Dominic Cansdale

Despite a record $15.7 million nicotine seizure, experts say Australia's multi-billion-dollar illicit tobacco and vape market continues to thrive, exposing the limits of raids and crackdowns.

In short What's next? People are being told not to swim or fish along a section of the popular Gold Coast Broadwater ahead of the busy Christmas period, due to a sewage leak.

Fifty years after fears it would be a "concrete jungle" first surfaced, the Gold Coast is again grappling with the same question: how to grow without losing its identity.

Gold Coast council's tougher, proactive crackdown on illegal camping escalates tensions with homeless services, which warn it will push rough sleepers around without solving the housing crisis.

An independent review finds fire ant eradication is still achievable, but major issues, including poor communication, public mistrust and strategy confusion, must be fixed first.

The Esplanade in Surfers Paradise on a Saturday morning during the trial closure. ABC Gold Coast: Dominic Cansdale

A Gold Coast council report finds an e-bike crackdown has failed to significantly reduce anti-social behaviour, with many riders ignoring compliance officers.

Student hackers compete in the International Cybersecurity Challenge 2026, an ethical hacking contest simulating real cyber attacks and defences with real-world consequences.

Thu 21 May 2026 at 11:03pm

Queensland's crackdown has reduced visible illicit tobacco sales, according to a public health researcher, but the black market has adapted, prompting calls for the tobacco excise to be cut.