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Gold Coast
and District
This page deals with news and gardening issues of particular relevance to the Gold Coast and Hinterland, including nurseries and other garden-related businesses servicing the region.
News
Smelly sea breezes
Tweed Shire Council has been receiving complaints about foul odours from residents suspecting a sewage leak. Investigations have identified the culprits - fruiting mangrove trees. The grey mangrove (Avicennia marina) began fruiting prolifically a few weeks previously and the fallen fruits have been accumulating in parts of the estuary. The hydrogen sulphide gas produced as they decompose has the same "rotten egg" smell as sewage. The strength of the odour seems to depend on a combination of fruit quantity, weather conditions and tides. Source: Mangroves are the source of sewage-like smells in Tweed. (July 2019)
Scroll down the page to find older news items and community links. For garden shows, go to the Queensland Gardening Events Diary. If you're involved in gardening on the Gold Coast and have news to share, please get in touch.Nurseries, landscape supply, other garden goods & services
The following advertisers may include online suppliers. For the most up-to-date information on plants in stock, opening hours, prices etc, be sure to visit the seller's website or contact the business directly.
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ENDEMIC LANDSCAPES Gold Coast Mob 0421 175 166 endemiclandscapes.com.au  |
Endemic Landscapes offers complete landscaping solutions, from consultancy and design to quality construction. Whether small-scale makeover, garden renovation or new landscape, call Nick for a free initial consultation in a language you can understand. Nick's knowledge of local plants and soils is paramount to ensuring your garden not only looks great on completion but thrives for you to enjoy for many years to come. Retaining walls, driveways, fencing, irrigation, water features and turf included in the range of residential and commercial services offered. QBCC Licence No 1302629. Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast and Northern NSW. Visit the WEBSITE for more information. |
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RARE & EXOTIC FRANGIPANIS Currumbin Valley, Qld Mob: 0488 372 649 rarefrangipanis.com.au  |
Large supply of evergreen frangipanis (Plumeria obtusa Singapore White) in various sizes as well as Plumeria rubra in scores of different colours, shapes and sizes. Delivery to the Gold Coast can be arranged on a day and time that suits, with a purpose-built trailer designed to transport frangipanis up to 2m high in perfect condition. (Larger trees and deliveries to Brisbane by Plant Delivery Service). Select your tree from the online picture gallery at the WEBSITE or call 0488 FRANGY to arrange a visit to the nursery. |
| ROSS EVANS GARDEN CENTRE 300 Oxley Drive, Runaway Bay, Qld 4216 Ph: (07) 5537 2244  |
Ross Evans Garden Centre is Queensland's 2005 extra large Garden Centre of the Year. Specialties include the Gold Coast's largest collection of succulents and cacti, topiaries, fruit trees, tropical plants, natives, exotic palms, camellias, a huge pot yard, one of the largest displays of water features in Queensland, gift lines, floral artistry and landscape design. Ross Evans Garden Centre recently opened the licensed Watergarden Restaurant. Set amongst tropical greenery and featuring a large, infinity-edge water feature, Watergarden serves fresh, modern Australian cuisine, is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week, and also hosts beautiful wedding receptions.  Ross Evans Garden Centre is accredited under the Australian Garden Centre Accreditation Scheme. |
| INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING HERE? |
If you operate a retail nursery, garden centre, landscape supply yard, turf farm or other garden-related business located on the Gold Coast (or servicing that area), go to Information for advertisers, to learn more about promoting your business on this website, including current prices. |
Community
Garden clubs, environmental groups and other non-profit groups with an interest in plants or gardening: if you have a website, please send in your link! Commercial sites are invited to advertise.
Suburbs or districts covered by this page include: Ormeau, Pimpama, Kinsholme, Willow Vale, Upper Coonera, Coomera, Helensvale, Hope Island, Oxenford, Coombabah, Hollywell, Runaway Bay, Ernest, Gavin, Biggera Waters, Labrador, Southport, Ashmore, Nerang, Advancetown, Gilston, Worongary, Carrara, Merrimac, Benowa, Bundall, Mudgeeraba, Robina, Stephens, Reedy Creek, Bonogin, Burleigh, Elanora, Currumbin Waters, Tugun, Coolangatta.
Older News
Bee involved
As a part of their "Our Natural City" strategy, Gold Coast City Council has recently launched an initiative to help native bees. It's proposed that owners of properties over 1200m2 could be subsidised to purchase native bee hives. There may also be an opportunity to work with local bee experts, although hives only need maintenance every 12-18 months or so. Stingless bee keeping workshops offered as part of the City's NaturallyGC program are another way for residents to learn about native bees. Source: Native bees have Gold Coast Mayor buzzing (March 2019)
A natural Gold Coast city
The City of Gold Coast has endorsed a strategy aimed at achieving 51 per cent native vegetation cover by 2020, developed in response to strong community support. "Our Natural City" will encourage partnerships between government, business, institutions and residents to develop infrastructure, monitoring and participatory programs. More information at Our Natural City Strategy. Source: Connecting, protecting and partnering to preserve our natural city (June 2017)
Gold Coast more than beaches
A survey of Gold Coast residents has should a hight level of satisfaction with the city's parks. Feedback indicated a need for more good "destination" parkland projects. Local parks need pedestrian links, high quality turfed areas and trees. Shade is very important and council says it is responding with more tree planting throughout the city. Gold Coasters love their parks (December 2016)
Help stop Gold Coast plant crimes
City of Gold Coast is calling for help in stopping theft of plants from its gardens and public lands. This includes a large staghorn fern donated by a resident, stolen from the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens on Saturday 22nd February 2015. "If residents see anything suspicious, they should report it immediately to police", urge Council. Anyone with information about stolen plants should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Source: Valuable plants stolen from City's parks and gardens (February 2015)
Green waste bins for Gold Coast
Gold Coast City Council will be introducing green waste bins in urban areas in 2013. A charge will apply. More information and registration at www.greengc.com.au (December 2012)
Mary's Tree
Late Canungra resident Mary Hart has been honored with a bronze plaque at the town landmark known locally as "Mary's Tree". The Mexican Weeping Pine (Pinus patula), a souvenir from a Country Women's Association conference, was brought to Canungra as a seedling by Mary over sixty years ago. The tree, and now the accompanying plaque, stand as a tribute to her contribution to the local community. Source: Mary's legacy lies in the 'Hart' of Canungra (October 2012)
Awards for Gold Coast parklandsBroadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast has won two categories in the national Parks and Leisure Australia Awards of Excellence - and the Award for Open Space Development and the Award for Sustainable Initiatives. Features of the Parklands includes stormwater filtering, solar power, furniture made from recycled plastic. Source: National recognition for Broadwater Parklands (September 2011)
Gold Coast corridor network develops
Aquisition of 116 hectares in Cedar Creek by Gold Coast City Council will form a link between two major wildlife corridors. Flora and fauna surveys will now proceed to assist with management of the property. Koalas and grey goshawks have previously been recorded in the area. Source: Purchase cements two vital wildlife corridors (September 2011)
Macadamia's Qld ancestry to be explored
Samples of from some of the few remaining wild macadamias in SE Qld and NNSW are being collected for genetic analysis for use in ongoing development of the crop. The first nuts taken to Hawaii in 1982 by Captain Jordan, which led to the macadamia becoming an internationally valued nut crop, came from Pimpama. One of the goals of the current research is to confirm whether "The Jordan Tree" on the Gold Coast is actually the ancestor from which the Hawaiian cultivars were developed. Source: Geneticists seek mother of all macadamias on the Gold Coast (July 2011)
Gold Coast environment gets land boost
The 265 Ha "Rosegum" and an adjoining 103 Ha at Bally Mountain have been added to the Gold Coast's conservation estate. The properies contain many threatened plant and animal species and will form an important part of the Burleigh to Springbrook Corridor. Source: Greening the Gold Coast through partnership (July 2011)
Poincianas to stay in Chevron Island makeover
Gold Coast City Council say that two large poinciana trees will be retained in the proposed revamp of Chevron Island's main street. Source: Progress for main street makeover (May 2011)
Myrtle rust found in Lamington National Park
An outbreak in and around the Green Mountains campground has been detected. The disease has also been confirmed at Kondalilla National Park near Mapleton. Source: National parks on alert after myrtle rust detection. (March 2011)
Restoration work at Regatta Waters Park
A section along the Coomera River, is about to be improved with weed control in existing fragments of native vegetaion and planting of about 8500 extra plants. In addition to improving the appearence of the area, this should also help to stablise the river bank and function as a wildlife corridor. Source: Planting to restore Regatta Waters Park (March 2011)
Gold Coast nature strip mowing
Under a proposed new policy, residents who are unable to mow their nature strips or arrange to have them mown, will have to apply annually to have the Gold Coast City Council perform the service. More information at their website: Revised policy on nature strip mowing (December 2010)
Gold Coast's Botanic Gardens security boost
Construction has begun on a boundary fence and gate system which will secure the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens at night and protect rhe valuable plant collections and infractructure the Gardens have been accumulated. When complete, access with be excluded between dusk and dawn. Source: Botanic Gardens future 'secure' (June 2010)
Trees to help rejuvenate Nerang's "main street"
A makeover of Station Street in Nerang is to include new garden beds and 40 advanced Tuckeroo trees. It is hoped that these, along with other improvements, will make the street more inviting to residents and vistors and "breathe new life" into what was once the heart of Nerang. Source: $2.1 million upgrade for Nerang 'main street' (May 2010)
Gold Coast carpark to become real park
7000 square metres in Cypress Avenue, Surfers Paradise, could be added to open space preserved by the council, after being utilised during construction of the rapid transit system. It is currently used as a carpark. Source: New green space for Surfers Paradise (March 2010).
Gold Coast water tank inspections
Beginning 27th April 2009, a six month program of door-to-door inspections of homes the Gold Coast City Council knows to have tanks will commence, "to help keep owners up to date on how to maintain their tank systems to protect their own health and safety." A public education campaign on the topic will also be conducted during this time. More at the GCCC website here: 'Checkup' program to help keep rainwater tanks healthy. (April 2009)
Gold Coast grows
Sand from dredging two navigation channels in the Broadwater will be used to expand Southport Broadwater Parklands in two areas. Part of the new space is destined to include a 1.2 hectare mangrove habitat and visitor interpretation pathway. Another area is to be planted with dune vegetation, lawn and Casuarinas for shade. It will have access to the beach and space for events. Read more atthe Gold Coast City Council website: Dredged sand to expand Broadwater Parklands at two locations (February 2009)
Boost for native bees
Gold Coast City Council wants to make developers responsible for hiring native bee spotters and catchers before bushland is cleared. Hives will be relocated to conservation areas. The survival of these pollinators may be particularly important if Varroa Mite or other pests or diseases of exotic honey bees reach Australia. More information at their website: City's sweetener for Aussie bees could be a bonus for the bush (July 2008)
Natural aquifer may store recycled water
The Gold Coast City Council are looking at an an underground aquifer at Norwell as a method of storing recycled water. During periods of low consumption, excess recycled water could be injected into the aquifer. In times of high demand, the water could be recovered via bores for re-use in the Pimpama-Coomera area. More at the council website: New aquifer protects future water needs
Gold Coast water feature off-limits
The Gold Coast City Council is advising that there will be no public access to the Hinze Dam construction area until the Stage 3 upgrade project is completed (late 2010). There were traffic problems on Advancetown Road recently when visitors attempting to view the overflowing dam were blocked by security gates. Sightseers cause traffic jams near Hinze Dam (February 2008)
More shade trees for Gold Coast
Unhappy with the amount of shade in the city, the Gold Coast City Council has reviewed its free plant scheme. Free shrubs and groundcovers are to be eliminated, but shade trees will continue to be offered. The planned Residential Tree Scheme and Street Tree Scheme are part of the Council's strategy to create Australia's "most attractive and shaded city". More information at the Council's website here: Free Tree Scheme to Green the City
