Our thoughts are with them as they reflect on so many lives lost,’’ he said.“Words are rarely enough but seeing our community come together to support each other in times of such pain gives me great comfort.”  Mayor Tate said tomorrow’s Harmony Day was a reminder to come together.“More than ever, it is important to demonstrate we are an inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging,’’ he said.Forward Church Senior Pastor Daniel Tiaiti joined the Mayor.“This heinous act of violence was intended to segregate, to divide and to incite hate. Instead, in the true spirit of ANZAC, it has brought us closer together,’’ he said. “Since landing on the shores of Gallipoli over 100 years ago, our two nations have stood together and overcome a common enemy. Today, we stand against the enemy of terror and fear.’’Forward Church represents a large New Zealand community in the Helensvale area. Media note: Orange is Harmony Day’s official colour and relates to communication, freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. To acknowledge Harmony Day, lighting across the city will switch to orange tomorrow night. There will be orange lights at locations including Nerang Street, Southport; Surfers Paradise sign, Cavill Ave; Broadbeach sign, Victoria Park; Surf Parade, Broadbeach; Bulletin Park, Broadbeach; and Home of the Arts, Surfers Paradise. Celebration events will be held across the city this week to showcase our rich diversity, including the Gold Coast Multicultural Network’s series of pop-up performances at schools and public places. This year marks the 20th year of Harmony Day.

The City has today launched a community initiative to help Australia’s native bees – and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate is buzzing with excitement. “Native bees are vital to our flora and fauna and giving them the opportunity to thrive has major positive effects for our city’s overall biodiversity,’’ he said. “I trust Council colleagues will support this initiative which can be funded through the current ‘Our Natural City’ strategy.’’ The proposal is: • existing funding in the ‘Our Natural City’ strategy will be used to support a Local Residents Bee Scheme trial (around $30,000);• the City will use the funds to subsidise the purchase of native bee hives (by property owners on 1200m2+ properties);• funds would allow around hives to be purchased city-wide; and• residents could work with local bee experts to manage the hives. “We have around $30,000 in the strategy for initiatives such as this.

The City is a step closer to delivering a unique artificial dive site to boost our tourism appeal.Expressions of Interest open tomorrow (16 March) seeking a contractor with innovative ideas and information on artificial reefs to design and construct the Gold Coast Dive Attraction.This first stage in the Gold Coast Dive Precinct is projected to bring $32.8 million into the region’s economy in the first 10 years of operation.Mayor Tom Tate said it was the initial step in realising a long-held aspiration for the Gold Coast to diversify its offerings in dive and eco-tourism.“We’re ready, the dive industry is ready and the tourism and business sectors are waiting,” he said.“We’re getting on with the project while awaiting the outcome of our full business case submission to the State Government as part of its Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund which aims to realise the government’s vision for future-proofing the tourism industry.“With 220 diveable days per year, this will be a unique attraction luring divers from across the world.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said he looks forward to the State Government committing funds to the 10-year Spit Masterplan in its 2019-2020 State Budget, following the announcement from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to deliver “Australia’s newest, biggest and best ocean park’’.“That’s exactly what we want on the coast – Australia’s best ocean park.“The talking, consultation and planning is almost over … what is now needed is an immediate funding commitment from the State to get the ball rolling.

Beach restoration works are underway across the Gold Coast – with locals and visitors urged to stay clear of heavy machinery.“These are large scale work sites so please give the machinery a wide berth,’’ said Mayor Tom Tate.“We will be taking advantage of reduced swells and winds to quickly restore the beaches to their best.“Despite the huge swells, our beaches held up exceptionally well thanks to the $30-million-plus investment in a range of beach measures over the last five years.“These include our annual sand dredging and pumping at Currumbin and Tallebudgera creeks. That delivered three million cubic metres on to our beaches, from an area just behind the wave zone.“Sand lost from this recent event is now laying out the back of the main break. Nature will push that sand back on to our beaches over the next six to 12 months but we will give it a helping hand with the works we are undertaking today.’’Mayor Tate yesterday launched the $18.2 million Palm Beach Artificial Reef project.

Only days after the city’s beaches were threatened by a Pacific Ocean cyclone, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has launched an $18.2 million artificial reef project.Mayor Tate said physical work on the Palm Beach Artificial Reef was due to start in April.“All necessary planning for phase 2 of the project has been done and we are now ready to commence. The second phase will add significant protection to one of our most vulnerable stretches of coastline.’’ A letter drop has been issued to residents and businesses to advise of planned works (attached).Mayor Tate said residents can view construction from as early as April, weather dependent.“Residents will see construction vessels on the water working around the clock. At its highest point, the reef will be 1.5 metres below the surface at average water level, identified with permanent marker buoys for marine safety.The reef will influence the surrounding waves and currents to promote a long term increase in sand along vulnerable sections of Palm Beach, and this will provide a protective buffer from erosion.In some conditions, an offshore recreational surf break may be formed giving further amenity to the city’s growing surf community.The $18.2 million construction contract was awarded in October 2018 to HC2, a joint venture between Hall Contracting Pty Ltd and Heron Construction Company.The project will be completed by October 2019.

The following Waste & Recycling Centres facilities will be temporarily closed to all residential and commercial customers on Saturday 23 February:Coomera Green Waste CentreCurrumbin Valley Waste and Recycling CentreHelensvale Waste and Recycling CentreJacobs Well Waste and Recycling CentreMerrimac Waste and Recycling CentreMolendinar Waste and Recycling CentreMudgeeraba Waste and Recycling CentreNuminbah Valley Waste and Recycling CentreReedy Creek Waste and Recycling CentreSpringbrook Waste and Recycling CentreClosures may continue on Sunday 24 February 2019 depending on weather conditions.

The following Waste & Recycling Centres facilities will be temporarily closed to all residential and commercial customers on Saturday 23 February:Coomera Green Waste CentreCurrumbin Valley Waste and Recycling CentreHelensvale Waste and Recycling CentreJacobs Well Waste and Recycling CentreMerrimac Waste and Recycling CentreMolendinar Waste and Recycling CentreMudgeeraba Waste and Recycling CentreNuminbah Valley Waste and Recycling CentreReedy Creek Waste and Recycling CentreSpringbrook Waste and Recycling CentreClosures may continue on Sunday 24 February 2019 depending on weather conditions.