Our journalists and editors have spent weeks debating who qualifies among the Gold Coast’s most powerful 100 people — and now it’s your turn to read, argue, ponder and share the first instalment.

We’re counting down from 100 to 1 of the Gold Coast’s most influential people.

Today we reveal 100 to 81.

100. MURRAY BOYTE

BUSINESS

THE executive chairman of listed retirement company Eureka Group oversaw an ordinary year for the group, which lost almost a quarter of its market capitalisation and turned a $6.5 million profit last year into a $276,000 loss this year. The company limped away from its investment in South Stradbroke Island’s Couran Cove, a move cost it $2.89 million in writedowns.

99. LAURA YOUNGER

TOURISM

THE long-time tourism identity is general manager for the Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council and Queensland GM for the Accommodation Association of Australia. Ms Younger is chairwoman of Surfers Paradise Alliance, deputy president of the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce, a director of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and chair of that organisation’s Associations Council.

98. MIKE TIMONEY

BUSINESS

HIS Gold Coast-based ASX listed dental company Smiles Inclusive listed in April this year. The company works under a partnership model, whereby dentists who sold their clinics remain investors in the business. Smile Inclusive has not had a great start, having lost almost half of its listed market capitalisation of $58 million, but its boss is driven and well-connected in business and politics.

97. LONGHURST FAMILY

MARINE

RODNEY Longhurst is leading the family’s rapid marine industry expansion including successful boatbuilding company Riviera. Patriarch John Longhurst was creator of Dreamworld, and the family has invested heavily in property for decades. Tony Longhurst is leading an eventual $100m expansion of The Boat Works at Coomera.

96. BILL BARRY-COTTER

MARINE

MR Barry-Cotter moved to the Gold Coast 35 years ago to set up boat builder Riviera, which he sold in 2002. He started Maritimo the following year. Maritimo has had a massive year and is looking to expand its workforce by 30 per cent. The veteran sailor has also turned his focus to property development and holds a lot of sway on the northern Gold Coast.

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE NEWCOMERS TO THE POWER 100 LIST

95. DEAN CHEFFERS

CONSTRUCTION

AS general manager of Alder Constructions, Mr Cheffers oversees some of the city’s key public and private commercial and residential projects. Helensvale-based Alder has been behind important work to restore the Chevron Island bridge and stabilise Bruce Bishop carpark. Mr Cheffers is well connected and respected in and beyond the construction industry.

94. DANNY MAHER

BUSINESS

THE head of software company Opmantek is leading a surge of tech startups in the city. His own company has won just about every industry award available and he is a key player in the Gold Coast Hub innovation and startup initiative which launched at Robina this year. Mr Maher is also chairman of the former A-League side Gold Coast United Football Club.

93. STEVE MARAIS

CONSTRUCTION

ROBINA-based Condev Constructions, with Mr Marais at the helm, has been responsible for a vast work book including many of the Gold Coast’s new caryards, office buildings, health and aged care facilities. The company, named this year’s Gold Coast Business of the Year, has diverse projects that span the Coast and beyond.

92. KAREN PHILLIPS

PUBLIC RELATIONS

NAMED Gold Coast Citizen of the Year in 2018, Ms Phillips boasts an expansive career in media and is an avid supporter of women’s cancer charities and other causes, having assisted in raising more than $2 million for a range of not-for-profit organisations. Ms Phillips is behind the successful annual Women in Business Awards and the popular Early Risers networking series.

91. LORETTA LYNCH

TRANSPORT

THE Gold Coast managing director of Keolis Downer, which operates and maintains the G:link. Ms Lynch oversees operational, customer service and maintenance teams for the light rail system over the 20km line with 18 light rail vehicles and over 200 staff. She also sits on the board for the Gold Coast Waterways Authority.

SEE THE REST OF THE LIST:

• The most powerful people on the Coast: 100 to 81
• The most powerful people on the Coast: 80 to 61
• The most powerful people on the Coast: 60 to 41

90. DAVID HARPER

HEALTH

THE CEO of the 284-bed, $280 million Gold Coast Private Hospital, operated by ASX-listed Healthscope. Mr Harper has overseen huge expansion in the new hospital, including the under-construction second stage which will increase capacity to 340 beds and 23 operating theatres, with 30 beds and six theatres to open immediately.

89. MARK WITHERIFF & TANIA MOORE

PROPERTY

THESE business partners in commercial sales and leasing are key players in the city’s property industry. The Gold Coast’s best known office buildings are under their management, while many of the city’s most valuable development sites are among their current listings.

88. GREG JENKE

HEALTH

AS CEO of Tugun-based John Flynn Hospital, Mr Jenke is responsible for more than 345 beds as well as and emergency department, intensive care unit, critical care unit, 13 operating theatres, catheter labs, renal unit and more than 50 on-site practices. Is chairman of Connecting Southern Gold Coast, an advocate for daylight savings and has been trustee of the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation.

87. HANS TORV

BUSINESS

THE Hot Tomato executive chairman and former publican has high-level connections at city hall and in the business community here and nationally. The entrepreneur founded the independent radio station and mygc.com.au, which was sold to Grant Broadcasters just this week. Owns an impressive property portfolio and has been a major player in the campaign to Save Bruce Bishop Carpark.

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86. NEIL FERGUSON

PROPERTY

THE CEO Of Zupp Property Group has overseen a year of growth for the Ormeau-based company, which has been on an acquisition spree in 2018. Its purchases on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane have seen it become one of the state’s largest commercial landlords, with a growing list of high-profile tenants.

85. ROB BORBIDGE AO

BUSINESS

THE former Premier was Member for Surfers Paradise for almost 20 years and is chairman of Study Gold Coast, which had a great year, overseeing visits from more than 4000 students. Mr Borbidge is also a member of Griffith University Council, chairman of Cedar Creek Cellars and chairman of the Executive Task Force for the Institute of Glycomics at Griffith.

84. STEFAN ACKERIE

BUSINESS

THE hairdressing and boating supremo Stefan has a lot of stock in, and spends much of his time on, the Gold Coast. His growing Boating World showroom and homewares business at Coomera is gaining momentum, his JoJo’s Restaurant in Brisbane attracts some high-profile clientele and he remains one of the nation’s most successful businessmen.

83. MICK FANNING

SPORT

THE former world champion surfer retired this year after a 20-year career, but retains his influence as an icon of the sport and lucrative brand. Fanning was appointed an Officer of the order of Australia last year for distinguished service to surfing, and as a supporter of a range of charitable foundations. He retains ownership of growing brand Balter Beer with fellow retired surfers including Joel Parkinson.

82. ADAM SHOEMAKER

EDUCATION

THE Southern Cross University Vice Chancellor is one of Australia’s leading researchers in the area of indigenous literature and culture. Prof Shoemaker has also held senior leadership roles at Griffith University, was Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) at Monash University and Dean of Arts at the Australian National University.

81. DAWN CRICHLOW

COUNCIL

SUPPORT for this veteran councillor and personalised number plate collector runs deep in her Southport division, where she counts billionaire Harry Triguboff among her friends. Cr Crichlow is known for saying what she thinks and speaking up when it counts in the council chambers.

This year has been outspoken on illegal dumping, squatting and not putting a casino in Southport’s parks.