{{Use Australian English|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{About|the local government area|the city as a whole|Gold Coast, Queensland|other cities|Gold Coast (disambiguation)#Places{{!}}Gold Coast § Places}} {{more citations needed|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox settlement | settlement_type = [[Local government area]] | image_shield = Gold_Coast_City_Council_crest.png | shield_alt = City of Gold Coast Coat of Arms | image_blank_emblem = City of Gold Coast.png | blank_emblem_type = Council logo | blank_emblem_alt = City of Gold Coast logo | image_map = GoldCoastCity-QldLGA.svg | map_alt = City of Gold Coast in Queensland map | map_caption = Map of the City of Gold Coast in Queensland | mapframe = yes | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = [[Australia]] | subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of Australia|State]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Queensland]] | subdivision_type2 = [[Regions of Queensland|Region]] | subdivision_name2 = [[South East Queensland]] | established_title = [[Town of South Coast|Established]] | established_date = {{nobreak|{{start date and age|1948|12|9|df=yes}}}} | established_title1 = City status | established_date1 = {{start date and age|1959|5|16|df=yes}} | seat_type = Council seat | seat = [[Surfers Paradise, Queensland|Surfers Paradise]] | government_type = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]] | governing_body = Gold Coast City Council | leader_title = [[Mayor of the Gold Coast|Mayor]] | leader_name = [[Tom Tate]] | leader_party = [[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Independent LNP]] | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = <ref name=ABSLGA>{{cite web|title=3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017–18: Population Estimates by Local Government Area (ASGS 2018), 2017 to 2018|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3218.02017-18|website=Australian Bureau of Statistics|publisher=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]]|date=27 March 2019|access-date=25 October 2019|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327110730/http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3218.02017-18|url-status=live}} Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018.</ref> | area_total_km2 = 1334 | population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|title=Gold Coast, 2021 Census All persons QuickStats|url=https://abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/LGA33430|publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics|access-date=9 November 2025|date=2021}}</ref> | population_as_of = [[2021 Australian census|2021]] | population_total = 625087 | population_density_km2 = auto | timezone1 = [[AEST]] | utc_offset1 = +10:00 | website = {{Official URL}} }}
The '''City of Gold Coast''' is the [[Local government in Australia|local government area]] spanning the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], [[Queensland]], [[Australia]], and surrounding areas. It is on the central eastern coast of Australia adjoining the [[Pacific Ocean]]. With a population of 606,774,<ref name=ABSLGA/> it is the second most populous local government area in the state of Queensland ([[City of Brisbane|Brisbane]] being the largest).<ref name=ABSLGA/> Its council maintains a staff of over 2,500. The council was established in 1948, and has existed in its present form since 2008. The City of Gold Coast borders [[New South Wales]] and [[Tweed Shire]] to the south, [[Scenic Rim Region|Scenic Rim]] to the west, and [[Logan City|Logan]] and [[Redland City|Redland]] to the northwest and north, respectively.<ref name="globe">{{Queensland Globe|access-date=7 August 2022}}</ref>
==History== ===Early history=== [[File:Southport Pier 1910 Photographer unknown.jpg|thumb|left|[[Southport Pier, Gold Coast|Southport Pier]], 1910]] By the late 1870s, the [[Government of Queensland]] had become preoccupied with the idea of getting local residents to pay through rates for local services, which had become a massive cost to the colony and were undermaintained in many areas. The [[Thomas McIlwraith|McIlwraith]] government initiated the ''Divisional Boards Act 1879'' which created a system of elected divisional boards covering most of Queensland. It was assented by the Governor on 2 October 1879, and on 11 November 1879, the Governor gazetted a list of 74 divisions which would come into existence. Four of these — [[Nerang Division|Nerang]], [[Coomera Division|Coomera]], [[Beenleigh Division|Beenleigh]] and [[Waterford Division|Waterford]] — were in the Gold Coast region. [[Southport, Queensland|Southport]] was developed as both an administrative centre as well as a holiday destination with hotels and guesthouses to cater for visitors. Town dwellers had different needs to the rural landholders so Southport ratepayers lobbied the colonial government to create a separate Divisional Board so that rates monies raised by Southport landholders could be spent on town improvements. This resulted in the establishment of the [[Southport Division, Queensland|Southport Division]] on 14 July 1883 by an amalgamation of part of Nerang Division and part of Coomera Division. [[File:StateLibQld 2 65979 Esplanade at Burleigh, Queensland, Christmas 1932.jpg|thumb|left|Beach foreshore at [[Burleigh Heads, Queensland|Burleigh Heads]], 1932]] On 31 March 1903, following the enactment of the ''Local Authorities Act 1902'', the divisions became shires. On 12 June 1914, the [[Town of Coolangatta]] was created from part of the [[Shire of Nerang]], and on 12 April 1918, [[Town of Southport|Southport]] became a town.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article178835885|title=SOUTHPORT A TOWN.|date=13 April 1918|work=Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 – 1936)|access-date=17 January 2020|pages=7|archive-date=22 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222065528/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/178835885|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Development and growth=== [[File:StateLibQld 1 253530 Aerial view looking towards Point Danger, Coolangatta, ca. 1952.jpg|left|thumb|Aerial view looking towards [[Coolangatta, Queensland|Coolangatta]], {{Circa|1952}}]] On 9 December 1948, as part of a major reorganisation of local government in [[South East Queensland]], an Order in Council created the [[Town of South Coast]] by amalgamating [[Town of Southport]], [[Town of Coolangatta]] and coastal sections (around [[Burleigh Heads]]) of the [[Shire of Nerang]], creating a narrow coastal strip. The same Order abolished all of the earlier Shires and amalgamated most of their area into the new [[Shire of Albert]], with the rest becoming part of the [[Shire of Beaudesert]]. The Order came into effect on 10 June 1949, when the first elections were held for the new councils.
On 23 October 1958, the Town of the South Coast adopted the name of [[Town of Gold Coast]], and on 16 May 1959, the Town was proclaimed as the City of Gold Coast by the [[Governor of Queensland]], having met the requirements for city status. Most of what is now regarded as the Gold Coast urban area was at that time located within the [[Shire of Albert]], which had its administrative offices in Nerang-Southport Road, [[Nerang]].
===A regional authority=== On 19 March 1992, the [[Electoral and Administrative Review Commission]], created two years earlier, produced its report ''External Boundaries of Local Authorities'', and recommended a number of changes to local government boundaries and the amalgamation of some local governments.<ref name=ext>{{cite web|title=External Boundaries of Local Authorities|url=http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/committees/PCEAR/1990/earc/pcear-report13.pdf|publisher=[[Electoral and Administrative Review Commission]]|access-date=3 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220180341/http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/committees/PCEAR/1990/earc/pcear-report13.pdf|archive-date=20 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Although their recommendations only included boundary adjustments between the Gold Coast City and [[Albert Shire]], the outcome following much public debate was a decision by the [[Queensland Government]] to absorb Albert Shire into Gold Coast City. The ''Local Government (Albert, Beaudesert and Gold Coast) Regulation 1994'' was gazetted on 16 December 1994, resulting in the amalgamation of the [[Shire of Albert]] into Gold Coast City at the 1995 local government elections.
In 2007, as part of a report recommending massive amalgamation of local government in Queensland, the [[Local Government Reform Commission]] recommended that the [[Beenleigh]]-[[Eagleby]] region on the Gold Coast's northern border be transferred to [[Logan City]], on the basis that a common community of interest existed and that planning of the South East Queensland urban footprint would be made more efficient by the change. The area to be excised was estimated by the Commission to have an area of {{convert|49|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on}} and a population of 40,148. The change took effect at the [[2008 Queensland local elections|local government elections on 15 March 2008]].
==Heritage listings==
The Gold Coast has many [[heritage-listed]] sites, including those at: * [[Currumbin, Queensland#Heritage listings|Currumbin]] * [[Main Beach, Queensland#Heritage listings|Main Beach]] * [[Pimpama, Queensland#Heritage listings|Pimpama]] * [[Numinbah Valley#Heritage listings|Numinbah Valley]] * [[South Stradbroke Island#Heritage listings|South Stradbroke Island]] * [[Southport, Queensland#Heritage listings|Southport]] * [[Springbrook, Queensland#Heritage listings|Springbrook]] * [[Surfers Paradise, Queensland#Heritage listings|Surfers Paradise]] * [[Tallebudgera, Queensland#Heritage listings|Tallebudgera]] * [[Willow Vale, Queensland#Heritage listings|Willow Vale]]
==Suburbs and localities==
{{Main|List of Gold Coast suburbs}}
==Council== {{Infobox legislature | name = Gold Coast City Council | leader1_type = [[Mayor of Gold Coast|Mayor]] | leader1 = [[Tom Tate]] | party1 = [[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Independent LNP]] | leader2_type = [[Mayor of Gold Coast|Deputy Mayor]] | leader2 = Mark Hammel | party2 = [[Independent politician|Independent]] | structure1 = GCCC2024.png | structure1_res = 200px | seats = 15 elected representatives, including a mayor and 14 councillors | political_groups1 = {{plainlist| * {{nowrap|{{colour box|#1C5CED|border=silver}} '''[[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Independent LNP]]''' (8)}} * {{nowrap|{{colour box|{{Australian politics/party colours|Independent}}|border=silver}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] (7)}} }} | last_election1 = [[2024 Gold Coast City Council election|16 March 2024]] | next_election1 = [[2028 Queensland local elections|25 March 2028]] }}
'''Gold Coast City Council''' is divided into 14 wards (known as divisions), each electing one councillor at elections held every four years. The present [[Mayor of the Gold Coast|mayor]] is [[Tom Tate]] who was first elected on 28 April 2012 and re-elected in 2016, 2020 and 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://prodresults.elections.qld.gov.au/lga2020/029/mayor|title=2020 Gold Coast City Council - Mayoral Election|date=July 2019 |access-date=28 July 2021|archive-date=28 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728080929/https://prodresults.elections.qld.gov.au/lga2020/029/mayor|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/LG2012/GoldCoastCityCouncil/results/mayoral/summary.html|title=2012 Gold Coast City – Mayoral Election – Election Summary|website=results.ecq.qld.gov.au|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401004226/http://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/LG2012/GoldCoastCityCouncil/results/mayoral/summary.html|archive-date=1 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/LG2016/GoldCoastCityCouncil/results/mayoral/summary.html|title=2016 Gold Coast City Council – Mayoral Election – Election Summary|website=results.ecq.qld.gov.au|access-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321164046/http://results.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/LG2016/GoldCoastCityCouncil/results/Mayoral/summary.html|archive-date=21 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Current composition=== The current council, elected in [[2024 Gold Coast City Council election|2024]], is: {| class="wikitable" |- !Ward!!colspan="2"|Councillor!!Party |- | [[List of mayors of the Gold Coast|Mayor]] | {{Australian party style|lnp}} | | [[Tom Tate]] | [[Independent Liberal (Australia)#Independent LNP|Independent LNP]] |- | Division 1 | {{Australian party style|independent}} | | Mark Hammel | [[Independent politician|Independent]] |- | Division 2 | {{Australian party style|lnp}} | | Naomi Fowler | [[Independent Liberal (Australia)#Independent LNP|Independent LNP]] |- | Division 3 | {{Australian party style|independent}} | | Donna Gates | [[Independent politician|Independent]] |- | Division 4 | {{Australian party style|lnp}} | | Shelley Curtis | [[Independent Liberal (Australia)#Independent LNP|Independent LNP]] |- | Division 5 | {{Australian party style|independent}} | | Peter Young | [[Independent politician|Independent]] |- | Division 6 | {{Australian party style|lnp}} | | Brooke Patterson | [[Independent Liberal (Australia)#Independent LNP|Independent LNP]] |- | Division 7 | {{Australian party style|lnp}} | | Joe Wilkinson | [[Independent Liberal (Australia)#Independent LNP|Independent LNP]] |- | Division 8 | {{Australian party style|lnp}} | | [[Bob La Castra]] | [[Independent Liberal (Australia)#Independent LNP|Independent LNP]] |- | Division 9 | {{Australian party style|independent}} | | Glenn Tozer | [[Independent politician|Independent]] |- | Division 10 | {{Australian party style|independent lnp}} | | Darren Taylor | [[Independent Liberal (Australia)#Independent LNP|Independent LNP]] |- | Division 11 | {{Australian party style|lnp}} | | [[Daniel Doran (cricketer)|Dan Doran]] | [[Independent Liberal (Australia)#Independent LNP|Independent LNP]] |- | Division 12 | {{Australian party style|independent}} | | Nick Marshall | [[Independent politician|Independent]] |- | Division 13 | {{Australian party style|independent}} | | Josh Martin | [[Independent politician|Independent]] |- | Division 14 | {{Australian party style|independent}} | | Gail O’Neill | [[Independent politician|Independent]] |}
==Past councillors== ===2016−present=== {|class="wikitable" |- ! rowspan="2"|Year ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 1 ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 2 ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 3 ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 4 ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 5 ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 6 ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 7 ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 8 ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 9 ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 10 ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 11 ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 12 ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 13 ! style="color:crimson"; colspan="2"|Div 14 |- ! colspan="2"|Councillor ! colspan="2"|Councillor ! colspan="2"|Councillor ! colspan="2"|Councillor ! colspan="2"|Councillor ! colspan="2"|Councillor ! colspan="2"|Councillor ! colspan="2"|Councillor ! colspan="2"|Councillor ! colspan="2"|Councillor ! colspan="2"|Councillor ! colspan="2"|Councillor ! colspan="2"|Councillor ! colspan="2"|Councillor |- | '''[[2016 Gold Coast City Council election|2016]]''' | rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|independent}}| | rowspan="1"; align="center" | Donna Gates ([[Independent politician|Ind.]]) | rowspan="3" width="1px" {{Australian party style|LNP}}| | rowspan="3"; align="center" | William Owen Jones ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]) | rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|LNP}}| | rowspan="1"; align="center" | [[Cameron Caldwell]] ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]) | rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|independent}}| | rowspan="1"; align="center" | Kristyn Boulton ([[Independent politician|Ind.]]) | rowspan="4" width="1px" {{Australian party style|independent}}| | rowspan="4"; align="center" | Peter Young ([[Independent politician|Ind.]]) | rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|independent}}| | rowspan="1"; align="center" | Dawn Crichlow ([[Independent politician|Ind.]]) | rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|independent}}| | rowspan="1"; align="center" | [[Gary Baildon]] ([[Independent politician|Ind.]]) | rowspan="4" width="1px" {{Australian party style|LNP}}| | rowspan="4"; align="center" | [[Bob La Castra]] ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]) | rowspan="2" width="1px" {{Australian party style|LNP}}| | rowspan="4"; align="center" | Glenn Tozer ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]/[[Independent politician|Ind.]]) | rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|LNP}}| | rowspan="1"; align="center" | Paul Taylor ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]) | rowspan="3" width="1px" {{Australian party style|LNP}}| | rowspan="3"; align="center" | [[Hermann Vorster]] ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]) | rowspan="3" width="1px" {{Australian party style|independent}}| | rowspan="3"; align="center" | Pauline Young ([[Independent politician|Ind.]]) | rowspan="3" width="1px" {{Australian party style|independent}}| | rowspan="3"; align="center" | Daphne McDonald ([[Independent politician|Ind.]]) | rowspan="4" width="1px" {{Australian party style|independent}}| | rowspan="4"; align="center" | Gail O'Neill ([[Independent politician|Ind.]]) |- | '''[[2020 Gold Coast City Council election|2020]]''' | rowspan="3" width="1px" {{Australian party style|independent}}| | rowspan="3"; align="center" | Mark Hammel ([[Independent politician|Ind.]]) | rowspan="3" width="1px" {{Australian party style|independent}}| | rowspan="3"; align="center" | Donna Gates ([[Independent politician|Ind.]]) | rowspan="2" width="1px" {{Australian party style|LNP}}| | rowspan="2"; align="center" | [[Cameron Caldwell]] ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]) | rowspan="3" width="1px" {{Australian party style|LNP}}| | rowspan="3"; align="center" | Brooke Patterson ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]) | rowspan="2" width="1px" {{Australian party style|LNP}}| | rowspan="2"; align="center" | [[Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden]] ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]) | rowspan="3" width="1px" {{Australian party style|lnp}}| | rowspan="3"; align="center" | Darren Taylor ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]) |- | ''2020'' | rowspan="2" width="1px" {{Australian party style|independent}}| |- | '''[[2024 Gold Coast City Council election|2024]]''' | rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|LNP}}| | rowspan="1"; align="center" | Naomi Fowler ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]) | rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|LNP}}| | rowspan="1"; align="center" | Shelley Curtis ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]) | rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|LNP}}| | rowspan="1"; align="center" | Joe Wilkinson ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]) | rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|LNP}}| | rowspan="1"; align="center" | [[Daniel Doran (cricketer)|Dan Doran]] ([[Independent Liberal (Australia)|Ind. LNP]]) | rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|independent}}| | rowspan="1"; align="center" | Nick Marshall ([[Independent politician|Ind.]]) | rowspan="1" width="1px" {{Australian party style|independent}}| | rowspan="1"; align="center" | Josh Martin ([[Independent politician|Ind.]]) |}
==Election results== ===2024=== {{excerpt|Results of the 2024 Queensland local elections|section=Gold Coast}}
===2020=== {{excerpt|Results of the 2020 Queensland local elections|section=Gold Coast}}
==Population== [[File:Cabbage Tree Point foreshore.jpg|thumb|Beach foreshore at [[Steiglitz, Queensland|Steiglitz]], 2014]] [[File:Gold Coast (6616534707).jpg|thumb|Highrises at [[Broadbeach, Queensland|Broadbeach]], 2008]] Populations are provided below for the Gold Coast (Southport/Coolangatta, South Coast, Gold Coast) and Albert entities. As Albert included the entire [[Logan City]] area prior to 1978, figures are only provided from the 1976 census.
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Population<br />(Gold Coast) ! Annual<br />growth (%) ! Population<br />(Albert) ! Annual<br />growth (%) |- | 1933 || 6,046 || N/A || || |- | 1947 || 13,888 || 6.12 || || |- | 1954 || 19,807 || 5.20 || || |- | 1961 || 33,716 || 7.90 || || |- | 1966 || 49,481 || 7.97 || 6,437 || N/A |- | 1971 || 66,697 || 6.15 || 10,165 || 9.57 |- | 1976 || 87,510 || 5.58 || 24,268 || 19.01 |- | 1981 || 117,824 || 6.13 || 54,870 || 17.72 |- | 1986 || 130,304 || 2.03 || 92,766 || 11.07 |- | 1991 || 157,857 || 3.91 || 143,697 || 9.15 |}
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Population ! Annual<br />growth (%) |- | 1991 || 301,554 || 6.21 |- | 1996 || 375,175 || 4.47 |- | 2001 || 441,736 || 3.32 |- | 2006 || 507,876 || 2.83 |- | 2011 || 494,501 || Beenleigh left in deamalgamation |- | 2016 || 551,721 || 2.49 |}
== Demographics == {| class="wikitable" |- !colspan=7|Selected historical census data for City of Gold Coast local government area |- !colspan=3|Census year !!2001<ref name="Census2001">{{Census 2001 AUS|id=LGA33460 |name=Gold Coast (C) |accessdate=28 December 2019 |quick=on}}</ref>!!2006<ref name="Census2006">{{Census 2006 AUS|id=LGA33460 |name=Gold Coast (C) |accessdate=28 December 2019 |quick=on}}</ref>!!2011<ref name="Census2011">{{Census 2011 AUS|id=LGA33430 |name=Gold Coast(C) |accessdate=28 December 2019 |quick=on}}</ref>!!2016<ref name="Census2016">{{Census 2016 AUS|id=LGA33430 |name=Gold Coast(C) |accessdate=28 December 2019 |quick=on}}</ref> |- |rowspan=4 colspan="2"|Population ||Estimated residents on [[Census in Australia|census night]] ||align="right"|{{formatnum:426661}} ||align="right"|{{formatnum:472279}} ||align="right"|{{formatnum:494501}} ||align="right"|{{formatnum:555721}} |- |align="right"|LGA rank in terms of size within Queensland ||align="right"| ||align="right"|2{{small|nd}} ||align="right"|{{steady}} 2{{small|nd}} ||align="right"|{{steady}} 2{{small|nd}} |- |align="right"|% of Queensland population ||align="right"|11.9% ||align="right"|{{increase}} 12.1% ||align="right"|{{decrease}} 11.41% ||align="right"|{{increase}} 11.82% |- |align="right"|% of Australian population ||align="right"|2.27% ||align="right"|{{increase}} 2.38% ||align="right"|{{decrease}} 2.3% ||align="right"|{{increase}} 2.38% |- !colspan=3|Dwelling structure!! !! !! !! |- |rowspan=4 colspan=2|[[Dwelling]] type ||[[Single-family detached home|Separate house]] ||align="right"|58.5% ||align="right"|{{increase}} 58.9% ||align="right"|{{increase}} 60.4% ||align="right"|{{decrease}} 58.3% |- |[[Semi-detached]], [[Terraced house|terrace]] or [[townhouse]]||align="right"|16.0% ||align="right"|{{increase}} 16.6% ||align="right"|{{increase}} 18.8% ||align="right"|{{increase}} 20.6% |- |[[Apartment|Flat or apartment]]||align="right"|22.1% ||align="right"|{{increase}} 22.6% ||align="right"|{{decrease}} 19.6% ||align="right"|{{increase}} 19.9% |}
==Libraries== [[File:Palm Beach Community Lounge.jpeg|thumb|Palm Beach Community Lounge]]
The first municipal library on the Gold Coast opened in the [[Southport Town Hall, Queensland|Southport Town Hall]] on 30 April 1958. Prior to this, a series of [[Mechanics' Institutes|School of arts]] and private [[Circulating library|circulating libraries]] had supported the communities' and visitors' recreational and educational reading needs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Public Libraries on the Gold Coast |url=http://www.goldcoaststories.com.au/libraries-on-the-gold-coast/ |website=Gold Coast Stories |date=28 May 2018 |access-date=31 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308095718/http://www.goldcoaststories.com.au/libraries-on-the-gold-coast/ |archive-date=8 March 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The City of Gold Coast has 12 libraries at [[Broadbeach, Queensland|Broadbeach]], [[Burleigh Heads, Queensland|Burleigh Heads]], [[Burleigh Waters, Queensland|Burleigh Waters]], [[Coolangatta]], [[Elanora, Queensland|Elanora]], [[Helensvale, Queensland|Helensvale]], [[Mermaid Waters, Queensland|Mermaid Waters]], [[Nerang, Queensland|Nerang]], [[Palm Beach, Queensland|Palm Beach]], [[Robina, Queensland|Robina]], [[Runaway Bay, Queensland|Runaway Bay]], [[Southport, Queensland|Southport]] and [[Upper Coomera, Queensland|Upper Coomera]].<ref name="lcgc" /> There is a special needs library within Nerang Library<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/special-needs-library-10117.html|title=Libraries|website=Special Needs Library|publisher=City of Gold Coast|access-date=22 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323054133/http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/special-needs-library-10117.html|archive-date=23 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and a Local Studies Library (on the first floor of Southport Library).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/local-studies-library-10111.html|title=Libraries|website=Local Studies Library|publisher=City of Gold Coast|access-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421174651/http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/local-studies-library-10111.html|archive-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> The council also operate a mobile library service.<ref name="lcgc">{{cite web |url=http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/locations-opening-hours.html |title=Libraries |publisher=City of Gold Coast |access-date=22 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326031854/http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/locations-opening-hours.html |archive-date=26 March 2017 }}</ref>
In 2018, the mobile library provides a fortnight service to [[Alberton, Queensland|Alberton]], [[Ashmore, Queensland|Ashmore]], [[Benowa, Queensland|Benowa]], [[Bonogin, Queensland|Bonogin]], [[Cedar Creek, Queensland (Logan & Gold Coast)|Cedar Creek]], [[Coomera, Queensland|Coomera]], [[Currumbin Valley, Queensland|Currumbin Valley]], [[Gilston, Queensland|Gilston]], [[Jacobs Well, Queensland|Jacobs Well]], [[Mudgeeraba, Queensland|Mudgeeraba]], [[Ormeau, Queensland|Ormeau]] (4 visits), [[Paradise Point, Queensland|Paradise Point]], [[Pimpama, Queensland|Pimpama]] (3 visits), [[Tugun, Queensland|Tugun]], [[Steiglitz, Queensland|Steiglitz]], [[Tallebudgera Valley, Queensland|Tallebudgera Valley]], and [[Woongoolba, Queensland|Woongoolba]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/documents/Mobile-library-timetable-2018.pdf|title=Mobile Library 2018 timetable|website=[[Gold Coast City Council]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130062320/http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/documents/Mobile-library-timetable-2018.pdf|archive-date=30 January 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=30 January 2018}}</ref> The Gold Coast City Library is a member of the [[Queensland Public Libraries Association]].<ref>[http://www.qpla.asn.au/membership Queensland Public Libraries Association: Membership] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114105631/http://qpla.asn.au/membership |date=14 January 2014 }}. Retrieved 4 January 2014.</ref>
==Key projects== [[File:Hinze Dam - Gold Coast.JPG|thumb|[[Hinze Dam]] was upgraded in 2011]] * [[Gold Coast University Hospital]] * [[Gold Coast Desalination Plant]] * Raising of [[Hinze Dam]] * [[Southport Broadwater Parklands]] * [[Gold Coast Rapid Transit System]] * [[Transport on the Gold Coast, Queensland#Ferry|Gold Coast Ferry Service]] * [[Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens]] * Evandale Cultural Precinct including the [[Home of the Arts, Gold Coast|Home of The Arts]] cultural centre and a [[Pedestrian separation structure|greenbridge]] from Evandale Parklands to [[Chevron Island]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-28 |title=The evolution of the Gold Coast's bold new Home Of The Arts cultural precinct |url=https://newsleads.com.au/arts-culture/2021/05/28/the-evolution-of-the-gold-coasts-bold-new-home-of-the-arts-cultural-precinct/ |access-date=2022-08-07 |website=NewsLeads |language=en |archive-date=15 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315055028/https://newsleads.com.au/arts-culture/2021/05/28/the-evolution-of-the-gold-coasts-bold-new-home-of-the-arts-cultural-precinct/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * Mermaid Waters Library * [[Gold Coast Shoreline Management Plan]]
==Notable personnel== Notable people who work for or who have worked for the City of Gold Coast include: * [[Guillermo Capati]] [[Public Service Medal (Australia)|PSM]], (1994–2017), managed the city's water and wastewater needs, long-term water planning and recycled water.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-day-2013-honours-list-20130125-2dcrg.html|title=Australia Day 2013 Honours List|date=25 January 2013|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=9 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614095103/https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-day-2013-honours-list-20130125-2dcrg.html|archive-date=14 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/05/905183/filipino-awarded-australian-public-service-medal|title=Filipino awarded with Australian public service medal|website=The Philippine Star|access-date=9 April 2018|archive-date=22 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222065438/https://www.philstar.com/nation/2013/02/05/905183/filipino-awarded-australian-public-service-medal|url-status=live}}</ref> Capati was awarded a [[Public Service Medal (Australia)|Public Service Medal (PSM)]] during the [[2013 Australia Day Honours]] for outstanding public service to the sustainable water future of the Gold Coast and broader [[South East Queensland]] region.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013|title=Australia Day 2013 Honour List, p.396|url=http://old.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/ad/ad2013/Media%20Notes%20-%20PSM%20(final).pdf|website=Governor-General of Australia website|access-date=18 August 2020|archive-date=12 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312192307/http://old.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/ad/ad2013/Media%20Notes%20-%20PSM%20(final).pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden]], (born 23 September 1992), was elected as Division 7 Councillor in the [[2020 Gold Coast City Council election]] at the age of 27, making him the youngest person elected to the role in the city's history. Before entering politics, Bayldon-Lumsden was awarded a Queensland Young Volunteer Award for 2009, for his involvement in community programs run through Family Support Group Australia and was also a secondary school teacher at [[The Southport School]].<ref name="fit">{{cite web |title=Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden: Council candidate the city's fittest politician |url=https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/council/the-gold-coasts-fittest-future-pollie-is-grounded-and-doorknocking-at-labrador/news-story/264e513e74d3933a60e5254e3db27024 |publisher=Gold Coast Bulletin}}</ref> On 23 August 2023, Bayldon-Lumsden was charged by [[Queensland Police Service|Queensland Police]] with the murder of his stepfather, 58-year-old Robert Lumsden, following the charge he was suspended as Councillor pending the verdict of the charge and unsuccessfully ran for re-election in the [[2024 Gold Coast City Council election]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-03-14 |title=Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden: The murder suspect standing for re-election in Australia |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-68561346 |access-date=2024-09-11 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-04-02 |title=Council candidate accused of murdering stepfather loses re-election bid |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-02/ryan-bayldon-lumsden-fails-in-gold-coast-council-re-election-bid/103659698 |access-date=2024-04-02 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>
==International relations== {{see also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Australia}} The City of Gold Coast has relationships with the following cities and regions:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sister cities & international relationships |url=https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/About-our-city/International-relations/Sister-cities-international-relationships |access-date=7 November 2025 |website=goldcoast.qld.gov.au |publisher=City of Gold Coast}}<br/>{{Cite web |title=Other international partnerships |url=https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/About-our-city/International-relations/Sister-cities-international-relationships/Other-international-partnerships |access-date=7 November 2025 |website=goldcoast.qld.gov.au |publisher=City of Gold Coast}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}} *{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Beihai]], China *{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Chengdu]], China *{{flagicon|VIE}} [[Da Nang]], Vietnam *{{flagicon|UAE}} [[Dubai]], United Arab Emirates *{{flagicon|USA}} [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]], United States *{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Jining]], China *{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Kanagawa Prefecture]], Japan *{{flagicon|ISR}} [[Netanya]], Israel *{{flagicon|NCL}} [[Nouméa]], New Caledonia *{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis|Saint-Denis]], France *{{flagicon|TAI}} [[Tainan]], Taiwan *{{flagicon|TAI}} [[Taipei]], Taiwan *{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Takasu, Hokkaido|Takasu]], Japan *{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Wuhan]], China *{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Zhuhai]], China {{div col end}}
==See also== {{Portal|Queensland}} * [[Gold Coast Art Centre]] * [[Gold Coast City Art Gallery]] * [[List of Gold Coast suburbs]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/ City of Gold Coast] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20091028044120/http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard2.aspx?pid=1442 History of Gold Coast Council] * [https://ool.internet-exchange.site/ Gold Coast Internet Exchange - OOL-IX]
{{Gold Coast City Council elections}} {{Localities in Gold Coast}} {{Local Government Areas in South East Queensland}} {{Local Government Areas of Queensland}} {{Authority control}} {{Coord|28|00|04|S|153|25|42|E|type:adm2nd_region:AU-QLD|display=title}}
[[Category:City of Gold Coast| ]] [[Category:1948 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1948]]