Greetings Members,
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2024! As the first month of the year ticks over, it is important to reflect on the occurrences of the holiday period and cast our gaze towards what the rest of this year might hold.
It was wonderful to see the breath of fresh air that was breathed into the Gold Coast small businesses over the Christmas and New Year period; no doubt the influx of travellers to the Gold Coast saw all kinds of businesses booming in our local area. However, the cost of living remains high, and with the Reserve Bank set to meet in early February, it is possible that interest rates may rise once more. The anxiety likely felt by small business owners on this account is understandable.
As with small businesses, the tourism industry undoubtably experienced a similar boost in activity over the Christmas and New Year period. As always, the winning combination of Queensland sun, and our beautiful beaches made the Gold Coast the place to be over the holidays. However, the damage brought on by severe weather events on Christmas Day, saw many of the beloved tourist destinations on the Gold Coast damaged at the latter end of the Christmas and New Year period. As the holidays come to a close, it is imperative that we continue to support the owners of these invaluable tourist locations as they commit themselves to repairs.
While the wild weather may have put a damper on the tourism industry’s start to the year, there are plenty of events on the 2024 Gold Coast Calander to look forward to: Sporting events will return to our beaches this year with the Gold Coast Open surfing competition set to start in early February, the Life Saving World Championships in August, as well as the much-anticipated Pacific Airshow. Live music events are also available throughout the Gold Coast with Blues on Broadbeach set for May, and the Groundwater Country Music Festival scheduled for October. Finally, culture events are also projected to draw crowds with Supernova in April, and the Swell Sculpture Festival in September.
Finally, I wish the best of luck to all our Gold Coast students, as they embark on another year of schooling! Should you have any State issues you would like to discuss please feel free to contact my office on:
Tel: 5600 0100 / Email: Mermaid.Beach@parliament.qld.gov.au
You can also find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RayStevensMP.
Best wishes,
Ray Stevens MP
