Economy, Tourism & Events (ET&E) - 21 May 2026

Topics

• Gold Coast backs confidential screen attraction funding path
  Council has endorsed a future funding contribution for a screen attraction opportunity, with the City share slated for the 2028-29 budget and an agreement still to be finalised.
  This could bring production-related spending, jobs and visitor activity to the city if the project goes ahead.

Decisions

• Minutes confirmed
  The committee confirmed the minutes of the 19 March 2026 Economy, Tourism and Events Committee meeting.
  Administrative only; no direct service or policy change for residents.
• Forward planning schedule noted
  Council noted the Forward Planning Schedule for the Economy, Tourism and Events Committee.
  Provides visibility of upcoming committee work but does not itself change services.
• Confidential funding support for screen attraction opportunity
  Council endorsed a City of Gold Coast funding contribution for a screen attraction opportunity, to be allocated in the 2028-29 budget, and a combined Invest Gold Coast Pty Ltd and City contribution outside current Screen Attraction Guidelines. The funding is conditional on an executed funding agreement, and the CEO is authorised to negotiate and enter required agreements within approved parameters and subject to budget approval. Cr B Patterson voted against the motion.
  May lead to future local investment, industry activity and jobs if the project proceeds, but the details are confidential.
• Confidential quarterly and project reports noted
  Council noted confidential quarterly performance and projects update reports for Experience Gold Coast Pty Ltd and Invest Gold Coast Pty Ltd.
  Governance and oversight only; no public operational change announced.

Discussion

• Closed session consideration of Invest Gold Coast projects
  The committee resolved into closed session to receive confidential updates on Invest Gold Coast Pty Ltd’s projects, then returned to open session to finalise recommendations.
  Major project details were not made public, limiting immediate resident-facing detail.
• Experience Gold Coast quarterly performance
  A confidential quarterly performance report for the quarter ending 31 March 2026 was noted.
  Represents oversight of tourism/events delivery, but no public performance figures were released in the minutes.
• Invest Gold Coast projects update
  A confidential projects update report for Invest Gold Coast Pty Ltd was noted.
  Signals ongoing city-backed economic development activity, though specifics were withheld.

Impacts

• Potential future investment in screen production-related activity, with possible local economic and employment benefits if the agreement proceeds.
• No immediate public service, transport or planning changes were announced in the open minutes.
• Tourism and events agencies were reviewed in confidence, so residents have limited visibility of outcomes from this meeting.

Places

• City of Gold Coast (local government area)
  Committee decisions relate to city-wide economic, tourism and events programs and funding.

Next

• Negotiate and execute any required funding agreements for the screen attraction opportunity
  Subject to Council-approved parameters and budget approval; funding targeted for 2028-29
• Bring forward the confidential project and performance matters through ongoing governance processes
  As required by Council and CEO oversight

Extract

868 UNCONFIRMED MINUTES ECONOMY, TOURISM AND EVENTS COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY 21 MAY 2026 1:00PM The meeting commenced at 1:03pm City of Gold Coast Council Chambers 135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise 868 Meeting of the Economy, Tourism and Events Committee Unconfirmed Minutes Thursday 21 May 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 COMMITTEE F...