Gold Coast city skyline Gold Coast Industry News

The Gold Coast Directory introduced this blog to provide a platform for Gold Coast businesses to update the local business community with recent industry developments, networking events, company achievements and the latest about doing business on the Gold Coast.

If you have any news, press releases or business events on the Gold Coast that you want to tell the community about,
we'd love to help! Please email your article or news to [email protected] with the subject line “Attn: Gold Coast Industry News”.

JANET JACKSON Number Ones: Up Close and Personal Tour

Posted on July 21, 2011 by admin

JANET JACKSON Number Ones: Up Close and Personal Tour

Janet Jackson will be bringing her Number Ones: Up Close and Personal Tour to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on 2 November 2011.

Originally slated as a world tour of 35 cities to match the 35 number one singles from her double disc album, NUMBER ONES, the high demand for extra shows has resulted in an expanded world
tour with Australia confirmed.

Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 3 August through ticketek.com.au (or phone 132 849).

Janet will perform music exclusively from her chart topping CD NUMBER ONES.  The Gold Coast
Convention and Exhibition Centre will provide fans with an up‐close and intimate setting to see
Janet as they have never seen her before.

For further information visit www.gccec.com.au.

Posted in Events, Music, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Gold Coast Musicians Emerge For Historic Event

Posted on July 21, 2011 by admin

Southern Gold Coast Musicians will perform within one of Australia’s largest music Festivals, The Queensland Music Festival.

For the first time in the Festival’s history, The Queensland Music Festival will deliver an exciting program on the Gold Coast.  Through a joint venture with Connecting Southern Gold Coast and Southern Cross University (Southern Gold Coast Music Hub), with the support of Gold Coast City Council, up and coming musicians from the region will feature throughout the day’s festivities.

Mr Mike Thies, Project and Events Manager, Connecting Southern Gold Coast said “The Southern Gold Coast has a wealth of talent and this provides a platform for the artists to be promoted within a prestigious international music program.”

Mr. Thies went on to say, “EMERGE represents artists in all stages of development, for example A French Butler Called Smith will have just returned from Splendour in the Grass.  The Lamplights are an incredibly popular act on the Gold Coast; however this Festival will provide them with exposure beyond the region.  Exit 92, Tiffany Cornell and Eilish Ellen are the youngest musicians to feature in the program, however do not let this fool you, along with Kennigo and The Cordobas, they are all extraordinary musicians who have a bright future ahead.”

“In addition, professional development opportunities will be offered to each of the bands, with workshops run by leading music industry identities” Mr. Thies further added.

This free event, set at the glorious Kirra Hill Community and Cultural Centre, will include a heritage photo exhibition, a 50’s & 60’s rock instrument collection and a mobile recording studio courtesy of Love Street Studios.  As part of the opening celebrations, local music icon, Mr Doug Roughton, will share historical facts about the rich music history of the Southern Gold Coast, of which he was an integral part.

Location: Kirra Hill Community and Cultural Centre Cnr. Powell & Garrick St, Kirra Hill

Event Date: 30th of July, 2011

Event Time: 12.30 PM – 8.00 PM

Posted in Events, Music | Leave a comment

Dreamworld Reveals Its New Bone Chilling Thrill Ride

Posted on July 20, 2011 by admin

Dreamworld celebrates its 30th birthday in 2011, and there has never been a better time to visit as Australia’s favourite theme park goes all out with a host of additions including a bone chilling new thrill ride, BuzzSaw.

The biggest year ever for the iconic entertainment destination, Dreamworld has added a new exotic animal exhibit, ‘The Lair’, a new adventure ride, ‘ShockWave’ and now a major thrill ride so extreme it will boost the park’s Big 6 Thrill Rides to the Big 7.

Opening in time for the September school holiday period, BuzzSaw is an Australian first and will be the ride to conquer for high-action adrenaline seekers.

Seated in an open carriage, riders will be held in by a single waist harness leaving the upper body fully exposed to the elements, and with little to cling onto.  This white-knuckle ride starts with a suspenseful 46m vertical ascent that will have riders instantly wishing they were back on the ground.

At its peak, the rider’s centre of gravity is flipped and they are dangled upside-down 15 storeys in the air before the ride car free-falls through a 360 degree heart roll, and plummets down a final vertical drop at speeds of up to 105km/hour.   BuzzSaw will be the highest inversion ride experience in the Southern Hemisphere.

Situated in the park’s Gold Rush precinct, the construction of the new ride has unearthed some unusual stories about the make-believe mining township, which has been part of Dreamworld since the mid 1980’s.

Unexplainable occurrences recounted by staff working in the area and historic research dating back to the late 1800’s have inspired the ride’s theme and will have guests wondering where fact ends and fiction begins.

With construction now well underway, BuzzSaw will be one of the first menacing thrill rides guests can spot as they arrive in the main car park adding to the already impressive landscape including the Tower of Terror II and The Giant Drop.

Dreamworld’s line-up of new rides and attractions in 2011 makes now the best time ever to visit our worlds of fun.

Stay tuned for more details on this year’s biggest, fastest thrill ride, BuzzSaw.

Book Dreamworld Tickets here!

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New Queensland Pool Safety Laws – What does this mean for you?

Posted on July 15, 2011 by admin

Pool Safety Certificates & Inspections by QBPR

New pool safety laws have been introduced in Queensland over the past two years, with the first stage implemented on 1 December 2009, and the second and final stage on 1 December 2010. The new safety standard, the Queensland Development Code Mandatory Part 3.4, has replaced 11 different pool safety standards that existed prior to 2009.

The new pool safety laws have little effect on new swimming pools that will be built according to the new standards. Existing swimming pools, however, will need to be inspected by a licensed pool safety inspector to ensure that they meet the new safety requirements.

This applies to any and all pools associated with houses, units, hotels, motels, backpacker hostels, caravan parks and any other forms of short term accommodation and even applies to above ground pool walls.

For a comprehensive list of the new pool safety guidelines see the Queensland Government’s report, Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines.

Owners of existing pools must ensure that their pools comply with new regulations by 30 November 2015 and if the property is being sold before that date, the owner must then obtain a pool safety certificate prior to the settlement of the contract.

Need a Pool Safety Inspection? Read over QBPR’s Pool Safety Inspection checklist so you pass 1st time and save on the cost of a re-inspection.

Pool Safety Certificates

Queensland Building and Pest Reports has a number of inspectors licensed with the Pool Safety Council of Australia to carry out pool safety inspections. Upon inspection to a complying pool, a pool safety certificate (form 23) will be issued. In the event that your pool does not comply with standards, our inspectors can advise clients on any safety issues found.

7 most common issues resulting in a pool failing inspection:

  1. Non compliant gates and or hinges
  2. Distances between vertical members are greater than 100mm
  3. Distances between bottom railings are greater than 100mm
  4. Climbable objects abutting pool enclosure (e.g. trees, air conditioning units)
  5. Fence height is below 1200mm
  6. Climbable fence rails on neighbouring fence line
  7. No current pool resuscitation sign secured in visible area (you can buy one from us for just $20.00)

Buyers need to be aware that when buying a property with a pool they will also take on the responsibility of putting appropriate fencing measures in place and getting a pool safety certificate within 90 days of settlement, which can sometimes cost you in excess of $10,000. Buyers should also consider the effect of a pool fence on the value of the property, as some homes can be devalued by an intrusive fence that spoils the visual aspect of the perceived value.

More information about pool inspections.

Contact Queensland Building & Pest Reports
Phone: 1300 337 447
Website: www.qbpr.com.au
Book an Inspection

Posted in Building, Real Estate | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Superior Screens Now Distributing Aluminium Slatting Range

Posted on July 4, 2011 by admin

Superior Screens have been providing Australian’s with quality steel screening products since 2001. Specialising in a variety of shade, screen and sun control products, Superior Screens’ highly versatile and customisable screen solutions are perfect for both home and commercial use.

A licenced COLORBOND® Steel distributor, Superior Screens are also distributing the full range of Clik ‘N’ Fit DIY fencing solutions and has recently introduced aluminium slatting and louvres to their product range.

This new range of aluminium slats and louvres, designed for long term, quality solutions to enduring harsh weather elements, are perfect for sunscreens on decks and patios, window screens, awnings, gables as well as the base for fencing and gates.

Rita Turner, General Manager of Superior Screens, said the new range offers builders and renovators a versatile screening solution: “Aluminium slats and louvres can increase or decrease the amount of breeze, natural light and privacy in the home or office,” Ms Turnour said.

A major plus to using aluminium is that it has a high resistance to corrosion and weathering, with strong reflection of heat and light, not to mention the fact that it is lightweight, highly durable and low maintenance.

All slats and louvres can be custom built to fit any application and come in a variety of colours and finishes including a stylish woodgrain finish.

Superior Screens have a national network of distributors – to find the closest distributor in your state, phone 1300 766 799, or visit www.superiorscreens.com.au/distributors.html. See the entire product range with galleries here.

For more information:
Rita Turnour
Superior Screens
T 1300 766 799
E [email protected]
W www.superiorscreens.com.au

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EB Games Announces World Class Exhibitors For EB Games Expo 2011

Posted on June 26, 2011 by admin

BRISBANE, Queensland–EB Games, Australia’s largest video game and entertainment software retailer, has announced the world’s leading gaming brands will participate in the EB Games EXPO, Australia’s biggest gaming event.

EB Games EXPO, to be held on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th of October, will showcase the hottest new release and upcoming products playable for the first time in Australia plus exciting live presentations from international game developers spanning across 10,000 square meters at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre (GCCEC), Gold Coast, Queensland.

Together for the first time, on a scale never before seen in Australia, EB Games is excited to announce the participation of global console giants:

Nintendo, Playstation and XBOX360

World class gaming brands:

2K, Activision, Bethesda, Bluemouth, Capcom, Codemasters, Disney Interactive Studios, Electronic Arts, Incomm, Konami, Logitech, Mindscape, Namco Bandai Partners, Parrot AR.Drone, Plantronics, Pop Cap, QVS, Razer, Sega, Square Enix, THQ, Turtle Beach and Ubisoft

And our supporting partners:

GameSpot AU, Game Informer, TLS Red Carpet Gaming, World Cyber Games and Save Point.

Excited about the prospect of gaming’s biggest brands coming together for what will be a momentous occasion for gamers across the country, Debra McGrath, EB Games National Brand and Marketing Manager stated, “Today’s announcement is a landmark occasion for the Australian Gaming Industry marking this the first time that our valued partners have come together to showcase to the public their amazing array of upcoming products.”

Debra continued, “We could not be happier with the response we have received from our partners and their commitment to making the EB Games EXPO a spectacular event. We will work closely with them in the lead up to the EXPO to ensure our customers get first class access to the biggest and best of what the industry has to offer.”

As well as the exciting interactive exhibition, the EB Games EXPO will also play host to the inaugural Australian final of World Cyber Games, the world’s largest international e-sport tournament and festival and the EB Arena Spectacular featuring Showtime FMX. EB Games are also pleased to announce the inclusion of Cosplay competition, Cosplay|Evolved, with full details about the competition available June 16.

Tickets for the EB Games EXPO are on sale now through EB Games stores and online at www.ebexpo.com.au. Patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment.

For all the latest news visit www.ebexpo.com.au

About EB Games

EB Games Australia head office is located in Queensland, with retail stores operating in every Australian State and Territory. EB Games Australia is part of GameStop Corp- the world’s largest multichannel video game retailer. Currently EB Games have 400 retail stores in Australia and New Zealand. The Company sells new and preowned video game software, hardware and accessories for video game systems from Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft and Apple. In addition, the company sells PC entertainment software, related accessories and other merchandise. General information on EB Games can be obtained at the company’s website: http://www.ebgames.com.au.

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Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre makes holding a green event as simple as 1..2..3

Posted on June 15, 2011 by admin

How many footprints have you left behind this year?

Demonstrating that sustainable event planning doesn’t need to be complex or expensive, the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre’s (GCCEC) 3 Easy Steps* can help reduce your carbon footprint and walk a little greener.

1. Choose from local accommodation houses walking distance to the event

500 delegates each cutting back on 5km of car travel over a three day conference equates to 857kg CO2e (carbon dioxide emissions) in savings, the equivalent of a car driving from Melbourne to Townsville.

2. Use online registration as an alternative to paper

The use of online registration by 500 delegates saving 500 sheets of paper is the equivalent of 3.8kg CO2e, or a 20W light bulb running for over 200 hours.

3. Reduce conference materials distributed at the event

Conference packs containing promotional materials, pens, pads and brochures often have a short life span and are not wanted by all event participants. Cutting back conference packs typically containing a satchel, pad, brochure and a CD by 50 per cent for 500 delegates is the equivalent of 232kg CO2e, or a fully laden articulated truck travelling for 125 kilometres. As a tip, offer conference materials as individual optional items to reduce consumption.

These three easy steps and more can be found in the new GCCEC Green Event Guide available online at www.gccec.com.au.

GCCEC General Manager Adrienne Readings said that often it’s the most simple and inexpensive steps that not only help to make an event greener, but also reduce expenses, boost the morale of the client and enhance the reputation of the company.

“The GCCEC already has a range of best practices set in place that automatically make events greener simply by holding them at the Centre,” she said.

“The GCCEC Green Event Guide is a quick and easy reference point offering our clients simple steps to not only help reduce the carbon footprint of their events, but also to create more awareness around the environmental footprint of the industry as a whole.”

* All calculations are based on a three day conference for 500 delegates. Carbon dioxide emissions for the three scenarios have been calculated by Life Cycle Strategies and are accurate as of April 2011.

Posted in Business, Events, Sustainability & Going Green | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Milton – A Transit Oriented Development

Posted on June 6, 2011 by admin

Sustainable, forward thinking design

The Milton Apartments are a new Brisbane property development combining luxurious resort style living with the convenience of a modern transit oriented community, offering Brisbane property investors the pinnacle of inner city living, at less than two kilometers from the heart of Brisbane.

As the first Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in Brisbane under the Queensland Government’s South East Queensland Region Plan 2009-2031 (SEQRP), The Milton Apartments are leading the way in sustainable, green design.


The Milton Apartments

The Milton Apartments – Transit Oriented Design

The Milton Apartments – Transit Oriented Design

A key element of the Queensland Government’s SEQRP is the Transit Oriented Development,  a planning concept that sees the integration of a rapid, high frequency transport service with residential and commercial real estate, as well as spaces for community use.  The implementation of Transit Oriented Development has been identified as an efficient means of promoting public transport as a means of travel, while reducing dependency on cars.

The Milton apartment development incorporates the principles of Transit Oriented Development seamlessly into its design, with direct adjacency to the Milton Railway Station.

The Milton is two rails stops from the city, and only one rail stop from the Roma Street Transit Centre, which connects the CBD to suburban Brisbane, as well as the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and other South East Queensland destinations.

The Milton Railway Station will also be the subject of a multi-million dollar transformation to include new public amenities and ticketing areas, increased visibility across platforms and improved access from Milton Road and Railway Terrace.

The Milton railway station refurbishment will convert the existing station into a sleek modern environment that will not only encourage the residents of the development to use, but will also promote rail travel as a convenient and sustainable alternative to the wider Milton community.

Not only will residents have public transport facilities nearby, they will also enjoy over 160 cafes, bars and restaurants, 75 fashion boutiques and 60 specialty stores all within a one kilometre radius of The Milton.

A forward thinking development, The Milton Apartments will showcase just how future development in Brisbane can be sustainable without compromising on design values.  Investors that choose The Milton will be choosing a healthier, greener and sustainable future for Brisbane.

Register Your Interest

Posted in Development, Real Estate, Sustainability & Going Green, Transport & Infrastructure | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

$4000 Southern Gold Coast Great Winter Escape Giveaway

Posted on May 25, 2011 by admin

The Southern Gold Coast (SGC) Launches a Fantastic Competition to Give Away a Winter Escape Package Valued at $4000!

The Southern Gold Coast business community, in conjunction with Connecting Southern Gold Coast Ltd (CSGC) have joined forces to create a Great Winter Escape package that includes:

  • 5nights in the Penthouse at Komune Resort & Beach Club, Greenmount Beach Coolangatta
  • Tandem Skydive for two people from Gold Coast Sky Dive, Kirra
  • Double pass to Surf World Gold Coast Museum, Currumbin
  • A Spyder Ryder Tour for two of the beautiful Currumbin Valley
  • $50 Dinner voucher at Fresh Cafe and Lounge Bar, Kirra
  • $20 Lunch voucher at Groove Cafe, Tugun
  • $20 Breakfast voucher at Cafe D’Bar, Point Danger

The promotion launches on the Southern Gold Coast Pure Gold Facebook page on the 1st June 2011 and is easy to enter! This competition is the first in a series planned for the winter months to raise awareness of the Southern Gold Coast region during winter, and to help provide a boost to business trading over the traditionally low season of June to September.

Rachael Cannard, Communications Manager for CSGC, said “We are so excited to send some very lucky people on a Winter Escape of a lifetime! The prizes on offer for this first competition are just fantastic and we are grateful to those businesses who have donated the prizes, especially during an already tough financial year. The great support shown by our SGC businesses and traders will ensure that the competition brings wide recognition to our beautiful sub-region of the Gold Coast, which extends from the Currumbin Valley hinterland south through some of the most amazing beaches in the world. Facebook and our website www.southerngoldcoast.com.au will be used to heavily promote the region and what’s on offer.”

The SGC Facebook page already has a list of ‘Likers’ that is 1200 strong and is growing daily and CSGC is asking locals in the region to spread the word far and wide through their personal and business networks to help the competition go viral for maximum effect.

If there are any businesses that wish to be on board for the next two competitions, they should contact Rachael at CSGC on 0755 343 500 or through the Facebook page.

The competition closes at 5pm EST on the 24th June 2011 and the winner will be notified by phone.

Posted in Business, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

De Vito Does It His Way

Posted on May 24, 2011 by admin

Standing ovations may be de rigueur these days for powerhouse Gold Coast tenor, David De Vito, but when his rendition of the Sinatra classic My Way brought the entire audience to their feet on Australia’s Got Talent, it earned him a triple thumbs-up from the judges and a ticket to the next round.

If voters get behind David De Vito and he continues to strike the right chord with the judges, there’s a one in 40 chance the 37-year old Coomera father of two could bring home the $250,000 prize money.

At 187cm tall, David’s giant stature is matched by an extraordinarily powerful voice, which critics have likened to the late, great opera singer, Luciano Pavarotti.

“My voice has been recorded at 152 decibels. To put that into context, a soft-voiced singer probably sings at around 70-80 decibels, rock singers may hit 90-100 decibels.

“I am what’s classified as a ‘Dramatic Tenor’. Pavarotti was a dramatic tenor, that’s why he was best known for having an unusually powerful voice. Other world-famous tenors like Bocelli and Carreras are lyric tenors,” says David.

Many Gold Coasters will remember David as the ‘Singing Chef’ at the popular Labrador restaurant, Ciao, which he sold in 2006 so he could concentrate on his singing career.

“I would spend the entire night cooking for around 300 people, and none of them would leave. They would all be out there waiting for me to come out of the kitchen, which was usually around 11 o’clock.

“I would still be wearing my chef’s apron, covered in flour and sauce, and I would sing until about 1am, sometimes longer,” says David.

“My parents and brothers often joined me at the restaurant for family sing-alongs. We had quite a following.”

David’s father Silvio De Vito from Molendinar was a professional opera singer, who ran a catering business in Adelaide for many years before moving to the Gold Coast.

David recalls some of his earliest memories of music were his father’s passionate renditions of songs such as O Sole Mio and Nessun Dorma. Unfortunately, David says, his father is in the early stages of dementia, so he has dedicated his performances on Australia’s Got Talent to him.

“When I was four, I insisted my parents buy me a black suit so I could dress up like Dad and sing alongside him on stage. Thirty years on, I still love nothing more.

“I want to do this show, and win this show, for my Dad, while he still remembers me. He is my inspiration to be who I am, to perform.”

David’s next appearance in the semi-finals of Australia’s Got Talent airs on Tuesday 14 June. Voting lines will open for the first time on this night.

He also appears at the Gold Coast Arts Centre on Saturday 25 June. Tickets are $100 for dinner and show and $49 for show only. Tickets are available from the Arts Centre on 5588 4000.

Posted in Music | Tagged , | 1 Comment