COAST MUST SPEND MONEY TO MAKE MORE

QUEENSLAND’S success at suppressing the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the tough and decisive actions taken in March 2020 continues to pay dividends. The Gold Coast particularly is seen as a safe place, largely free of the lockdowns and disastrous mass outbreaks which have dogged other states and countries.

This safe haven status has made us quite the sought after destination for the global film and television industry, even more so than in the years leading up to the pandemic.

Everyone from Hollywood power player Ron Howard to Baz Luhrmann and homegrown superstar Chris Hemsworth have all shot big-budget films here in the past 12 months.

Along with a series of high-profile film and television projects, more than $260m has been injected into the local economy and 3000 jobs created.

While this has contributed to the Gold Coast’s robust economic outlook, one must also consider the size of this impact would have been even larger if we could host the number of projects which have had to be turned away, either for lack of studio space or because other states had a stronger incentive program.

Given the ongoing strength of the industry, further investment clearly makes sense and is something all levels of government should consider.

Each million dollars spent here generates 12 times that amount in economic benefit, according to Mayor Tom Tate.

The Gold Coast cannot afford to miss out on that kind of fiscal boon.

THE ageing population on the Gold Coast presents a quandary for some people who now have retired from the workforce.

A practical dilemma may now exist as to how to occupy your time that best suits your mind and body.

Health should now be an essential priority on your agenda.

They say procrastination is the thief of time. True.

You should now uplift your tired posterior from your lounge and briskly soldier on to a new adventure. The nearest bowling club beckons.

This can be the beginning of a revitalised you.

All bowling clubs on the Coast will warmly welcome men, women and children to an environment that boasts pristine gardens and superb bowling greens.

If you choose to become a member, the clubs offer the services of a qualified coach to cheerfully guide you through the rudiments of the game – free of charge!

A newly found spring in your step would be apparent and a smile on your face as long as the River Nile returns as your elliptical bowls nestle snugly against the jewel of the greens – the JACK! How blissful would that be?

Many of the best bowlers who participate in competition are in their 70s and 80s.

Through a ruthless dedication to this intriguing game they love, they have reached the pinnacle of their bowling careers. Age shall not worry them – nor yours!

Enjoy this wonderful experience that has so much to offer no matter what grade you play in.

The benefits are numerous from desired social interaction through to a mildly active pastime

that will hopefully ensure that your skin glows.

What are you waiting for? GARY THOMPSON, BENOWA

LEST We Forget.

This is a phrase that conjures up images world wars, graves of servicemen and The Last Post.

However, today I am taking the liberty of using it in the context of Carol Pearce’s letter with regards to the proposed concrete walkway on our beachfront.

It is quite clear that the council in its entirety has Lest They Forgotten all the devastating cyclones that have decimated our coastline over the last century alone.

You only have to Google the February 1954 and January 1967 cyclones to witness what our beloved Pacific Ocean was and is capable of and this all before the term global warming was penned.

Nothing has been done by our council or state government to stem the catastrophic beach erosion that could and will take place down the line. Millions are spent shuffling beach sand after each major storm.

There are serious systems in place to stop beach erosion in its tracks that are being used elsewhere on the planet but that is a discussion for another time.

Getting back to the beach walkway, millions will no doubt be spent on this fated project as it is not an easy to build on unstable sand.

It is a fact of nature that this walkway will, without doubt, be destroyed and washed up into the beachfront homes by the next major cyclone. So why build it at all when we only have to walk on the beach?