WHOSE power rose and fell in 2017 on the Gold Coast?
Our journalists and editors have spent weeks debating this question — 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.
Another 20 will be published here on Monday, ahead of a gloss magazine featuring the full list — plus loads of features about the people who run the Coast — in Friday’s Gold Coast Bulletin.
100. SIMONE HOLZAPFEL
THE former staffer of Tony Abbott and Mayor Tom Tate hasn’t let a brush with the corruption watchdog slow her down, with her clients including casino hopefuls ASF Group and Sunland.
She has also worked for Pearls, now known as MiiGroup, which once owned the Sheraton Mirage and is now embroiled in a major court case with the Indian corporate regulator.
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99. ADAM SHOEMAKER
NEW TO THE LIST
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.
FLASHBACK: 2016’s POWER 100: 100-81
98. RAY JAMES
THE managing director of Broadbeach Waters-based Icon Energy. Challenging times continued for oil and gas industries in 2016, however Mr James has outlined promising plans to focus on gas for power generation.
A member of the Griffith Business School Advisory Council and Gold Coast Waterways Authority.
97. LONGHURST FAMILY
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.
96. BILL BARRY-COTTER
MR Barry-Cotter moved to the Gold Coast 34 years ago to set up boat builder Riviera, which he sold in 2002.
He started Maritimo the following year. The veteran sailor has also turned his focus to property development and holds a lot of sway on the northern Gold Coast.
95. MURRAY D’ALMEIDA
THE independent non-executive chairman of BPS Technology and founder of Retail Food Group had a trying year, where minority shareholders tried to oust him and other board members from the company.
BPS posted great results during the year, with new e-commerce acquisitions looking promising.
94. NEV PASK
ONE of nation’s richest people and most respected developers, Mr Pask has spent 45 years building Pask Group, of which he is chairman.
The Southport-based company is currently planning a new 800-home development in Victoria and is developing Arise Estate in Brisbane’s Rochedale.
93. DAVID HARPER
THE CEO of the 284-bed Gold Coast Private Hospital, lead its relocation from the former Allamanda facility into a new $230 million precinct next to the Gold Coast University Hospital last year and within six months fast-tracked a $50 million expansion.
92. GREG JENKE
AS CEO of Tugun-based John Flynn hospital, Greg Jenke was new to the list last year at number 89.
He 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 an advocate of daylight saving and trustee of the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation.
91. DANNY MAHER
NEW TO THE LIST
THE head of software company Opmantek is leading a surge of tech start-ups in the city.
His own company has won just about every industry award available — including a national trade award just last week — and is likely to list on the ASX in the coming year. Mr Maher is also behind a push to establish a Gold Coast A-League side.
90. DAWN CRICHLOW
NEW TO THE LIST
THE Southport stalwart is not new to council, but has taken a new approach in council chambers in the past 12 months.
While Cr Crichlow was once a reliable ally for Mayor Tom Tate, she is increasingly opposing him on big issues, garnering support from other councillors.
She counts billionaire Harry Triguboff among her friends and has wide support in her division.
89. ADRIENNE READINGS
THE boss of the city’s biggest indoor entertainment centre, the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, leads 250 people and plays a crucial role in attracting big business and industry conventions to the Coast.
The centre is set to host accredited media from across the Commonwealth in 2018.
Ms Readings is also on the board of Gold Coast Tourism.
88. MICK DOOHAN
THE former world champion MotoGP racer is also a successful businessman. He hosts some of the world’s most famous faces in his Coomera mansion and flies many more around the country in his fleet of private jets.
When he speaks, people listen.
87. TRISH HOGAN
THE CEO of Pindara Private Hospital is also on the board of the Gold Coast Titans.
This year she oversaw the development of the new Southport Private Hospital, incorporating a mental health wing which opened in May.
The hospital is also set to open specialist medical suites at Parkwood.
86. PROF NED PANKHURST
Griffith University’s senior deputy vice-chancellor is provost of the Gold Coast campus and actively involved in the growth of the city’s biggest university.
Steps in as voice of the campus when vice-chancellor Ian O’Connor is away.
Also a director of the Gold Coast Titans.
85. WAYNE MORAN
THE Mayor’s chief of staff often attends meetings and functions in place of Cr Tate and was instrumental in his election.
Is seen as somewhat of a gatekeeper and decision-maker for him and often speaks for him on social media.
84. MARTIN WINTER
THE Gold Coast Tourism CEO oversaw strong international visitor growth in the past year and is an advocate for increasing ties with China and developing the Broadwater.
GCT has been under fire for the city’s relatively low visitor spend and managed to get Federal Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo off-side.
83. CAMERON CALDWELL
THE chair of the Gold Coast City Council planning committee maintains strong ties within the LNP at all levels of government. Was among the councillors grilled by the corruption watchdog over the 2016 election campaign, before which he did not disclose several developer donations.
82. MARK WITHERIFF & TANIA MOORE
THESE business partners in commercial sales and leasing are key players in the city’s property industry.
They left CBRE’s Gold Coast office to establish their own Knight Frank agency in 2014 and moved into new Broadbeach offices in 2015 where they have been involved in some of the city’s biggest ever property deals. Mr Witheriff is also the deputy chairman of the Broadbeach Alliance.
81. HANS TORV
THE Hot Tomato executive chairman and publican has high-level connections at city hall and in the business community here and nationally.
The entrepreneur is also behind the independent radio station and mygc.com.au.
This year has been a major player in the campaign to Save Bruce Bishop Carpark.
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