BE PROUD OF OUR HAVE-A-GO ATTITUDE
A DECADE ago, I presented my vision to all councillors about what I viewed was the best way for our city to secure its long-term economic future.
In short, it was about broadening our economic base. This would mean, over time, we could become less reliant on tourism and construction and more productive in sectors such as film, IT, sport, events, manufacturing, health and knowledge and tertiary education.
Tourism and construction remain key pillars of our economy – and always will – but few Gold Coasters would realise that today, health and medical research provides a greater Gross Regional Product (GRP) for our city, than tourism.
By broadening our economy, we can better ride out the economic cycles that are often outside our control. A broader economy means more stability for employers and employees and greater family unity as all family members can find enriching, stimulating careers on the coast. Keeping families together has wideranging social benefits for the wider community.
Broadening our economy requires leadership from the private sector. As I move about the city, I have been so proud to see innovation playing out in many fields. Our business operators, all 71,000 of them, remain some of the most innovative, determined and creative enterprises anywhere in the world.
Today, we have companies that send rockets into outer space while others are manufacturing world-class marine vessels, pontoons and software for global markets. We are also seeing incredible innovation in e-sports technology with an Arundel firm manufacturing e-sports simulator cockpits for the Ferrari F1 race team, while other companies are producing sports nutrition for global markets. This innovation and have-a-go-spirit is something to make us all proud.
Manufacturing, as an industry, produces around $7.61 billion in annual output/ sales and employs 21,342 Gold Coasters. Of this, around $3.3 billion is for the export market so our city’s brand – and reputation – rides on the back of these great business entrepreneurs.
A burgeoning area of growth for our city is Yatala. Today, it is home to hundreds of local, national and international firms all with a foothold in the various industrial estates spread around Stapylton, Pimpama, Yatala and Coomera.
On a weekly basis, new enterprises present to council with their vision for investment in our industrial precinct. We welcome every one of them as these future jobs will allow even more people to live in the north of the city and be within a short commute to their place-ofwork … again, a great outcome for families. It is expected that by 2041, more than 50 per cent of our population will be based in the northern half of the coast. Living close to where we commute to work is something we all strive to achieve.
Council is currently assessing how to expand the current Yatala Enterprise Area to the east of the M1 so we can help these large investors achieve their dreams – and secure even more jobs for residents.
I expect Yatala 2.0 to become a reality in the next 18 months. When it does, it will be a huge plaudit for this council and councillors as well as the men and women investing in the future of this great city of ours. Bring on the bulldozers!