In just 50 years, Gold Coast City has grown from a small beach town to Australia's sixth largest city - and it's fastest growing one, with a five-year annual average population growth rate of 3.4 per cent (compared with 1.2 per cent for Australia).

Its economic growth is also outstanding, with the economy trebling in the past 10 years, from $6.4 billion in 1996/97 to $18.2 billion in 2007/08. This is expected to continue, with forecasts tipping gross regional product to grow to $28.9 billion by 2026.

The city boasts thriving tourism and urban development sectors, and has boosted the expansion of the city's economic base across a range of industries inlcuding education, environment, food, health, information and communication technology, marine, tourism and sport.

Given this economic strength, Gold Coast City now offers significant opportunities for investors and businesses looking to establish, expand or relocate. A combination of lower costs, diverse workforce, a supportive business environment and excellent infrastructure provides the setting needed for business success.

Situated on the edge of the Asia Pacific Rim, Gold Coast Coast City is geographically well placed to attract internaitonal business, with a similar time zone to that of the major trading nations in Southeast Asia.

Some of the recent major developments in the area include:

$1.7b Rapid Transit System
$1.5b Gold Coast University Hospital
$700m Hilton Hotel development
$800m Soul apartment and retail development
$324m Robina railway extension
$300m Robina Town Centre expansion
$120m Carrara Stadium redevelopment
$25m Surfers Paradise Foreshore Redevelopment
$100m Gold Coast Airport expansion
$82m Southport Broadwater Parklands redevelopment

Providing support for business investment

Businesses look to establish themselves within the boundary of Gold Coast City can draw on the assistance of Business Gold Coast, the economic development agency for Gold Coast City.

Funded by the Gold Coast City Council, Business Gold Coast is responsible for proactively developing a sustainable Gold Coast City economy through industry development initiatives and investment attraction programs.

Business Gold Coast partners with potential investors to create business opportunities, facilitate access to funding, assist with location selection and generate connections through networking. It can provide free, confidential and comprehensive advice on potential markets, customers, suppliers, infrastructure and services - to ensure investors have all the tools needed for success.

Expansion in Gold Coast City is cost-effective, productive and profitable. With the help of Business Gold Coast, investors can tap into Gold Coast City markets quickly and efficiently.

The Gold Coast City Council also offers a range of support services to assist significant economic projects with planning applications associated with a relocation or establishment of a comany on the Gold Coast.

Key statistics

• A population of over 500,000, within the booming South East Queensland catchment of almost three million.
• Strong interstate migration of approximately 1800 people per month.
• A strong regional economy valued at $18.2 billion, which has doubled over the last decade.
• Australia’s leading tourist destination, with approximately 10 million visitors per annum.
• A strong, established industry base of construction, tourism and retail.
• Tourist expenditure of $12.1 million per day.
• Household expenditure of $11.3 billion.

Statistics source: Gold Coast City Council Input/Output table 1996-97, 2001-02, 2007-08, National Institute of Economic and Industry Research November 2007, Australian Bureau of Statistics Census, Tourism Research Australia.

Source: Business Gold Coast