairman John Nielsen said the first meeting had been a success and provided a strong platform to move forward.
“This is not a committee to reinvent the ’surf wheel’ – the surf industry has so far succeeded on it’s own merit – however, it has now been identified as a major local industry sector,” said Mr Neilsen.
“Our goal is to value-add to the industry and in doing so, help secure the future of those who depend on it now as well as our future generations.
“We have already established there is human resource expertise available that can help in establishing career paths and acknowledging trade skills for people who want to work in the surf industry as qualified professionals.”
Well you can’t say that we didn’t warn you! Last month we gave you a little bit of good advice to brace yourself for the coming onslaught of events and as you can see below, November is packed to the rafters with many low, to no-cost ways of amusing the whole family! As Summer approaches full-steam-ahead, it’s all hands on deck here at CSGC as we hurtle towards the end of another big year! This will be our last newsletter of 2010, so we’ve put as much meat in the sandwich as we can find to keep you going until the return of our newsletters in March 2011!
Our office will be closed from COB 17th December & we will return on the 17th January 2010!
The crew at CSGC would like to thank you all for your support and readership in 2010 and we wish you all a very happy festive s e a s o n and look forward to keeping you all informed of what lies ahead in 2011!
What’s On
Reconnective Kids Workshop- 6th November. In the Re-connective Kids! classes, children are engaged in a playful, interactive experience designed to introduce these empowering and transformative new healing frequencies to children ages 4 – 14
Kirra SurfStock 2010- 12th-14th November. With two days of markets, f r e e m u s i c, and beach activities including an attempt on the Guinness World R e c o r d for the most number of surfers riding one wave, this years Kirra SurfStock is shaping up to be an event not to be missed!
Surf World Gold Coast! – 11th November. Bobby Brown was ranked alongside Midget Farrelly, Nat Young and Peter Drouyn as one of the best surfers of the 1960s. See this speciaI display dedicated to celebrating a true s u r f i n g legend!
Surfrider FiIm Night- 12th November. As a part of Kirra SurfStock, Surfrider Foundation presents Castles in the Sky – A Taylor Steele m o v i e along with live m u s i c and a showcase of environmentally conscious surfboards!
Dune Care – 13th November A perfect event for the whole family, and local community members who are concerned about the sand management issues on the Gold Coast.
Kirra Kite FestivaI – 20th-21st November. The inaugural Kirra Kite FestivaI is a f r e e Sunday event from 10am-6pm. There will be a prelude on Saturday night which includes night markets, live m u s i c and night sky diving displays
Business News
Light RaiI for Coolangatta! – A SGC Working Group has been formed to lobby Qld Gov’t about the importance of the light raiI plans to include Coolangatta!
Cooly Rocks On- An update for businesses in the SGC region!
Australian Surf C r a f t Industry Association – the formation of an industry body for Surf C r a f t manufacturers and suppliers is long overdue! No matter if you are a big pIayer in the industry or a smaller manufacturer or supplier, come and voice your thoughts on this iconic industry, ask questions or simply see what others have to say…
Tourism Business Performance Support Session- a practical session focusing on customers and marketing, leadership, business process, and networks, as identified in the collective findings from the QTIC Business Barometer (QBB).
Graham’s Monthly Business Tips – This month Graham
Environmental News
From the Dunes to the Ocean, we need you to care!- If you love our Southern Gold Coast beaches, please read this important message from BeachCare and Griffith Centre for Coastal Management, Griffith University, Gold Coast!
To contribute to our monthly newsletter, please email the details to admin@southerngoldcoast.com.au by the 23rd of the month for the information to be included in the following month’s newsletter, or call us on 07 5534 3500!
Sunday the 26th September 2010 saw Channel 7’s Great South East showcase the Walks & Lookouts of the Southern Gold Coast, generating lots of interest from viewers who visited our website for more information!
If you missed the segment last Sunday, we’ve posted it here for you to watch and forward to your friends and family interstate or overseas!
Brace yourself for the action packed months ahead as we roll into summer in high gear, our amazing region is approaching fever pitch! Take a deep breath in October and savour the calm before the storm if you can as we all know how quickly Christmas rolls around from this point of the year! So gear up for the months ahead with all the action in October on the SGC!
Animal Action Day – The 4th Annual Animal Action Day festivaI this weekend at Gecko House & Winders Park, Currumbin. People from all over Australia will descend on the Gold Coast to raise awareness, appreciation & respect for all animals & the environment. All proceeds will be used to re-wild and breed the critically-endangered South China Tigers. See the full program here!
The Patch Lounge – Coolangatta’s premier new hot spot, presenting an unparalleled commitment to sophistication, modesty and elegance!
A garden with a difference! - A must-see garden with rainforest, themed plantings, original dairy and spectacular Japanese garden with tea-house.
FestivaI Love- Here’s a hint… Kirra in November will be AWESOME!!!
Business News
Focus On TUGUN – Tugun is a bubbling and vibrant community village and is currently undergoing a facelift with the Tugun Centre Improvement Project starting to take shape!
Spotlight on New Business – Tugun this month welcomes Trilogy Hair & Psychics and Toolona St Food Store!
QTIC Business Barometer - an online self evaluation system designed to help Queensland tourism businesses assess the strength of their operations. We encourage businesses to avail themselves of this cost-free opportunity to self-assess their business.
SGC Success Spotlight – Nadia Sunde, a proud Souther Gold Coaster, has taken out 3rd place in the International Songwriters Competition, Children’s Category! Congratulations Nadia, on a great achievement!
Northern Rivers Tourism Symposium – If you’re in hospitality, retail, health & wellness, the arts, transport, entertainment, service or education – you’re in the tourism business! Click here to read more about the Symposium!
Graham’s Monthly Business Tips – This month Graham has a great offer for just TWO SGC businesses looking to double their business turnover in the next 12mths!
Environmental News
Caring for our Dunal System- Read an update from GCCC as to the current projects to care for our beachesand Dunal Systems on the Southern Gold Coast
To contribute to our monthly newsletter, please email the details to admin@southerngoldcoast.com.au by the 23rd of the month for the information to be included in the following month’s newsletter, or call us on 07 5534 3500!
QTIC Business Barometer Survey and Educational Workshops on business improvement for tourism operators.
QTIC’s Business Barometer is an online self evaluation system designed to help Queensland tourism businesses assess the strength of their operations.
Connecting Southern Gold Coast has entered into an arrangement with Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), your State industry representative body, for it to make available to our local tourism businesses certain key elements of its tourism industry education programme.
This involves, firstly, completing a free, confidential QTIC Business Barometer survey of your business online which takes approximately an hour. You are able to complete the survey in as many sittings as required. Once you have completed the survey, you will be able to print out your own copy of the report for future use. QTIC will then assess the results of all the surveys and reports and come up with a suggestion of what training is needed by tourism businesses in the Southern Gold Coast. We plan to have QTIC then conduct a workshop in the Southern Gold Coast on Tuesday 9 November 2010 from 10.00 am -2.00pm, so put this date in your diary now!
I encourage you to go on line at www.businessbarometer.com.au and complete the free survey – it could be the best thing you ever did, to help you improve your business for years to come!
Boomerang Smiles is offering Business Owners/Managers an opportunity to experience our course FREE!
The course will give you a better understanding of the program and the message we are trying to get out to the wider community – we need to treat our customers like gold!
No customers – No Business – No Jobs!
So come and enjoy a fun filled presentation and learn how easy it is to SMILE!
Our Pure Green Discovery initiative is continuing to gain momentum as we release our new Logo!
We’re extremely proud of the fantastic new logo and are excited to see the providers in the program upload it to their respective websites!
Once all of our providers have displayed the logo on their websites, we will commence the marketing of the program actively through distribution to various databases and by advertisements.
One of the first steps in getting the program in front of teachers has been completed in recent weeks by having Queensland Department of Education, lift the block on the website, so that all Qld Dept of Education employees can now access the website to see the amazing array of learning opportunities here on the beautiful Southern Gold Coast!
If you have not seen the website yet, take a few minutes to visit www.puregreendiscovery.com and see what all the hype is about!
