Our journalists and editors have spent weeks debating whose power rose and fell in 2016 — and now it’s your turn to read, argue, ponder and share the Gold Coast Bulletin’s Power 100.

CHAPTER 1: COAST’S MOST INFLUENTIAL 100-81

CHAPTER 2: COAST’S MOST INFLUENTIAL: 80-61

CHAPTER 4: COAST’S MOST INFLUENTIAL 40-21

CHAPTER 5: COAST’S MOST INFLUENTIAL 20-11

CHAPTER 6: COAST’S MOST INFLUENTIAL 10-1

CHAPTER 7: RISE AND FALL OF MOST INFLUENTIAL

60. TOM & JACK RAY

These business-savvy brothers took the reins of the family property group after the untimely deaths of their parents Brian and Kathy Ray. The pair, both executive directors of Ray Group, have managed development projects worth billions and also have success in business and asset management.

59. NEIL FISKE

The Billabong International CEO is credited with turning the company around since it dived in 2013. Billabong posted its first profit in three years in 2015 under his leadership turning over $13.8 million compared to a loss of $126.3 million in 2014. It returned to a $23.7 million loss in 2016, despite a 4.5 per cent lift in revenue to $1.1 billion.

58. 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. Has a long history behind the scenes of city politics.

57. BILL POTTS

The former president of the Queensland Law Society is a high-profile criminal lawyer who has represented major bikie gangs and organised crime figures. Earned some ire locally after backing Labor’s roll-back of anti-bikie laws. His practice, launched in 2009, has become one of the most successful on the Gold Coast.

56. JOHN HOWE

The engineer and boss of iEDM is a driving force behind the Chinatown precinct in Southport. A Southport Parklands trustee, Mr Howe heads up the Committee for Southport, maintains links with Griffith University and Bond University and is an adviser in major motorsport event design.

55. ROLAND EVANS

The Canford Property founder tucked some breathtaking deals under his belt in 2016. Among them was a $55 million deal between two Chinese interests for theme park land at Nerang; he sold Harry Triguboff a chunk of Surfers Paradise for a super tower, and helped put together 6000 hectares of farmland which could host a new city.

54. MURRAY WATT

The new Queensland Labor Senator will be the first Gold Coast-based senator in three decades once he settles into his new Southport office in early 2017. Is learning quickly about the Coast’s key issues and will be a key playmaker in Labor’s plan to pry LNP members from their State and Federal seats.

53. ROB MOLHOEK

The former city finance chief is a well-connected Southport MP who knows his patch well and staunchly advocates for it. Lost his Shadow Ministry for Housing and Public Works in May after backing the loser in the LNP leadership bid. A regular at community functions who is making exceptional efforts to connect the city with China.

52. STUART ROBERT

The Fadden MP kept his seat in the July election despite a 3.3 per cent swing. Lost his portfolios for Veterans Affairs and Human Services after it was revealed he’d accepted a Rolex from a disgraced Chinese businessman. Mr Robert hasn’t let the setback affect his confidence and remains an ambitious member of the Turnbull Government.

51. WILLIAM O’DWYER

The Ralan Group owner is based in Sydney, but is among Surfers Paradise’s biggest landowners. He has six towers and nearly 3000 apartments planned at Budds Beach, and owns the Paradise Resort and the city block immediately to the south, where he has begun construction of the mammoth four-tower Ruby development.

50. CRAIG DAVIDSON

The CEO of Dreamworld, WhiteWater World and SkyPoint had a horror year in which four people died at his biggest theme park. He has led the company’s response to the disaster, which remains under investigation. Mr Davidson is responsible for more than 1000 employees on the Coast and is on the board of Gold Coast Tourism.

49. IAN LANGDON

The chair of the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Board has a diverse background which has served him well. Had a difficult year, with seven staff investigated by the Crime and Corruption Commission for alleged misappropriation of funds. A vocal advocate for the Parkwood health and knowledge precinct.

48 NORM & GREG RIX

The veteran father-son Rix combination is one of the longest-running development operations. Their shopping centre developments include Ashmore City and Coomera Grand. Mr Rix senior, a former councillor, was inducted into the Gold Coast Business Hall of Fame in November and is one of the State’s richest people.

47 ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER BRIAN CODD

Unlike his predecessors, the Coast’s top cop has kept a low profile in his first 17 months. He has overseen a reduction in some crimes and an increase in others and his troops face new challenges in 2017 after the wind-back of anti-bikie legislation.

46. CAM MCEVOY

A brilliant leader and great hope for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, McEvoy has featured in fashion shoots with Jennifer Hawkins, has a hefty social media following and a cool role promoting science to kids. While the Olympics didn’t go the way he hoped, McEvoy is the ultimate team spokesman and worthy GC2018 ambassador.

45 TERRY MORRIS

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 is enjoying growing popularity and his Carrara Markets are undergoing a growth spurt.

44 DONNA GATES

The deputy mayor is a well-liked and passionate councillor who was returned unopposed in the 2016 election. A strong ally of Mayor Tom Tate, Cr Gates was one of five councillors overseeing implementation of the new City Plan. Spent a lot of 2016 in the big chair as the Mayor was frequently overseas.

43. JARRYD HAYNE

He joined the Gold Coast Titans with a face full of reluctance and a pocket full of cash and was greeted by a city full of hope. The team’s biggest name left rugby union and the NFL and is a high-profile member of Hillsong Church. The elite athlete with massive marketing and social media clout became a father just before Christmas.

42. VIN COX

As the Magic Millions continues to grow, so does the power of its MD, whose event brings millions to the city each year. His experience and professionalism have made the January sales the richest in the world and the racing schedule surpassed the Melbourne Cup to become Australia’s richest in 2016.

41 MARION CHARLTON

THE COO of Gold Coast Airport kicked off the facility’s Project Lift redevelopment in her first year. She has led the airport during tricky negotiations to install an instrument landing system, is on the Board for Southern Cross University Business School and the Board of Trustees for the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation.