An announcement this week on a July reopening of the Queensland border would put the Gold Coast in the best position for economic recovery, says leading advocacy group YP Gold Coast.

For weeks the city’s tourism operators and small businesses have been calling for the border to be reopened, in line with Federal Government health advice and positive health outcomes being reported across the country.

The Gold Coast Bulletin published an article this week, highlighting the city will lose more than $1.2 billion in interstate tourism revenue in the next three months unless the border is opened, according to National Visitor Survey data from Tourism Research Australia. The data showed the busiest air routes across the country in July 2019 included Sydney to Gold Coast and Melbourne to Gold Coast.

Further to this, data from travel booking sites including Expedia shows the Gold Coast is the most frequently searched destination in the country for domestic holidays.

Unfortunately, intrastate travel is not enough to support our tourism economy and the many small, medium and large tourism businesses who contribute more than $5 billion a year to our city’s bottom line. While some regions around the state have benefited from an increase in airline services from later this month, at the time of writing Gold Coast Airport continues to service only three flights per week – all to Sydney.

The Gold Coast Bulletin published news on Thursday that Virgin Australia has loaded additional eight flights in a day into the Gold Coast from mid-July. It shows airlines are keen to resume flights to the Gold Coast, but until there is certainty around the border, this scheduling won’t necessarily translate to more visitors to our city.

So as the Queensland Government ponders its most significant move in the state’s economic recovery, time is of the essence.

An announcement this week of a July 1 reopening would allow tourism businesses to put in place COVIDsafe plans and stand up staff, give airlines time to market and sell seats, and importantly, give people time to plan their Gold Coast holidays.

Waiting until the end of the month – or longer – will only further delay the pain for a city that is trying to get back on its feet.

___

Disclaimer: This opinion piece represents the personal views of YP Gold Coast committee members, and is in no way intended to reflect the views of committee members’ employers or YP Gold Coast sponsors. “

The YP Gold Coast City Leaders Forum 2019 sparked conversation on how the Gold Coast can be the most liveable, innovative, and business friendly city in the world.

Business leaders with a shared passion for the city congregated last week to stimulate high-quality debate and promote action towards creating a highly skilled Gold Coast.

The panel included City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, Paul Jaffar – Partner at Chempro Chemists and Vice President of Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce, Professor Carolyn Evans – Vice Chancellor and President of Griffith University, and Jessica Mellor – Chief Operating Officer at The Star Gold Coast.

The city leaders had personal, emotional or professional interests in the region and drove discussion on the important steps needed to enhance job growth and talent retention on the Gold Coast. They discussed the importance of educational facilities, required investment in further digital and physical construction, the role of liveability in terms of long term job growth, the need for a central business district, and action the community and government can take to improve the competitiveness of the region.

City of Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said it was important for the next generation to have an opportunity to work on the Gold Coast or be enticed to come back and work in the region.

“It is important to have jobs with enough seniority for talented professionals to boomerang back to the city,” he said.

“I would encourage professionals to spread their wings, learn and grow beyond the region, and then come back, develop more, and contribute to building a highly skilled city.”

The panel agreed one of the biggest challenges for the city in recent years was a lack of senior positions compared to capital cities.

The Star chief operating officer Jessica Mellor said talent was one of a businesses most significant investments.

“It is important to retain talent by treating staff as individuals and harnessing their strengths when building teams,” Ms Mellor said.

The panel believed harnessing the talent of university students and graduates was also an important facet in developing a highly skilled region.

Griffith University vice-chancellor and president Professor Carolyn Evans said encouraging young people to study and work in the region was important.

“There is a need for broader plans for economic diversification so there are different types of opportunities for students coming out of university to stay in the region,” she said.

“We also need to encourage talent to the region. Talent attracts talent and bright people want to work with bright people on exciting and important work. Great universities, great hospitals, global companies, and global start-ups make the city more attractive.”

Chempro Chemists partner and Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce vice-president Paul Jaffar said industry partnerships with local universities, like Chempro’s partnership with Griffith University School of Pharmacy, was an important step forward for job self-containment on the Gold Coast.

“It is important to give students hands-on-experience in the community,” he said.

“The liveability the cityis also one of our greatest assets, and needs to be considered in the recruitment process. At Chempro we have a unique business structure that we encourage interns to go on to managerial positions or partner with the business – young people appreciate it.”

Jessica Mellor said since returning to the Gold Coast after working in Canberra, she noticed the city’s cultural offering had grown.

The panel agreed the growing arts and culture sector had the potential to further diversify the city’s economy, but there was also a need for a defined centre of commerce on the Gold Coast.

Paul Jaffar said Southport, which is home to the health and knowledge precinct, has easy access to light rail and increased IT capabilities, had been earmarked as the city’s CBD.

YP Gold Coast former president Sean Braybrook provided a keynote address and said with $12.5 billion invested in transformational projects over the next 12 months the city is at a turning point, but it is time to spark the next wave of maturity and evolution in the city’s growth story.

“As a member of the business community, as a parent of two young children and someone who is fully invested in the future of this city, I want to ensure the end is right,” he said.

“I want us as the business community to be involved in what happens to our city today and tomorrow.”

Author: By Rosemary Ball, Griffith University

The Gold Coast is quickly maturing into a place of broad opportunity and rich experiences. The city is at a turning point in its evolution, providing a rare opportunity to reimagine the future, where the unique lifestyle and coastal vibe of the city becomes the catalyst for a highly skilled Gold Coast.

While the city has a strong culture of entrepreneurship and capable universities, the scale of its innovation economy is so far much lower than its peer cities around the world.

As part of the ongoing growth story, it is imperative that the city retains its brightest minds and future leaders. Local talent retention will underpin diversification of the city’s economic base, grow the strong entrepreneurial spirit and ensure the city environment fosters its leaders of the future.

Historically, the Gold Coast’s growth story has been influenced by trying to compete with Australia’s capital cities. A major paradigm shift is required, from the community and political leaders alike. We must reshape our future vision to embrace the assets that make the Gold Coast unique. This involves promoting the Gold Coast as a regional city that builds economic strength from its ability to collaborate with capital cities.

Retaining talent and nurturing a city of future leaders therefore relies on shaping our future growth to reinforce the Gold Coast as an education, health and knowledge city.

Our strategy to retain local talent needs a broader approach that reflects the Gold Coast lifestyle and liveability values. The emphasis should not solely be focussed on attracting big business. Rather, becoming a highly skilled Gold Coast relies on protecting our lifestyle values, whilst cementing global connections through leading digital infrastructure.

This reimagining of our city’s future envisages an urban environment of dynamic workplaces, a faster rate of career growth for Gold Coast locals and most importantly, job self-containment within the city.

Author: Martin Garred, Co-Vice President, YP Gold Coast

As a Griffith University student, I am in a unique position to meet and be able to write about the next generation of professionals and leaders. My friends are I are out there working and studying hard to get ourselves ready for the next stage of our lives and careers. Together we are a diverse bunch, but also have so much in common. We are hardworking, motivated, ambitious, and civically engaged in our local community.

We recognise how lucky we are to live in a city known for its world-class events, infrastructure, high-ranking universities, leading healthcare, research and training, vibrant nightlife, and Hollywood cinematic productions. However, it is time to spark the next wave of maturity and evolution in our city’s growth story, particularly to entice us young professionals to stay on the coast.

To keep talented graduates on the Gold Coast we need more than just quality education. We need a city that provides global connections, employability and leading digital infrastructure.

Is this actually possible? Yes, but we need a multi-generational voice for positive change to create a city with a competitive edge.

The YP Gold Coast City Leader’s Forum is an opportunity for professionals to congregate and stimulate high-quality public debate and promote action to issues such as talent retention and job growth. As emerging professionals, our goal is to finda full-time job, access efficient transport, embrace arts and culture, be surrounded by world-class infrastructure, and enjoy the quintessential Gold Coast lifestyle.

The latest YP Great Ideas for the Gold Coast advocacy report has a distinctive vision for our city’s future – to create the “The World’s Best Subtropical City”. The idea of long-term job growth and a laidback lifestyle, unlike metropolitan city centres, is a great bargaining tool; I am sure many of my fellow university pals would agree this would be an attractive proposition from an employer.

One person cannot build a highly skilled city. As future leaders we have a responsibility to join forces to ensure we have a bright future. We need to make sure, collectively, we have an opportunity to thrive after university, and build a better life for our family and the next generation.

So, let’s not just sit back and wait, let’s take action now. Start the journey for a better tomorrow with YP at the Gold Coast City Leader’s Forum on 27 September.

Written by: Rosemary Ball, Student, Griffith University.

Sean is a former president of YP Gold Coast and is passionate about the city, its people and its potential.

He is a director of Gold Coast Leaders, working with more than 70 leading local companies including G8 Education, Griffith University, Metricon Homes, Feros Care, Hickey Lawyers, KPMG, Morgans and more – assisting SMEs to fast-track growth, identify new opportunities and access investment.

Sean has also held leadership roles in technology, education and professional services consulting. He was part of the team that developed the City Leaders Forum and he returns in its fifth year to give his view on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the Gold Coast in the coming decade.

We look forward welcoming Sean, as a keynote speaker, and hear from a panel of heavy-hitters at the 2019 YP Gold Coast City Leaders Forum, presented by Griffith University, at The Star Gold Coast this September.

Sean will deliver a keynote address, leading into a panel discussion with city shaping experts including:

• Councillor Tom Tate, Mayor, City of Gold Coast
• Professor Carolyn Evans, Vice Chancellor and President, Griffith University
• Jessica Mellor, Chief Operating Officer, The Star Gold Coast
• Paul Jaffar, Partner, Chempro Chemists and Vice President, Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce

Jessica Mellor is The Star Gold Coast’s youngest and first female Chief Operating Officer (COO), appointed to the position in June 2019.

In her role, Jessica oversees the operations of this iconic and transformational property including its five-star hotel, The Star Grand; luxury suite hotel, The Darling; more than 20 restaurants and bars; Azure Spa & Fitness; its state-of-the-art theatre; and the Event Centre.

It is the second time Jessica has called the Gold Coast home after first moving to the region to study at Bond University in 2007 and remaining on the coast for nine years.

Jessica began her career as an Assistant Design Manager for a multi-national construction company and has since worked across multiple sectors including infrastructure and property development, funds management, and corporate advisory.

In 2013, she moved into the hospitality and entertainment industry after taking on the role of Executive Director, Strategy, and Project Development with the Aquis group. In this role, she was involved in a range of activities including key asset acquisitions, government affairs, and modernisation of gaming legislation in the ACT.

From there, Jessica quickly progressed to become a Board Director of ASX-listed Aquis Entertainment in 2015, before being appointed to the company’s first female Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2016.

As CEO, Jessica took on the challenging task of returning the Casino Canberra business to EBITDA profit following many years of sustained losses. Jessica led a fundamental restructure and realignment of the business, with her changes positively impacting the organisational culture and playing a key role in its turnaround.

During her time in Canberra, Jessica actively supported many not-for-profit/community organisations and initiatives and was appointed to Director of Lifeline Canberra in 2016.

Jessica gained a Bachelor of Sustainable Development (Construction Management) at Bond University, before going on to study Law at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and is now close to completing her Executive MBA with QUT Business School.

We look forward welcoming her and a panel of city shapers at the 2019 YP Gold Coast City Leaders Forum, presented by Griffith University, at The Star Gold Coast this September.

“A new committee is at the helm of leading advocacy group YP Gold Coast. 

The group, which aims to grow the city’s corporate culture by connecting driven professionals, will be responsible for delivering a calendar of YP events and advocating for the interests of its thousands-strong membership base.

Former YP Secretary and MinterEllison Lawyer Mary Grant has assumed the role of President, following the departure of long-serving committee member Flynn McFarlane.

James Gough, from Queensland Airports Limited, and strategic advisor Martin Garred from Urbis have stepped up to the role of Co-Vice President, previously occupied by Jessica Thomas.

Matthew Dodds, Head of Intelligence and Analytics at PKF Australia, replaces Kiel Sinclair as the organisation’s Treasurer and Ania Salehirad of IP Partnership has stepped into the role of Secretary.

Giulia Badalotti (Puzzle PR) and Carla Tooma (Hot Tomato and myGC) have been reappointed to the committee and are joined by Jacqueline Bojanowski (Ruby Communications) who replaces Georgia Linton.

Morgan Summers-Smith (Study Queensland) and James Fulton-Kennedy (Morgans) round out the group of 10.

YP Gold Coast President Mary Grant said she was proud to lead a team of driven Gold Coast professionals who are passionate about the city’s growth, and is excited to see the fresh perspectives the committee will bring.

“Everyone on the committee is here because they have an interest in the future success of the city,” she said.

“We are fortunate to have a strong and engaged membership base of local professionals and business owners who attend our regularly sold-out events.

“We will continue to deliver high-quality events as a forum to connect driven professionals.

“Advocacy will be another major focus of our committee – the Gold Coast is in a phase of rapid maturation and we are keen to back opportunities that support our bold aspiration to be the world’s best subtropical city.

“We will continue to engage with government and business leaders to do our bit in shaping a city that supports opportunities for current and future professionals.”

YP Gold Coast will again deliver the City Leaders Forum in 2019 – the organisation’s hallmark event that brings together industry heavy hitters for an afternoon of discussion and debate.

The theme of the 2019 City Leaders forum is ‘a highly skilled Gold Coast’ and will see a panel of experts take to the stage in front of several hundred guests, including:

• Kate Jones MP, Queensland Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games
• Mayor Tom Tate, City of Gold Coast
• Professor Carolyn Evans, Vice Chancellor and President, Griffith University
• Paul Jaffar, Partner, Chempro

The event will be staged at The Star Gold Coast on September 27. For information and to book, please visit our events page here.

YP Gold Coast is supported by Griffith University, Cronin Miller Litigation, Gold Coast Suns, GT Advisory, PKF, 102.9 Hot Tomato and myGC.com.au.

Since being elected in 2012, Mayor Tom Tate has led the message that the Gold Coast is ‘open for business’, encouraging locals to dream big and embrace change to create a stronger economy and more jobs, while protecting the City’s enviable lifestyle.

With a strong business background, Mayor Tate has supported investment in to the Gold Coast and boosted confidence in the City, in a bid to broaden the Coast’s economic base beyond its cornerstones of tourism and construction.

We look forward welcoming Mayor Tom Tate and a panel of heavy hitters at the 2019 YP Gold Coast City Leaders Forum, presented by Griffith University, at The Star Gold Coast this September.

“Paul Jaffar is a born and bred Gold Coaster, passionate city advocate and community pharmacist. After completing his pharmacy studies at James Cook University, Paul returned to the Gold Coast and worked in a number of local chemists.

In 2009 he became a partner in the city’s largest pharmacy group, Chempro Chemists. Paul is now a board member of the group, as well as a representative of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and a member of the Griffith University School of Pharmacy Advisory Committee.

Outside his various pharmacy commitments, Paul supports local businesses through his role as Vice President of the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce.

He will join a panel of heavy hitters at the 2019 YP Gold Coast City Leaders Forum, presented by Griffith University, at The Star Gold Coast this September.

Professor Carolyn Evans commenced her appointment as Vice Chancellor and President of Griffith University in February 2019, leading one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most progressive tertiary institutions, ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide.

Prior to joining Griffith, Professor Evans was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Graduate and International) and Deputy Provost (2017-2018) at the University of Melbourne, and Dean and Harrison Moore Professor of Law, University of Melbourne Law School (2011-2017).

Professor Evans has degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Melbourne and a doctorate from Oxford University, where she studied as a Rhodes Scholar and held a stipendiary lectureship for two years.

In 2010, Carolyn was awarded a Fulbright Senior Scholarship to allow her to travel as a Visiting Fellow to American and Emory Universities to examine questions of comparative religious freedom.

We look forward to welcoming Professor Carolyn Evans and a panel of heavy hitters to the 2019 YP Gold Coast City Leaders Forum, presented by Griffith University, at The Star Gold Coast this September.