THINK TANK: Gold Coast real estate agent Luke Henderson talks everything Gold Coast

GOLD Coast real estate agent Luke Henderson believes less opinion, less bureaucracy and less red tape would open new opportunities for the city — do you agree?

Luke Henderson from Professionals Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast. Picture: Regi Varghese

The Gold Coast needs less in order to get more, according to born-and-bred Mermaid Beacher and Melbourne Cup-winning horse owner Luke Henderson, who believes less opinion, less bureaucracy and less red tape would open up new opportunities for the seaside city.

Biography:

Aside from a few years in Brisbane, Luke Henderson has lived his whole life at Mermaid Beach. The Marymount College alumni worked and studied in Brisbane, where he met wife Justine, before returning to the Coast to work for the family business, John Henderson Real Estate — now known as Professionals Mermaid Beach. Mr Henderson Senior started the business in 1973 and, with wife Jan, simultaneously ran the catering at Gold Coast Turf Club throughout the 1970s. The connection to horse racing was passed on to his children — the horseshoe cufflinks Luke wears are testament to his love of the sport. He, along with John and his brother and Andrew have owned a string of racehorses — most notably Gait Waterhouse-trained 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente.

What do you love about the Gold Coast?

“I think it’s a fantastic city to raise a family.

It encourages the healthy outdoor lifestyle for kids. The Gold Coast continues to grow but, in my opinion, it still has its sense of community where most residents know their neighbours and are involved in some sort of local group — surf clubs, sporting clubs, rotary, charity etc.

“We have the nest beaches in the world, great weather and climate, loads of attractions.

“Our opportunities for educations are improving and the number of varied industries are expanding — especially professional industries.”

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

“We can improve the decision-making process and improve the rate of progress for the city. There are too many opinions being sought and heard and too many bureaucrats in council.

“Mayor Tom Tate is the right man for the job but his progress is being held back by lightweight councillors who have had their time in the spotlight and now need to step aside.

Red tape is still a major issue around development of our city, including protection of the environment, which I do believe needs to be considered, but without losing reasonable perspective of the fact the resident is number one.

“We need more big business and head offices to relocate to the Gold Coast, we need to grow our local businesses and encourage them to stay Gold Coast-based so our children can be the best they can be while not outgrowing the Gold Coast and having to relocate.

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

“I believe that we need to maximise the use of our beaches, especially to attract tourists, especially families.

“In Hong Kong, they have a laser light show over the harbour nightly — why couldn't the Gold Coast do the same, but over the ocean off secured platforms?

“In other cities there is more beach entertainment and attractions, where the city can make a profit and jobs can be created.”

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

“Cruise ship terminal. The demand on our port would be large and if every single visitor to the port put $100 into the Gold Coast economy, we would have created a multi-billion-dollar industry out of nowhere.

“Add a massive casino with its restaurants, cafes, shopping — like Crown casino in Melbourne — and our city would be a mecca for international visitors that very few destinations in the world could compete against.

“This is big-picture development, where the people against it are thinking too small-picture.”

What conversations should Gold Coast movers and shakers be having?

“The continued influence of China and the Asian markets to the Gold Coast.

“Businesses being Chinese friendly is critical to their growth.

“The desire to have cranes back in our sky, creating development, industry and jobs.

The continued reduction of crime and the implementation of VLAD laws are a real positive.

Protecting our children and providing them with real opportunities without having to leave the Gold Coast.”