The Emergency Fund
Coast-wide10% of every donation (after costs) is set aside, ready to help locals in genuine crisis — escaping family violence, single parents on the edge, disaster & homelessness relief.
How it worksPalm Beach
4221Palm Beach
Where The Dollar Chain started. Our home base on the southern Gold Coast.
Local people, local projects — but anyone can chip in to Palm Beach's pot.
The Palm Beach improvement fund
Real things locals have flagged that need fixing — the council should, but isn't. Back the ones you care about with your $1. Every dollar is a vote for what gets done first.
Clean up Tallebudgera Creek & Pirate Park water
Surfrider testing has shown enterococci (faecal contamination) running tens of times over the safe limit at Tallebudgera Creek and Palm Beach Parklands — families report gastro after swimming at the 'Pirate Park' estuary. Fund independent, regular water testing and the work to trace and stop the sources: stormwater drains, possible sewage cross-connections (smoke testing), and dog/runoff pollution, so it's safe to swim again.
Fishing-line & hook bins along the creeks
Discarded nylon line, hooks and weights along Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks are a major hazard — birds end up at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, and people walk barefoot over hooks. Install monofilament recycling bins at the bridges and popular fishing spots, and run regular pick-ups.
Revegetate the foreshore & creek banks
Replant the Palm Beach foreshore and dunes, and put living riparian plantings along the waterways instead of bare bluestone. Better habitat, less erosion, a nicer beachfront.
Upgrade Laguna Lake park & playground
Laguna Park is hugely popular but tired — the playground is dated next to the newer ones up the coast, and the lake area needs a clean-out. This first-stage fund pays for the quick wins (shade, seating, a tidy-up and new bits of equipment) and builds the case for council to fund the rest.
Pedestrian crossings in the shop precinct
Crossing the road in the Palm Beach shops (roughly 4th to 8th Avenue) is hard and unsafe for kids, families and older residents. This fund pays for what gets it over the line — independent pedestrian counts, a proper proposal to council and the campaign behind it — to win marked crossings like Coolangatta's.
Fix the footpaths (7th Ave & beyond)
Several Palm Beach footpaths are cracked, uneven or missing — 7th Avenue is a standout. Repair the worst stretches so prams, wheelchairs and walkers can get around safely.
Night-time safety: cameras & lighting
Residents want better security after dark — sensible camera coverage at known trouble spots and better lighting along paths and parks. Done openly and lawfully, with the community, not vigilante.
Graffiti, overgrowth & dumped-junk tidy-up
Paint over tagging, clear overgrown vegetation blocking sightlines, repaint faded signs and remove dumped items (like the stripped moped at Townson & 14th). A standing kitty to keep Palmy looking cared-for.
Beach & park clean-up days
Regular community clean-ups of the beach, parks and the walkway by the pirate ship — gloves, bags, bins and a coffee for volunteers, with local schools invited to join as service learning.
Support for rough sleepers
There's a growing camp under the M1 bridge at the end of Tallebudgera Drive. Rather than just move people on, fund dignified outreach — basics, a connection to services and housing support — working with the groups already doing this.
Turtle-friendly beachfront lighting
Reduce light pollution spilling onto the beach at night — shielded, warm, turtle-friendly lighting that's better for wildlife and still keeps paths safe.
A legal street-art wall for young artists
Give kids somewhere to practise street art properly — a dedicated graffiti/art wall — which also takes tagging off fences and underpasses.
What we're focused on in Palm Beach
- Restoring the Palm Beach foreshore and dunes
- Supporting elderly residents through bills and yard work
- Crisis shelter funding for families escaping unsafe homes