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 next instalment.

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

Yesterday we revealed numbers 80 to 61 on our list.

Today we count down from 60 to 41.

60. PHIL MUMFORD

TRANSPORT

THE head of the city’s light rail project, who also led construction of the Gateway Motorway, is at the top of a series of companies which were contracted to deliver the first two stages of the city-changing infrastructure project, successfully launching stage two well ahead of schedule last Christmas. With planning for stage three well under way, Federal funds promised, and state and council backing likely, Mr Mumford will be champing at the bit to start the next phase.

59. CON MAKRIS

DEVELOPMENT

THE Greek-born billionaire owns some of the city’s best-known properties, including the Marina Mirage marina and shopping centre, which he bought for $52 million in 2013. He shelled out another $65 million in 2015 for the retail and office precinct at the Oracle, Broadbeach. His son and chief operating officer Jason Makris owns a sprawling mansion on a double block at Clear Island Waters and the family maintain lucrative property interests in South Australia.

58. PETA FIELDING

BUSINESS

THE co-founder and CEO of Burleigh Brewing is also chair of the Australian Craft Beer Industry Association. With husband and brewer Brennan, has grown the credential of Burleigh Brewing’s new premises as a top music venue and their products remain the beverage of choice at all the city’s key functions. Ms Fielding is also on the boards for Gold Coast Tourism and the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, which will be dissolved next month.

57. JOHN OSBORNE

TOURISM

THE former Bond University student took the reins of troubled theme park Dreamworld, and its sister attractions WhiteWater World and Skypoint, on November 5. The appointment follows the departure of Craig Davidson, who left the company in July. Mr Osborne faces challenges in rejuvenating the reputation and financial situation of the park, where four people were killed on a ride in 2016. The company’s theme parks division was the major driver of the company’s dire annual results, with that division alone recording a loss in earnings of $91.1 million.

56. ANNALIESE BATTISTA

TOURISM

THE former top City of Perth bureaucrat eclipsed 200-plus hopefuls for the coveted role of Gold Coast Tourism CEO, a vacancy left by Martin Winter, who departed after a decade in the job. Ms Battista hit the ground running in the crucial position, and has already become a loud advocate for bold, much-needed change in the city’s most important economic sector.

POWER 100: OUR EDUCATION POWERBROKERS

55. IAN LANGDON

HEALTH

THE chair of the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Board has a diverse background which has served him well. The board oversees Government spending that equates to $1 million every six hours and managed to deliver a slim surplus in the past financial year. Mr Langdon is a vocal advocate for the Parkwood health and knowledge precinct, which is about to hit its straps after the Commonwealth Games.

54. NORM & GREG RIX

DEVELOPMENT

THE veteran father-son Rix combination is a key developer on the Coast and one of the longest-running development operations. In 2018 they added a new shopping centre at Pimpama to their portfolio of retail developments which have included Ashmore City and the Coomera Grand. Blue Bentley-driving Mr Rix senior, a former councillor, is one of the State’s richest people.

53. TERRY MORRIS

BUSINESS

THE Sirromet Wine founder and veteran Gold Coast businessman has a diverse range of interests. He is into motorsports, hotels and property and is well regarded by the business community. His Mount Cotton winery launched Sanctuary by Sirromet, with 18 safari-style glamping pavilions this year, and his Carrara Markets are still going strong after almost 40 years.

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

52. BARRY BOWDITCH

BUSINESS

ENJOYED his first Magic Millions as managing director in January after a long stint as bloodstock and sales selection manager for the company. The Magic Millions sales have become the most successful thoroughbred auction house in the southern hemisphere, while the summer race day grows bigger every year in prize money and crowd numbers.

51. DONNA GATES

COUNCIL

WELL-connected and respected, the Deputy Mayor is a loyal ally of Mayor Tom Tate and is known for sticking to her guns on big issues. Is a hard worker whose efforts to stay on top of issues across the Gold Coast do not go unnoticed by residents. Appears to have put a 2017 cloud over developer contributions behind her.

50. DAVID CRISAFULLI

STATE GOVERNMENT

THE Shadow Tourism, Science and Environment Minister has been relatively quiet since storming into the seat of Broadwater a year ago. The former North Queensland journalist has, however, been outspoken on how the city can make the most of the Broadwater by cleaning up irresponsible houseboat owners and providing more funds for the Gold Coast Waterways Authority.

49. KATE JONES

STATE GOVERNMENT

AS Tourism Minister, this State Labor Minister has the power to impact the lives of thousands of Gold Coasters by attracting events, supporting new attractions, lobbying for new flight routes and making sure the city comes up in important conversations inside and outside of government. While still technically the Minister for the Commonwealth Games, the influence of that title is dwindling as the event disappears into the rearview. Has effectively stepped down from her role as honorary Minister for the Gold Coast.

48. RICHARD HINSON

New to Power 100

BUSINESS

THE boss of listed Southport franchisor Retail Food Group has one of the country’s most challenging jobs of 2018 — turning around a company that crashed from a billion-dollar Gold Coast success story to one that’s of questionable viability. The company entered 2018 under heavy fire from franchisees claiming it was mistreating them, banks circling for more than a quarter of a billion dollars in debt and angry shareholders whose investment shrunk by more than 90 per cent. Mr Hinson has worked hard to regain credibility among franchisees and customers, and appears to be making some inroads.

47. BRIAN WILKINS

New to Power 100

POLICE

The new Assistant Commissioner took over as the city’s top cop from Brian Codd in April following a slew of controversies in the local ranks, which culminated in former top cop Michelle Stenner being charged with perjury. The Gold Coast police face challenges including 15 allegations of misconduct or corruption being levelled at 15 of them. The AC has his work cut out, and the stakes are high if he’s not up for it.

46. MICHAEL MCGEE

TRANSPORT

THE CEO of Burleigh-based Transit Australia Group, which operates Surfside buses, is responsible for running the nation’s largest privately-owned public transport company. TAG employs more than 1400 people on the Gold Coast, Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton and beyond and is also behind the city’s Mobike system. The company is for sale in a deal which could be worth more than $200 million.

45. BARRY ROBINSON

TOURISM

THE director of International Operations for Wyndham Vacation Clubs, Mr Robinson oversees operations of the company’s timeshare business outside North America. He leads the international growth strategy for the company’s seven vacation clubs. The keen surfer oversees an asset portfolio in excess of $1 billion with about 45 hotel and vacation club properties either open or under development.

44. JOHN-PAUL LANGBROEK

STATE GOVERNMENT

THE Member for Surfer Paradise only seemed to make headlines for the wrong reason this year, copping flak for drawing attention to a young woman’s breasts on an Instagram photo and then for slugging taxpayers thousands of dollars so he and his wife could go to an unspecified work trip to WA’s wine region. Despite the slips, the dentist retains a huge supporter base in his electorate and is well-connected across the city and state.

43. BOB EAST

TOURISM

THE former CEO of Gold Coast-based Mantra Group made himself and the company’s shareholders a packet when the company he built was sold for $1.3 billion to Accor Group in May. Mr East, who had held number two position on this list in 2015, 2016 and 2017, is taking some time off running major companies before tackling new tourism ventures in coming months. He remains Chairman of Tourism Australia and deputy chairman of the Gold Coast Suns.

42. MARION CHARLTON

TRANSPORT

THE respected chief operations officer of Gold Coast Airport is overseeing the multi million-dollar redevelopment of the airport, with the $86 million first stage, an upgrade to the apron and taxiway, opening in April. Ms Charlton also chairs the advisory Board for Southern Cross University Business School, is on the board of trustees for the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation.

41. STEPHANIE GILMORE

SPORT

THE Coast’s golden girl is shaping for her seventh world title win and is a household name. As well as wowing on the waves, Gilmore is an accomplished guitarist who has graced the stages of some of the nation’s biggest music festivals. Her photos and tweets are watched by fans around the world and the world’s biggest brands are climbing over each other to have her name on their products.