Steve Gillard says we need better access to the Gold Coast Airport

The new owner of 50 Cavill Ave believes easier access to the airport and attracting more bureaucrats would help diversify the Gold Coast economy.

Photo at 50 Cavill Ave of Steve Gillard for Thinktank. Pic by Richard Gosling

GDI Property Group managing director Steve Gillard is a familiar face at the annual Magic Millions and at Broadbeach, where he has an apartment.

The successful asset manager has further strengthened his bond to the Gold Coast by purchasing landmark Surfers Paradise office building 50 Cavill Ave.

Mr Gillard started his career in residential property management and sales, and then moved into commercial property in Sydney.

In 1992, he joined a stockbroking firm and then moved on to another company as a property analyst, where he was involved in floating the Crown Casino, Accor Tourism Asset Holdings, Treetops and the Reef Casino in Cairns.

After the firm closed in 1998, he struck out on his own, buying 46 KFC stores, on which he completed a successful unlisted public offering.

He bought into GDI in 2004 and has “never lost an investor a cent” since.

The business now specialises in buying commercial office buildings around Australia “which have a twist” and need some TLC.

Steve Gillard. Picture: Richard Gosling

What do you love about the Gold Coast?

“Obviously the climate, the beaches, the accessibility to relax but also have the finer things in life.

“The kids can go to theme parks, there’s lot to do there, but if you’re an adult - I’ve got a unit down at Broadbeach and there are things to do there as well.”

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

“Continue to clean up the place, continue to ensure that it’s a strong family environment.

“Rather than relying 100 per cent on tourism, try to encourage other industries here - there are other industries and that will build, because it’s really becoming a self-sufficient city.

“It would be a great work environment for people to work as you can be close to the beach and close to work, which is the ideal situation - that’s why population growth’s been so strong here over the years.”

In your travels, what have you seen being done elsewhere you think could work well here?

“You’ve got your grand prix, you’ve got your attractions, you’ve got your country and western things - I think maybe some more concerts.

“The Hunter Valley is doing it very well with their Day on the Green festivals, where they’ve got the older bands coming up and they’re very safe, nice environments for people to go.

“It would be nice to get the trams straight to the airport.

“When you’re in Brisbane and you come down by train it stops and you’ve got nowhere to go.”

If time, money, laws and approvals were no issue, what is one big project you’d undertake tomorrow?

“I would bring up a lot more of the public sector to here rather than having it all concentrated in Canberra.

“With the electronic age, they don’t need to be all down in Canberra.

“If money were no object, if it was absolute pie-in-the-sky stuff, bring in an African-theme wildlife adventure here, where you can ride around and look at the animals.

“Like the old African Lion Safari they had in Sydney where you can see lions in their native state.

“People still love to see the frontier land of the world - more natural, more open, where people can feel and touch more.”

What conversations should Gold Coast movers and shakers be having?

“Work together, it’s not a secret. People have got to do things the simple way, don’t overcomplicate things.

“If you do it right and do it properly, it will work.”