ABC Gold Coast

03/09/2026

SHE'S BACK! 🌞

Gold Coasters were devastated when a bronze sculpture by artist Frank Miles, called "Sun Spirit", was stolen from its perch above Currumbin Beach during ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred last March.

The hunt to find the beloved statue led to the surprising discovery of a replica by the same artist in a Sydney home.

👉 Division councillor Gail O'Neill said it was special to see the piece return, and that steps had been taken to ensure its safety.

"I'm not going to tell you how it's been installed; I don't want to give would-be thieves any ideas," she said.

"It's much more secure now, and we will have CCTV on it."

The piece was donated to the City of Gold Coast after $50,000 was raised for the charity Starlight Foundation, and was unveiled as part of a revamped Currumbin Beach coastline. 🙌

Sun Spirit has been reclining here since 2006, is there anything more quintessentially Gold Coast?

03/09/2026

Burleigh Heads Library could be saved from closure after strong community backlash 📚

Council’s Lifestyle Committee has backed a plan to keep a smaller, staffed library lounge at the site — while also making room for a proposed community arts hub.

The library, which records the city’s lowest visitor numbers, had been slated for closure, with its services to move to the renovated Burleigh Waters Library about 4km away.

But a petition calling for it to remain open attracted more than 3,500 signatures.

The proposal still needs approval from the full council later this month, with further work needed on costs and plans to refit the building before an art exhibition scheduled for January.

What are your thoughts? 👇

31/08/2026

Screen Producers Australia said state government investment in the film and television sector builds confidence and funding cuts could turn future productions away.

The Queensland government's funding cut to its state-owned film and television agency risks undermining the Sunshine State's ability to attract future productions.

31/08/2026

Can you solve this capsule conundrum? 🤔

Woongoolba State School is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, but they've lost track of something special.

Specifically, a time capsule buried somewhere on the grounds when the school turned 100 back in 1976.

Long-serving teacher Tracey Pryce said the search has already thrown up several red herrings, but nobody's giving up just yet.

"We were told it could be in our fountain that was put in three years before the centenary," Ms Pryce said.

⛏"We were told it was sitting beneath a weathervane which has now been removed, but we've dug a hole there and (it was) not to be found.

Ms Pryce said the school has been told the time capsule is "in between two mango trees," but they're not sure how many more holes they want to dig.

"So, if anyone knows where this time capsule may be, please let us know," she said.

Let us know in the comments! 👇😭

25/08/2026

What do you think of the decision?

Gold Coast City Council has voted to privatise the management of public pools following a robust debate in chambers.

Half of council’s eight public pools are already run by private businesses, but today’s decision means all will be privately operated, saving $2.2 million a year.

Councillor Glenn Tozer says council will retain ownership of the pools and continue setting entry fees.

“The pools come at a cost to ratepayers and it’s our job as councillors to lower that cost as much as possible — this decision today does that,” he said.

The pools employ 297 staff, with that number expected to rise to about 400 during the busier summer months.

But the Services Union says most staff will have to reapply for their jobs with the private operator selected to take over management.

"It's going to be a dramatic cut to wages."

The motion passed 9–6.

25/08/2026

A man in his 50s is recovering from life-threatening injuries after an incident with weightlifting equipment at a Gold Coast gym, sparking calls to mandate safety equipment in Australian facilities.

The incident has sparked calls for better safety measures at gyms as the majority move to a 24/7 model with unstaffed hours.

21/08/2026

Gold Coast council will pursue a High Court appeal after judges rejected its argument that luxury apartments could improve housing affordability.

Gold Coast City Council is taking its fight over whether luxury apartments can improve "housing choice and affordability" to the High Court.

19/08/2026

Would you let an apprentice cut your hair to save money? 💇‍♀️✂️

Cost-of-living pressures drive more people through the doors of apprentice-run hairdressing salons across Queensland — and that's good news for both customers and apprentices learning skills on the job.

19/08/2026

A white paper published this year by insurance provider Australian Seniors, which surveyed more than 4,000 grandparents, found 52% provided regular childcare.

Of those surveyed, 14% say they cared for their grandkids five or more days a week.

16/08/2026

After a forced hiatus in 2025, the Pacific Airshow has returned to the Gold Coast.

Organisers of the international event have focussed on delivering innovative displays to this years schedule.

Some of the world's best aviators feature in this year's Pacific Airshow on the Gold Coast.