Griffith University — Gold Coast Bulletin Business Confidence Poll finds city has failed to make most of Commonwealth Games legacy

Mayor Tom Tate has hit back at critics following a shock poll of Gold Coast businesses, which revealed what locals think about the aftermath of the Commonwealth Games.

Half of Gold Coast businesses do not believe the city has made the most of the marketing opportunities provided by the Commonwealth Games.

GOLD Coast mayor Tom Tate has hit out at critics of the city’s Games legacy.

It follows a poll which found half of businesses say the city has failed to make the most of the marketing opportunities provided by the Commonwealth Games.

The latest Griffith University — Gold Coast Bulletin Business Confidence Poll, which surveyed 60 businesses on a range of issues, found 49 per cent of respondents did not believe the Gold Coast was capitalising effectively on the legacies of the Games.

Griffith University Pro Vice Chancellor Business Professor David Grant said the poll also found many business want improved communication on the city’s marketing strategies.

However, Cr Tate said is “trivial” to suggest the city has not benefited from the Games.

“It’s happening right now with a doubling of our CCTV network, a huge boost to our volunteering ranks, all major Games venues booked out until at least June next year, and a string of film productions rolling out,” he said.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Jerad Williams

“This hasn’t happened by chance. The city has also relaunched its external marketing efforts through a key platform (wearegc.com.au).

“It’s not surprising many locals will not know of, or have clicked on, the site as it is primarily for attracting business and investment from interstate and overseas. Advertising of this site is focused on key investment markets like Sydney and Melbourne as well as our Games-partner countries.”

He also denied claims by property industry veteran Max Christmas that unpaid rates bills had soared.

“Claims that unpaid rates are higher in the city today than before are also incorrect,” he said.

“Our rates records show almost two per cent less outstanding rates in the past financial year, compared to 2012-13. This is despite an additional 20,000 rateable properties coming on in the same period.’’

The Griffith University — Gold Coast Bulletin poll also found just 11 per cent of respondents report a high degree of confidence in the city’s marketing approaches.

“The poll results suggest that many businesses would like to know more about what marketing strategies are being used — 41 per cent indicated they were uninformed about these strategies, 50 per cent were moderately informed while only 9 per cent indicated they were highly informed,” Prof Grant said.

Gold Coast real estate pioneer Max Christmas has painted a picture of the Gold Coast in decline as the city prepares for the holiday break.

“Many businesses would clearly like to know more about how the city is marketed and improved communication would produce a higher level of support and also enable businesses to use strategies that complement city marketing actions.

“Businesses also want more information about Games legacies and how they can capitalise on them including potential benefits from the new wave of events coming to the city in the post-Games era.”

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The poll also gives an insight into business expectations for the Christmas-New Year period.

Half the respondents are expecting the same results as last year while 25 per cent are expecting better returns and the remaining 25 per cent poorer results.

Other findings from the poll include 75 per cent support for the Gold Coast City Council’s decision to establish a so-called “super tourism” body to replace the Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach alliances and Connecting Southern Gold Coast.

Griffith University Pro Vice Chancellor Business, Professor David Grant. Picture: supplied.

More than half the respondents say they have strong confidence in the Coast economy heading into 2019 with just 9 per cent stating they had a low level.

Survey comments indicate mixed views on prospects for the year ahead.

Dale Hansen, of Austbrokers Coast to Coast Insurance Brokers, said he is “very positive” for the year ahead.

“Our economy now has a unique opportunity to capitalise on the success of the Games,” he said.

Recruiter Fiona Watson said it is time to move on from the Games.

“There are whole areas of business that carried on regardless of the Commonwealth Games and on which there was no impact,” she said. “Its time to put the Games to bed and move on.”

Mr Christmas paints a picture of a region in decline.

“Property values are down, construction is down, there are many vacant shops, public spending is down, unpaid rates are up 18 per cent and there is increased suburban crime,” he said.

Matthew Tenkate, of Major Training Group, said the council marketing efforts are an illusion.

“The mayor, councillors and senior officers are like magicians,” he said. “They are putting on a good show out front while the real issues are a disaster out back.”