Reimagine Gold Coast: Politicians and business leaders gather for jobs, skills and industry forum at Convention and Exhibition Centre

A strategist has delivered a blunt message to city leaders, saying the Gold Coast is relying on a “lazy strategy” for growth. Here’s what he thinks we should do.

GOLD Coast, here’s the hard truth – the city must innovate, educate and diversify to claw its way back from the economic devastation of the coronavirus pandemic.

Otherwise, the Coast risks being left in the dust on the global stage, according to ­Future State strategist James Tuma.

Mr Tuma delivered a blunt missive to leaders hashing out a path forward at the Reimagine Gold Coast jobs, skills and industry forum yesterday.

“Our productivity … year on year, by average, is going down. We’re contributing less to the GDP of the country proportionately every year. I’m sorry, it’s a sad fact,” he said.

“We’re also getting older. You geographically have quite an old population, so whilst your immigration and growth is high, it’s not young people.

Industry, Science and Technology Minister Karen Andrews speaks at the Reimagine Gold Coast forum. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“There will be a point where there’s not enough productivity and there’s a lot of older people and you won’t be able to afford to run the city the way that you do.”

Mr Tuma said the “productivity rut” could be partially addressed by backing the creation of “innovation clusters”. But the city had low levels of educational attainment, putting STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) innovation at risk.

MORE NEWS

Report reveals truth about Coast trams’ popularity

‘Silly not to’: Council defers City Plan changes

How COVID-19 smashed Star’s bottom line

He praised the Coast’s “great global brand”, but said the city has an “over reliance on natural assets” like beach and climate, which was a “lazy strategy”. Mr Tuma suggested the city could focus on potential strengths including events, health, medicine, pop culture and sports.

Future State strategist James Tuma. Picture: Peter Wallis

HOW GENE SLEUTHS ARE TRACKING COVID

He said the Coast’s identity revolved around tourism, construction and small business, but it should also be sold on high-value jobs and a positive lifestyle proposition.

Mr Tuma’s assessment came after a glowing appraisal of the city by Sunland Group chairman, developer Dr Soheil Abedian.

Former Premier Bob Borbidge, with Gold Coast MPs Angie Bell, Stuart Robert and Karen Andrews at the Reimagine Gold Coast forum at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“If Soheil’s address was like a nice warm blanket, mine is likely to be a bit more like an alarm clock, I’m sorry to say,’’ Mr Tuma said.

“There’s lots of positivity and good news but there’s also lots of real challenges the Gold Coast has to work through in the coming generation.”

Mr Abedianm who is originally from Iran, spoke of his love for the Gold Coast and how the city was so well positioned to capitalise on attracting people here in a post-coronavirus era.

“I found Gold Coast and I fell in love with Gold Coast,’’ he said.

“Because of the love that exists in the DNA of this city, because of the generosity of every single one of us that make this city the Gold Coast that we are so proud of. Because of the connectivity that we have.

“We have now the opportunity to take it to the next stage, but this opportunity will only come if we accept that we are not imagining, that we are the best.”

The Reimagine think tank by the City Heart Taskforce drew representatives from 11 “key economic pillars” to pitch their ideas to the Federal Government.

Federal MPs at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre included Moncrieff MP and taskforce chair Angie Bell, Government Services Minister Stuart Robert and Industry, Science and Technology Minister Karen Andrews.

Moncrieff MP and City Heart Taskforce chair Angie Bell. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Also appearing over video was Dr Katie Allen with the National COVID-19 Health and Research Advisory Committee and Employment Minister Michaelia Cash.

Organisations represented included chambers of commerce, Destination Gold Coast, HOTA, Major Events Gold Coast, Regional Development Australia, Study Gold Coast and Sports Gold Coast.

QUARANTINE ESCAPEES AVOID JAIL

Prime Minister Scott Morrison did not attend, but a video message was played.

In his message Mr Morrison spoke of the crippling hardship the Gold Coast faces due to COVID-19, saying the Government is keeping a close eye on the turmoil on the ground.

“We are facing a once in a century pandemic, a health crisis and an economic one. Every part of this country is being hit, yours particularly,’’ he said.

“Tourism, accommodation, higher education, entertainment, events, hospitality have all been hit hard. Our government has been listening and I’ll particularly pay tribute to your local (Moncrieff) MP Angie Bell. She’s been listening too and she’s been passing on what she’s been hearing.”

Mr Morrison thanked businesses “for everything you’re doing”.

“I know many of you are feeling burdened, stressed and even burnt out. I have a simple request: make sure you’re talking to people,” he said.

“I know it’s taken strength to build your businesses and it will take that same strength to get through the pandemic and re-emerge on the other side.”

A breakfast program with speakers, attended by about 120 people, was followed by Key Pillar Industry sessions and brief presentations from figureheads and Mayor Tom Tate.

Topics included revitalising the Southport CBD, industry transformation, infrastructure, rebuilding tourism and the future of hospitality and accommodation.

Instead of the “new normal”, Ms Bell welcomed “a new and exceptional future for the Gold Coast”.

The taskforce will pass on a report to the Federal Government.