THINK TANK: Southport Committee chairman John Howe would like to see better public transport and an education hub on the Coast

SOUTHPORT Committee chairman John Howe has seen the city change a lot, but says an education hub and light rail expansion are needed for a successful future.

Chairman of the Committee of Southport John Howe. Picture by Scott Fletcher

Committee for Southport chairman has long championed the northern hub as the Gold Coast’s CBD. He believes a city built on small to medium businesses needs to cater for them better with more public transport and facilities:

BIOGRAPHY:

John Howe is known as a businessman and engineer — but it is delving into history that makes him truly happy. He loves history and he loves Southport. And f you’re talking about the history of Southport, he’s in heaven. His grandfather bought his first Southport property in 1944, while his other grandfather bought a home at Palm Beach, in the early ’50s. John Howe grew up in Brisbane on weekdays and Palmy on the weekend. He co-founded Weathered Howe Engineers in 1980, and the firm grew to employee 120 people in its Southport head office and branch offices in Brisbane, Malaysia, Taiwan and Canberra. The firm sold in 2005, allowing Mr Howe to concentrate on restoring the Old Ambulance Building at Nerang St. He founded specialist events company iEDM in 2008, which now employs 20 people in three cities. Mr Howe is an honorary professor of engineering from Griffith University, a member of that university’s advisory board, and chairman of the Committee for Southport.

WHAT do you love about the Gold Coast?

“The environment — the beach, waterways, hinterland and proximity to northern New South Wales.

“The constant energy created by the influx of tourists and holiday makers.

“The spirit of small and medium businesses to get on with it in our own way.”

What do you think could be done better on the Gold Coast?

“Public transport and our road networks need major expenditure to ensure all the things we love aren’t destroyed by choking traffic and long delays in transit between work and tourist zones.

“The light rail must be extended north and south as soon as possible and all realms of government must support it financially.

“A better understanding of the pillars and drivers of our present and future economy needs to be continually communicated to all levels of the community so that we can all play a part on ensuring a city that combines a great lifestyle with sustainable sources of income and opportunity.”

In your travels what have you seen elsewhere that would work here?

“Interestingly, in my career, I have mostly dealt with overseas businesspeople asking us to help deliver projects they have seen here to their country of origin.

“However, for the Gold Coast, I believe that the creation of a hub of a teaching and research around the Gold Coast CBD as well as the Griffith University, University Hospital and Knowledge Precinct would produce a long-lasting economic powerhouse that would provide benefits to all areas of the Gold Coast in all areas of our economy.”

If money, time, laws and approvals were no impediment what major project would you undertake today

“I would like to see a focus on the enhancement of public areas around the Broadwater.

“To see the number of families enjoy the Southport Broadwater Parklands on a weekend shows the great value of works already completed and the further potential of this invaluable asset to both visitors and residents of the city.

“The potential is there to create our own Southbank-type project, with a unique Gold Coast flavour, that creates another experience for locals and visitors to complement all our other magnificent Gold Coast natural assets.

“This would also provide us with a world-class major events precinct to showcase the Gold Coast for local and international events.

“Reconfiguration of the existing north-south road, and a direct pedestrian connection of the parklands along the Nerang St axis, would ensure a unique world-class facility directly connected with the Gold Coast CBD — with affordable public transport via light rail stations at the northern and southern ends.”

What are the conversations Gold Coast movers and shakers should be having?

“The Gold Coast is made up of thousands of small and medium businesses that work very hard to survive.

“Individuals make a difference every day in their own way, no mater what scale they are.

“The city is actually maturing and fantastic projects are happening around us.

“We all need to keep a focus on what is great in this city and not allow it to be talked down by others and especially ourselves.

“No whining or waiting for governments — let’s just continue to make it happen and support others who are doing their best in whatever it is, large or small, to make the city stronger.”