From curious neighbour to committed advocate

Steve has called the Gold Coast home for 20 years and brings a professional background in major infrastructure that gives him a sharp appreciation for what it takes to build and run the systems a growing city depends on.

He initially joined the Community Reference Group out of curiosity - working near the ARRC site, he wanted to understand what the project would mean for the local area. What he found quickly turned that curiosity into genuine commitment.

Having seen the rigour and dedication behind the project firsthand, Steve is now one of its strongest advocates - convinced that ARRC represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the Gold Coast to lead with smart, responsible action.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m Steve Frost, 51, and I’ve proudly called the Gold Coast home for the past 20 years. I live in Carrara and bring a professional background that has given me a strong appreciation for the scale and complexity of the infrastructure that supports our growing city.

What made you nominate to be a member of the Community Reference Group?

Working for a major employer next to the ARRC site, I initially joined the Community Reference Group out of curiosity about how the project might affect the local area. That curiosity quickly grew into genuine interest. Seeing the level of due diligence involved and gaining a closer understanding of how the city is tackling its waste challenges has been eye-opening, and I’m now fully invested in helping the project succeed.

Do you think Australians, in general, think much about how and where their rubbish goes once their bins are emptied each week?

I think for many people it’s still a case of out of sight, out of mind once the bin truck has come and gone. Life is busy, and waste isn’t always front of mind. But I do think that’s changing. More people in our community care about sustainability and want to know their waste is being managed responsibly. There’s a growing expectation that Council and industry will lead with smart, long-term solutions.

What do you see as the biggest opportunity ARRC will provide the Gold Coast?

ARRC is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the Gold Coast. It gives the city the chance to move beyond older approaches and show leadership in sustainability through practical, world-class action. To me, it’s more than a facility. It’s an opportunity to align the Gold Coast’s growth with a smarter, more responsible approach to managing waste.

Has being a member of the Community Reference Group encouraged you to make any changes at home around managing waste?

Absolutely. Once you see the amount of effort that goes into managing waste responsibly, it really changes your mindset. At home and at work, we’ve become much more mindful about the choices we make. It’s encouraged us to think earlier in the cycle about what we’re buying and whether we can avoid creating unnecessary waste in the first place.

Given the Gold Coast’s well‑known can‑do attitude, how would you rate ARRC’s chances of success?

The Gold Coast has always backed big ideas, and ARRC fits that spirit. Having asked my own questions and seen the team’s dedication firsthand, I’m very confident in the project. There is strong alignment between what the community wants and what the project team is working to deliver, and with that kind of focus I believe ARRC has every chance of success.