More than a city
The Gold Coast is perfectly positioned as a destination for business, investment, study, high-performance sports, events, tourism and lifestyle.
Australia’s Gold Coast – more than a city. Strategically located on the edge of the Asia-Pacific rim, with access to two international airports, the Gold Coast is perfectly positioned as a destination for business, investment, study, high-performance sports, events, tourism and lifestyle. Famous for its sun, surf and sand, the City of Gold Coast stretches along 57 kilometres of coastline and is now home to well over 500,000 people, with the population expected to reach 730,000 people by 2026. The city enjoys a five-year average annual growth rate of 2.5 per cent and has access to an economic catchment of 3.2 million people. Beyond the city’s beautiful beaches are vast world heritage-listed rainforests with breathtaking scenery – all a short drive from our regional centres. Welcoming close to 12 million visitors each year, the Gold Coast is Australia’s premier tourist destination, offering a vibrant mix of shopping, accommodation, theme parks, restaurants, entertainment and an abundance of natural attractions for all to enjoy. With a regional economy valued at $24 billion, our economic strategy is clear – we nurture innovation and creative thinking and support the drivers behind emerging knowledge intensive sectors. Our expertise in education, sports, film and creative, health, food, ICT, marine and advanced manufacturing supplements our traditional industries of tourism, construction and services, where many local businesses are considered innovators in their fields.
The Gold Coast is certainly ‘open for business’. Securing the rights to the 2018 Commonwealth Games has already boosted investment interest with several infrastructure projects underway. In 2014, the Gold Coast will launch Queensland’s first light rail network, connecting its business, entertainment and education districts. Plans for a cultural precinct in the heart of the city are well underway. It will be a place that celebrates, reflects and builds on our unique cultural identity and a must-see visitor destination, supporting our arts and allied industries. In a joint initiative with the Queensland Government, expressions of interest have been called for the development of a cruise ship terminal and associated tourism infrastructure in the city’s Broadwater. This development could be the largest piece of integrated tourism infrastructure in Queensland’s history and may include hotels, a casino, super yacht marina, retail stores, restaurants, entertainment and hospitality venues. As a young city in transformation, the best is yet to come. We’re working hard to elevate our wonderful city to the world stage and invite you to be a part of the journey. There’s no other opportunity in the world like the Gold Coast.
Tom Tate Mayor, City of Gold Coast
Source: Tourism Research Australia, unpublished data; based on ABS, Regional Population Growth Australia; National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR) © 2013.
Why AUSTRALIA? Quality of life
Competitive business environment
Australia’s quality of life rates highly on the world scale, exceeding that of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and many of our Asia Pacific neighbours.
Ranked among the top 10 countries in the world for ease of doing business, according to the World Bank’s Doing Business 2010 report, Australia offers an internationally competitive Corporate Tax Rate of 30 per cent and is increasingly recognised for innovation on the world stage. For example:
Political and economic stability • Australia has the best economic prospects in the developed world with real GDP growth expected to outperform every major advanced economy to 2017 (according to the International Monetary Fund World Economic Outlook). • Australia is one of only four countries to be rated for five consecutive years as one of the 10 most resilient economies (Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook). • Australia one of the safest countries in the world in which to invest (Dun & Bradstreet’s 2012 Global Risk Indicator rated). • Australia has been ranked in the top 10 most politically stable countries in the world. • Australia has recorded 22 years of uninterrupted annual growth from 1991 to 2012, an achievement unequalled by any other developed economy (IMF World Economic Outlook Database 2012).
Strategic location Australia’s proximity to Asia and time zone, offers 24 hour access for global organisations. A forecast airline capacity increase of 50 per cent by 2020, coupled with a growing multi-cultural population, will only increase the ease of doing business with Australia. Eight of our top 10 export markets are in Asia. In addition to English, Mandarin, Italian and Arabic are the most common languages spoken at home. More than two million or almost 10 per cent of Australians speak an Asian language, a further one million speak a European language, and over 280,00 speak Arabic at home (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011 Census).
• total research and development (R&D) investment has trebled in the past 10 years and Australia’s R&D spend has increased by almost twice the OECD average • Australia jumped eight spots on innovation performance to rank number 20 out of 132 countries (2009-2010 INSEAD Global Innovation Index) • Australia is home to world class universities and research institutions including six of the world’s top 100 universities • Australia’s national scientific agency CSIRO is in the top one percent of scientific institutions in the world.
GOLD COAST
Australia is an excellent choice for investment with a world renowned quality of life, stable political and economic environment, strategic location and competitive business environment.
Our enviable natural environment – beaches, waterways and world heritage-listed rainforest – allows us to enjoy a work-life balance in a different way to almost every other city in the world.
Why Gold Coast? WE ARE located in the booming South East Queensland region, on the east coast of Australia.
Inspired by lifestyle, we drive unique opportunities to live, work, study, visit and invest here. Home to 530,000 people, 28 per cent of whom were born overseas, we are one of the most multicultural cities in Australia and, as a tourist city, our welcome is always warm. Ours is an economy of opportunity, growing from a platform of tourism and construction to the diversity of a knowledge economy.
It is backed by an innovation culture built from a dynamic combination of start-ups, co-working spaces, research and education institutions, including three universities. We offer opportunities for investment in our key industries: education, sports, film and creative, health, food, ICT, marine, advanced manufacturing, tourism and construction. Major road and rail transport initiatives have given the city excellent access to major air and sea ports, which has increased regional export potential.
More than $13.7 billion in major infrastructure projects are planned or underway, amongst a total of $102 billion major investment projects under construction in the state of Queensland, with a further $76 billion worth of investment projects either committed to or under consideration (June quarter 2013 Investment Monitor, Deloitte Access Economics). Affordable housing, competitive commercial real estate, the lowest rate of payroll tax in Australia, as well as business and investment support through City of Gold Coast are unique advantages we can offer your business or organisation.
Contact City of Gold Coast. Phone +61 7 5581 7528 Fax +61 7 5581 7838 Mobile +61 414 180 251 (cell phone) Email businessgc@goldcoast.qld.gov.au Website businessgoldcoast.com.au
Beauty, lifestyle and location As South East Queensland’s premier coastal location, the Gold Coast offers residents an unmatched work-life balance and a healthier and more active lifestyle than other Australian cities. Although our city is one of the fastest growing in Australia, it remains one of the most bio-diverse. Our bushland, marine and freshwater habitats are home to more than 700 animal and 1800 plant species. Our outdoor environment is an extraordinary asset and an integral part of our local identity and culture. We have 57 kilometres of coastline, 260 kilometres of navigable waterways, more than 2000 parks covering approximately 21,000 hectares, and 100,000 hectares of world heritage-listed rainforest on our doorstep.
“I have been training on the Gold Coast for 13 years and can’t think of a better place to live and train. The warm climate, the beaches and hundreds of parks, as well as the top quality local sports facilities provide the perfect training environment.” Sally Pearson, Olympic Gold Medallist 2012
A city investing in the future We are investing in strategic projects to continually improve our lifestyle and create opportunities for long-term prosperity. Securing the rights to the 2018 Commonwealth Games has boosted investment interest. Approximately $170 million worth of new world class sporting infrastructure will be constructed in readiness for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. This builds on our existing capabilities in high performance sports and events. New projects include the revitalisation of Southport as the Gold Coast’s Central Business District, alongside the new city light rail network, health and knowledge precinct, the proposed city cultural precinct, proposed cruise ship terminal and infrastructure for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Land use has been deregulated in Southport as part of its Priority Development Area status, paving the way for multiple business and development opportunities.
“It is a great time to invest on the Gold Coast. Investment in key city building projects, opportunities in residential and tourism infrastructure, a relatively stable economy in the wake of the global financial crisis and also a return in confidence make the Gold Coast an attractive location for investment.� Steven Haggart, Ridong Group
An economy of opportunity Queensland’s economy recorded the second highest average annual growth rate of any Australian state or territory over the last 20 years. The Gold Coast economy is growing from a platform of tourism and construction to a diverse knowledge economy. Over the next 10 years, there will be between 35,000 and 56,000 new jobs created. Our economy of opportunity is underpinned by a business-friendly environment, vibrant innovation culture and educational choice. It is supported by our city’s relative affordability and commercial competitiveness as well as our strategic location at the edge of the Asia Pacific rim, in a similar time zone to Asia’s major trading nations.
“The City of Gold Coast's commitment to diversifying the economic base, in addition to the existing skilled workforce, breadth of education facilities, excellent access into the city, lifestyle benefits and business environment are all helping to build investor confidence in the city.” Roland Evans, Knight Frank Australia Pty Ltd
Business friendly The Gold Coast is open for business. We’re committed to delivering a business environment to create long term prosperity. Our Investment Attraction Program was the first of its kind in Australia, offering a suite of dedicated services and support to assist you to establish, develop and grow your business. Our Economic Development Strategy outlines our commitment to diversifying the economy and investing in innovation, culture, infrastructure, workforce and our export capabilities. Our Construction Kickstart initiative, offering infrastructure discounts to developers, generated an estimated 3,800 short term construction jobs for the city and more than $450 million of building activity in its first phase. Another measure to stimulate growth is RiskSmart, the City of Gold Coast’s streamlined development application process, which offers developers a five-day turnaround for applications that comply with all relevant requirements.
“City of Gold Coast’s Investment Attraction Program played a key role in Visy’s decision to locate a new $80m beverage can manufacturing facility at Stapylton. The application process was very straightforward and the approvals stages among the most efficient that [we] have undertaken.” Tony Gray, Visy Project Team member
A vibrant innovation culture The Gold Coast’s innovation network is a vibrant and active collection of entrepreneurs, co-working spaces, tech startups, incubators, universities and businesses with a strong appetite to work to establish the Gold Coast as an internationally recognised innovation capital. Since 1998, the Queensland Government has invested $3.6 billion in research and development and innovation, supporting 40 new research institutes and more than 300 research-related projects, scholarships and fellowships. The State Government aims to increase by 50 per cent the number of businesses undertaking research and development or innovation by 2020. Our long term aim is to establish Gold Coast City as a global competitor where knowledge, innovation and commercialisation are seen as key drivers for the growth and development of the local economy.
“The facilitation by City of Gold Coast of innovative and dynamic networks has provided us with a meaningful space for collaboration and knowledge sharing.� Greg Burnett, Silicon Lakes Limited
“The Gold Coast gives us ready access to a workforce of highly qualified engineers and designers who never want to leave, so they are always on the look out for exciting local technology projects they can work on.” Iain McCowan, Dev audio
Education choice Our city offers the greatest educational choice of any city of our size. Attracting students from more than 100 countries, the city boasts three world class universities, a diversity of technical and training colleges and some of Australia’s finest public and private schools. University qualifications have increased by 125 per cent over the last decade, compared with 35 per cent population growth over the same period. Griffith University, regarded as one of Australia’s most innovative educational institutions, is ranked among the top 10 universities in Australia for research and in the top 400 universities in the world. It is located within the emerging Gold Coast health and knowledge precinct and has the fastest growing campus in Australia. Bond University is Australia’s first private university and consistently ranks number one for student experience. In addition to a new Centre of Excellence for health and sport, the university is leading the largest ever sports science research project in Australia. Southern Cross University is an emerging regional institution, with its Gold Coast campus located right beside the airport. A wide variety of courses are supplemented by regionally relevant and globally significant research expertise.
A world-class tourism destination From Australia’s best beaches, rainforests and waterways to world class theme parks, sporting venues, convention services, diverse events, cultural activities, hotels and resorts, our tourism assets provide an enviable lifestyle and a platform for growth. We’re Australia’s favourite summer holiday destination, attracting 12 million visitors a year from all around the world. Our climate gives us an average of 10 hours of sunshine a day, 300 days a year with mild winters and comfortable summer maximum temperatures averaging around 28 degrees Celsius (83ºF). Tourist expenditure on the Gold Coast is A$12.1 million per day and our city’s tourism sector employs almost 27,000 people (2012). Our largest three international source markets are New Zealand, China and Japan, but we also welcome visitors from South East Asia,the United Kingdom, Europe, North America and the Middle East.
“City of Gold Coast’s support for tourism within our city is unprecedented. The industry will continue to grow, confident in the knowledge that a strong partnership, founded on delivering economic growth, will yield significant benefits for the entire city.” Martin Winter, Gold Coast Tourism.
Access We are serviced by two international airports with direct routes to all major Australian cities and key locations across Asia, the Middle East, US and the Pacific. Three billion people from the Asia Pacific region are within a direct flight radius. The award-winning Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta is Australia’s fastest growing airport. It’s also one of the most accessible in the country – fly in and drive away easily, with the beach within walking distance and major tourist and business districts all within 35 minutes drive. The Port of Brisbane recently recorded container throughput of over one million containers coupled with a compound annual growth rate of eight per cent. Brisbane Airport, an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast, is acclaimed as one of the world’s best, with seven integrated precincts, across 970 hectares and a 24 hour global trade and commerce centre.
“Our major markets are Latin America, North America, UK and Europe. It is as easy to service our clients from the Gold Coast as it is from Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane. Locating at the Gold Coast has had a positive impact on our ability to service our customers due to low staff turnover and low commute times.” Danny Maher, Opmantek
Relative affordability For both commercial and residential markets, the Gold Coast delivers high value and relative affordability compared to Australia’s other major cities. Queensland’s housing prices are more affordable than most other Australian states, making it economically attractive to live, work and set up a business here. At just 4.75 per cent, Queensland companies pay the lowest rate of payroll tax in Australia and aren’t liable until total wages and salaries exceed $1.1 million a year. Taxation in Queensland in 2013-14 is estimated to be $490 per capita less than the average of other Australian states.
“The Gold Coast has an average A-grade rental rate of $400 per square metre per year, making our city’s space some of the most affordable in any non-CBD location in the country.” Colliers International
GOLD COAST industry summary Advanced manufacturing Gold Coast companies continue to innovate in the areas of advanced manufacturing across surfing products, interior design, marine, motorsport technology, food and beverage, health, IT, green building and technology, and engineering.
Construction Gold Coast offers outstanding expertise in construction and built design across master planned communities, multi-story residential and commercial complexes, marinas, infrastructure and green building and technology. Opportunities exist for investors in real estate, tourism infrastructure and major projects.
Information technology Gold Coast has a varied ICT industry and has had success in attracting large corporates and in nurturing small innovative companies to export their services world-wide. Our expanding digital infrastructure, innovation culture and networks assist to create digital ready businesses and excellent opportunities in domestic and international markets.
Education With three universities, a large institute of technology, private colleges, training providers, and leading private and public schools, Gold Coast offers excellent educational choice. The last decade has seen substantial growth in: tertiary student numbers to more than 10,000 from 130 countries; facilities including Australia’s fastest-growing campus; courses; and university research.
Food and beverage Gold Coast’s food and beverage producers offer excellent quality value-add products for domestic and international markets. We specialise in functional foods for sports, health and wellness, including organic products, as well as speciality products for health and gourmets retailers and the food service industry.
Health Gold Coast is creating new opportunities in health and medical industries, with a recently opened $1.7 billion dollar university hospital adding to existing medical facilities, and a unique health and knowledge precinct.
Creative Gold Coast has an exceptional pool of talent in film and television offering world class studios and breathtaking locations. Our emerging cultural scene is burgeoning with skills in design, fashion, music, art, architecture and literature and is supported by universities and specialist educators.
Marine Gold Coast is Australia’s premier location for recreational boat building, maintenance and refits. We are home to nine luxury marinas, with capabilities for superyachts and the most advanced and highly respected marine industry cluster development in the southern hemisphere. The annual boat show and marine export conference showcase local innovation, attracting international buyers and business.
Sports Gold Coast is a city purpose built for high performance sports and elite sporting events. As host of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, we offer facilities, man-made and natural, that cater to a wide variety of sporting codes. Our three universities are leading the way with Australia’s largest sports science research project, new university health facilities and Australia’s first Doctor of Physiotherapy program.
Tourism Gold Coast is a city built on tourism, with decades of expertise backed by natural beauty, the highest concentration of themed attractions in the southern hemisphere, excellent accommodation and entertainment choices and a mild climate enjoyable year-round. The City of Gold Coast contributes more money to its tourism marketing entity, Gold Coast Tourism, than any other Australian city, ensuring excellent partnerships and market confidence.
We are committed to delivering a business environment to create long term prosperity and offer a dedicated local assistance team ready to support investors and businesses looking to relocate or expand.
Contact City of Gold Coast. P +61 7 5581 7528 F +61 7 5581 7838 M +61 414 180 251 E businessgc@goldcoast.qld.gov.au W businessgoldcoast.com.au