Swimming areas have been affected from stormwater run-off due to the recent heavy rainfall across the Gold Coast.

Residents and visitors are reminded that rainfall often washes through our streets, gardens and farms, before it is flushed into our ocean and rivers via the storm water system. Stormwater run-off can increase pathogen levels in the water and make it unsafe for swimming. Popular swimming locations, such as swimming enclosures, rivers, lakes, creeks and beaches – particularly those near stormwater outlets – have been affected.

As a precaution always avoid swimming:

• one (1) day after heavy rainfall at open beaches
• three (3) days after heavy rainfall at rivers, lakes and estuarine locations
  • in water that looks discoloured, murky, or smells unpleasant
  • near stormwater drains.

The City will continue to monitor sites across the Gold Coast.

For more information visit http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/environment/recreational-water-quality-20260.html

       The City is aware of a potential recreational water quality concern at the Currumbin Rock Pools. The swimming area is now closed to the public and signage has been erected on site.

        Daily water sampling will be carried out and the area will not be reopened until values return to acceptable levels. 

        The City’s Catchment Management Unit monitors the health of our recreational waters and provides management plans to support healthy waterways.​

        Community safety is our first priority and we apologise for any inconvenience, and thank you for your patience and assistance.

The Spit beach, including the off leash dog area, is closed from Lifeguard Tower 42 Adjacent to Seaworld north to the Rock Wall adjacent to Tower 46.

The beach has been closed in an effort to stop the spread of Covid19. 

Water quality testing has revealed that water quality at the Currumbin Rock Pools has returned within acceptable levels and warning signage has today been removed.

It is recommended that users continue to exercise caution when swimming, especially after rainfall.  Stormwater runoff can increase bacterial levels in the water and make it unsafe for swimming.

As a precaution, the City recommends to avoid swimming during and up to three (3) days after rainfall at the Currumbin Rock Pools.

The City of Gold Coast continues to take action in line with the advice being provided at a State and Federal level to minimise the spread of the Novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Our staff are part of a larger front line team including health workers and police, keeping the city running and the community safe in these difficult times.

They are working around the clock to ensure essential services such as water and waste services and traffic management continue.

We are implementing necessary changes to protect the health and safety of the public with our cleaning and maintenance teams increasing their level of service in public spaces.

We thank you for your patience in allowing our staff to go about their daily work with respect, while practising social distancing.

There will be no tolerance for abuse, aggression or violence against our staff, who, like you, are undergoing personal stress at this difficult time.

Please remember we are all in this together.

Additionally, the City is asking everyone to change the way you do business with us.

I urge everyone to access our services online – you can do the following on-line at you own convenience:

• register your dog
• apply for a licence, permit or development application
• make service requests and track their progress
• perform property searches
• lodge and track licence and permit applications

Register for MyAccount on our website – a secure one-stop shop for all our services.

Visit cityofgoldcoast.com.au/myaccount

You can also access MyAccount from your mobile device through your internet browser, save it as a website shortcut for quick access.

For urgent enquiries you can phone our customer service staff 1300 GOLDCOAST

Gold Coast residents are being asked to refrain from visiting the City’s Waste and Recycling Centres (WRC’s) unless it’s absolutely essential.

Mayor Tom Tate said social distancing and extra safety measures had been put in place at all WRC’s in response to the Covid-19 crisis, but a number of issues had emerged.

“There are now increasingly long wait times due to only every second parking bay being available and sadly, we’re seeing an increase in aggression against staff,” he said.

“So we’re asking the community to save their trip to the WRC until this crisis is over.

“The Federal Government has asked all of us to stay home, restrict our travel and only go out when it’s absolutely necessary.

“If you’re at home doing a house or garden clean up - that’s great, but please, hold off on going to a WRC.

“For the safety of you, your family and those around you please follow community advice, respect social distancing measures in place and stay home where possible.”

Visit www.cityofgoldcoast.com.au/waste for alternative waste management options.

City of Gold Coast has this afternoon shut Council carparks at the Spit. 

Chair of the Local Disaster Management Group and Mayor, Tom Tate said he was left with no choice after people continued to gather in groups there today. 

"People are just not listening so we have taken this measure to discourage visitors," he said. 

"The message is clear. We can no longer be gathering in groups larger than two and we should only be out for essential activities and exercise. 

"A lazy day at the Spit should not be on the cards right now.

"Staying home is the best way to keep us all safe."

New restrictions will be enforced at all City of Gold Coast Waste and Recycling Centres (WRCs) from this Saturday (11 April).

Mayor Tom Tate said the measures had been imposed as a result of major issues caused by the Covid19 crisis, in particular excessive customers and aggression towards WRC staff.

“Despite repeated requests by the Mayor, Premier and Prime Minister imploring residents to stay at home and only go out for essential services, our WRCs have been overwhelmed with customers.

“This is placing the health and safety of City staff and customers at elevated risk of Covid19,” he said.

“We will be introducing a number of measures in an effort to keep our staff and residents safe - and if these measures are not adhered to, we may have no choice but to close some of the centres.”

The following measures will come into effect from opening time on Saturday 11 April.

1. Visitors to the Molendinar and Reedy Creek WRCs will be limited to commercial and small business customers between the hours of 7am - 9am daily. This is to minimise the impact of increased residential use on small businesses.  Any customer who enters the facilities during these times will pay associated fees and State Government Waste Disposal Levy charges.

       2.To minimise delays, residential green waste will only be accepted at WRCs with “green waste drop and go” which includes Coomera, Molendinar, Merrimac and Reedy Creek.

3. To minimise congestion, vehicles will be limited to “odd and even” dates matching the first number of their vehicle registration number. 

          On Saturday 11 April (an odd number), vehicles with an odd first number on their registration will be permitted entry.  On Sunday 12 April (an even number), vehicles with an even first number on their registration will be permitted entry.            All vehicles with personalised plates will be treated as odd numbers.

4. No e-waste is being accepted at any WRCs at this time.

Residential customers are strongly advised to restrict their visits to WRCs for essential waste services only. This includes:

• Disposing of hazardous waste that may be no longer safe to store at home including: car tyres, car batteries, paint, pool chemicals, bleach, gas bottles and herbicides.
• Disposal of waste that could create a health concern e.g. putrescible household waste.

        Eligible residents are encouraged to make use of the City’s free on demand bulky kerbside collection service and/or consider taking up our green waste bin service to avoid delays at a WRC.

        For more information visit www.cityofgoldcoast.com.au/waste

Mayor Tom Tate today announced that beach and car park restrictions would remain in place until next Monday.

"I would like to congratulate Gold Coasters for their efforts over the long weekend with the vast majority of people doing the right thing

"However I have decided to keep the three beaches closed until next Monday. It is still school holidays and we are not in a position to relax just yet. 

"I will review it next Monday."

"It is tough love, but it is still school holidays and the closures are working."

The Spit beach, Coolangatta Beach and Surfers Paradise Beach were closed last week due to high numbers of people continuing to visit beaches despite the warnings from the State and Federal Governments.

The City has also shut car parks beach and oceanside from Broadwater Parklands to Coolangatta.

Mayor Tom Tate today chaired the first post-election Full Council meeting for the term.

Councillor Donna Gates was re-elected for her third term as Deputy Mayor, making her the longest-running Deputy Mayor in the City’s history.

Councillors Cameron Caldwell and Hermann Vorster were both elected as Acting Mayors of the City, in the event that neither the Mayor nor Deputy Mayor are available. If required to fulfil Mayoral duties the Councillors will operate as Acting Mayor on a rotational basis.

The Planning and Environment Committee will be chaired by Councillor Cameron Caldwell, with Councillor Donna Gates the Deputy Chairperson.

The Economy, Tourism and Events Committee will be chaired by Councillor Bob La Castra, with Councillor Pauline Young the Deputy Chairperson.

The Governance and Administration Committee will be chaired by Councillor William Owen-Jones, with new Division 6 Councillor Brooke Patterson the Deputy Chairperson.

The Lifestyle and Community Committee will be chaired by Councillor Hermann Vorster with new Division 7 Councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden the Deputy Chairperson.

The Transport and Infrastructure Committee will be chaired by Councillor Pauline Young with new Division 10 Councillor Darren Taylor the Deputy Chairperson.

The Water, Waste and Energy Committee will be chaired by Councillor Gail O’Neill with new Division 1 Councillor Mark Hammel the Deputy Chairperson.

The first Committee meetings are scheduled to commence on Tuesday 28 April.

The Spit will re-open and beachside car parks will be progressively opened, Mayor Tom Tate announced today.

“Congratulations Gold Coasters. You have been doing the right thing, practising social distancing and staying at home,” Mayor Tom Tate said.

“So I have taken the decision to open the Spit from midnight tonight, and we will progressively open the public car parks from today.”

Mayor Tom Tate asked everyone to abide by the Queensland Government restrictions which will be easing slightly from the weekend.

“So if you do not live within 50km of our beaches. Please do not visit."

For More information on City closures visit cityofgoldcoast.com.au

For Queensland Health information visit health.qld.gov.au