Red Carpets and Road Trips: Your Gold Coast Morning Briefing

The Sunday Mood: A Tale of Two Coasts

The mood across the Gold Coast this Sunday is one of high energy and transition as two of the city’s largest events enter their final day. At HOTA (Home of the Arts), the atmosphere is draped in cinematic glamour as the AACTA Festival concludes its five-day takeover. Meanwhile, over at People First Stadium in Carrara, the vibe is decidedly more rugged and adventurous. The city is currently balancing the glitz of the film industry with the classic Australian love for the great outdoors, as thousands of locals make the most of the final hours of the Let’s Go Gold Coast Caravan & Outdoor Expo.

A Key Talking Point: The Future of Burleigh Hill

While many are enjoying the festivities, the major talking point at the local cafes is the newly unveiled Burleigh Heads Foreshore Revitalisation Project. The City of Gold Coast recently opened community consultation for this massive infrastructure plan, and the debate is heating up over the proposed changes. Key elements currently being discussed by residents include:

• A complete reconstruction of the 40-year-old seawall between Justins Park and Mowbray Park to protect against severe swells.
• Options for a new swimming lagoon or a large-scale playground with a bike and scooter track at Rudd Park.
• The proposed widening of the Oceanway to improve pedestrian and cycle access.

Local authorities are urging residents to have their say before the consultation period ends on February 24, as the project will fundamentally change the character of one of the coast's most iconic shorelines.

Feel-Good Story: Film Magic and Big Wins

It is a celebratory Sunday for local culture as the AACTA Festival wraps up its residency. This week has seen the Gold Coast transform into a playground for film lovers, with panels and screenings bringing national star power to HOTA. In addition to the cultural boost, there is excitement at the Caravan & Outdoor Expo, where lucky visitors are walking away with significant prizes, including fuel vouchers and a chance at $5,000 off a new RV. This blend of creative inspiration and community giveaways is providing a much-needed boost to the local spirit.

Morning Wrap-Up

Expect a typical humid summer day with a maximum of 27 degrees and patchy rain possible throughout the afternoon. On the roads, keep an eye out for increased traffic around Carrara and Southport as event crowds disperse. For those watching the horizon, the air and sea search continues for the experienced marlin fisherman whose vessel was found drifting 20 nautical miles off Burleigh earlier this week; the community remains hopeful for a positive outcome as the search area expands.