|
|
Pedal to the metal
V8 Supercars Australia is preparing for another record-breaking home event at the Lexmark Indy 300, before stepping on the gas and taking its powerful and unique product to the world
WHILE Surfers Paradise will showcase the ultra-competitive V8 Supercar Championship from October 19-22, the product itself is about to hit top gear internationally - making it one of the fastest growing...
|
|
|
New hotels key to to success
Survey identifies need for high-quality hotel rooms
THE call has been made that the Gold Coast is badly in need of another six-star hotel, and at least two other luxury international hotels.
Tourism Minister Margaret Keech has made the statement in response to a survey, conducted by Jones Lang LaSalle, identifying the Gold Coast as top of the hotels investment list in the Asia...
|
|
|
Coast still attracts the most
Gold Coast still Queensland's fastest growing district
POPULATION figures released last month from the Australian Bureau of Statistics demonstrate the enormous pressure placed on infrastructure in Queensland.
Seven of Australia's top 10 fastest growing districts are in Queensland, with the Gold Coast/Tweed region still Queensland's fastest-growing.The fastest growing districts in...
|
|
|
A labour of love
Pindara Hospital expands its special-care nursery
AFTER six months of labouring, Pindara Private Hospital, at Benowa, has delivered the expansion of its existing special-care nursery, confirming its position as the Gold Coast's premiere maternity hospital.
The $1 million expansion has increased the number of Level 2, or special care, nursery beds from four to 16.
Chief executive officer...
|
|
|
Sewing the seeds of success
New developments are afoot for the NRA Australian Fashion Design Festival
THE Gold Coast will next month play host to a revamped National Retail Association's flagship fashion event - the Australian Fashion Design Awards & Festival.
A new major sponsor is one of the key changes to this year's event, expected to place the Coast on the national fashion radar.
Unlike previous years,...
|
|
|
MFS, S8 await announcement
Mammoth merger nears completion
A DECISION regarding the proposed $1.7 billion merge between the publicly listed MFS Limited and S8 is expected as earlyas October 10.
The merge will result in a fully integrated retail and wholesale global travel services group. The merger will be implemented by way of an off-market takeover offer by MFS for all of the shares on issue in S8, which values...
|
|
|
Asset Loans poised
GOLD Coast based financial services company, Asset Loans Limited, has reported a $1.3 million (before tax) profit and announced a forward workbook which should see the company's profits surge in the 2007 financial year.
CEO, Paul Hare, says while the year's net profit was up slightly on the previous year, the actual profit was significantly affected by the introduction of the Australian...
|
|
|
Technology to save energy and water
THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided funding assistance for the development of a revolutionary power steering pump that has the potential to save the heavy vehicle industry millions of dollars a year, while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Mathers Hydraulics in Banyo, Brisbane, has developed an hydraulic pump which reduces the load on vehicle engines, and...
|
|
|
Genisis scores another win for the environment
QUEENSLAND'S leading environmental developer, Gold Coast-based Heritage Pacific, has built on its reputation for combining innovation and eco-sensitive design, winning another major environmental award for its $250 million Genesis master-planned community.
Project engineers for the 76ha Genesis project, Belleng VDM, claimed the coveted Environment Award at last month's 2006 Engineering...
|
|
|
US triumph for Maritimo
BILL Barry-Cotter's majestic luxury cruiser, the Maritimo 60 - named Cruiser of the Year and all-round Australian Boat of the Year in 2005 - has enhanced its reputation by being named best boat at the prestigious Newport International Boat Show, on Rhode Island.
The Gold Coast-built beauty claimed the top honour from more than 50 new boats considered by the judging panel.
Show organisers...
|
|
|
Publicly listed company enters regional market
LOTUS Living Homes, a division of ASX listed LV Living Limited has developed a unique and innovative construction method to deliver new designer homes to the Emerald and Mackay housing markets in less than half the time of traditional building methods.
Using the SEETEK Building System that the company uses exclusively, the homes are less dependent for completion on those trades that are in...
|
|
|
Extension to benefit tourism
THE Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre is set to embark on stage two building plans, to be funded by the State Government.
The extension will allow the centre to cater for larger conventions that have bypassed the Gold Coast, boosting local tourism and the economy.
The Government's $128 million investment in stage one of the convention centre has already brought huge dividends and...
|
|
|
Marriott best regional
THE Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort has been announced as Best Hotel in Regional Queensland by chief industry body the Hotel, Motel & Accommodation Association (HMAA) at its Accommodation Industry Awards for Excellence 2006.
The winner was chosen by a panel of industry experts from state and national offices, based on written nominations and industry reputation.
Ken Duddy, director of...
|
|
|
Raptis replaces S8 with Accor
THE Towers of Chevron Renaissance will be managed by the Accor Group from December 1.
Raptis Group Chairman Jim Raptissays the Accor group was chosen to manage Raptis's flagship property after a rigorous review and four-month tender process. Accor will replace S8, who previously held the management rights.
"Accor has extensive experience in managing and operating serviced apartment...
|
|
|
Gold Coast restaurant Qld best
MOUNT Tamborine's Songbirds in the Forest has taken the the top prize - Restaurant of the Year - at the 2006 Restaurant & Catering Queensland Sunsuper State Awards for Excellence.
A host of other Gold Coast restaurants also won in their categories, with all winners to now compete for the national prizes, to be announced in Sydney on October 30.
Restaurant & Catering Queensland...
|
|
|
And the survey says...
COMMERCE Queensland has consulted with members and local Chambers of Commerce throughout the State to determine the issues business believes to be the most important.
The consultation included a survey, which reveals infrastructure and development, state taxation and government spending, workplace health and safety, skill shortages and reducing regulation and red tape as the key areas of...
|
|
|
It's the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans
Titans snare another sponsor
THE Gold Coast Titans has officially become the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans with the announcement of a five-year, multi million-dollar naming rights sponsorship.
"Having an organisation of Jetstar's quality as our naming rights' partner is a perfect brand alignment for the emerging Gold Coast Titans," says Gold Coast Titan's managing director Michael...
|
|
|
Full house at studios
WITH an aggressive, world-wide marketing program, Warner Roadshow Studios is expected to inject a significant amount of money into the local economy following the recent confirmation of a full production schedule into 2007.
The recent acquisition of the major, multi-million dollar feature film Fool's Gold, starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson, is a great win for the Gold Coast film...
|
|
|
New chair for restaurants
AT its recent annual general meeting, Restaurant & Catering Queensland, Gold Coast Branch, elected Paul Ierna its new chairman. A new committee was also elected: Nathan Irvine from Hedges @ Mermaid; Alan Schrader from Grumpy's Wharf; Glen Day from the Aztec, Broadbeach; Surjit Dhillon from the Tandoori Place; Liz Butler from Lizzie's Restaurant and Bar; Matt Dagg from the Northcliffe...
|
|
|
Down tools
Hynes Lawyers senior associate Donna Pistol discusses the legal issues of development approvals and delays in construction
IN a tight property market, the lapsing provisions of the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (IPA) can create difficulties for developers in completing their developments on time.
Recent amendments to the IPA have opened the door for the court to assist developers even...
|
|
|
Growing a company brand
Marketing what's being bought, not what's being sold
BRAND has the potential to be the single most valuable part of your organisation, worth tens of times more than the combined value of your plant, equipment and earnings.
A strong brand is the difference between selling raw commodities and selling value or services worth more than their combined components.
A customer pays more when...
|
|
|
Easing carers' stress
The world's leading aged care franchise launches on the Gold Coast
AFTER serving more than one million seniors throughout the US, Europe, Asia, Portugal and Japan, the world's leading provider in private non-medical home care services, Home Instead Senior Care, is up and running on the Gold Coast.
"Home Instead Senior Care aims to ease the strain placed on the 'sandwich generation' on...
|
|
|
A migrating business
Getting over the hump of a competitive industry
IT is perhaps a little ironic that a small boutique business on the Tweed Coast has one of the largest 'products' on the market - the southern right humpback whale.
Tweed Snorkelling and Whale Watching owner John Van Blanken has discovered a niche market in an otherwise cluttered environmental industry.
While the whale watching industry on...
|
|
|
Flying the flag for Team Australia
GOLD Coast businessman and property developer Craig Gore will be more immersed in race proceedings than most during three nail-biting days at Indy.
Mr Gore is the co-owner of the distinctive green and gold Team Australia champ car team - adding plenty of Aussie and Queensland parochialism to the event - while his financial services company, Wright Patton Shakespeare, powers two cars in the...
|
|
|
What makes an Aussie leader?
CEO leadership study reveals top personality traits for successful leadership
THE findings of the first major analysis of the personality traits of successful Australian CEOs has been released, with some surprising results.
Undertaken by The Executive Connection (TEC), in partnership with renowned US psychologist Dr Robert Hogan and Peter Berry Consultancy, the study analysed the...
|
|
|
Building a career
A booming city creates a boom in skilled worker demand
THE large number of infrastructure projects under way in south-east Queensland is creating intense demand for skilled civil construction workers.
All industry specialisations - including roads, heavy infrastructure, water projects, desalination plants and greenfield water treatment plants - are undergoing aggressive recruitment...
|
|
|
Survey confirms women an under-utilised resource
Census shows women are under-represented in Australia's top companies
AN Australian Women in Leadership survey released last month highlights what most of us already know - that women are under-represented in big business.
The 2006 EOWA Australian Census of Women in Leadership shows that while some organisations are embracing the message to develop more diverse workplaces and create...
|
|
|
Y plan now
Why planning for the influx of Generation Yers into the workforce is essential
BUSINESS leaders need to challenge their thinking on how they manage their workforce if they are to survive the next generation taking the reins of business, says one of Australia's foremost business relationship executives.
Speaking about Generation Y - a demographic predicted to be bigger than the baby...
|
|
|
Sale are sizzling
Strength continues in the new apartment market
AS the summer season approaches, new research results show the Gold Coast property market is heating up.
In the June 2006 quarter, 441 unconditional sales of new apartments were reported - up from 259 sales in the three months to March 2006.
Of the apartments sold in the June quarter, 45 per cent were across seven new projects reported for...
|
|
|
Easy T easy buying
The Robina Easy T Centre has been placed on the market
THE cutting-edge Gold Coast shopping and dining hub, the Easy T Centre at Robina - whose tenants include a line-up of high-profile, national-chain brands - has been placed on the market.
The centre, in which a second-stage retail component has yet to be developed, opened for business in August and is anchored by an Aldi supermarket....
|
|
|
Job a day keeps Varsity booming
Varsity Lakes one of States fastest-gorwing hubs
MORE than one job per day has been created at Varsity Lakes since the start of the new millennium, making it one of the fastest-growing business hubs in south-east Queensland.
With more than $60 million under construction within Varsity Lakes' business and innovation precinct, Varsity Central is fast becoming the home of some of the...
|
|
|
Beenleigh acquisition
NO Limit Group has added to its expanding property portfolio in south-east Queensland with the purchase of a four-hectare site at Holmview, near Beenleigh, for $1.575 million.
The Gold Coast-based company has now spent a total of $12.7 million acquiring adjoining sites around the Tallagandra and Teys Road areas.
The purchase completes a significant amalgamation of more than 31 hectares by...
|
|
|
Westfield tenants call
A NATIONAL expression of interest campaign has been launched for the prime, vacant development land surrounding the highly successful Westfield Helensvale shopping centre on the northern Gold Coast.
Westfield Helensvale, located opposite the Helensvale railway station, opened in June 2005 and is one of the Gold Coast's key regional shopping precincts. The shopping centre forms the heart of...
|
|
|
Last waterfront land
THE last waterfront residential land development on the northern Gold Coast is about to be launched and it is tipped to be rushed by buyers.
Prolific waterfront residential developer The Lewis Land Group of Companies is set to take the wraps off its 218 block, 32-hectare Harbour Quays project bordering the Harbour Town Shopping Centre, in Oxley Drive, Runaway Bay.
Harbour Quays will form...
|
|
|
Avoiding asbestos risks
IN an earlier issue, we discussed asbestos and how best to understand it and mitigate its risks.
With the changes to Queensland Workplace Health & Safety Regulations now in effect, N&B outlines the new rules to help you ensure your property complies.
Under the new legislation, it is essential all workplaces built before 1990 identify, label and register all asbestos containing...
|
|
|
Stephen steers his dream team
Dreamworld CEO Stephen Gregg offers some behind-the-scenes insight into one of the world's most successful theme parks
THERE are many cogs in the Dreamworld machine to ensure it runs as smoothly and effectively as possible. What are some of the challenges you face?
"Dreamworld is a major contributor to the local economy, employing up to 1000 local residents in peak holiday periods....
|
|
|
Grombiz 'ollies' above its competitors
Third-generation business operator Jack Hockley shows entrepreneurialism can be inherited
SURFING and skating are two core business dynamics 19-year-old Jack Hockley adhered to when setting up Grombiz, a skateboard design company creating waves both offshore and in Australia.
Mr Hockley and business partner and designer Ben Lukoszek have created and manufactured a revolutionary...
|
|
|
Economy hits top top gear
The Lexmark Indy racing carnival will stamp anindelible economic print on the Gold Coast long after the chequered flag has been raised
THE Gold Coast is preparing to be ensconced in a powerful swirl of revving engines and a spectacular smorgasbord of entertainment. Once the rev limiter settles, more than $60 million will have been injected into the city's economy.
As well as pouring...
|
)
