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Queensland Government upgrades Gold Coast bus services
Friday 31 March 2006

The Gold Coast area will receive an extra $6.2 million a year to improve bus services, including a new 24 hour high frequency bus service along the Gold Coast Highway.
Minister for Transport Paul Lucas today says 25 new air conditioned, low floor buses manufactured on the Gold Coast would be provided for the new services.

New Route 700 high-frequency service will operate around the clock along the Gold Coast Highway between Coolangatta and Southport. Route 700 will be Australia's best all-night bus route, with a 30 minute service frequency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The new route, combined with other service improvements, will mean buses every five minutes between 7am - 7pm Monday to Friday between Southport and Burleigh Heads. Minimum service frequencies of 15 minutes will run between Southport and Helensvale, and Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta. Other major service improvements from May 15 include:

* New timetables to ensure on-time running, * Extra services to address over-crowding, * A new direct University service, bypassing the busy Southport business district, * Three routes bypassing the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, delivering time savings of up to 10 minutes, * Tripling of services from Harbour Town to Southport and Surfers Paradise, * Doubling of services from Helensvale Town Centre to Southport, * New routes to the popular Gold Coast theme parks, * Improved coordinated bus services from the Highway corridor to train stations at Helensvale, Nerang and Robina.

The State Government will also invest $200,000 a year to provide a new bus route for Pacific Pines, where many residents currently have little access to public transport. The proposed route for this service is available from TransLink and is expected to commence by August.

New primary school for northern Gold Coast
27 March 2006

Premier Peter Beattie has announced a new primary school will be built on the Gold Coast to cater for the growing demand for student places.

State Cabinet today approved the new school, which is estimated to cost $36 million and be operational by 2008.

"This area is experiencing strong residential growth from families, and is growing faster than most areas along the Brisbane-Gold Coast corridor," Beattie says.

"A new primary school will serve the needs of the community as well as attract further investment into the area, which is important for a buoyant economy.

"We have a couple of possible sites in mind for the new school but there will be consultation with the local community before anything is finalised.

"This new school is a continuation of our commitment to provide quality education facilities on the northern Gold Coast. Since 2000, we have built Pacific Pines State High School, the Upper Coomera State College and the Pacific Pines State School.

"I would expect construction of the new school to get under way early next year and the doors to open to the first intake of students in 2008."

Education Minister Rod Welford says planning and design of the new school will commence later this year. It will be built in the Pacific Pines area.

"The new school will incorporate modern design principles and include a resource centre, administration block, tuckshop, a covered play area and sports oval," he says.

"At the same time, we are providing enhancements at two existing local schools, including a new ramp at Pacific Pines State School to enhance disability access from the street. This will also improve accessibility for parents of children in prams when attending meetings, functions and activities at the school.

"There will also be an $80,000 security upgrade including closed circuit television cameras and sensor lights at Nerang State High School."

Queensland remains the growth state
Gold Coast City Council 23/03/2006

New figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal Queensland has retained its title as the growth state.

Queensland's population grew by a staggering 75,900 last financial year. The growth rate of 2 per cent was easily the best in the nation ahead of West Australia at 1.6 per cent.
 

21/03/2006 - Sanctuary Cove International boat show booms

This year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show looks to beat 2005 exhibitor targets with more than 380 exhibitors confirmed for the May event.
The four-day event will offer the largest on water leisure and light commercial display ever staged in Australia.

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show Manager Harry Davis said with more than 380 exhibitors confirmed by mid-March, the 2006 Show was on track to beat last year’s 383 exhibitor tally. Expanded marina and hardstand space mean visitors can walk along 3km of marina piers to view on-water exhibits.

‘Both power and sail boat enthusiasts will find exciting new models at the 2006 Show,’ said Mr Davis.

‘There’s a stunning line-up of offshore sportsfishing vessels with representation from Australian companies Precision, Riviera, Blackwatch, Pirate Yachts and Deep Vee Marine and leading imports including Viking, Bertram, Luhrs and Cabo Yachts,’ he said.

Read the entire Sail World article here

19/03/2006 - A true blue spectacular!

ALL THE breathtaking drama and action of the Australian outback, where only the tough survive, thunders into the Gold Coast next month with the launch of Queensland's newest theme park.

Australian Outback Spectacular, between Warner Bros Movie World and Wet'n'Wild Water World on the Gold Coast highway, will set a frantic pace in an enclosed 1000-seat auditorium.

During the 90-minute show, which includes a three-course barbecue dinner and drinks, the audience is split into two groups with free stockman hats showing allegiance to one of two stations – Austral Downs and Wondoola Station.

Read the entire Sunday Mail article here by KATE PATTERSON

24/01/2006 - The Council Cab

Getting out and about is important for your wellbeing. Whether shopping or socialising the trip out of the house is a welcome break for many people. The Gold Coast City "Council Cab" assists older people and those with disability with travel to their local shopping centre.

Within Division 5 the service has until now been restricted to Nerang, with services to Nerang Centro or Nerang Mall. From 9th February 2006 services to the Helensvale Town Centre will operate each Thursday for residents of Studio Village, Oxenford, Gaven, and Helensvale.

If you are over 60 years or you have a disability and you live in one of these suburbs then you are eligible to travel. You can have a carer or dependents travel with you if you like. Each Council Cab trip costs $2.00, that's only $4.00 for a return journey. Now that's great value!

The Council Cab will pick you up in the morning from your home and take you to the shopping centre. If you have booked a return trip then they will take you home around lunchtime. You can confirm the times when you book. Booking is easy. Simply phone Regent Taxis on 131008 and ask the operator for the "COUNCIL CAB".

Source: Councillor Peter Young, Division 5

2005 Archive

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