Economy, Tourism & Events (ET&E) - 03 September 2026

Topics

• Gold Coast backs 14 nature-tourism projects with $500,000 grant round
  Council has endorsed $500,000 for 14 nature-based tourism projects, with co-contributions expected to lift the combined project value to about $1.3 million.
  The funding could expand visitor experiences and generate tourism-related opportunities for local businesses and communities, although the individual recipients and locations were not included in the extracted minutes.

Decisions

• Nature-based Tourism Program Round 2 grants
  Council endorsed funding for 14 projects across diverse product types, geographic areas and market segments, allocating $500,000 from Project 56284. The projects are expected to leverage approximately 55.9% in co-contributions and produce a combined project value of about $1.3 million.
  The grants are intended to support new or improved nature-based tourism experiences and related economic activity across the Gold Coast.
• Brand Gold Coast research material
  Council endorsed Brand Gold Coast Pty Ltd’s Research Summary and Audience Matrix as supporting material for its presentation on research for brand-led decision-making.
  The research may inform future tourism marketing and destination-brand decisions, although no specific new program or expenditure was detailed.
• Invest Gold Coast project updates
  Council noted the Priority Investment Projects and General Projects updates from Invest Gold Coast Pty Ltd.
  The update relates to investment attraction and projects that may influence future employment and economic activity, but the detailed attachments were redacted.
• Quarterly and half-year performance reports
  Council noted the 2025–26 Half 2 Performance Report from Brand Gold Coast Pty Ltd and the Quarter 4 Performance Reports from Invest Gold Coast Pty Ltd and Experience Gold Coast Pty Ltd. The reports and attachments were treated as confidential.
  The organisations report on services funded through agreements with Council, but the public minutes do not provide detailed performance or financial results.

Discussion

• Nature-based tourism grant round
  Fourteen projects were selected for $500,000 in Round 2 Small Grants, with approximately $1.3 million in total project value expected through co-contributions.
  Residents and local businesses may benefit from improved tourism experiences, visitor spending and associated regional economic activity.
• Tourism, investment and destination marketing performance
  The committee received updates from Brand Gold Coast, Invest Gold Coast and Experience Gold Coast covering research, investment projects and 2025–26 performance reporting.
  These organisations support tourism promotion, investment attraction and visitor-economy activity across the city, although much of the supporting information was confidential or redacted.

Impacts

• $500,000 will be allocated to 14 nature-based tourism projects under Project 56284.
• The funded projects are expected to leverage approximately 55.9% in co-contributions, creating an estimated combined project value of $1.3 million.
• No new rates, levies, fees or resident charges were adopted in the material provided.

Next

• Proceed with the endorsed Round 2 Nature-based Tourism Program funding allocations for 14 projects.
  Following the committee endorsement; specific delivery dates were not stated.
• Use the endorsed Brand Gold Coast research summary and audience matrix as supporting material for brand-led decision-making.
  Future tourism and destination-brand decisions; no specific timetable was stated.
• Continue reporting under the relevant services and funding agreements with Brand Gold Coast, Invest Gold Coast and Experience Gold Coast.
  Ongoing; the reports covered the periods ending 30 June 2026.

Extract

871 UNCONFIRMED MINUTES ECONOMY, TOURISM AND EVENTS COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2026 1:00PM The meeting commenced at 1:10pm City of Gold Coast Council Chambers 135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise 871 Meeting of the Economy, Tourism and Events Committee Unconfirmed Minutes Thursday 3 September 2026 ORDER OF BUSINESS 1 ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES .................................................................... 3 2 LEAVE OF ABSENCE ............................................................................... 3 3 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ................................................................ 3 4 CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS ........................................... 3 5 C...