Category Archives: Gold Coast

Gold Coast building industry still suffering from pre-GFC over-investment

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Gene Tunny

With high vacancy rates for both residential and commercial property – a legacy of the pre-GFC boom in construction on the Gold Coast – there is little need for additional construction activity on the Coast any time soon. Hence, it’s … Continue reading →

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Brisbane’s identity – centre of the 200km City

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Gene Tunny

With the emergence of Springfield and the growth of the western corridor, and the large commuter flows from the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast every day, it doesn’t make much sense to talk about Brisbane’s identity – or an economic … Continue reading →

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Gold Coast and Cairns becoming FIFO hubs

Posted on July 29, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Possibly in response to slowdowns in their local building industries, and a need for construction workers to look elsewhere for work, the Gold Coast and Cairns are emerging as hubs for fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) mine workers: Terminal deal cut for … Continue reading →

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Fitch’s negative outlook for Qld is bizarre

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Fitch Ratings’s negative outlook for the Queensland economy would only make sense if the US really does have an economic armageddon following the possible (though unlikely) failure to lift the US Government’s debt ceiling and this depresses the global economy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, Gold Coast, Macroeconomy, Mining | 4 Comments

Carbon tax impacts on tourism and construction sectors

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Queensland Tourism boss Daniel Gschwind is worried about the impact of the carbon tax on the State’s tourism industry, as reported in the Gold Coast Bulletin this morning: THE carbon tax is another challenge for the Gold Coast tourism industry … Continue reading →

Posted in Cairns, Climate change, Gold Coast, Mining, North Queensland, Tourism | 1 Comment

Recommended reading for delegates to the Gold Coast Turning Point Summit

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Gene Tunny

I am currently reading Harvard Economics Professor Edward Glaeser’s masterpiece Triumph of the City, published earlier this year. I’d recommend it to anyone attending the upcoming Gold Coast Turning Point Summit. It contains very useful advice from the leading international economist … Continue reading →

Posted in Gold Coast | 3 Comments

Magistrate refuses Bubblewrap Bandit bail based on cost of living forecast

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Gene Tunny

The Gold Coast’s Bubblewrap Bandit should have thought a bit more about his defence before he blamed the state of the economy at his bail hearing, as reported in the Courier-Mail earlier today: “The defendant stated he committed the offence … Continue reading →

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Tradies know what it means to live in the 200km City

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Gene Tunny

The downside of a 200km City (i.e. SEQ from Noosa to the Tweed) is that you can have a long commute to and from work. The upside is that, if there is a downturn in your local area, you can … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich | 2 Comments

Queensland most at risk from sea level rise

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Gene Tunny

While the Gold Coast Bulletin is doing its best to generate alarm (Coast to go under in climate crisis), it’s surprising there hasn’t been more coverage of the latest Department of Climate Change report: Climate Change Risks to Coastal Buildings … Continue reading →

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Gold Coast development rules unfair on pole dancing studios

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Gene Tunny

Last month Gold Coast-based MP Steve Ciobo argued that the Gold Coast needed to put on the razzle dazzle so it could compete with Las Vegas and Macau (read about it here). If Mr Ciobo is serious about his vision … Continue reading →

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