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“Growing congestion on Gold Coast roads should be addressed by multi-modal transport solutions as opposed to a “Band-Aid fix” widening of the M1, according to the city’s leading advocacy group.

Responding to the State Government’s announcement this week that it will spend $5 million forming a business case for widening the M1 between Varsity Lakes and Tugun, YP Gold Coast says the money would be better spent understanding the most effective ways to move people around the city now and into the future.

YP Gold Coast President Sean Braybrook is calling on the State Government to undertake an evidence-based cost benefit analysis rather than a business case to justify the politically popular option of widening of the M1.

“What we need to do is understand what the options are, whether that be extension of heavy rail, more light rail, more cycling infrastructure, or more bus infrastructure,” he said.

“We are the fastest growing Australian city and we need to figure out how best to deal with congestion, not just now, but in years and decades to come as our population continues to grow.

“Our resources are limited, both in land supply and funding. Cities around the world are reprioritising their infrastructure spend away from roads and we should be doing the same.” Mr Braybrook says transport solutions should be preferenced based on modes that move the greatest number of people in most efficient way.

“So this is walking, then cycling, buses, trams, trains and ferries. Private car usage is the least efficient and should be prioritised below other options,” he said.

“We need to stretch our infrastructure dollar as far as possible and use it in ways that serve the greatest number of existing and future residents as it can.”

An Infrastructure Australia report, titled Our Infrastructure Challenges, shows that without smart investment in sustainable transport infrastructure, the annual cost of congestion across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast is expected to increase from $1.9 billion in 2011 to $9.2 billion in 2031.

“We want to promote smart, long-term investment, not a quick solution that serves a political agenda,” he said.

“Widening the M1 may be necessary based on current transport options, but it only deepens car dependency.

“If we widen the road, more cars will use it, and then in a matter of time we’re back at square one.

“There is a real desire to make the Gold Coast a world-class city – and we have the potential to be one – but we need world-class infrastructure.

“Look at our canals – we have more manmade waterways than Venice and Amsterdam combined but we’re not using them – a ferry system could be a great way to take cars off our roads.

“We applaud the State Government’s decision to invest in the Cross River Rail project, but we need to properly consider all investment decisions in transport infrastructure to maximise benefits of the spend.”

Author: Sean Braybrook

“THERE’S a new real estate brand on the Gold Coast block, headed by two young guns with real estate pedigree and focused on changing the face of property.

Mitch Lambert and Jesse Willcox (pictured left-right) don’t come with traditional brochures or window cards. They also avoid the nine to five and, despite their youth, say they ‘won’t take’ social media in the workplace.

Hard sells, 23-year-old Lambert and 26-year-old Willcox sharpened their business savvy while learning under the best.

Lambert is a former McGrath agent and son of property developer Rod Lambert, who co-owned and operated Lambert Smollen Estate Agents in the 90s. Willcox quickly made a name for himself as a top 1 per cent agent for McGrath in Queensland holding record suburb sales in Paradise Waters and Chevron Island to boot.

Willcox says the risk of leaving McGrath and opening Lambert Willcox was ‘leaving it on the table’.

“You can get really favourable commissions working for an agency without any real risk, but I didn’t want to work for a company forever – I wanted something greater,” says Willcox.”I found out since leaving that working for the big brand name is definitely not as attractive as I once thought. “I don’t just want to be a real estate agent and then groom my kids to follow in those footsteps, so when the opportunity presented itself to work with my best mate, I grabbed it with both hands.”

Willcox says the Lambert Willcox pledge starting on day one was: ‘honest, ethical and will outwork the competition’.

He says a lot of people in the beginning doubted their abilities to build on the momentum achieved working for someone else, but the same people became supportive ‘almost overnight’. Setting up shop at Surf Parade, Broadbeach just last week, Lambert Willcox has already made one sale at Surfers Waters under the hammer and can currently count three listings.

“Our female readership in particular on realestate.com.au has gone through the roof,” says Lambert, adding it’s not just the charm of the founders. Lambert Willcox Norseman Court Surfers Paradise Gold Coast property real estate
“We present every home like it’s being featured in Vogue Living from an interior design perspective, so imagery is real life and not staged. That means the family dog will feature candidly, and we won’t relent on a property having video footage.

“The market was calling out for more transparency and authenticity, and we think the big players in the industry really haven’t changed for decades.” Willcox spent time in Sydney, London, Paris and the US before taking the leap, and says Lambert Willcox has taken marketing inspiration from other boutique firms. He says working the industry from the ground up also delivered ‘invaluable’ experience.

After studying journalism, Willcox went through five interviews to become a real estate agency receptionist, was accepted on the sixth, and in a couple of years worked through a traineeship, administration, property management and sales manager roles. Lambert says flux in family life informed his decision to go out on his own at 22 and ‘take my destiny into my own hands rather than waiting for someone else to handle it’.

“We think a lot of salespeople lack the discipline needed to handle the industry because of the freedom it provides,”” says Lambert.

“There’s a huge focus on personal sacrifice over personal productivity in western culture and a lot of real estate agencies honestly become adult day-care centres.

“We hate ‘busy being busy’ – an agent will finish the week and sigh ‘big week’ but didn’t achieve any sales or listings. It happens all the time. We don’t want our agents sitting there doing that.

“Don’t just turn up at nine and leave at five. We don’t have set hours and just want our staff working whenever it suits them best.

“We put our names on the door and that’s what we keep coming back to. When someone goes out into the marketplace, they don’t just have their name on the business card, but mine and Jesse’s too.”

Lambert Willcox will begin hiring in January, slow and steady, prepared to take on a pipeline of work that will be as long as can be managed. And they are gearing up for a big pipeline.

“The Gold Coast market is better than I’ve ever seen it professionally and we speak about it a lot,”” says Willcox.

“I started in real estate when the market was falling, during the GFC, and you learnt tough lessons then.

“Now what the market is doing and the speed of offers coming in, I think it’s an easy time for real estate agents.”

Images three, four, five and six taken at Willcox Lambert’s recent listings in Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.

“The Griffith Business School, as a strong supporter of Young Professionals Gold Coast, is well aware of the talents of the new generation of highly motivated and capable individuals moving through the ranks.

Impressed by the achievements of young professionals who have established thriving businesses and reached the upper ranks of enterprises and major organisations vital to the future of the Coast, the university has undertaken to boost the profiles of just some high achievers through this series of articles.

It has been my privilege to prepare these articles and while I anticipated the discovery of some inspirational stories I was more than impressed by not just the business achievements of this new generation of leaders, but also by the ethics and community spirit of all that are featured.

All love the Gold Coast and are determined to not only build on their successes, but to ensure that the city’s enviable lifestyle is sustained – and they also want to help others, less fortunate.

I have no doubts that these qualities prevail throughout the Young Professionals Gold Coast ranks.

Many have graduated from the city’s burgeoning tertiary education sector, others have learned from experience, all I dealt with are well travelled, all are strategic thinkers, all are hard workers and the products of the post global financial crisis, from which they learned valuable lessons.

My work on this project followed my production of a Gold Coast business history, working in collaboration with Professor Alan Blackman. This presentation is prominently featured in the new Griffith Business School and includes dozens of images and content on significant happenings in the past driven by forward-thinking individuals.

The Young Professionals Gold Coast project has enabled me to tell the stories of the leaders of today – to capture their vision and enthusiasm from a perspective gained having previously documented what shaped the Gold Coast since the 1850s. I have looked back, looked at today and looked forward through the eyes of those who are taking big stakes in the Gold Coast’s future.

It is my belief that the city has never been in more capable hands.

Written by Rod Spence, a former news media executive and public relations consultant who has worked on the Gold Coast since 1978.”

“KM Sales & Marketing is a specialist residential property sales and marketing group providing tailored project marketing solutions for property developers, financiers and government bodies throughout Australia and overseas.

“KMSM” has achieved particular success with the Chinese real estate buying phenomenon that is a major driver of growth in the Gold Coast economy.

The business draws on the collective experience and skills within its national team of qualified real estate specialists. It produces and executes sales and marketing strategies for residential and mixed-use development projects. KMSM has offices across the Asia Pacific, including Australia, Singapore and China.

Jayde, 37, has been involved within the real estate industry for more than15 years and is a leader in his field.

He has a proven capability in positioning developments to maximise their potential and has a wealth of experience in the creation of integrated sales, marketing and place management strategies for property assets.

Jayde is a strong supporter of YPGC. “YPGC provides not only a voice for younger members of the Gold Coast business community, but a forum for them to be exposed to the highest levels of business leadership in the city, “ said Jayde. “Being part of YPGC is extremely empowering for young people and it most certainly expedites professional growth.”

Jayde Pezet in profile

What sparked your interest in the property industry?

“I grew up in Byron Bay, the son of a third generation builder who focused on architecturally designed residential dwellings in beachside enclaves and throughout the surrounding hinterland.

“While property was in my blood it wasn’t until after I spent time working in the surfing industry and before travelling throughout Europe that I became seriously interested in a career in property.

“After moving to the Gold Coast at age 21, I was perplexed by the staggering number of high-rise buildings that seemed to be coming to market at an alarming rate.

“I often wondered where the masses of people came from to purchase these apartments and how developers marketed these developments across the globe.

“But I was fortunate enough to be able lean on my father’s contacts in the real estate industry – I bounced questions off them and soon learned about the cyclical nature of Gold Coast property and how these cycles directly affected the broader Gold Coast community, not just property and construction.

“My first job in the real estate industry was with a small agency in Broadbeach and within ten months I was given an opportunity to work with Niecon Developments, which is renowned for building some of the most spectacular towers on the Gold Coast.

“I quickly established, that property and in particular project marketing, was definitely my calling – it has enabled me to focus on not just sales, but also the creative collateral and methodology behind transactions.

How important have intentional markets, including China in particular, been to your business?

“During the past four years, our business has been focused on real data and digging deep into sales origins and the cultural nuances behind sales from international markets.

“Asia was obviously of great interest due to growing demand from real estate agencies in that region to sell stock within projects we were marketing.

“We are a small team and rather than spreading ourselves too thinly we chose to focus on Hong Kong and China, with Shanghai as our base and also opened a small office in the Jing’an district.

“It was imperative to have a presence on the ground rather than trying to execute transactions flying in and out for weekend sales seminars and expos.

“We have had great guidance from Juan Zhou, a Chinese national from Nanjing, who has worked with us for the past six years after finishing her MBA at Bond University and is now an Associate Director in the business.

“Although the Asian market is a substantial part of our business, the impact that Asia and specifically China has made on the Australian property market is staggering.

“Not only has it greatly assisted in escalating property prices post GFC, but it has kept our property industry afloat on the Gold Coast with flow on effects to the tourism industry, construction industry and other sectors.”

Is enough being done from a cultural perspective to cater for Chinese people on the Gold Coast?

“The Gold Coast City Council has been proactive in promoting the Chinatown precinct in Southport and executing several trade missions to China, which is extremely encouraging to see.

“I meet with many Chinese developers, students and prospective property owners who have had to travel to Sunnybank Hills and Brisbane to get their dose of Chinese culture, which essentially takes their money out of the Gold Coast economy.

“A key driver for Chinese purchasing Australian property is wealth preservation and a succession plan for future generations.

“The younger generation of Chinese nationals are well educated and often well versed in western culture which enables them to fit into the Gold Coast way of life and enjoying the many Chinese restaurants that are popping up in Surfers Paradise, Southport and Broadbeach.

“However, their parents are not so well informed and the Gold Coast needs to be conscious of catering for this generation as they are the ones with the final say when it comes to investing their own capital.

“Hopefully, Chinatown will bridge this gap and provide a cultural precinct that provides the same sense of homeliness that is offered in other cities across the country.

What is your opinion about current City of Gold Coast planning and development application policies and procedures?

“Many land acquisitions over the past few years have been purely opportunistic plays with developers amalgamating sites and seeking DA approval just to on-sell with the value uplift.

“The Gold Coast City Council is very conscious of this and would rather see more development activity, which in turn drives the local economy and provides greater stability for the city.

“I believe that the council is providing a solid platform that affords more scope for developers.

“In the high rise sector, building design plays a huge part in improving the city’s spectacular skyline and this is something that deserves more consideration within council.”

Is there evidence of new, small, local development companies coming out of the woodwork in the post GFC environment on the Gold Coast?

“Yes there is and it’s very encouraging to see a new wave of young developers moving into the space and making their presence felt in the Gold Coast market.

“Its great to see young guys you have known and worked alongside for years doing extremely well and creating developments that are offering a lot to the Gold Coast.”

How important is online/social media to reaching the Chinese market?

“It is extremely important.

“Property websites like Juwai and MyFun provide opportunities for Chinese nationals to easily access information on properties available in the Australian market.

“In addition WeChat is the preferred communication method for much of Asia and it’s also an extremely powerful form of marketing property.

“We have been avid users of WeChat for many years and it has proven to be not only a powerful and highly effective marketing platform but also a great way of communicating with our offshore developers and sales channels.”

What do Chinese buyers think about the Gold Coast and are they confident in buying off the plan, or do they want to see the final product first?

“Chinese buyers have proven to be fond of the Gold Coast, however we see end users often having several homes across the world and only spending time in their Gold Coast residence for a portion of the year.

“The Gold Coast has clean air, provides a lifestyle that is unobtainable in China and for people that are looking for a place to reside in Australia, it is a compelling offering.

“Buying off the plan is commonplace in China and property is in such great demand that it’s often very difficult to secure a property in certain cities in China.

“In my experience Chinese nationals, have had no objection to buying off the plan and as they are required to buy new product, purchasing free hold off the plan provides certainty to securing a property in a highly publicised and stable Australian property market.”

What do you say to those who feel negative about the increased Chinese presence on the Coast and the extent of property being sold to them?

“First and foremost I don’t know where we would be as a country if we hadn’t had the injection of capital from the Chinese market.

“Sure property prices are hyper inflated in some cities, but here on the Gold Coast the escalation of prices has been sustainable and the rise in prices is largely due to the investment appetite of both Chinese property developers and purchasers.

“I think any negativity around the influx of Chinese people living in Australia will be short lived as long as there is a level of mutual respect amongst both cultures.”

Watch the recap on the YP Gold Coast cocktail event with National Retail Association CEO Trevor Evans. As CEO of Australia’s largest retail industry organisation, Trevor leads the Group in representing the interests of the retail, fast food and broader service sector, delivering critical information and advice to thousands of businesses nationally. Trevor is an economist and lawyer with a background in regulation, compliance and advocacy.

“YOUNG Professionals Gold Coast was pleased to be involved in the Gold Coast Business News Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards – an event highlighting the exceptional young talent this city has to offer.

In collaboration with the news organisation, YP Gold Coast launched the Young Professional of the Year award, an award recognising those kicking big goals for the businesses they work for.

Six finalists were chosen and although they hail from different backgrounds with different experience, they all have one thing in common – they want to see the Gold Coast flourish as a world-class business destination.

All of the determined individuals listed below were finalists in the Young Professional of the Year category as part of the 2015 Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, with the top gong presented to Maggie Zhang.

Maggie Zhang, 28, Greater China Business Development Manager – JLF Group of Companies

IN 2013 Maggie Zhang was headhunted by JLF Group of Companies CEO John Fitzgerald to expand his Australian operations into China.

With a brief to source and vet potential partners in China, to help people build wealth through property investment, Zhang conducted a number of successful negotiations.

Since then, Zhang has built a team and forged a successful business venture with Chinese partners, leading to annual turnover of more than $60 million a year.

Zhang is also on a mission to forge the Gold Coast as a leading destination for Chinese tourism.

More than 100 million Chinese tourists travel abroad each year, with this number set to double before 2020.

Zhang says it is disappointing that the Gold Coast, the tourism capital of Australia, only attracts less than 1 per cent of those travellers.

“I think the key phrase for all Young Professionals is ‘embrace China’,” says Zhang.

“Chinese are good people who provide great opportunities to Gold Coast through investment, tourism and education. I see the Gold Coast being number one for Chinese tourism and education.”

To improve its prospects, Zhang says the Gold Coast needs to create a strong identity that is not reliant on tourism.

“The biggest challenge we face on the Gold Coast is establishing our identity,” says Zhang.

“We have expanded past the ‘theme park capital of Australia’ and that is so exciting, but we need an identity that will set us apart from everyone else.

“We need to work hard to promote the Gold Coast as a secure investment region underpinned by our commitment to tourism growth and education, and with institutional banking support.”

Amanda Williams, 31, Manager Gaven Electoral Office – Queensland Parliamentary Service

AMANDA Williams is proving to be a woman of influence in the political arena, having executed successful media and communication campaigns for both federal and state politicians.

The young professional has spent the last three and a half years travelling to Parliament House Canberra while working as a media advisor for Karen Andrew MP and Bert van Manen MP, assisting with legislation analysis and media relations.

She now works in the office of Sid Cramp MP, Member for Gaven, where she advises on political campaign strategies and tactics to help him secure a favourable position for re-election.

Williams says she is grateful for the opportunity to live and work on the Gold Coast, but she says those opportunities are rare.

“You only have to see the flow of traffic heading north on the M1 during the working week to see how many Gold Coast professionals commute away from our city for work,” says Williams.

“I believe the Gold Coast can grow its corporate culture and provide more jobs for local professionals but we have to ensure we are putting the pressure on our city leaders to attract and drive investment into our region.

“Additionally, professionals, government representatives and community leaders alike should be campaigning for the decentralisation of the public service from the Brisbane CBD to provide more opportunities on the Gold Coast.”

Offering advice to young professionals starting a career, Williams says ‘pick your boss, not your job’.

“You will save so much time having a great mentor who believes in you and provides you with the opportunities to grow and excel in your career,” she says.

Philip Taylor, 34, Director – Sol Cleanse

Phil Taylor YP, his background might be in architecture, but Philip Taylor is proving that a change in career and industry can be just what a professional needs.

After working for large architectural firms in London, Sydney and Byron Bay where Taylor designed, built and project managed a bunch of homes and subdivisions, he is now extending his project management skills to Sol Cleanse.

As the director of the company, Taylor is responsible for organising, managing and further establishing the wholesale branch of the juicing company, and has helped build turnover for the wholesale arm of the business to around $40,000 per month.

Although there has been plenty of discussion around diversifying the Gold Coast economy, Taylor says to ensure the future prosperity of the city, it should stick to what it does best.

“Maintaining Gold Coasts corporate structure begins with the focus at tertiary level,” says Taylor.

“For both trades and business education, this area already has the lifestyle to provide the foundation needed with people. Now it just needs to maintain and create the opportunities.

“I see constant growth around the city, yet the sustainability of these ventures also needs to be measured in longevity. Focus on what this city does best and do it well – tourism.”

James Ledgerwood, 30, Residential Real Estate Agent – McGrath Estate Agents

James Ladgerwood YP. He is behind the sale of some of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious properties, including a record $9.8 million achieved for a Southport home on the Nerang River.

James Ledgerwood is fast establishing a big name for himself in the real estate industry, recently being recognised in the top 10 agents within McGrath Estate Agents in Queensland.

With a love and passion for the city, Ledgerwood says in order to grow the corporate culture and encourage more job opportunities for those wanting to work in the city, the Gold Coast needs to realise its potential.

“We need to work towards retaining the talent coming out of our universities, which are some of the best in the country,” says Ledgerwood. “Also we need to attract large Australian and international firms to base themselves here for the long term.”

He says that while the city is focussed on the 2018 Commonwealth Games, it needs to look beyond the 10-day event.

“We need to ensure that the infrastructure legacy left by the 2018 Commonwealth Games is one that leaves our city with new opportunities into the future both from an economic and liveability stand point,” he says.

Emily Georgopoulos, 24, Physiotherapist – Pogo Physio

Emily Georgopoulos has managed to turn a role in administration into a thriving career in physiotherapy.

Georgopoulos started her career working on the front desk, but with a determination to fulfil her dreams, she now works as a top physio and clinical pilates instructor at Gold Coast-headquartered Pogo Physio.

She says the ultimate aim is to specialise in women, whether assisting pregnant females with exercise or assisting someone recovering from breast cancer.

“Sometimes being a young person and having older clients who doubt your knowledge due to your age can be quite challenging,” says Georgopoulos.

“It has been a great learning opportunity as how to phrase things and show my knowledge and therefore gain trust.”

Looking to the future, Georgopoulos says the city is set to face a few challenges, with the population expected to double in the next 35 years.

“I think some of the biggest challenges the Gold Coast will face over the next five years is residential capacity for everyone moving to the Gold Coast for work, especially with the upcoming Commonwealth Games, and for public transport to service more areas,” she says.

“I think extending the tram line to meet with a train station and increasing car parking so people can park somewhere and then catch the train/tram/bus will really encourage people to utilise public transport and reduce traffic and our carbon footprint as a city.”

Matthew Taulke-Johnson, 34, Senior Web Developer – iOnline

MATTHEW Taulke-Johnson says the city needs to establish itself as a hub for tech startups, if it wants to grow as a worldly city.

“I believe more work can be done by the community to promote the Gold Coast as a hub of innovation through attracting tech startups,” he says.

“Making the Gold Coast an attractive proposition for tech startups will bring with it more job opportunities and a modern technical focused culture which the Gold Coast needs.”

As a web developer at iOnline, Taulke-Johnson has worked with big names, including Baskin Robbins, to deliverer digital solutions.

Through his job, he has seen the impact of the lack of high speed internet and says this has an impact on investment on the Gold Coast.

“Many companies and tech startups will choose not to settle their offices on the Gold Coast simply due to the lack of reliable high speed broadband, and will choose to migrate to larger cities such as Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.””

“YOUNG Professionals Gold Coast recently brought together some of the city’s top business leaders to debate some of the biggest issues facing the city.

In partnership with Griffith University, The City Leaders Forum shone a light on key challenges and opportunities that are impacting the city including the development of The Spit, the diversification of the economy and the need for the unity of Gold Coasters.

YP Gold Coast would like to thank each and every person who attended the special event, both panellists and attendees – with the support of the community, YP Gold Coast is confident it can achieve its vision of transforming the city into a leading business hub.

In a Q&A style format, hosted by ABC’s Bern Young, the panelists debated a range of issues, including:

How the growth of the Gold Coast, which is expected to double to 1.2 million in the next 35 years, will shape city.
Whether development is vital to the city’s future.
The necessity of a cruise ship terminal on the Gold Coast.
How the city will ensure there is no post-2018 slump, and what the city can do to ensure the Commonwealth Games is a springboard to a more prosperous future.
The future route of the light rail.
Speakers included Mayor Tom Tate, Ray White Surfers Paradise founder Greg Bell, Gold Coast Bulletin Editor Cath Webber, YP Gold Coast President Sean Braybrook, Griffith University Vice Chancellor Ian O’Connor, Chairman of the Committee for Southport John Howe, Hickey Lawyers Managing Partner Tony Hickey and Frizelle’s Automotive Group Operations Manager Rebecca Frizelle.

While there was robust debate, there was agreement on some key issues including the need to lure and nurture development and investment in our city.

This particularly related to the development of The Spit, which is gearing up for massive transformation with high-profile companies including Sunland, Aquis and ASF laying down roots. The panel also agreed that Gold Coasters need to start recognising its strengths, and start being ‘loud and proud’ about the city.

In addition to lively discussion, the event raised more than $3000 for Oz Harvest – a perishable food rescue organisation collecting quality excess food from commercial outlets and delivering it to charities providing assistance to vulnerable men, women and children across Australia.

The City Leaders Forum is an ongoing initiative of Griffith University and YP Gold Coast that aims to foster discussion around the opportunities and challenges facing the city, particularly in the lead-up and following the 2018 Commonwealth Games. This event is a starting point for a number of initiatives and events planned by YP Gold Coast for 2016 as it seeks to support and drive positive change for the Gold Coast across the corporate and community sectors.

YP Gold Coast would also like to thank its sponsors – without their support, the event would not have been possible: City of Gold Coast, Griffith University, Cronin Litigation Lawyers, Stead Lane, PKF Gold Coast, BBC Digital, Ivan Poole Lawyers and event partners the Gold Coast Bulletin and Arts Centre Gold Coast.”

“Investment in infrastructure projects is vital in fostering economic growth in a city. Because of this, it is imperative that high-level community consultation is integrated at the initial planning stage for future development, to ensure our city’s future leaders will not pay for today’s spending and (potential) mistakes.

With this in mind, Mayor Tom Tate and the City of Gold Coast recently announced a feedback campaign which will determine the path of the light rail’s third stage, indicating that the extension will move south, focusing on the area from Broadbeach to Burleigh and beyond.

While there has been debate around the second stage of the light rail, with some business leaders critically noting the route passes through ‘no-man’s land’, it is a priority of YP Gold Coast to make sure this is not the conclusion of the third stage.

YP Gold Coast is urging young professionals to get involved in the feedback campaign, which is one of the largest community consultations in the city’s history.

The airport is the obvious end point, being the inter-state and foreign gateway for the city. The question lies with ‘how’ we get there? With so many vested parties lobbying for different routes along the Coast and through more western suburbs, the consultation is sure to raise some very viable options and some controversial debate.

The tram system is expected to travel south down the spine of the city, from Broadbeach to Burleigh, with plans for spur lines to Robina or The Spit. However, there has already been discussion with some industry leaders suggesting it travel west of Broadbeach and connect straight to the Nerang heavy rail, via Metricon Stadium.

The Gold Coast needs a dedicated and reliable public transport system and one that leaves a legacy for the city – the community consultation process is a great opportunity for Gold Coasters to share our wish-list with current city leaders, and direct the city’s transport to the wants and needs of residents.

Ultimately, as future city leaders, it is important that we have a voice in major decisions that impact the viability and liveability of our City.

The campaign kicks off on 30 November 2015, with results of the consultation compiled early in the New Year.

YP Gold Coast will keep readers up to date with the progress of the campaign. “

“THE cruise ship terminal debate has once again re-surfaced with Mayor Tom Tate unveiling his vision for the divisive project just three months before the March 19 election.

Tate envisages a pylon-type structure situated on the ocean side of The Spit which includes a floating platform to be built in the ocean with a jetty connecting the terminal and mainland.

This comes on the back of the Queensland Government’s axing of the $7.6 billion terminal at Wavebreak Island, part of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s election promise.

While YP Gold Coast is in support of growing tourism numbers, and ultimately the Gold Coast economy, its support for the cruise ship terminal project is dependent on final plans which includes the cost of the project, the environmental impact and the surrounding infrastructure initiatives.

Looking at the project as a whole, it is great for boosting tourism on the Gold Coast – it is another avenue for holiday makers to reach our wonderful city. It will also boost jobs in the tourism and hospitality industries, and it is expected to inject millions of dollars a year into the local economy.

If the project can be done in a cost-effective way, with limited impact on the environment, and, if hard figures are supplied that indicate it will significantly impact business and tourism on the Gold Coast, then YP Gold Coast is right behind the investment. Also importantly, consideration needs to be taken in regards to infrastructure surrounding The Spit to mitigate traffic and congestion issues.

The cruise ship terminal debate is not going to go away, and it shouldn’t – the Gold Coast is full of passionate people that want only the best for the city. But, the debate needs to be civilised. There needs to be some sort of compromise to ensure that future generations of Gold Coasters can benefit.

YP Gold Coast will continue to follow the debate, and update young professionals on the project including the pros and cons of the development.

Do you want to see a cruise ship terminal on the Gold Coast? Comment below. “

“IF THE city wants to provide a sustainable economic pipeline, which provides vast and diverse opportunities to future generations of Gold Coasters, it needs a strong and supported CBD.

Suggestions of a second CBD, such as Robina or Coomera, are unmerited and only weaken the economic strength and integrity of our region, while hurting the city’s reputation as a place to do business and invest. Southport has always been the CBD of the Gold Coast, and its position as the city’s business capital was only cemented when the state government declared Southport a Priority Development Area in October 2013.

Since then, more than $2.5 billion in commercial, residential and industrial development has been committed to the area, showcasing the significance of having a dedicated business hub. In addition:

Southport has the highest concentration of employment of any statistical division of the Gold Coast, providing 25,000 jobs, with these figures expected to grow to 60,000 by 2036.
Southport has the highest amount of commercial floor space in the city, with more than 150,000sqm over close to 100 buildings.
Mayor Tom Tate recently predicted
Southport’s current population of 30,000 will more than double by 2036.
Southport will be the epicenter for the Commonwealth Games, as home to the 30ha athlete’s village at Parklands and the $50 million Aquatic Centre.
Southport is home to the vibrant Chinatown precinct, adding a multicultural flavor to our emerging city centre.
Southport is home to the Gold Coast University Hospital, the G:Link which connects Southport to Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, the world-class Broadwater Parklands, and Griffith University.

Anyone who suggests that the Gold Coast doesn’t need a CBD or should have multiple CBDs, is not considering the future viability and sustainability of the city.

Business supports business, and prosperity and business confidence is created in a region when efficiencies are made and supply chains are formed. A CBD that boasts an array of businesses and industries gives businesses the best chance at long-term sustainable growth.

Historically, the Gold Coast’s greatest failing is its cyclical economy, with big booms and big busts, rather than other cities that experience a more stable economic pattern. For the reasons explained above, the focus on a core CBD can help ease this cycle providing more business certainty and confidence.

Ultimately, the Gold Coast’s turf wars need to end if the city wants to grow and reach its full potential.

It shouldn’t be a question of: how can we claim the city’s CBD status? Business leaders should be asking: how can we leverage off one another to not only better our area, but also the city as a whole?

The Gold Coast is the sixth largest city in Australia and arguably the fastest growing city in the nation. It makes sense that the Gold Coast has a strong and diverse CBD, and a CBD that is supported by all. “