Growing Pains

The key to maintaining the Gold Coast's unique lifestyle

PETER Trathen is the Property Council of Australia Gold Coast committee chairman and the managing director of City Pacific Project Management. Mr Trathen says the challenge facing the Gold Coast is to maintain growth while not destroying the lifestyle that makes the region one of the 'greatest places on earth to live'.

A key to this growth, he says, is maintaining infrastructure to support an escalating population. "There's a whole mix to this thing, it's not just the roads or the water," he says.

"We live in one of the most fabulous spots on the planet. The reason that I have a job and my children will have jobs is because of growth. "The Gold Coast is an increasingly sophisticated city. Its economy is broadening, although tourism and property remain the core of the economy.

"The Gold Coast has consistently been the leader in population growth in Australia for 25 years. "This has been fuelled by the climate and lifestyle options it offers, but has been sustainable only because it has offered jobs and opportunities to its new residents. This position remains a key driver."

Mr Trathen concedes that investment in the city's infrastructure has been inadequate in the past, at least the last decade. "Roads, services, water and public transport have been poorly serviced in capital expenditure commitment," he says.

"The city's budgets for years have been short term and focused on maintaining low rates. Eventually this lack of capital expenditure must start to impact, and it has.

"However the past is the past. The city council has for two years now taken a long-term strategic view of the needs of the city. Council budgets now reflect a 10-year strategy aimed at significant investment in all areas of essential infrastructure for our city.

"The council should be applauded for this move. Short term political expediency has been replaced with carefully considered long term planning, balanced with a concern that spending should not unreasonably increase rates."

He says the focus for Gold Coast residents is the delivery of the proposed infrastructure.

"Planning and funding commitment is an important first step," he says.

"The next task is to execute the plans quickly and efficiently. Without this, the city will stall."

Mr Trathen cites critical issues facing the city as:

1. Water supply from a range of options including new dams, recycling or desalination: For a matter of such extraordinary importance the debate on these options for the Gold Coast has been insufficient. This is a critical issue for the future of the city, and particularly the matter of utilisation of recycled water must be positively considered. Recycled water is commonly used in many other countries.

2. Roads: Our growing city needs improved roads. One of the threats to our lifestyle and to growth is traffic congestion. Part of the solution is improved road networks and the other is public transport.

3. Public Transport: For a city of close to 500,000 people our public transport system is inadequate. This is primarily due to lack of funding by both council and the state. The recent and ongoing study into light rail or bus-way systems is taking too long and is too narrowly focused. While it is encouraging to see that the council is increasing its funding of public transport, more is needed in this area where an increased financial commitment from the council and the state government could deliver improved services very quickly.

"We live in a fantastic part of the world - great weather, great recreational locations and a lifestyle which is the envy of millions," he says.

"We have to safeguard this not just for ourselves but also our children. That is not merely an environmental obligation, but also an obligation to continue to create and sustain the businesses that deliver jobs and benefits to the economy. I for one want a vibrant Gold Coast, able to provide jobs for my children and my grandchildren, and for that to happen growth is essential."