Coast hails new era of positivity
MORE than half of Gold Coast businesses expect to add staff this year – pointing towards an employment boost for the Glitter Strip post-Commonwealth Games.
Respondents to July’s Griffith University – Gold Coast Bulletin Business Confidence Poll struck an upbeat tone, with 51 per cent saying they had a positive outlook for the local economy this financial year.
In addition 52 per cent of the 50 respondents, who come from a range of sectors including development, banking, accountancy and real estate, said they anticipate hiring additional staff in FY19.
Griffith University Pro Vice Chancellor Business Professor David Grant said positive sentiments regarding employment indicate the underlying strength and growing diversity of the Gold Coast economy.
“Short and long-term confidence levels remain strong, and negative responses are very low, however it is noticeable that a significant number of businesses remain neutral with their outlook,” he said.
“The poll results are an important indicator in the postGames environment and the flow-on effect in terms of gains in employment is likely to be substantial – businesses with neutral confidence levels will be buoyed as the city continues to gain momentum.”
More than half of the respondents ranked population growth as having the biggest influence on their confidence in the economy, with tourism
growth (20 per cent), property market growth (18 per cent), and major transport growth (7 per cent) also cited.
Austbrokers Coast to Coast Insurance Brokers chief executive Dale Hansen said he plans to hire more staff this year.
“Our business is very positive about the state of the Gold Coast economy. We will be employing at least three new staff in the coming months and expect our business to continue to grow significantly in this new financial year,” he said.
Ray White Surfers Paradise boss Andrew Bell, whose agency has 270 staff, said this is the most progressive era he has seen on the Gold Coast.
His comments come after RWSP expanded its floor space at 50 Cavill Ave – taking a lease on an additional 286/sq m on level three for its residential and housing team.
“More than $30 billion in investments has created irreversible momentum in the city,” Mr Bell said. “That has been influenced
substantially by the Games and will continue to create greater diversity and employment opportunities.”
Icon Energy managing director Ray James agreed that the legacy of the Games was fuelling growth, particularly in the property sectors.
“Quality property growth enables people to move to new local locations as needs change,” he said. “We have education, medical, sports facilities, venues and much more, all surrounded by water.”
However, Yellow Brick Road Coomera principal and wealth manager Jason Benney-Morris said more needs to be done to sustainably increase tourist numbers. “Having worked in the cruise ship industry, I have experienced first hand what a cruise terminal at the Spit could, potentially, do for the Gold Coast,” he said.
“With more than 2500 crew and passengers per stop, this would have tremendous benefits for the local economy.”