Gold Coast We Can Do Better - 05/09/2011
Bob Janssen

Returning with my wife Kate from 3 weeks of overseas holiday that included Vancouver, a 7 day Alaskan cruise finishing with 4 days in Las Vegas, we were forcibly reminded of just how competitive the tourism industry is.

I love this city, like most of us that chose to live here, whenever I am away I act as an ambassador, extolling all we have to offer. My first surprise when meeting many of the 2500 passengers on the cruise was that not one of them had heard of the Gold Coast. This even included the crew and officers who were excited that their ship, the Radiance of the Sea, was coming to Australia for a 3 month stint beginning November. They knew where Brisbane was, it was one of their ports of call. Oh, and yes, so was Cairns.

Disembarking from the ship in Seward Alaska for the two and a half hour bus transfer to Anchorage where we overnighted , Kate and I had a chance to discuss our surprise that our great city was not as well known as expected. Las Vegas was an even bigger shock. Filled with tens of thousands of tourists seeking a good time or instant riches surely someone had heard of us.

We struck up dozens of conversations that included those informed folk historians, the cabbies with just one success, a cabbie who had some Aussies as passengers a few weeks ago. The passengers were talking about visiting the Gold Coast on the way home to Geelong. Even then he got it wrong. The cabbie believed the Gold Coast was somewhere in a state called Victoria.

Now to be fair, we are not concentrating on the American market. The high Aussie dollar and the 13 hour flight from LAX is daunting. But another surprise was that many we spoke to had Australia on their bucket list. Kangaroos, koalas and Crocodile Dundee were the most mentioned incentives plus they liked us Aussies. If I was asked once more to say "Gidday Mate" I was going to lose it. It can be tough being a self motivated city ambassador.

Going over the holiday in my mind I found many lessons that we, as a tourism city could learn from. That started in LAX with more customs, security and immigration checks than one could bear. Another burden that 9/11 has left the free world.

30 hours without sleep and bad, I mean really bad airline food marked our passage to Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. It is a beautiful city of 3 million inhabitants where the architecture is so different to what we are used too but has a distinctive charm that's easy on the eye. I had decided to spend 3 days here to see what infrastructure the Olympics had bequeathed the city and to experience their light rail system they call Sky Rail. Of course, using that system to go shopping and see parts of the city kept Kate happy so it was both enjoyable and a learning curve at the same time.

The first thing that struck us when travelling in Vancouver was that most cars were less than 5 years old and that many of the cabs were hybrids. The city utilized open space with native trees and hanging baskets of flowers that the local government maintained or paid the residents to do so which enriched the streets in a display of vibrant colour.

The light rail system was a gem, extremely efficient going through 3 zones for $3.25 per passenger on an all day ticket. The time between trains was 3 minutes so you could travel quickly in air conditioned comfort while watching the traffic held up at the numerous traffic lights. A trip to an outlying shopping centre took 12 minutes by light rail and 35 to 40 minutes by cab. If this was what the Gold Coast could expect in its system then we were indeed fortunate.

The shopping center was crowded with what we discovered were foreign students taking advantage of the relatively low cost education facilities unburdened by the restrictive practices the Australian government has placed upon this export industry. They seemed happy in their surroundings and I was left wondering why we in Australia had so misjudged their value both economically and as potential permanent residents that would contribute to our future skills pool.

Vancouver is locked into the tourism industry with a well designed and welcoming cruise ship terminal in the center of the city just across the road from the Fairmont Hotel and the convention centre.

The terminal is also the staging point for various tours that includes Grouse Mountain just 25 minutes away by bus. A gondola ride to the top of the mountain ends at a lodge where coffee, meals and souvenirs can be purchased.

Leaving the lodge on maintained pathways you are led to massive carvings from huge pines depicting local industry and fauna. A little further on, living in a natural habitat bordered by what seems a flimsy electric fence are two orphaned adult grizzly bears, close enough to you so that you can feel the warmth of their breath in the chilled air. Happy snaps were more about focus and controlling shake rather than opportunity.

That scene and experience brought back memories of the hard but lost fight to establish a cableway to Springbrook. Having seen the care the rangers took of the environment, how deer walked freely into the area from the surrounding mountains and the constant flow of tourists adding to the economy, it angered me even further that we had missed a similar opportunity.

Listening to the various conversations, Canadians and Americans tend to speak loudly, many visitors expressed their delight in experiencing this natural environment and their determination to preserve it. I had to ask myself, what is our problem?

Getting aboard the Radiance of the Sea meant another hour or more going through immigration and security but once aboard it was another world, an enclosed community. Our stateroom was equivalent to the finest hotel and the service we would experience for the next 7 days was nothing short of marvelous.

The ship was well run with the 900 crew looking after the 2500 passengers. Hygiene was a critical factor, everywhere you went there were antibacterial dispensers and reminders to use them. Any spillage was cleaned up immediately and you didn't have to ask for service, it was offered.

If you want to know more about a ship it pays to build relationships with the crew. Dinner with the Captain helps as well, and as chance would have it we were fortunate to be invited to the captains table.

Captain Borsheim and his wife proved to be genuinely charming hosts. We learned that the Radiance was coming to Australia and the ship's crew were excited with the opportunity. Naturally the conversation revolved around our culture, sights, experiences and of course a cruise ship terminal for our city.

Passionate about having a cruise ship terminal here on the Gold Coast, I requested all the information available regarding environmental issues that could potentially hinder any further attempt to establish one. Captain Borsheim arranged a meeting between his onboard environmental officer Vidar Hagavei and myself.

What I learnt would put to rest the concerns of any genuine environmental protectionist. Alaska has some of the most rigid environmental laws on the planet. The state calls itself the Last Frontier and rightly so. The Radiance has won awards for some of its environmental protocols and practices. Subsequent contact with Vidar since our return should result in documentary evidence of these practices and claims.

Almost all of our ports of call in Alaska are isolated with no connecting roadways to other areas. Supplies come by barge or air so the reliance on tourism is a critical aspect of the local economy. The weather and seasons play an important part as well with as little as 4 hours of daylight in winter the tourism season is limited to the summer months.

Watching passengers and crew from 4 ships descend on a township in a spending frenzy is a mind boggling experience. That's up to 10000 people seeking the dozens of excursions and shopping opportunities available. Anyone claiming that cruise ships don't contribute to the local economy lives in a fools paradise.

The only drawback we found was that entering any of the numerous jewellery shops exposed you to a permanent hard sell shadow who wouldn't leave you alone until you were either rudely firm or left the premises. That said, most shops were helpful and the food on offer was excellent.

One thing to remember is that all advertised prices do not include tax and there is the practice of tipping to contend with as well so be prepared to spend a few dollars more.

The last 4 days of our holiday were spent in Las Vegas. How do you describe this city? Well first it was hot and I am talking of constant temperatures above 40C so air conditioning is a must, not a luxury. Next, the city is over the top, everything is bigger, glitzy, ostentatious and bordering on the unbelievable. We loved it because of just that! It is an unforgettable city.

It pains me to say this but the service and better than excellent meals we experienced in Las Vegas made me realize just how much we could learn from this city. If we are to ever breech the American market, these lessons must be taken aboard.

To say it was a great holiday would be an understatement but the learning curve was the real bonus. There is so much our city has to offer yet we must improve our service and accept that our customers, the tourists need to leave our city feeling the same way as we did. They will be our best ambassadors abroad.

Word of mouth is the greatest form of advertising and in an enclosed environment, cruise ship passengers discuss their previous holidays. We met people who have taken more than 30 cruises and listened to the wonders they were exposed to. I thought, this could be our city they are talking about. And what about our Hinterland, can we learn from Vancouver where they have harnessed the attributes of the natural environment without despoiling it and educating us at the same time?

What we experienced is not so much a criticism of our city but an opportunity to do it better and truly place ourselves as a destination of choice on the world stage. Gold Coast, we can do it better. To achieve that status, we must.

Bob Janssen
President Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Media Contact - 0411 741 552
president@gcccc.net

Council Say's No to Construction Stimulus - 02/08/2011
Bob Janssen

It's a long way between a good idea and getting it up. Take a good look at construction approvals for the first half of this year and you can see that this industry has fallen into a hole, a deep one. We can blame the GFC, banks not lending even rising costs but council must share some of the blame.

Gouging the construction industry with high infrastructure charges and delaying development applications in the middle of tough economic times exacerbated the problems the industry was facing. Sure, some of this has been addressed. Not by enough however and not without being dragged kicking and screaming to the negotiation table.

Councillors, this city needs jobs and the construction industry, one of our main economic pillars is bleeding, profusely. Jobs in this industry trickle down through the broad business community creating further employment opportunities and confidence. We could sure use some of that.

So after commending council last month on its initiative of offering an additional cash grant for new home construction, in their wisdom, the majority of our councillors decided to reject it. What makes this particularly galling is that both sides are claiming political motivation for the decision.

Councillors, we don't care!

I am reminded of a witticism I wrote some years ago; "The greatest detriment to good governance is politics." I hear another concern was the rising costs of living. Last week it was about the high rate of default in payment of rates. Ladies and gentlemen, if you don't have a job you are going to make the house payments and put food on the table before paying the rates believe me.

So back to the decision, well there wasn't one. It was much easier to do nothing. With the pain of continuing businesses collapse, more retrenchments and cut back in city projects the question is what pain has the council suffered? Has there been a cut back in wages and staffing, how about bonuses or perks? I wonder?

Some of the many things to come out of Turning Point were leadership, representation, innovation and business acumen but most of all a need for change. With the decisions coming out of council those sentiments can only be reinforced.

Bob Janssen
President Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Media Contact - 0411 741 552
president@gcccc.net

Turning Point - 22/07/2011
Bob Janssen

The Gold Coast Bulletin and Griffith University sponsored Turning Point Forum brought together some of the city's sharpest minds in a political free environment to address the seemingly unending economic and social malaise.

Did this meeting of minds discover anything new? Well not really. Some existing concepts were repackaged. The Combined Chamber together with the UDIA and Property Council were already collaborating on issues such as leadership, public transport, the Broadwater, city image council charges and crime.

So was this just another talkfest?

Far from it!

Bringing together such a broad forum where issues and concerns were laid bare without fear or favour brought clarity, unity and resolve. Gone was any sense of apathy or complacency. There was a common understanding of the issues and a determination to act proactively and to act now. To take control of the agenda in determining our own future by rejecting incompetent governance and establishing benchmarks for those we elect to represent us or administer our city.

We will hear in the weeks and months to come greater detail of how this will be accomplished but it was a good beginning. Looking around me and listening to the conversations between small groups you could not miss the feeling of change in the air. They all wanted it back and more. They wanted the knowledge that we lived in a great city where anything was possible, where you felt secure and where, with the will, you could still realize your dreams.

From where I stood that energy, consensus and resolve had all the hallmarks of delivering a real Turning Point for our city.

Bob Janssen
President Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Media Contact - 0411 741 552
president@gcccc.net

Bureaucratic Bastardry or Just Incompetence? - 20/07/2011
Bob Janssen

If you think that’s a tough call then place yourself in the shoes of all of those small business operators who find themselves on the wrong side of a zoning issue. It seems that money can fix almost anything, just apply for rezoning, pay an exorbitant fee that is tantamount to legalised blackmail and you may keep your business.

Take one Chamber member who runs a personal training business out of a Medical Centre in Robina. Established in 2002 for the purpose of assisting recovering patients in rehabilitation and providing preventative therapy, the proprietor has been advised that her business falls into sport and recreation while the area is zoned as medical, retail and office. So what are the options? Just apply for rezoning and pay the $25000.00 fee. And you wonder about business confidence in this city?

Firstly, this business is not about 50 or so mums coming together to get fit, it is about supporting patients and those with medical fitness issues. Secondly it is based on a trainer to customer (one on one) basis in a Medical Centre. So perhaps council should not be looking at the word of the legislation but at the intent. There is no additional impact on infrastructure so the only reason to proceed with this outrageous demand is to increase the revenue of a bureaucracy that is out of touch with commercial realities.

This is just one case the Chamber will follow up, there are many, many more.

In a city that is facing the harshest economic times in memory, business needs encouragement and confidence not the dictates of a bureaucracy that is becoming increasingly impervious to accountability.

It may well be said that council is enforcing State legislation but in the end by destroying business government destroys the social fabric of the community and the city. Whether this legislation is State or Council borne is immaterial to the business community. What is relevant is that it must be addressed and that process begins at the coalface where the impact has dire consequences.

We know the Chamber does not stand alone in its concerns and looks to its collaborative partners for support in forcing change through the democratic process to ensure that business is heard in finding just and sensible solutions that will once again see our city find economic security and confidence.

Bob Janssen
President Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Media Contact - 0411 741 552
president@gcccc.net

Positive Steps towards Affordable Housing and Domestic Construction Stimulus - 15/07/2011
Bob Janssen

Gold Coast City Council's proposal to subsidies the cost of a new dwelling to the tune of $10,000 in the form of a grant is commendable. The severely depressed construction industry has added significantly to the city's economic downturn. This grant, if approved, will act as a tangible stimulus for both the industry and those purchasing a new home. This initiative should also lead to an increase in business confidence.

At a meeting yesterday, called to address concerns by plumbers regarding interpretation of Australian and State Standards Acts, interpretation that led to confusion and possible unwarranted costs to a client, there was an amicable agreement to clarify the contested requirements.

With senior representatives from the State Government, Council and the Combined Chamber present, it also allowed discussion regarding streamlining processes that reduced red tape and subsequent costs incurred. It was encouraging to hear that the State Government was already involved in this process and would take on board suggestions that came out of the meeting.

By engaging with government in this form of consultation and developing a mutual understanding of how regulation works at the coalface it becomes possible to effect improved regulation and legislation that delivers efficiency in better work practice and reasonable costs to both client and contractor.

Bob Janssen
President Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Media Contact - 0411 741 552
president@gcccc.net

Should Chambers of Commerce Become Embroiled in Political Debate? - 03/07/2011
Bob Janssen

In determining the answer to that question we must first accept the obvious.

Business creates the economy and government controls it. In accepting that reality the question becomes a matter of extent rather than a moral or responsible right and duty in representing the business community.

Obviously in engaging government on policy that may either be to the benefit or detriment of the business community there is risk, but that risk should be recognised in two parts, economic and social.

The basic charter of a Chamber of Commerce is to foster or create an environment in which business, and by extension the broad community can thrive. Therefore in supporting or rejecting policy to create this environment economic risk is not at issue. That leaves us with social risk.

Interfacing with government when dealing with issues that effect business requires a bipartisan approach based on policy regardless from which political party or individual such policy emanates. Depending on how determined government is willing to implement such policy will dictate the level of social risk. In representing the business community, a Chamber of Commerce has a duty to seek economically viable solutions and place social risk as a secondary consideration, never at the forefront.

By taking a bipartisan approach in dealing with policy rather than party political doctrine any criticism against the Chambers based on political bias becomes a mute point and defence able.

Business faces risk every day. Its strength is the ability to implement immediate action to reduce or offset that risk based on survivability and growth. Government on the other hand due to protocol, process or misunderstanding the requirements of business is often slow to react or miscalculates with a knee jerk reaction often based on political expediency. The changes to student visa conditions, unfair dismissal in small business and recently live cattle exports are prime examples. The impact was not fully thought through and the collateral damage was significant.

Social risk, what there is of it, is a small price to pay when seeking economic stability for the businesses the Chambers represent. Leadership, courage and determination in addressing policy without fear or favour is the only way we can effect change in meeting the responsibility and obligation we have to our broad membership base. That leaves us with only one answer. Yes, we should!

Bob Janssen
President Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Media Contact - 0411 741 552
president@gcccc.net

The Cost of Playing Possum - 28/06/2011
Bob Janssen

While the city struggles to rejuvenate a depressed construction industry it is incredulous that a housing project was delayed over a possum, owl and sugar glider in a protracted legal stoush. More so that it has taken 2 years and 2 million dollars to resolve with ratepayers paying a hefty bill. There had to be a better solution. The city needs jobs and affordable housing.

Once again our invisible bureaucrats have outdone themselves in their inability to balance environmental, social and economic impact. The question is, when and if our elected councillors will take responsibility for this wastage of ratepayer money and change this biased policy bringing about balance in the decision making process?

It may very well be laughable but in the end the joke is on us.

Bob Janssen
President Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Media Contact - 0411 741 552
president@gcccc.net

Gold Coast Fights Back - 13/06/2011
Bob Janssen

One of the better characteristics of our Australian culture is to never kick a man when he is down. Well, it used to be.

Looking at the national media over the past month or so will expose an inclination to tip the proverbial bucket on our city. These stories certainly contain facts. We cannot deny a stressed tourism market, the downturn in real estate, construction or high unemployment and to top it off a spike in crime. What these stories do not tell is the determination of a community to address these problems.

During the GFC Gold Coast business took the unprecedented decision to keep on its employees recognising they were irreplaceable assets as well as customers. The local slow recovery in a patchwork economy has since forced business to reluctantly revise that policy. Even so the tough conditions have produced a strong connectivity between business and the workforce where there is a sense of cooperation rather than division.

The high exchange rate has certainly eroded our competitive stocks in tourism. Rather than complain or fall into the trap of apathy the Gold Coast is offering excellent value packages encouraging visitors to experience what remains an international destination.

While the media focuses on a depressed real estate market they fail to consider that this also presents an opportunity for investment. While this market may be down, history has shown that eventual recovery surpasses previous benchmarks. The natural assets and lifestyle on the Gold Coast will always attract those seeking a life change regardless of short to medium term corrections.

Exceedingly high infrastructure charges has led to the Gold Coast City Council being accused of implementing micro economic policy to deter growth. The effect was in part responsible for the collapse of both the commercial and domestic construction industry with developers and trade’s people leaving the city or seeking employment elsewhere. Consistent lobbying by the UDIA, Property Council and other effected organisations including the Chamber of Commerce has led to the lowering of this barrier with further consultation being undertaken to stimulate this industry.

Substantial growth corridors such as Coomera will come on line in the short term offering both affordable housing and employment in the construction industry. The Rapid Transit Project while causing considerable upheaval during construction will see effective change in land use along its route adding to more construction jobs that will flow on in economic benefits to other businesses and employment. The Gold Coast is far from the basket case some media outlets would portray.

Nothing is more deterring than the fear of being a victim of crime. Crime is not unique to the Gold Coast the difference being that as a well known and the sixth largest city we stand out. The tragic death of Damian Leeding in the line of duty while answering a call to a live crime scene was the final straw for a community that was already determined to end an unprecedented crime spike. Ongoing cooperation between community, business and police was well established in hardening targets and bringing these criminals to justice. The community has made it abundantly clear that they will not tolerate this criminal behaviour. We are a welcoming city appreciating, respecting and protecting our visitors.

The Gold Coast is a cosmopolitan city drawing its residents and visitors from all over the world and from all walks of life. Many see us only as an international playground, a place for fun. Look deeper and you will see a community just like your own comprised of families and businesses with the same aspirations and concerns that you have. Attacking us for the sake of a sensationalist story without a balanced approach in how we address those issues facing us or mentioning what our community really stands for effects the livelihood of our families exacerbating what are already tough times.

Our welcome mat is out, we rely on your understanding and continue to offer what we believe is the best there is. If not we will make it so. Never underestimate the resilience of our community, its ability to unite when challenged and the innovative ways we reinvent ourselves coming back stronger than ever. No matter what may be said or written, the Gold Coast is always open for business and remains an international playground.”

Bob Janssen
President Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Media Contact - 0411 741 552
president@gcccc.net

Climate Change Is a Carbon Tax the Right Solution
Bob Janssen

Take a theory, mix in a large dollop of truth, add a factor of fear and you have a saleable policy.

Or do you?

Question the necessity or validity of a carbon tax and you are branded a sceptic or climate change denier. Effectively, this is an attempt to shut down debate and we should never accept that no matter what our position is on global warming.

Professor Julius Sumner Miller educated two generations by asking “Why is it so?” Now, sadly, many of us just accept without question spoon fed theories and comment.

Study into the history of our planet has revealed climate change is constant, most is minor with lengthy stable periods but some is definitive as demonstrated by mass extinctions. These were natural, occurring long before we walked this planet and long before industrialisation. In recent history as defined by the 4.5 billion year age of our planet, we experienced an ice age lowering the oceans that allowed the expansion of humanity and other species. Some of those natural catalysts for climate change include:

• Solar activity
• El Nino and La Nina (Southern hemisphere)
• Changes in ocean currents
• Volcanic activity
• Changes in the ionosphere through particle bombardment
• Heat reflection through extensive ice coverage
• Continental movement
• Shift in the Earth's axis
• Meteor impact

Our planet is in constant flux.

These natural phenomena will continue whether we implement a carbon tax or not. This leads to a valid, often asked, but yet unanswered question.

How do we differentiate between the impact of naturally occurring climate change events and the theory of carbon dioxide warming, and by what length of historical time period can we measure these changes to effectively reach an acceptable conclusion in ensuring the future of our species?

A fact of natural history is that nothing remains the same, species either evolve or perish and the landscape changes according to a variety of natural events

Government tells us that the debate is over, that carbon dioxide global warming is scientific fact and to address it they will implement a carbon tax. But is it value for money? While the question regarding natural occurring events remains unanswered can we afford to ignore their role in climate change?

If the basis of the debate is to address climate change and not a way for government to implement another tax then why do we remain only focused on the carbon dioxide issue as the prime factor? Surely we should also seek solutions to those natural factors over which we have no control? Nature has taught us that adaptation to a changing environment has secured the continuation of many species. Is it then inconceivable that therein may lay an answer without creating further economic hardship?

Tax, any tax adds to the cost of living no matter how well we wrap it up to become palatable. Before our government takes us down this path they must open the debate to answer those questions and explain the economic and social impact so we can judge what course better serves us all.