Things are starting to heat up in Division 14 as we head into the cooler months, with one of my favourite events just around the corner – Cooly Rocks On.

Coming into its 15th year, this iconic festival continues to deliver a significant boost to our local economy, drawing visitors to Coolangatta and supporting local businesses, accommodation providers and hospitality venues. It’s always so special to see the whole community get involved and share in the excitement that this incredible event brings to our city.

The WSL Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro event is underway as I write, and once again we are welcoming world‑class surfers back to Snapper Rocks. Events like this are vital for our region, putting the international spotlight on our coastline while creating a fantastic spectacle for locals and visitors alike. If you haven’t made it down to Snapper yet, I encourage you to get along and soak up the atmosphere.

Running hand in hand with the Gold Coast Pro is the wonderful Flotsam Film and Photography Festival, which brings colour, creativity and storytelling to our southern beaches. This festival continues to grow each year, adding another vibrant layer to our events calendar, and I am proud to be a supporter of an event that celebrates ocean culture and creative talent.

There has also been great progress on key community projects across the division. I’m pleased to share that the upgraded stairs at Wallace Nicholl Park are now back open to the public. I’ve already heard from a few locals who’ve tackled the climb and while they might be a challenge, the views at the top are well worth the effort.

Work is also progressing well at Currumbin Alley, with the training wall upgrade running on schedule. I’m looking forward to seeing this space completed and handed back to the community, hopefully by mid‑winter.

Finally, I have some exciting news regarding the return of the Kirra Eagle which some of you may have seen we finally have back on the Gold Coast.  We are in the process of working out the logistics to get the Eagle back up on the hill and as soon as I have confirmed dates I will let the community know on my social channels.

As we head into winter, I hope to see many of you out and about supporting local events, businesses and initiatives, and enjoying everything Division 14 has to offer during this fantastic time of year.